Due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic there have been numerous restrictions on travels across the international borders. On Thursday, the ministry of home affairs liberalized the visa restriction regime implemented in March-April by permitting the entry of all foreigners in India except tourists.

The Government has also given permission to all overseas citizens of India (OCI), a person of Indian origin(PIO) cardholders, and all other foreign nationals (except tourists) to visit India. Till now, only a certain category of OCI cardholders and foreigners were allowed into the country due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The restrictions were placed to prevent the spread of the infection of the Covid19 in India.

The government has also decided to bring more “graded relaxations” in visa and travel restrictions for many categories of foreign nationals and Indian nationals who desire to enter or leave India. As a result, MHA came to the conclusion that they permit all OCI and PIO cardholders and all other foreign nationals expected to visit India for any purpose except those entering on Tourist Visa. The MHA has also mentioned that the OCI and PIO cardholders and all other foreign nationals can enter by air or water routes through authorized airports and seaport immigration check posts. This would also include those flights which are being operated under Air transport bubble arrangement, Vande Bharat Mission, or by any other non-scheduled commercial flights as permitted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. However, the visitors have to strictly follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding health issues, Quarantine, and other Covid19 matters.

The GOI had suspended all Visas on March 11. After that, in June, the entry of foreign minor children was allowed, if they were accompanied by a parent who is an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder. Foreigners married to Indian citizens and single foreign parents whose children hold an Indian Passport or an OCI card were also allowed.

In this recently declared graded relaxation method, the GOI has allowed for restoration of all kinds of Visas with immediate effect, except for Tourist Visa, Electronic Visa, and Medical Visa. Foreigners can apply for fresh visas including Medical Visa. This decision would help foreign nationals to arrive in India for conferences, business, studies, employment, research, medical purposes, and other categories as stated by MHA, GOI.

The author is a student member of Amity Centre of Happiness.