For the first time, the Indian government is allowing foreign businessmen
Recently, the Indian government has considered easing visa and travel restrictions for certain visa categories and for foreigners who need to enter India. For the first time since a national blockade was declared in March, the Indian government is allowing foreign businessmen, medical professionals and engineers to visit India, provided they obtain new visas.
The home ministry's order stipulates that foreign nationals holding valid long-term multiple-entry business visas must also get their travel documents reconfirmed by the Indian Mission.
In a statement on June 3, the home ministry said, "It has been decided to allow the following categories of foreigners to enter India."
1.Foreign businessmen entering on business visas (other than Sports B-3 visa) and coming to India on unscheduled commercial and charter flights.
2. Foreign medical professionals, health researchers, engineers and technicians invited by registered medical institutions, registered pharmaceutical companies or accredited universities recognized in India, who wish to come to India to perform technical work in health sector facilities (including laboratories and factories).
3. I wish to work in India on behalf of a foreign business organization in the capacity of an engineering, management, design or other specialist to India.
These organizations include all manufacturing sector, design sector, software and IT sector and financial sector companies (banking and non-banking financial sector companies).
4. Foreign technical experts and engineers traveling to India to install, repair and maintain machinery and equipment at the invitation of an Indian registered commercial company.
The statement said:
"Foreign nationals in the above categories will have to obtain new business or work visas from Indian missions abroad. In addition, foreign nationals holding valid, long-term, multiple-entry business visas (other than Sports B-3 visas) issued by Indian missions abroad are required to apply for reactivation of their visas from the Indian embassies. Otherwise, they will be barred from entering the country if they go directly to India on any previously obtained e-visa.
But there is no concrete news on the policy and news on reactivation of other types of visas, so stay tuned!
: June 2 Special Note from Chinese Embassy in India:
1. Indian citizens in China are requested to double check the validity of their Indian visas.
Visa validity and period of stay in India are one and the same concept. Visa validity is usually 30, 60, 90 or 180 days and the visa stay cannot exceed the visa validity period for each entry.
2. Please check whether you need to apply for an extension or a departure permit for your Indian visa. If the extension or departure permit expires, you will still need to apply for another extension or departure permit from FRRO.
Chinese nationals in India should ensure that their Indian visas or departure permits are valid to avoid being prevented from leaving India, being denied boarding a flight or possibly incurring economic losses.
Apply for Indian visa extension online. Immigration website: https://indianfrro.gov.in/frro/.