MHA Relaxes Visa Regulations For Foreign Businessmen As India Opens Up Post-lockdown

Jun 03,2020

As India begins to 'unlock' post-lockdown, the Ministry of Home Affairs, on Wednesday, issued a memo stating that certain categories of foreign officials have been permitted to come into India. These categories include foreign businessmen on business via, foreign healthcare officials, foreign engineering specialists and foreign technical specialists on invitation from an Indian business entity. However, the government is yet to commence international passenger flights to and from India.

VISA restrictions during lockdown
Previously, the Home Ministry extended regular and e-visas of all foreigners who are stranded in India due to the coronavirus lockdown till May 22 on a gratis basis. The Home Ministry also said the visa granted to those foreigners, except diplomats and UN officials, who are supposed to come to India, will remain suspended. Currently, India's lockdown till June 30, bans international flights.

International flights by August-September
On last Saturday, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri revealed that by August-September, a 'good percentage' of international flights will begin operation. He added that while he is aiming to start international flights from mid-June, as per the ongoing rate of growth in Coronavirus infections, the ministry is confident that a fair number of international flights will commence operation by August. Domestic flights were allowed to resume operations on May 25, with conditions.

'Unlock 1'
The Centre has announced that the nationwide- Coronavirus lockdown has been extended in containment zones till June 30, 2020. The Centre has also announced that the re-opening of the areas outside containment zones will be done in three phases. As per the new guidelines, night curfew timings have been amended to 9:00 PM to 5 AM throughout the nation, except for essential services. India's active cases stand at 101497, recovered cases at 100302 with 5815 fatalities.