MHA Relaxes Curbs On Foreign Travellers; Who Will Be Allowed To Enter India? Check Here

The Ministry Of Home Affairs on Friday has allowed the entry of certain categories of foreign nationals which includes OCI cardholders and married couples in which one partner is an Indian citizen.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Ministry Of Home Affairs on Friday allowed the entry of certain categories of foreign nationals. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the government had put in place restrictions on the movement of travellers from abroad, and during the lockdown which began on March 24, foreigners were restricted from visiting India. As India begins the first phase of lifting the lockdown, the government announced several relaxations in activities including opening or religious places, malls, markets, and workplaces.  The MHA has now allowed the entry of several different categories of foreign nationals and made it easier especially for those holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to enter India. According to a report by PTI, those who are now allowed to enter India includes:

• Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders
• Students who are OCI cardholders
• Married couple in which one partner is an Indian citizen
• Minor children with one parent who is an Indian citizen
• Foreign nationals who are single parents of minor children holding Indian passports or OCI cards
• Dependent family members of foreign diplomats and service passport holding service staff accredited to foreign diplomatic missions, consular offices or accredited international organisations in India
• OCI cardholders who wish to come to India on account of family emergencies like critical medical conditions of immediate family members or death

The report also says that the foreign nationals will have to obtain a fresh visa of appropriate category from the Indian missions abroad. Those foreigners who hold a valid long term multiple entry visa will have to get it re-validated and they will not be allowed entry on the basis of any electronic visa obtained earlier. It also said that the restriction which was imposed by the MHA on April 17 and May 5 will not be applicable to the categories that are now allowed to enter. And the restrictions which were imposed on May 7 will not be applicable on any aircraft, or any other vehicle by which the listed foreign nationals will be travelling. Also Watch| Indian Railways runs first ever Double Stack Container Train