Govt Relaxes International Travel Norms; Healthcare Workers, Engineers Can Now Fly Back To India

The Centre, in its notice, said that the eligible foreign nationals would be requited to obtain a fresh Business visa or Employment visa, as applicable, from the Indian Missions/ Posts abroad.

It has been decided to permit certain categories of foreign nationals to come to India. (Image: AFP)

New Delhi: Days after resuming domestic air flights across the country, the Central government on Wednesday decided to further relax visa and travel restrictions for 'certain foreign categories who need to come to India.' In an official notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, government has now considered the matter regarding relaxation of visa and travel restrictions for certain categories of foreign nationals who need to come to India. It has been decided to permit certain categories of foreign nationals to come to India. As per the announcement, foreign businessmen coming to India on a business visa (other than on B-3 visa for sports) in non-scheduled commercial/ chartered flights will be permitted to India.

Relaxation in Visa and Travel restrictions to permit certain categories of Foreign Nationals to come to India.#Covid_19

Press Release ????https://t.co/FzG0U1d1WL pic.twitter.com/5QklKknFTh — Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) June 3, 2020

In addition to this, foreign healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers and technicians for technical work at Indian health sector facilities, including laboratories and factories will also allowed to come to India. The notice read that "this is subject to a letter of invitation from a recognized and registered healthcare facility, registered pharmaceutical firm, or accredited University of India." The government has also considered allowing foreign engineering, managerial, design or other specialists coming to India on behalf of foreign business entities located in the country. "This includes all manufacturing units, design units, software and IT units as well as financial sector companies (banking and non-banking financial sector firms)," the circular by MHA stated. Besides these, other categories eligible for the relaxed visa norms include Foreign Technical specialists and engineers travelling for installation, repair and maintenance of foreign-origin machinery and equipment facilities in India.

Government grants relaxation in Visa and Travel restrictions to permit certain categories of Foreign Nationals to come to India#COVID19

Details here: https://t.co/tHMofTQpce pic.twitter.com/CQY3PGvjpI — PIB India (@PIB_India) June 3, 2020

The Centre, in its notice, said that the eligible foreign nationals would be required to obtain a fresh Business visa or Employment visa, as applicable, from the Indian Missions/ Posts abroad. Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the authorities are continuously keeping a watch on the evolving situation of Coronavirus pandemic and will soon consider resuming the international air travel. "We will also have to consider that countries where we intend to fly are open to incoming foreign citizens," HS Puri added.