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.
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.
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.