The government on Monday, 13 April, extended on gratis basis the regular visa and e-visa of foreign nationals who are stranded in India due to COVID-19 till 30 April, the Home Ministry said.
"Regular visa, e-visa or stay stipulation, of such foreign nationals who have been stranded in India because of spread of COVID-19 in many parts of the world, and due to consequent travel restrictions imposed by Indian authorities and whose visas have expired or would be expiring during 1 February (midnight) to 30 April (midnight), would be extended till 30 April (midnight) on gratis basis, after making online application by the foreigner," a home ministry statement said.
The foreign nationals are stranded in the country due to the 21-day lockdown announced on 24 March to curb the spread of the disease.
Sign of Lockdown Extension?
In order to remove any kind of confusion, the home ministry had on 28 March granted consular services on gratis basis to the foreign nationals presently staying in India due to travel restrictions in the context of COVID-19 outbreak, till 30 April.
Earlier, the government had extended the regular and e-visa of those foreigners who are currently in India and unable to leave the country due to the outbreak of coronavirus, till 15 April.
The decision to extend the visa exemption till 30 April was apparently taken in view of the near certain extension of the ongoing lockdown till 30 April.
It is also an indication that international flights, cancelled since 25 March, will not resume before 30 April. Thousands of foreign nationals are stuck in the country since the imposition of the travel restrictions, and are unable to exit the country during the validity of their visa.
The ministry has also provided essential consular services through the office of Foreigners Regional Registration Officers and Foreigners Registration Officers to foreign nationals, presently in India. Exit of such foreign nationals, if so requested by them during this period, will be granted without levy of overstay penalty, the ministry had said earlier.
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