Immigration update: India | A further update on visa restrictions related to COVID-19
A further update on visa restrictions related to COVID-19
Bureau of Immigration in India has issued additional visa restrictions to prevent further COVID-19 outbreak. This notice was issued on March 11th, 2020 at 22:18 IST.
Who will be affected?
- All travellers of any country expect for except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till April 15th, 2020.
- OCI card holders is kept in abeyance till April 15th, 2020.
Impact
- All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till April 15th, 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13th, 2020 at the port of departure.
- Visa free travel facility granted to OCI card holders is kept in abeyance till April 15th, 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13th, 2020 at the port of departure.
- Any foreign national who intend travelling to India for compelling reasons may contact the nearest Indian Mission for a new visa.
- Visas of all foreigners already in India remain valid. They can contact the FRRO/FRO for conversion/extension or grant of any consular service.
- All incoming travellers including Indian nationals from any destination and having visited China, Italy, Iran, Korea, France, Spain and Germany on or after February 15th, 2020 shall be quarantined for 14 days (effective from March 13th, 2020) at the port of departure.
- International traffic through land borders will be restricted by Immigration Check posts.
- Provision for testing primarily for students/compassionate cases in Italy to be made and collection for samples to be organized accordingly. Those tested negative will be allowed to travel and will be quarantined on arrival in India for 14 days.
- Indian nationals who are abroad are advised to avoid non-essential travel and informed that they can be quarantined for minimum 14 days on their arrival in India.
- Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. On their return they are subject to quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days.
- Non-compliance with the authorities’ requests to do the testing or those who cannot be contacted afterwards may face penalties and prosecution.
Santa Fe Analysis
In lieu of the latest measures rolled out, during the time taken to get the swab test results from the authorities, it is advisable to minimize contact with others as a precautionary measure. For employers, it is advised to keep assignment start dates flexible for affected travellers and also to keep business travels to a minimum.
As COVID-19 continues to spread to more countries and infect more people, we recommend practicing hygiene and safety measures first.
For more information:
Bureau of Immigration: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/
Santa Fe Relocation provide full range of Immigration Services.
Should you have any questions, please contact the following:
Roshni Ramachandran
India Immigration Manager – India
Santa Fe Relocation
Mumbai, India
D : +91 22 450 24527
E : Roshni.Ramachandran@santaferelo.com
Paolo Longo
Regional Immigration Director – India, Middle East & Africa
Santa Fe Relocation
Johannesburg, South Africa
D : +27 (0) 10 595 2337
M : +27 (0) 83 677 7949
E : Paolo.Longo@santaferelo.com
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