The Indian Embassy in the USA on Wednesday said that all visas for foreign nationals will remain suspended till the restrictions on international travel to and from India remain in place.
“All existing visas issued to nationals of any country who have not yet entered India, will remain suspended till prohibition on international air travel of passengers from/to India is lifted by the Government of India,” the Indian Embassy said in a statement.
“Exceptions include Visa issued to Diplomats, Official passport holders, those in UN / International organizations, and those on Employment and Project visas,” it added.
Moreover, the OCI card visa-free travel for Indian-origin people, who are not in the country, will also remain suspended until the prohibition imposed on air travel is not lifted.
However, the OCI card of a traveller presently in India shall remain valid.
According to the Indian embassy, regular visa, e-visa or stay stipulation of all foreign nationals whose visas have expired or would be expiring during the period from 1 February 2020 (midnight) till the date on which prohibition on international air travel of passengers from India is lifted, would be extended on GRATIS basis on submission of online application with the FRRO/FRO.
Such extensions would be granted for a period up to 30 days from the date of the lifting of the prohibition on international air travel of passengers from India without levy of overstay penalty, it said.
Exit to such foreign nationals, if so, requested by them, will also be granted on the same lines, it added.
Meanwhile, Air India on Thursday announced that it will be operating non-scheduled commercial flights from the US to various cities in India from May 9 to May 15 in the first phase.