The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the period of Indian visa of foreign nationals stranded in India due to Covid19 till September 30, 2021.
“Due to the situation arising out of Covid19 pandemic, a number of foreigners, who had come to India on various types of visas prior to March 2020 got stranded in the country in the absence of flights to their destinations,” MHA said in a statement.
MHA stated that the central government had facilitated the stay of such foreign nationals within India by giving deemed extension of their regular visa or e-visa or stay stipulation period on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty.
“This facility which is presently available till August 31, 2021 has now been extended by the central government till September 30, 2021,” MHA said in the statement.
Such foreign nationals will not be required to submit any application to the FRRO/FRO concerned for extension of their visas till September 30, 2021, the ministry said.
Before exiting the country, they may apply online for an exit permission on e-FRRO portal, which would be granted by the FRRO/FRO concerned on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty, it added.
If an extension of visa is required beyond September 30, 2021, the foreign national concerned may apply for extension of visa on the online e-FRRO platform on payment basis, which would be considered by the FRRO/FRO concerned, subject to the eligibility as per the extant guidelines.
“However, Afghan nationals already in India on any category of visa will be granted extension of visa under guidelines issued separately for Afghan nationals,” MHA further said.