India Suspends all tourist visas for travellers due to Covid outbreak

Domestic Mar-20-2020 by aditi verma

World Health Organisation has declared coronavirus as a pandemic. As a result of this, the Indian Government has suspended all the tourist visas and e-visas that have been granted on or before 11th March 2020.

All the visitors who were coming to India including the Indian nationals have been advised to not engage in non-essential travel. As per the statement, “All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/international organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15th April 2020.” This order came into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020, Friday.

The Visas of all the foreigners who are currently in India will still remain valid and they need to contact the nearest FRRO/FRO through thee-FRRO module for extension/conversion of their visa. A notification to this effect is being issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI).

India had also imposed a visa ban on China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Japan prior to this announcement.

The Indian travel advisory dictates the passengers with a travel history to China, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Japan, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Iran, Malaysia, France, Spain, and Germany to undergo a self-imposed quarantine for a duration of 14 days starting from their arrival and their employers should enable work-from-home facility for these employees during the period.

Travel and Visa Restrictions related to COVID-19

In supersession of all earlier advisories issued on this subject, the following advisories are issued for immediate implementation:

All regular (sticker) Visas/e-Visa granted to nationals of France, Germany, and Spain and issued on or before 11. 3. 2020 and who have not yet entered India stand suspended with immediate effect.

All regular (slicker) Visas/e-Visa (including VoA For Japan and South Korea) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and which have been issued on or before 03. 03. 2020 and who have not yet entered India remain suspended.

Regular (sticker) visa/e-Visa granted to nationals of China, issued on or before 05. 02 2020 suspended earlier continue to be suspended.

Regular (sticker) visas/e-Visas granted to all foreign nationals who have traveled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Japan, France, Germany, and Spain on or after 01. 02.2020 and who have not yet entered India stand suspended with immediate effect.

All aforementioned restricted categories of foreign nationals may not enter India from any Air, Land or Seaport ICPs. Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons may seek a fresh visa from the nearest Indian embassy/consulate. Italian and South Korean nationals, who are granted a fresh visa issued after 05 03 2020 should carry 'tested negative for COVID-19' medical certificate from designated laboratories of Italy and South Korea.

Indians and OCI cardholders from Italy and South Korea should carry 'tested negative for COVID-19' medical certificate from designated laboratories of Italy and South Korea. OCI cardholders of other countries are free from visa restrictions but shall need to undergo mandatory health checks upon arrival in India.

Visas of all foreigners already in India remain valid. They may contact the nearest FRRO/FRO through the e-FRRO module for extension/conversion etc of their visa or grant of any consular service if they choose to do so.

Holders of Diplomatic passports, Official passports, officials of UN and other international bodies and aircrew from above eight countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, their medical screening on arrival is compulsory.

All foreign and Indian nationals entering into India from any port are required to furnish a pair of duly filled self-declaration forms (including personal particulars I. e, Phone number and address in India) and travel history to health officials and immigration officials at all arrival ports.