NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DLHI, MAY 5
The Union government on Tuesday suspended all existing visas, barring a few exceptions, granted to foreign nationals till international air travel to and from India remains shut due to the coronavirus pandemic, an order said.
In a separate order, the Union Home Ministry said it has extended on ”gratis” basis the visas of foreigners stranded in India due to the lockdown.
The extension will be for 30 days beyond the opening of international travel.
The Home Ministry also said it has kept in abeyance multiple-entry life-long visas given to Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders till international travel remains suspended.
However, the OCI cardholders who are already in India can stay in the country for “any length of time”, it said.
All existing visas granted to foreigners — except those belonging to diplomatic, official, UN international organisations, employment and project categories — shall remain suspended till prohibition on international air travel of passengers from and to India is lifted by the government, the order said.
