India eases visa restrictions for foreign and Indian nationals: Here's a look at the new guidelines

• Under this graded relaxation, the government has decided to restore all existing visas, except electronic visa, tourist visa and medical visa, with immediate effect.
  
• The ministry said this graded relaxation will enable foreign nationals to come to India for various purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies.
  
• However, if a foreign national intends to visit India for medical treatment, they can apply for a fresh medical visa, including for their medical attendants at Indian missions or post concerned.

Almost after eight months of visa suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, India is now making a graded relaxation in travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals and Indian nationals who wish to enter or leave India.

The Ministry of Home Affairs — a nodal Ministry which has the authority to give visa and foreign travel approvals — has now decided to permit all Overseas Citizenship Of India (OCI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders and all other foreign nationals intending to visit India for any purpose, except on a tourist visa. The ministry said this graded relaxation would restore with "immediate effect."

Who is allowed to come to India after new visa relaxation?

• The government has decided to restore with immediate effect all existing visas, except electronic visa, tourist visa and medical visa.
• If the validity of such visas has expired, fresh visas of appropriate categories can be obtained from Indian missions or post concerned.
• All OCI and PIO cardholders, foreign nationals can visit India via flights operated under 'Vande Bharat' mission, air transport bubble arrangements or by any non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Government said that this decision will enable foreign nationals to come to India for various purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies, research, medical purposes etc.
• All such travellers will, however, have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding quarantine and other health/COVID-19 matters.

Who is not allowed as per the new visa rules in India?

• The new relaxations are for all existing visas, except electronic visa, tourist visa and medical visa.
• However, the government said if a foreign national intends to visit India for medical treatment, they can apply for a fresh medical visa, including for their medical attendants at Indian missions or post concerned.
• All such travellers will, however, have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding quarantine and other health/COVID-19 matters.

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