Centre permits 4 categories of Foreign Nationals to come to India

On Wednesday, Centre said that it has decided to permit 4 categories of foreign nationals to come to India as it eased visa restrictions days after 'Unlock 1' came into effect.

MHA in a release said that "Government of India has considered the matter regarding relaxation of the visa & travel restrictions for certain categories of foreign nationals who need to come to India".

On June 1, the orders in this regards were issued.

This comes even as the lockdown which was first imposed in March to check the spread of coronavirus is gradually being relaxed.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said it has been decided to permit the following categories of foreign nationals to come to India -- Foreign businessmen coming to India on a Business visa (other than on B-3 visa for sports) in non-scheduled commercial/ chartered flights; foreign Healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers & technicians for technical work at Indian health sector facilities, including laboratories & factories.

The MHA release said that "This is subject to a letter of invitation from a recognized & registered healthcare facility, registered pharmaceutical company or accredited University in India".

Foreign Engineering, Managerial, Design or other Specialists travelling to India on behalf of foreign business entities located in India have also been permitted to come. According to the release, this includes all manufacturing units, design units, software & IT units as well as financial sector companies (banking & non-banking financial sector firms).

These relaxations have also been extended to foreign Technical specialists & engineers travelling for installation, repair & maintenance of foreign-origin machinery & equipment facilities in India, on the invitation of a registered Indian business entity.

According to the Hime Ministry, these could be for equipment installation or is under warranty, or for after-sales servicing or repair on commercial terms.

The MHA release said that "The above categories of foreign nationals would have to obtain a fresh Business visa or Employment visa, as applicable, from the Indian Missions/ Posts abroad. Foreign nationals holding a valid long term multiple entry Business visa [other than B-3 visa for sports] issued by the Indian Missions/ Posts abroad would have to get the Business visa re-validated from the Indian Mission/ Post concerned. Such foreign nationals would not be permitted to travel to India on the strength of any electronic visa obtained earlier".

Centre had banned the operations of international commercial flights in India in March 2020.

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