The government on Thursday extended till September 30 visas of all foreign nationals stuck in India due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision was taken because a number of foreigners who came to India on various types of visas prior to March, 2020 got stranded in the country in the absence of flights to their destinations due to the pandemic.
"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. 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 Union Home Ministry said.
According to a release, before exiting the country, they may apply online for an exit permission on e-FRRO portal which would be granted by the authorities on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty.
"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. 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," the Ministry said in a statement.
The Ministry also said that that if an extension of visa was required beyond September 30, the foreigner 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, the Afghan nationals, who have been already in India on any category of visa, will be granted an extension under guidelines issued separately for Afghan nationals.
Due to the situation arising out of COVID-19 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.
(With inputs from Agencies)
