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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Speaking in Australia, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised a visa-on-arrival facility for Australian tourists. He also said the merger of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) status would be complete within two months.
What does the change mean? Australians will be able to visit India without obtaining a visa prior to travel.
Background: Modi spoke before 16,000 people in Allphones Arena in Sydney’s Olympic Park, in a scene reminiscent of his speech before 20,000 at New York’s Madison Square Garden in September where he promised Americans would receive visas on arrival when traveling to India. Since then, the Indian government made PIO cards valid for life, essentially giving lifelong visas to the Indian diaspora who hold the cards and eliminating registration requirements for cardholders who visit India. The merger of PIO and OCI cards would further streamline processing.
BAL Analysis: The changes will reduce red tape for Australian visitors and overseas nationals of Indian origin.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in India. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
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