IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a circular saying that foreign nationals who were in China on or after Jan. 15 will not be permitted to enter India by any mode of transportation. The move came after Indian authorities announced last week that they would cancel all visas for Chinese nationals across the globe as well as foreign nationals in mainland China.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: All Indian visas.
  • Who is affected: Any foreign national who was in China on or after Jan. 15.

Business impact: The coronavirus outbreak and the related travel restrictions have dramatically slowed business travel to and from China.

The Indian government moved last week to cancel existing visas of Chinese nationals (with the exception of passport holders from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) and foreign nationals who had traveled to China. Officials subsequently stated that foreign nationals who had been to China on or after Jan. 15 would not be allowed to enter India through airports, seaports or on roads with neighboring countries. DGCA has clarified that these restrictions will not apply to aircrew, regardless of their nationality.

Analysis & Comments: The government’s actions indicate that India is taking serious steps to contain the spread of the virus. Applications for Indian visas are no longer accepted from foreign or Chinese nationals applying from mainland China or Chinese nationals applying from any other countries (excluding passport holders from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan). Most airlines have reduced flights from India to mainland China and Hong Kong, and business travel between India and China has dramatically slowed. Those with urgent immigration needs are encouraged to contact Deloitte.

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