COVID-19: Some visa, travel restrictions relaxed

IMPACT – HIGH

The government is now permitting certain categories of foreign nationals to enter India.

Key Points:

• Foreign business visitors on a business visa (other than B-3 visa for sports) on non-scheduled commercial/chartered flights.
• Foreign healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers and technicians for technical work at Indian health sector facilities, including laboratories and factories (requires a letter of invitation from a recognized and registered healthcare facility, registered pharmaceutical company, or accredited university in India).
• Foreign engineering, managerial, design or other specialists traveling to India on behalf of a foreign business entity located in India (includes all manufacturing units, design units, software, and IT units as well as financial sector companies).
• Foreign technical specialists and engineers traveling for the installation, repair and maintenance of foreign-origin machinery and equipment facilities in India, at the invitation of a registered Indian business entity.

Additional information: The above categories of foreign nationals would need to obtain a new business visa or employment visa, as applicable, from an Indian Mission abroad. Foreign nationals holding a valid long-term multiple entry business visa (other than B-3 visa for sports) issued by an Indian Mission abroad would need to revalidate their business visa at that same Indian Mission. These foreign nationals would not be permitted to travel to India using an electronic visa obtained earlier.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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