COVID-19: International flight suspension, visa extension

IMPACT – HIGH

India recently extended the suspension of international flights and some visas.

Key Points:

• All scheduled international passenger flights remain suspended until July 31. There may be exceptions for some international scheduled flights on a case-by-case basis.
• All Indian visa services remain suspended until further notice. There are exceptions for in-country registrations, other in-country services and visa extensions.
• Visas expiring after June 30 shall be deemed to be valid until 30 days from the date of resumption of normal international flight operations, free of charge and without levy of an overstay penalty.
• Foreign nationals unable to leave India because of travel restrictions who have visas that are about to expire can apply online at the e-FRRO portal.
• Foreign nationals with expired visas who have applied to leave the country will be granted an exit permit without having to pay an overstay penalty.

Background: India first suspended international commercial flights in March.

Analysis & Comments: The international flight suspension extension is to prevent inbound travelers from entering India, on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. The visa extension is good news for foreign nationals currently in India. The response to the 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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