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Indian authorities announced an expansion of the visa-on-arrival policy to include foreign nationals from Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
Key Points:
Additional Information: The government recently updated their policy for Chinese nationals to apply for an electronic business visa. This visa allows entry for work and business activities within certain departments and ministries and in specific industries. All other e-visa categories are currently suspended for Chinese nationals, so this updated policy is the only e-visa option and offers faster processing compared to the standard business visa. The government also recently announced the opening of a new Fast Track Immigration — Trusted Traveler Program (FTI-TTP) for Indian nationals and foreign nationals holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.
BAL Analysis: The visa-on-arrival can be utilized at six designated airports. Indian authorities are updating travel policies to allow eligible individuals to obtain immigration clearances more quickly and efficiently and simplify the process for visitors to boost tourism.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.
Copyright © 2024 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.
The U.S. State Department has relocated its Kolkata Visa Application Center.
Additional Information: The State Department reminded visa applicants that B1/B2 interview waiver appointments are now centralized in New Delhi, with extremely limited appointment availability in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. More information about interview waiver eligibility is available here.
Also, applicants who receive an “Access limitation” warning message when booking an appointment online may have installed browser plug-ins or extensions designed for automation. To proceed with scheduling an appointment, these individuals should remove these automation tools and then try to book the appointment after waiting at least 24 hours.
This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.
Indian authorities announced the opening of a new Fast Track Immigration — Trusted Traveler Program (FTI-TTP) for Indian nationals and foreign nationals holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.
Additional Information: FTI-TTP registration will be valid until an applicant’s passport expires or five years and can be renewed. Applicants will need to provide biometrics in addition to other required information. The new process will then establish a passenger’s genuine identity and biometric authentication, and allow individuals to pass through an e-gate, automatically granting immigration clearance.
BAL Analysis: FTI-TTP was officially inaugurated on June 22 at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. The Fast Track system, modeled after the U.S. Global Entry program, will allow eligible individuals to obtain immigration clearances more quickly and efficiently.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India announced that 3,900 applicants had been interviewed during its annual Student Visa Day on June 13.
Additional Information: The establishment of Student Visa Day in India eight years ago is a joint effort between the Department of State, Mission India and EducationUSA to share information on studying in the United States and reflects the U.S. government’s commitment to prioritize students and facilitate their travel. “Today’s Indian students also represent tremendous potential — the knowledge you will unlock, the new skills and opportunities you will experience and the relationships you will build are worth the investment. … Together, we are taking the U.S.-India relationship forward,” said U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti.
BAL Analysis: The U.S. Mission in India set a goal of processing 1 million nonimmigrant visas in 2023, a target that was reached in September. The U.S. Consulate Mumbai conducted a “Super Saturday” visa drive on May 12, screening 1,700 first-time student visa applicants for approval. While visa services at some embassies and consulates remain delayed, the U.S. Mission in India said it would continue to “invest in the future of consular services in India and explore ways to provide more efficient and convenient services.”
Indian authorities announced an agreement with Moldova on a visa waiver policy for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
BAL Analysis: The reciprocal visa-free policy should increase economic and social ties between the two countries. The visa waiver policies are part of larger government priorities to facilitate entry and boost tourism.
Indian authorities announced all Person of Indian Origin cards will remain valid until Dec. 31, 2024.
Additional Information: Indian officials advise individuals to convert their PIO card to an Overseas Citizen of India card before the extension deadline ends. All existing PIO cardholders (handwritten and machine-readable) are deemed to be OCI cardholders if they obtained PIO status as of Jan. 9, 2015. Indian officials still recommend that all persons apply for the OCI conversion to maintain travel rights and ease the transition to the new card. More information on OCI conversion can be found here.
BAL Analysis: PIO cardholders with valid cards should convert to an OCI card accordingly. The OCI card is a smart card that will facilitate quicker clearance at immigration check posts and qualify individuals for additional consular services in India.
The Indian High Commission in Ottawa has resumed the issuance of e-visas to Canadian tourists and business travelers.
Key Points:
• India issues e-visas to Canadian nationals only for tourism and business purposes.
• The announcement confirmed the e-visa facility has been restored, two months after it was suspended.
• The Indian government previously resumed processing of entry, business, medical and conference visa services on Oct. 26.
BAL Analysis: The recent easing of visa bans and restoration of e-visa services should continue the de-escalation trend between the two nations. BAL will continue to provide updates as they become available.
Copyright © 2023 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.
The High Commission of India in Ottawa issued a press release confirming the Indian government has resumed processing some visas for Canadians.
BAL Analysis: The change is welcome news for Canadian national visa applicants. The High Commission indicated that it considered “recent Canadian measures” in resuming visa services, and the change could help de-escalate some of the diplomatic disagreement between the two nations. BAL will continue to provide updates as they become available.
IMPACT — MEDIUM
India’s suspension of visa issuance to Canadian nationals will not apply to current visa holders, OCI card holders or renewal applicants in India.
Additional Information: The diplomatic dispute arose between the two countries over Canada’s allegation that the Indian government was involved in the murder of a Sikh activist and naturalized Canadian citizen. The Indian government subsequently issued a travel warning to its citizens in Canada, and Canada pulled some staff from its Indian consulates reportedly due to threats. While processing of Canadian visas continues in India at this time, delays should be expected. BAL will continue to monitor the diplomatic dispute and provide updates as information becomes available.
Copyright © 2023 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.
IMPACT — HIGH
The Indian government suspended visa processing for Canadian nationals as part of escalating tensions between the countries. The move comes in response to Canada’s allegations that the Indian government was involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh activist and naturalized Canadian citizen.
Additional Information: Bagchi cited security threats to staff in Canadian consulate staff as the reason for the suspension. The Indian government also issued a travel warning to its citizens in Canada on Wednesday. The Canadian government pulled some staff from its Indian consulates due to threats earlier this week, according to press reports. While processing of Canadian visas continues in India at this time, delays should be expected. BAL will continue to monitor the diplomatic dispute and provide updates as information becomes available.
Copyright ©2023 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.