The Indian High Commission and Consulates in Australia have been given powers to issue emergency visas to OCI cardholders and other foreign nationals in “compelling situations”, in an effort to clear the confusion created by the new travel restrictions.
Many OCI cardholders and other Australian Indians were in a limbo after the Indian government decided to implement stringent travel restrictions aimed at curbing the coronavirus.
Even though the advisory issued by the Bureau of Immigration in India gave an option for obtaining emergency visas in ‘compelling situations’, many OCI cardholders in Australia were not able to get them.
Ani*, a resident of Cherrybook in north-west Sydney, was trying to get an emergency visa after the demise of her father in India.
“My dad died… I have an OCI card, but I am not able to travel. It is hard” she told SBS Malayalam on Saturday.
Her 81-year-old father living in the south Indian state of Kerala died of a heart attack on Friday night. Since it was the weekend, she was not able to get an emergency visa.
The Indian High Commission in Australia advised her to submit a paper application at the VFS office on Monday morning and it would be forwarded to the consulate and the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.
“As now Consulate does not have authority to issue the visa without Ministry’s approval,” the mission officials advised her.
Sydney based travel agent Jiju Peter pointed out that it was contradictory to the assurance given by the Bureau of Immigration.
Reply received by Ani from the Indian High Commission Source: Supplied
“The advisory assured that any foreign national and OCI cardholder could contact the nearest Indian embassy or mission and get a fresh visa in compelling situations,” he said.
Rules amended
However, responding to the email from SBS Malayalam pointing this issue, the High Commission advised that a new process is in place now.
“As per the latest instructions received (from the Ministry of External Affairs, India), the Mission/Posts in Australia can now issue visas after assessing the compelling/emergent reasons at their end,” High Commission Counsellor Ajay Srivastava said in the email reply.
“So it is requested that applicants may submit their applications with supporting documents ( which will help the Mission/Posts in deciding the compelling reasons) to the respective VFS centres.”
However, if it is an emergency like the death of an immediate family member, the mission or post can issue a visa.
“In case of an emergency like death, etc. the applicants may contact the Mission/Posts on the contact number given for such emergencies directly, and visa (after examining the relevant documents establishing the emergency/compelling reasons) could be issued from the Mission/Posts after charging the existing extra emergency fee,” he said.
SBS Malayalam learned that Ani got her emergency visa on Monday afternoon as per the new procedure.
As of Tuesday afternoon, only people who have recently travelled from overseas or have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and experienced symptoms within 14 days are advised to be tested.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor, don’t visit, or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
