Highlights
- Indian government provides answers to queries on latest travel restrictions
- The document has been released to clear confusion among travelers
- The document answers FAQs related to Indian nationals, OCI cardholders, foreigners and diplomats
The document released by the country's Ministry of Home Affairs answers queries based on the latest travel restrictions for Indian nationals, OCI cardholders, foreign nationals and diplomats intending to travel to or from India, that came into effect earlier this week.
Sharing the answers on Twitter, a Home Ministry spokesperson wrote that "This document addresses queries on travel and visa restrictions in a comprehensive manner."
Mohandeep Sethi, who drives a taxi to make ends meet for his young family based in Melbourne, said he was due to travel to Amritsar in the northern Indian state of Punjab on March 18, along with his wife and eleven months-year-old son.
But the Sethis had to cancel their trip because they were "uncertain" if their infant son would be allowed to enter India, as he is an Australian citizen, while both Mr Sethi and his wife are Indian nationals.
"We tried to ask people around and everyone told us, we must cancel our plans. We were going to visit our family in Punjab for the first time after our son was born.
"We were so confused about the travel restrictions and health hazards that we ended up cancelling our trip," Mr Sethi told SBS Punjabi.
The FAQs answered by the Bureau of Immigration are aimed at ending doubts lingering in the minds of travellers like Mr Sethi.
It is imperative to point out that the data supplied by the Bureau of Immigration is based on travel restrictions that shall remain in effect until April 15, 2020, or until further orders.
Passengers undergo temperature check as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool
Key points for Indian nationals wanting to travel to India:
1) Whether they will be quarantined upon arrival in India?
Only those who have visited China, the Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France and Germany on or after February 15, 2020, will be quarantined for 14 days.
2) Is coronavirus 'negative certificate' mandatory for Indians?
Only for those who are coming from the Republic of Korea or Italy. The document states that hospitals or labs recognised by the government of the Republic of Korea and the government of Italy respectively are authorised to issue 'negative certificates.'
3) Whether Indians transiting through China, Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany be quarantined on arrival in India? No, transit through the airport is not considered to stay.
Key points for Indian nationals wanting to go overseas:
Indians are strongly advised to avoid non-essential travel to coronavirus affected countries. The advisory clarifies that anyone returning to Indian from virus-affected countries-China, Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany will be mandatorily quarantined.
Key points for OCI cardholders:
1) Are OCI holders allowed?
No, they are required to get a fresh visa from the Indian Mission/Post.
2) Are infants/children who hold foreign passports with OCI cards, but their parents are Indian allowed?
No, children are also required to get a fresh visa from the Indian Mission/Post.
3) Do OCI cardholders coming/visited the Republic of Korea and Italy require a 'negative certificate'?
Yes, they do.
Key points for foreigners currently in India:
Indian government decodes latest travel restrictions to dispel confusion among travellers. Source: SBS
1) Can they extend their Indian visas before expiry?
Yes, they should approach their jurisdictional Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)/ Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) through e-FRRO .
2)Can they go out of India and return?
Yes, they can go out of India. However, before April 15, 2020, they would require a fresh visa to enter India again.
Key points for foreigners wanting to travel to India:
The document states that only those who hold Employment and Project visa, Diplomatic passport holders, Official passport holders and those in UN bodies/recognised International Organisations are allowed in the country.
It further clarifies that the dependents of diplomats, however, are not included in the exempted visa category.
