Highlights
- OCI cardholders will not be allowed to travel to India until international flights resume
- OCI cardholders wanting to travel for "compelling reasons" can contact the High Commission or the Consulate
- India suspends all existing visas granted to foreign nationals
According to the latest travel advisory issued on Tuesday, OCI cardholders will not be allowed to travel to India until the Indian government decides to lift the restrictions on international air travel to or from the country.
The issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, however, states that anyone with an OCI card who intends to travel for “compelling reasons” while the restrictions remain in place is advised to contact the nearest Indian mission.
But for those already in India, the OCI card will remain valid for “any length of time.”
What does it mean for an Australian passport holder wanting to travel to India?
For any Australian passport holder intending to travel to India during this period, the new advisory means, the passenger will have to get permission from both the countries.
Explaining the process, Melbourne-based migration agent Kamaldeep Singh said Australian citizens would first have to request for an approval to travel overseas from the Department of Home Affairs.
A snapshot of special permission granted by DOHA to an OCI cardholder who wants to travel to India for "compelling reasons." Source: Supplied
“The department has a special provision under which exemptions can be granted to Australian citizens and permanent residents who want to travel overseas if they can demonstrate a compelling reason,” said Mr Singh.
He added that once they receive the grant, the Australian citizen can then register their interest with the Indian mission or post.
“So, once you have the grant, you can approach the Indian consulate or High Commission. But then again, all this is irrelevant until the government announces a repatriation flight from Australia or lifts the travel restrictions,” he said.
In a separate order, the government has also suspended all existing visas granted to foreigners except those belonging to diplomatic, official, UN international organisations, employment and project categories until the air lockdown is lifted.
But added that visas of foreign nationals stranded in India due to the pandemic have been extended on a gratis basis just on submission of an online application.
The visas have been extended for a period of 30 days beyond the restrictions on flights will be lifted.
India has essentially remained closed since March 24, when it shut down its USD 2.9 trillion worth economy, its business operations, suspended its air, road and rail transports and issued a stay-at-home directive, in what was billed as one of the strictest COVID-19 lockdowns in the world.
NEW DELHI, INDIA - MARCH 24: Deserted view of Vijay Chowk during the second day of lockdown. Source: Hindustan Times/Sipa USA
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