Bureau of Immigration of the Government of India has issued advisory a couple of days ago on the travel and visa restrictions for foreign nationals visiting India and Indians wishing to travel abroad for business or holiday.  The advisory also covers those foreign nationals who are in India and wish to return to their home countries.

We are breaking up the advisory in the form of Frequently Asked Questions that can be referred below.

• Advisory for Indian Nationals abroad, who want to return to India
• Advisory for Indian Nationals who wish to go abroad
• Advisory for Foreign  Nationals who are presently in India
• Advisory for Foreign Nationals who want to come to India
• Advisory for OCI Card Holders
• Advisory for Diplomats, Officials, UN/International Organisations and others

Advisory for Indian Nationals abroad, who want to return to India

1. Will they be quarantined upon arrival in India? Only those who have visited China, Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, France, Spain and Germany on or after February 15, 2020 will be quarantined for 14 days
2. COVID-19 Negative Certificate mandatory for Indians? Only for those who are coming from Republic of Korea or Italy.
3. Whether Indians transiting through China, Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France and Germany be quarantined on arrival in India? No. Transit through Airport is not considered stay

Advisory for Indian Nationals who wish to go abroad

1. Whether Indians are allowed to go abroad? Indians are strongly advised to avoid non essential travel to Corona Virus affected countries. On their return to India from affected countries China, Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France and Germany they will be mandatorily quarantined.

Advisory for Foreign  Nationals who are presently in India

1. Whether they can extend their Indian visas before expiry? Yes, they should approach their jurisdictional FRRO/FROs through e-FRRO (https://indianfrro.gov.in/frro/).
2. Whether they can go out of India and return back? Yes they can go out of India. However, before April 15, 2020, they would require a fresh visa to enter India again.

Advisory for Foreign Nationals who want to come to India

1. Which visa categories are allowed to enter India? Those who hold Employment and Project visa, Diplomatic passport holders, Official passport holders, those in UN / International organizations.​​​​​​​
2. Are dependents of exempted category visa category allowed? No
3. Are infants/children who hold foreign passports but parents is Indian allowed? No. They are required to get fresh visa from Indian Mission/Post.​​​​​​​
4. Are Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives passport holders allowed? Nepal and Bhutan nationals are allowed. Maldives nationals would require visa.​​​​​​​
5. Are foreign nationals with RC/RP/Stay Visa allowed to enter? Only those foreigners who have RC/RP/Stay Visa w.r.t Employment/Project Visas.
6. Is COVID-19 Negative Certificate mandatory? Only for those foreigners who are travelling to India from/visited Italy or Republic of Korea.​​​​​​​
7. Can foreigners avail direct transit facility at Indian Airport?​​​​​​​ Yes. However, even in transit, medical screening is mandatory.​​​​​​​
8. Who is the competent authority to issue COVID-19 Negative Certificates in Italy and Republic of Korea? Hospitals/Labs recognized by Govt of Italy and Republic of Korea respectively.​​​​​​​

Advisory for OCI Card Holders

1. Are OCI Card holders allowed? No. They are required to get fresh visa from Indian mission/post.​​​​​​​
2. Are infants/children who hold foreign passports with OCI cards but parents is Indian allowed?​​​​​​​ No. Infants/Children are required to get fresh visa from Indian Mission/Post.​​​​​​​
3. Whether OCI Card holders coming from/visited Republic of Korea and Italy require COVID-19 Negative Certificates?​​​​​​​ Yes

Advisory for Diplomats, Officials, UN / International Organisations and others

1. Are Diplomats, Official, UN/International Organization passports holders allowed to enter India? Yes
2. Are dependents of Diplomats on normal passports allowed? No
3. Are Diplomats, Official, UN/International Organization passports holders required to carry COVID-19 Negative Certificates if they arrive from Italy or Republic of Korea? Yes
4. Which are the International Organizations allowed? UN Bodies and other recognized International organizations
5. Foreign crew allowed on GD if they have visited China, Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France and Germany on or after Feb 15, 2020 in their personal capacity? No