MHA relaxes Visa and Travel restrictions

MHA relaxes Visa and Travel restrictions

Ministry of Home Affairs

MHA relaxes Visa and Travel restrictions imposed in response to COVID -19, permitting certain categories of OCI cardholders stranded abroad, to come back to India

22 MAY 2020

Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has relaxed Visa and Travel restrictions imposed in response to COVID – 19, permitting certain categories of Overseas Citizen Of India (OCI) cardholders, who are stranded abroad, to come to India.

Following categories of OCI Cardholders stranded abroad, have been permitted to come to India:-

• Minor children born to Indian nationals abroad and holding OCI cards.
• OCI cardholders who wish to come to India on account of family emergencies like death in family.
• Couples where one spouse is an OCI cardholder and the other is an Indian national and they have a permanent residence in India.
• University students who are OCI cardholders (not legally minors) but whose parents are Indian citizens living in India.

The travel restrictions, imposed earlier by MHA on 07.05.2020, would not apply to any aircraft, ship, train or any other vehicle deployed for bringing back the above mentioned categories of OCI cardholders who are stranded abroad. All other terms and conditions laid down by MHA on 07.05.2020 would continue to remain in effect.

Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
(Foreigners Division)

Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, India Gate
New Delhi – 110002, Dated : 22nd May, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Visa & Travel restrictions in response to COVID -19 – Permitting certain categories of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, who are stranded abroad, to come to India – regarding

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s O.M. of even number dated 7th May, 2020 regarding Visa & Travel restrictions in response to COVID-19 – Evacuation of Indian nationals stranded abroad and to say that the matter regarding permitting certain categories of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, who are stranded abroad. to come to India in relaxation of the travel restrictions imposed has been considered by the Government of India.

2. It has now been decided to permit the following categories of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholders, who are stranded abroad, to come to India:-

(i) Minor children born to Indian nationals abroad and holding OCI cards.
(ii) OCI cardholders who wish to come to India on account of family emergencies like death in family.
(iii) Couples where one spouse is an OCI cardholder and the other is an Indian national and they have a permanent residence in India.
(iv) University students who are OCI cardholders (not legally minors) but whose parents are Indian citizens living in India.

Consequently, the travel restrictions imposed vide this Ministry’s O.M. of even number dated 07.05.2020 referred to above would not apply to any aircraft, ship, train or any other vehicle deployed for bringing back the above mentioned categories of OCI cardholders who are stranded abroad.

3. All other terms and conditions laid down in this Ministry’s O.M. of even
number dated 07.05.2020 shall continue to remain in effect.

4. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.

(Pramod Kumar)
Director (OCI)