India reopens doors for foreigners, but not yet for tourism

 It has been decided to permit all OCI and PIO card holders and all other foreign nationals intending to visit India for any purpose, except on a Tourist Visa to enter by air or water routes through authorized airports and seaport immigration check posts.    

The Centre has decided to make graded relaxation in visa and travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals and Indian nationals who wish to enter or leave India.

Therefore, it has been decided to permit all OCI and PIO card holders and all other foreign nationals intending to visit India for any purpose, except on a Tourist Visa to enter by air or water routes through authorized airports and seaport immigration check posts.  

This includes flights operated under Vande Bharat Mission, Air Transport Bubble arrangements or by any non scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the civil aviation ministry. 

All such travelers will, however, have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the Union health ministry regarding quarantine and other health/COVID-19 matters.

Under this graded relaxation, the Centre has also decided to restore with immediate effect all existing visas (except electronic visa, Tourist Visa and Medical Visa).  

If the validity of such visas has expired, fresh visas of appropriate categories can be obtained from Indian Mission/Posts concerned.  

Foreign nationals intending to visit India for medical treatment can apply for a Medical Visa, including for their medical attendants. This decision will enable foreign nationals to come to India for various purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies, research, medical purposes etc.

In view of the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centre had taken a series of steps to curtail the inward and outward movement of international passengers since February, 2020.