You can finally pack your bags for that holiday abroad.
VFS Global has decided to re-open visa application centres in some cities after it got the nod from respective consulates in India. But there's a caveat. The choice of countries you can visit is limited, as of now.
You can travel from India to Belarus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Turkey, UAE, and the United Kingdom. However, all visa categories for UAE are available online but only for passenger of Emirates airlines via VFS Global.
For visa application services related to Ireland and UK, people from Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh and Kolkata can apply from July 6, 2020.
Those intending to travel to Italy, Belarus, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Dominican Republic and Turkey will have to apply for the visa application from the New Delhi centre.
Furthermore, the Dominican Republic is only accepting online applications. Resumption of UK visa applications will begin only at select centres, namely at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru (Global Tech Park only), Chandigarh, Chennai (subject to local lockdown regulations), Jalandhar, Kochi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai (Mahalaxmi only), New Delhi (Shivaji Metro Stadium only), and Pune.
Before you visit the nearest visa office, please go through their website, as the restart date of submission of the visa applications and the visa categories for each country is different.
Some of you may have doubts about the resumption of the visa process in the absence of any notice regarding the resumption of international flights. Well, the above information is subject to change according to the guidelines of respective governments, and also depends on the lockdown regulations of various states in India.
And be warned, you will have to undergo mandatory temperature checks at all visa centres.