All Foreign and Indian Nationals can now Travel to India, Except Tourists

The latest notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued today, on October 22, restores the visa of all foreign nationals including Overseas Citizens (OCI) of India as well as Persons of Indian (POI) origin.

This update has made both entry into India as well as departure, much easier.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has permitted all OCI and PIO card holders as well as all other foreign nationals to visit India. They may enter or leave the country by air or sea travel through authorised airports and seaport immigration check posts.

Travel to the country has now been allowed for all purposes except tourism in a calculated move as India looks to revive its economy while trying to control the rapid spread of the pandemic. While domestic tourism is slowly being restored in the country, international tourism remains a far off possibility at present.

Read India has Travel Bubbles with these 18 Countries

The graded relaxation in visa and travel restrictions comes after eight months of restricted air travel in the country. On March 22, the government had issued a blanket ban on commercial international airlines which was followed by tighter restrictions on domestic air travel as well.

Under the air transport bubbles formed by the country, the Vande Bharat flights are in full swing having already returned over 7.88 lakh Indian nationals to their homeland.

&nbspA list of safety guidelines have also been issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare which will be strictly followed at all airports and seaports.