AMN / NEW DELHI
The Union Home Ministry has said that Indian visa or stay stipulation period of foreign nationals stranded in India, due to COVID-19 pandemic, has now been extended till 30th September. This facility was earlier available till 31st of August.
The Ministry said, due to the situation arising out of COVID-19 pandemic, a number of foreigners who had come to India on various types of visas prior to March last year got stranded in the country in the absence of flights to their destinations.
The Central Government had facilitated the stay of such foreign nationals within India by giving deemed extension of their regular visa or e-visa or stay stipulation period on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty. The Home Ministry said, such foreign nationals will not be required to submit any application to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or FRO concerned for extension of their visas till 30th of this month. It said, before exiting the country, they may apply online for an exit permission on e-FRRO portal, which would be granted by the FRRO or FRO concerned on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty.
If an extension of visa is required beyond 30th of this month, the foreign national concerned may apply for extension of visa on the online e-FRRO platform on payment basis, which would be considered by the FRRO or FRO concerned, subject to the eligibility as per the extant guidelines.
The Ministry said, however, Afghan nationals already in India on any category of visa will be granted extension of visa under guidelines issued separately for Afghan nationals.