New
Delhi, (the states. news) In view of non resumption of commercial
international flights from India since March last year, the Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA) on Friday further extended the Indian visa or stay stipulation
period of foreigners stranded in India due to COVID-19 pandemic till August 31
this year on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty.
According to the MHA order, these foreign nationals will not be required to
submit any application to the Foreigners Regional Registration
Office/Foreigners Registration Office concerned for extension of their visas.
“Such foreign nationals may apply for an exit permission to the FRRO/FRO
concerned before exiting the country, which would be granted on gratis basis
without levy of any overstay penalty”, the MHA order said.
A large number of foreign nationals who came to India prior to March last year
on valid Indian visas had got stranded in India, the MHA, considering their
difficulties in getting their visas extended in India due to the Covid 19
induced lockdown, had issued an order on June 29, 2020 conveying that the
Indian Visa or stay stipulation period of such foreign nationals expiring post
June 30, 2020 shall be deemed to be valid until 30 more days from the date of
resumption of normal international flight operations, on gratis basis.
Such foreign nationals have been applying for extension of their visas or stay
stipulation period on a monthly basis and keeping in view of their
difficulties, the Government has taken this decision, a senior Home Ministry
official said.
India has extended ban on scheduled international flights till end of June
2021. (uni) (media
saheb.com)