India’s Visa Rules For 2020, 2021: Who Are Allowed To Enter India, Who Are Not Allowed? (10 Facts)

India will soon be pulling down international borders with the hope to improve the economic conditions. 

However, despite easing the rules and regulations, there are some changes to the visa norms. Read on to find out the changes that have been made to the new visa regulations.

New Rules Introduced To International Visas Holders To Enter India

The Union Home Minister has announced that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders and foreign nationals will now be allowed to visit India, except for tourist visas and electronic visas. As per the Home Ministry, “The government has decided to make a graded relaxation in visa and travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals and Indian nationals who wish to enter or leave India.”

1. Indians and other people who own the OCI cards and People of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders will be able to come to India through authorized airports and seaport immigration check posts.
2. The government has announced that all existing visas will be restored with immediate effect, except electronic, tourist, and medical visas.
3. Also, people with business, conferences, employment, studies, research, and medical visas will be allowed to enter India. 
4. If anyone’s visa has expired, they can apply again. Foreigners who are looking to enter India for business, conferences, work, study, research, or medical purposes will be allowed to apply, as revealed by the government order.
5. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, Regular scheduled commercial flights will still be suspended right now, and the overseas travelers can use other options, such as flights under a government repatriation program, so-called air-bubble agreements, and private charters.”
6. In addition to that, shops will also be permitted, but all the travelers will be required to strictly follow the guidelines that are necessary in these times. 
7. India has also extended a government repatriation program to permit private carriers. This includes InterGlobe Aviation’s IndiGo and SpiceJet that will operate such planes with special permission. As of now, air bubbles have been established between India and 18 other countries, such as the U.S., U.K., Bangladesh, Germany, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Canada, and others.