India suspends all visas issued to foreigners in bid to stop COVID-19
The Star/Asia News Network
PETALING JAYA — The Indian government has suspended all visas issued to foreign nationals to enter the country until April 15.
The country’s Bureau of Immigration deputy director Dinesh Adhikar in a statement issued on Wednesday (March 11) said the visa suspension would affect all visas apart from diplomatic and official visas.
Other visas exempted from the suspension include work visas, United Nations and international organisations visas, as well as project visas, said Dinesh.
“The visa suspension will come into effect at 12am (12 GMT) on March 13 at the port of departure of any foreigner for onward journey to India.
“Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reasons may contact the nearest Indian mission (to them) for fresh visa,” he said.
The visas for foreigners already in India will, however, remain valid, he added.
Dinesh said incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, who have visited China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, France, Spain, or Germany from Feb 15 would be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days.
He added that this would also come into effect on March 13.
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