The Government of India has announced relaxations in visa and travel restrictions to permit certain categories of foreign nationals to come to India amid the coronavirus-triggered lockdown.

“The Government of India has considered the matter regarding relaxation of visa and travel restrictions for certain categories of foreign nationals who need to come to India. It has been decided to permit certain categories of foreign nationals to come to India,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The MHA order states that foreign businessmen travelling to India on a business visa (other than on B-3 visa for sports) in non-scheduled commercial/ chartered flights are allowed to enter India.

Foreign healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers and technicians for technical work at Indian health sector facilities, including laboratories and factories, are also allowed to come to India after fulfilling certain conditions.

The relaxations in visa and travel restrictions also apply to foreign engineering, managerial, design or other specialists coming to India on behalf of foreign business entities located in India.

“Foreign technical specialists and engineers travelling for installation, repair and maintenance of foreign-origin machinery and equipment facilities in India, on the invitation of a registered Indian business entity” are also allowed to travel to India. It may be noted that prior to implementing the nationwide lockdown on March 25, the Indian government had grounded all domestic and international scheduled commercial flights and barred the entry of foreign nationals into the country.