Visa of foreign nationals who are stuck in India extended till August 31

India has decided to extend the validity of its visa or stay stipulation period for foreign nationals, who are stuck in that country due to Covid-19 induced suspension of normal international flights, from June 30 to August 31.

The visa or stay extension has been done on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty, the Home Ministry said today, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The stranded foreign nationals do not need to submit any application to the FRRO/FRO concerned for extension of their visas, our New Delhi correspondent reports.

The stranded foreign nationals can apply for an exit permission to the Foreigners Registration Office concerned before exiting the country, which would be granted on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty, it said.

Due to non-availability of normal commercial flight operations on account of the Covid-19 pandemic since March 2020, a number of foreign nationals who went to India prior to that on valid Indian visas have got stranded in the country.

These foreign nationals have been applying for extension of their visas or stay stipulation period on a monthly basis.

"The matter has now been reconsidered by the Home Ministry in the light of non-resumption of normal commercial flight operations and it has accordingly been decided that the Indian visa or stay stipulation period of such foreign nationals stranded in India will be considered as valid till August 31," the Ministry said.