Foreigners stuck in India due to pandemic granted visa extension till September 30

Visas of foreigners stuck in India due to the Covid-19 pandemic for around one and a half years have been extended free of cost till September 30 this year, the Indian Home Ministry said last night.

If visa extension is required beyond September 30, the foreign nationals may apply for it online on e-FRRO platform on payment basis, which would be considered subject to the eligibility as per the existing guidelines, the ministry said in a statement.

A number of foreigners who came to India on various types of visas prior to March, 2020 have been stranded in the country in the absence of flights to their destinations.

The Indian government facilitated the stay of such foreign nationals within India by giving deemed extension of their regular visa or e-visa or stay stipulation period without levy of any overstay penalty.

This facility, currently available till August 31 this year, has been extended till September 30 and the foreign nationals will not be required to submit any application to the concerned authorities for extension of their visas till September 30, 2021, according to the statement.

Before exiting India, these foreigners can apply online for exit permission on e-FRRO portal, which would be granted free of cost and without any overstay penalty, it said.