Currently, the threat of community transmission looms over India as the number of cases is now nearing the 50,000-mark, and deaths are 1,500+. Taking into account the urgency of the matter, the Indian government has put a ban on the issuance of visa to foreign nationals. Just as the US did, a few exceptions that can help support the Indian economy have been kept rather than a blanket ban. Complete Coverage: Coronavirus
Crux of the Matter
Visa Ban But Lenient The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order that visas of foreigners stranded in India due to the lockdown will be granted a free extension on ‘gratis’ basis until international flight services start. No foreigner will be charged for overstaying in India till 30 days after the uplifting of the ban on global air travel. Gratis basis means something done out of kindness, or for free. The second-order released by MHA says that relaxation would also be given to the people whose visas have/will expire(d) during the lockdown. Their visas would be extended on a ‘gratis’ basis by just filling an online application.
Apart from that, OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) cardholders, who have a lifetime Indian visa, will not be allowed entry into India till the air travel ban is lifted.
Special Permissions The Ministry has given special permission for the issuance of visas to diplomats, officials of the UN and it’s international organizations, employment visa seekers, and project visa seekers. If foreign nationals want to travel to India in any unavoidable circumstances then they can contact the nearest Indian Embassy. India will also give permission to foreign nationals to go back to their country at their request.
‘Non Helpful Travel Ban’ Strategy Recently, the USA also banned the issuance of visas but spared a few categories like the medical experts and doctors who can assist the nation at this critical juncture. US also allowed a few visas related to investment/businesses that can support the US economy. Despite India putting a temporary halt to the issuance of visas, it has been lenient in terms of granting an extension to the stranded foreigners. Most of the countries across the world have temporarily banned visa services because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Curiopedia
One of the earliest known references to paperwork that served in a role similar to that of a ‘Passport or Visa’ is found in the Hebrew Bible. Nehemiah 2:7-9, dating from approximately 450 BC, states that Nehemiah, an official serving King Artaxerxes I of Persia, asked permission to travel to Judea. The king granted leave and gave him a letter “to the governors beyond the river” requesting safe passage for him as he traveled through their lands. Word visa comes from Latin ‘charta visa’, meaning “paper which has been seen” and in essence, it was a document signed by a king authorising the person to enter his territory.
The oldest passport still in existence was issued on 18 June 1641 and signed by Charles I. The document was licensing Sir Thomas Littleton “to pass out of this realme (realme) into the part beyond the Seas, there to reymain (remain) the space of three years”. The passport was sold at an auction in 2016 for $1,750 in Knightsbridge in London. According to the text, Littleton was travelling with four servants, fifty pounds and “his trunks and necessaries”, and was forbidden from venturing into the realm of any “foraine (foreign) Prince or Potentate not being with us in league or amitie (amity).”
As of February 2020, 47 countries provide ‘visa on arrival’ to individuals carrying an Indian passport. Some of them are Thailand, Bhutan, Mauritius, Bolivia, etc.
Curated Coverage
Comments