Tag: Ministry of Home Affairs

India lift restrictions on e-Visa for 156 countries

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has lifted restrictions on e-visas for foreigners from 156 countries, allowing nationals from 156 countries to avail of e-medical visa, e-business visa, e-medical attendant visa, and e-conference visa, according to reports. The MHA order will allow nationals except those from China, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the UK to travel to India under e-visa schemes. Travel restrictions for these countries are set to be reviewed this month. However, the ban on tourist visas is still in place. All these visas were suspended last March as the COVID-19 pandemic started ... Read more

Indian-Americans happy to see restoration of OCI benefits

Indian-Americans have welcomed India’s decision to restore the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card benefits, including the visa-free travel to the country, which were suspended in view of the coronavirus pandemic, reports PTI. The OCI card, which allows lifelong visa-free travel to India with certain limitations to people of Indian-origin, was suspended by the Indian government on April 11 amidst a nationwide lockdown and travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The sudden decision had created chaos and anxiety among the hundreds and thousands of Indian-origin people. A large number of them had taken to the social media platforms like ... Read more

Hotels and restaurants to open, as lockdown 5.0 kicks off from Monday

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday announced phase-wise resumption of economic activities in areas outside Covid-19 containment zones. The guidelines will come into play from June 1 and would be effective till June 30. Hotels, malls and restaurants to open Activities to be allowed from June 8 as part of Phase 1 plan: Religious places of worship for public, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services. Shopping malls to be allowed to open from June 8. Health Ministry would issue SOPs for the above activities, in consultation with the Central Ministries/ Departments concerned and other stakeholders, for ensuring social distancing and to ... Read more