New Delhi (NVI): Easing visa and travel restrictions imposed in the wake of Covid-19, the Home Ministry today allowed certain categories of OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) cardholders, who are stranded abroad, to come back to India.
The Foreigners Division of MHA released an order in this regard. The Government has now decided to permit the following categories of OCI cardholders to come back to India:
1) Minor children holding born to Indian nationals abroad and holding OCI cards.
2) OCI cardholders who wish to come to India on account of family emergencies like death in the family.
3) Couples, where one spouse is an OCI cardholder and the others, is an Indian national and they have a permanent residence in India.
4) University students who are OCI cardholders (not legally minors) but whose parents are Indian Citizens living in India.”
The Ministry further stated: “The travel restrictions, imposed earlier by MHA on 07.05.2020, would not apply to any aircraft, ship, train or any other vehicle deployed for bringing back the above mentioned categories of OCI cardholders who are stranded abroad. All other terms and conditions laid down by MHA on 07.05.2020 would continue to remain in effect.”
The Centre’s decision comes amid its Vande Bharat mission to bring back thousands of Indian nationals stranded abroad.
