MHA allows foreign businessmen, technocrats to visit India

The Home Ministry has allowed foreign businessmen, healthcare professionals and engineers to visit India on the condition that they obtain fresh visas. This comes after a nearly three month hiatus when the nation-wide lockdown was announced.

Foreign businessmen coming to India on a business visa (other than on B-3 visa for sports) in non-scheduled commercial and chartered flights have been allowed to enter the country. The ministry clarified that foreign nationals, holding a valid long-term multiple-entry business visa, would also have to get their travel documents re-validated from the Indian missions.

Foreign healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers and technicians who wish to come to India for technical work at Indian health sector facilities, including laboratories and factories have been given the permission to enter the country too. However, this is subject to a letter of invitation from a recognized and registered healthcare facility, registered pharmaceutical company or accredited university in India.

Foreign engineering, managerial, design or other specialists travelling to India on behalf of foreign business entities located in India have also been given the nod. These entities encompass manufacturing units, design units, software and IT units as well as financial sector companies (banking and non-banking financial sector firms).