Foreign Businessmen, Engineers, Healthcare Professionals Now Allowed To Visit India

As part of the Unlock 1.0, the Indian government has allowed foreign businessmen, healthcare professionals and engineers to visit the country but they will have to obtain fresh visas. In an order, the Home Ministry said the 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.

"The Government of India has considered the matter regarding relaxation of the visa and travel restrictions for certain categories of foreign nationals who need to come to India. It has been decided to permit the following categories of foreign nationals to come to India," a home ministry statement said on Wednesday.

Those who are allowed to visit India are: foreign businessmen coming to India on a business visa (other than on B-3 visa for sports) in non-scheduled commercial and chartered flights.

Foreign healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers and technicians who wish to come for technical work at Indian health sector facilities, including laboratories and factories, subject to a letter of invitation from a recognised and registered healthcare facility, registered pharmaceutical company or accredited university in India.

Foreign engineering, managerial, design or other specialists who wish to travel to India on behalf of foreign business entities located in India, for installation, repair and maintenance of foreign-origin machinery and equipment facilities in India, on the invitation of a registered Indian business entity. It includes all manufacturing units, design units, software and IT units as well as financial sector companies (banking and non-banking financial sector firms).