Policy balance
The recent appointment of Sanjay Malhotra as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), replacing Shaktikanta Das, signals a pivotal shift in India’s monetary policy dynamics.
The Indian visa or “stay stipulation period” of foreign nationals stranded in India since March, 2020 due to Covid-19 has been made valid till 31st August, 2021 on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty, an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said today.
Due to non-availability of normal commercial flight operations on account of the Covid-19 pandemic since March, 2020, a number of foreign nationals who came to India prior to that month on valid Indian visas, were stranded in India, the MHA order said.
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Keeping in view the difficulties being faced by such foreign nationals in getting their visas extended in India due to the lockdown, the MHA had stated on 29th June, 2020 that the Indian Visa or stay stipulation period of such foreign nationals expiring post 30th June, 2020 shall be deemed to be valid until 30 more days from the date of resumption of normal international flight operations, on gratis basis.
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However, such foreign nationals have been applying for extension of their visas or stay stipulation period on a monthly basis.
The matter has been reviewed by the MHA in the light of non-resumption of normal commercial flight operations. It has been decided that the Indian visa or stay stipulation period of such foreign nationals stranded in India, will be considered as deemed to be valid till 31st August, 2021 on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty.
These foreign nationals will not be required to submit any application to the FRRO/FRO concerned for extension of their visas. Such foreign nationals may apply for an exit permission to the FRRO/FRO concerned before exiting the country, which would be granted on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty, MHA said.
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