Highlights
- Foreigners stranded in India due to coronavirus can now get a visa extension
- Applications to be made online
- Australians with OCI cards can continue to stay for as long as they want
In a relief measure for foreigners currently stranded in India because of coronavirus travel restrictions, the Indian government has extended on the gratis basis its regular visa, e-visa and stay stipulation for all foreign nationals till April 15.
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs took this decision on March 19 in view of the growing global travel restrictions.
Applications for this extension will have to be made online on indianvisaonline.gov.in
For Australian citizens who are not OCI cardholders, this means that after applying for this extension online, they will now be able to stay on in India until April 15.
This move doesn’t impact Australian citizens of Indian-origin, who hold OCI cards, because such ‘foreigners’ have permission to stay in India indefinitely.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi went a step further and announced a three-week total lockdown across the 1.3 billion-strong country, thereby restricting everyone to their homes.
Coronavirus symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia, according to the Federal Government's website. Symptoms can include a fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath.
If you develop symptoms within 14 days of returning from overseas, you should seek medical attention.
If you don’t have symptoms but you have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, you should also seek medical attention.
If you believe you may need to get tested, call your doctor, don’t visit. Or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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