HARJIT LASARA, Brisbane 6 May 2020
The Indian government has suspended all existing visas granted to foreign nationals and has also banned OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) cardholders from travelling to the country till resumption of international air travel. The order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, however, states that any an OCI card who intends to travel for “compelling reasons” while the restrictions remain in place is advised to contact the nearest Indian mission. But for those already in India, the OCI card will remain valid for “any length of time.”
For any Australian passport holder intending to travel to India during this period, the new advisory means, the passenger will have to get permission from both the countries. Australian citizens would first have to request for an approval to travel overseas from the Department of Home Affairs. “The department has a special provision under which exemptions can be granted to Australian citizens and permanent residents who want to travel overseas if they can demonstrate a compelling reason. So, once you have the grant, you can approach the Indian consulate or High Commission. But then again, all this is irrelevant until the government announces a repatriation flight from Australia or lifts the travel restrictions.
