India opening doors for foreigners

India is beginning to open up again for business for foreigners in a phased manner.

The country permitted certain categories of foreign nationals to come to India, including international businessman visiting on a business visa (other than the B-3 visa for sports), on non-schedule commercial chartered flights, according to foreign media. 

A senior aviation official said non-schedule commercial charter flights had been allowed after the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Schedule international passenger flights are suspended till the month-end. India had on March 11 suspended most existing visas issued to foreigners.

The categories of foreigners permitted by the MHA to travel to India are foreign businessmen coming to India on a business visa on non-scheduled chartered flights; international healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers and technicians for technical work at Indian health sector facilities, foreign engineering, managerial, design or other specialists traveling to India on behalf of external business entities located in India, and foreign technical specialists and engineers visiting for installation and maintenance of foreign-origin machinery and equipment facilities in India, on the invitation of a registered Indian business entity.

India has confirmed over 200,000 COVID-19 cases, nearly 6,000 related deaths, and more than 100,000 recoveries so far.