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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? The centers that handle Indian visas for applicants in South Africa have announced that they will begin collecting biometrics from visa applicants, who will be required to schedule their appointments through a new online system.
What does the change mean? Effective July 17, visa applicants must complete an application form online and then make an appointment to appear in person to have their biometrics (fingerprints and facial image) taken. The change does not affect e-visa applicants, who are required to provide biometrics upon arriving in India.
Background: All visa applicants in South Africa whose biometrics have not been submitted to Indian authorities in the past five years will be required to make a biometrics appointment before their visa application is finalized. Once applicants provide biometrics, they will not need to do so again for subsequent applications over the next five years. The change appears to be part of a worldwide rollout by the Indian government. A similar requirement was recently imposed for visa applicants in Singapore.
BAL Analysis: The new biometrics requirement adds an additional step to the application process for Indian visas in South Africa. Those affected should be sure to leave enough time in their schedules to appear in person and provide biometrics. Once biometrics have been collected, subsequent applications will not require individuals to be present. Those who fail to provide biometrics taken will have their visa applications rejected.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman& Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
What is the change? Authorities in Chennai are requiring landlords, apartment managers, hotels and other housing accommodations to provide notice to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office when foreigners move or depart from their accommodations.
What does the change mean? Affected landlords or property managers will have to provide the notice online, much as authorities in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and other jurisdictions require notification when foreign nationals arrive and take up housing accommodations. Notice must be provided for any foreign national who has departed since June 1.
Background: While Chennai’s departure notification policy is new, India has rolled out notification requirements for foreign nationals arriving in certain jurisdictions over the past couple of years. The web portal that is used to provide notice of foreign nationals’ departures from Chennai is the same that is used to provide notice of their arrivals.
BAL Analysis: Chennai’s new requirement is another way for authorities to better track foreigners and prevent them from overstaying or misusing their visas. BAL will continue follow developments in India to determine if authorities in other jurisdictions adopt the policy now in place in Chennai. Those with questions about the notification requirement should contact their BAL professional.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in India. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
Indian nationals are now eligible to apply for the U.S. Global Entry program, a trusted-traveler program that allows preapproved, low-risk travelers to use automated kiosks when clearing immigration at designated airports rather than having to wait in line. India is the 11th country whose nationals will be eligible for Global Entry.
Key points:
Background: Global Entry participants may bypass manned immigration inspection queues at entry points and undergo automated clearance at 53 U.S. airports and 15 preclearance locations, significantly reducing wait times upon arrival. India joins Argentina, Colombia, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and the United Kingdom among countries that have Global Entry arrangements with the U.S. Canadian nationals and those enrolled in NEXUS are also permitted to use Global Entry kiosks. Additional details are available on this CBP website.
BAL Analysis: Indian nationals who are frequent travelers will benefit from the program, as their entry clearance will be expedited at dozens of airports. Global Entry participants may also benefit from TSA security prescreening at designated international airports before boarding a flight to the U.S. Travelers are reminded that Global Entry does not ensure admission and they must still secure an appropriate visa before travel.
What is the change? Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders are reminded that the Indian government has set June 30 as the deadline to convert PIO cards to Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.
What does the change mean? Although Indian authorities have not explicitly made the conversion mandatory, and although the conversion deadline has been extended in the past, PIO card holders are nonetheless encouraged to complete the conversion before the deadline in order to avoid interruption of travel plans.
Background: The Indian government merged PIO and OCI cards in January 2015. Authorities have extended the deadline for converting PIO cards to OCI card numerous times, with the most recent extension announced in December 2016. The current deadline is June 30.
BAL Analysis: PIO card holders may obtain OCI cards from the Indian mission or Foreigner Regional Registration Office that has jurisdiction over their current residence. Applicants should check with their local FRRO, overseas mission or consulate on specific procedures and requirements, as they may vary from location to location.
What is the change? India’s Ministry of Finance has said it will not require foreign nationals to obtain Aadhaar cards in order to pay taxes.
What does the change mean? Foreign nationals required to pay taxes in India may do so using a Permanent Account Number.
Background: Indian authorities said in April that foreign nationals who stay in India for 182 days or more in a one-year period would be required to obtain an Aadhaar card to pay domestic taxes. The government has changed course, however, and said last week that foreign nationals required to pay taxes will no longer be required to obtain an Aadhaar card and may do so with their Permanent Account Number.
BAL Analysis: The change is welcome news, especially for foreign nationals required to pay taxes even though they are no longer in the country. Obtaining an Aadhaar card would have been difficult in these circumstances, and the government’s move to exempt foreign nationals from the Aadhaar card requirement will make filing tax returns easier.
What is the change? The United Arab Emirates has implemented an agreement that allows Indian nationals holding U.S. green cards or visas to enter the UAE without first obtaining an entry visa.
What does the change mean? Effective immediately, Indian nationals holding U.S. green cards or visas that are valid for at least six months can travel to the UAE for business or tourism and obtain a visa on arrival that is good for up to 14 days.
Background: As BAL reported last month, the UAE and India agreed to the visa-on-arrival agreement in late March. The agreement took effect May 1, allowing eligible Indian nationals to remain in the UAE for up to 14 days on a visa on arrival. Those who intend to stay longer than 14 days may obtain an extension for a charge.
BAL Analysis: The change simplifies the visa process for eligible Indian nationals traveling for business or as tourists to the UAE.
What is the change? Bangalore is now requiring foreign nationals to submit a form from their landlord, hotel or other accommodation when they register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, extend their current visa or apply for exit permits.
What does the change mean? Foreign nationals in Bangalore must file Form C, as it is called, when registering with the Bangalore Foreigner Regional Registration Office or applying for a visa extension. Bangalore joins Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and other jurisdictions in implementing the requirement.
Background: India has rolled out the requirement in phases over the past three years to better track the whereabouts of foreign nationals. The form is now available online to make it easier for landlords to fill out.
BAL Analysis: The landlord requirement is a way for authorities to better track foreigners and prevent them from overstaying their visas. Those with questions about whether the requirement has been implemented in their jurisdiction should contact their BAL professional.
What is the change? The visa service center that handles Indian visas for applicants in Singapore has announced that it will begin collecting biometrics from all applicants.
What does the change mean? Effective immediately, visa applicants will have to appear in person when submitting visa applications and should be prepared to have their biometrics taken.
Background: BLS International Services handles visa processing for the High Commission of India, Singapore and recently announced on its website that it would begin collecting biometrics from all applicants. The center does not handle e-visa services, however, which are handled directly by the Indian government through the government’s official e-visa website.
BAL Analysis: The new biometrics adds an additional step to the process of applying for an Indian visa for the first time in Singapore. Those affected should be sure to leave enough time in their schedules to appear in person and provide biometrics. Once biometrics have been collected, subsequent applications will not require individuals to be present.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in Singapore. For additional information, please contact singapore@bal.com.
What is the change? Officials are expecting a rush of visa applications from those traveling out of India during the summer.
What does the change mean? Those planning travel outside of India, particularly those traveling to Schengen Area countries, should be sure to leave plenty of time to apply for and obtain the appropriate visa. Foreign nationals applying for Schengen Area visas should build 25 to 30 days into their schedules for booking visa appointments.
Background: Every summer, consulates and visa centers experience a rush on visas, as Indian nationals and residents plan travel while school is out. The delays can be particularly acute for Schengen visas.
BAL Analysis: Visa processing times vary, depending on the country an applicant is traveling to and when he or she is traveling. Applicants are urged to finalize their travel dates well in advance, if possible, and work with their BAL professional to make sure they leave enough time to apply for and obtain the appropriate visa.
What is the change? Indian authorities have announced that foreign nationals who stay in India for 182 days or more in a one-year period will be required to obtain an Aadhaar card and pay domestic taxes.
What does the change mean? Affect foreign nationals should make plans to obtain an Aadhaar card and pay taxes. The change applies to foreign nationals who were in India for 182 days in the past 12 months even if they have already left the country. Those who have exceeded or will exceed the 182-day threshold must file taxes before July 1.
Background: Aadhaar Cards have an identity number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India and are linked to card holders’ biometrics. The card is required for expats when paying taxes in India. Authorities have recently clarified that any foreign nationals who stay in India for 182 days in a one-year period must obtain the card and pay taxes for the fiscal year during which they were in India.
BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals should take note of the change. Obtaining an Aadhaar card may prove difficult for foreign nationals who have already left India, but it is possible that India will make the cards available at Indian embassies and consulates. BAL will continue to follow the matter.