Get this news and more in the new episode of BAL’s podcast, the BAL Immigration Report, available on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts or on the BAL news site.

‌This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

Copyright ©2023 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.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Indian government has eased its COVID-related entry requirements for those traveling to the country.

Key Points:

  • As of Feb. 13, individuals who are traveling to India are no longer required to be fully vaccinated to enter the country; however, Indian authorities recommend all travelers be fully vaccinated before traveling.
  • Travelers are no longer required to test for COVID-19 before or after arrival in India.
  • Travelers will undergo thermal screening upon arrival in India; those who are symptomatic must undergo a mandatory quarantine.
  • Indian authorities will randomly test travelers for COVID-19 upon arrival.

Additional Information: Children under the age of 12 are exempt from the post-arrival random COVID-19 testing. More information regarding the Singapore’s decision to lift COVID-19 entry requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: Indian authorities eased their COVID-19 entry requirements as the virus situation has improved around the world. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 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.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Indian government extended the deadline to change Person of Indian Origin cards to Overseas Citizen of India cards.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals can continue to use their PIO cards that were valid as of Jan. 9, 2015, along with a valid foreign passport as valid travel documents until at least Dec. 31, 2023.
  • Indian authorities retain the right to invalidate the extension of PIO cards and advise PIO cardholders (handwritten and machine-readable) to convert their PIO card to an OCI card before the Dec. 31 deadline.
  •  More information regarding the PIO card validity extension is available here.

BAL Analysis: PIO cardholders should convert their PIO card to an OCI card as soon as possible to avoid possible complications and delays when traveling to India.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@balglobal.com.

Copyright © 2023 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@balglobal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Indian government recently restored e-Visa services for Canadian nationals planning travel to India.

Key Points:

  • As of Dec. 20, Canadian nationals can use India’s e-Visa platform to apply online for various visas, including the:
    • E-Tourist Visa.
    • E-Business Visa.
    • E-Conference Visa.
    • E-Medical Visa.
    • E-Medical Attendant Visa.
  • Indian authorities have now restored e-Visa services to 165 countries; more information regarding India’s e-Visa platform is available here.

Additional Information: Individuals travelling to India are advised to review instructions available on India’s Bureau of Immigration website before applying.

BAL Analysis: The resumption of India’s e-Visa services for Canadian nationals is welcome news, as such services have been suspended since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Indian authorities restored its e-Visa services to eliminate barriers to entry and streamline the visa application process for U.K. nationals planning travel to the country.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Indian government recently restored e-Visa services for British nationals planning travel to India.

Key Points:

  • As of Dec. 5, British nationals can use India’s e-Visa platform to apply online for various visas, including the:
    • E-Tourist Visa.
    • E-Business Visa.
    • E-Conference Visa.
    • E-Medical Visa.
    • E-Medical Attendant Visa.
  • More information regarding India’s e-Visa platform is available here.

Additional Information: Individuals travelling to India are advised to review instructions available on India’s Bureau of Immigration website before applying.

BAL Analysis: The resumption of India’s e-Visa services for British nationals is welcome news, as such services have been suspended since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Indian authorities restored its e-Visa services to eliminate barriers of entry and streamline the visa application process for U.K. nationals planning travel to the country.

This alert has been provided by LawQuest and the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@balglobal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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@balglobal.com.

The European Union and Indonesia has mutually agreed to recognize each authority’s COVID-19 vaccination certificates.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals who hold an Indonesian vaccine certificate can now enter the EU or travel between EU member states under the same conditions for those traveling with an EU Digital COVID Certificate.
  • Individuals who hold EU Digital COVID Certificates can now enter Indonesia under the same conditions as those who hold an Indonesia vaccination certificate.
  • Indonesian nationals who are not vaccinated with an EU-approved vaccine must still check which vaccines are accepted by respective Member States before traveling.

Additional Information: Those who hold valid COVID-19 vaccination certificates from the EU or Indonesia will be exempt from entry restrictions.  More information regarding the EU Digital COVID Certificate is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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.

The Indian government has resumed the Tourist and e-Tourist visa programs that have been suspended since March 2020.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals can now use valid e-Tourist visas that were issued for five years to enter the country. Individuals from 156 countries can now apply for new e-Tourist visas through this website.
  • Foreign nationals who hold valid Regular Tourist visas that were issued for five years can now use such visas to enter the country. Individuals from eligible countries can now apply for Regular Tourist visas at this time.
  • U.S. and Japanese nationals who hold valid long duration Regular Tourist visas can now enter the country. U.S. and Japanese nationals can now apply for new long duration Tourist Visas.

Additional Information: Business activities cannot be performed on a Tourist or e-Tourist visa. Foreign nationals who hold a Tourist or e-Tourist visa can only enter India through designated Sea Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) or Airport ICPs, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission, air bubble scheme or flights allowed by the Indian government. Foreign nationals who hold a Tourist or e-Tourist visa are not allowed to enter India through land ports. More information regarding Tourist and e-Tourist visas is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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.

The Indian government has eased its COVID-19 entry and health requirements for international arrivals.

Key Points:

  • As of Feb. 14, international travelers must complete a self-declaration form on this website before departure and:
    • Submit travel history for the past two weeks.
    • Upload proof of a negative PCR taken within 72 hours before departure or proof that the travelers is fully vaccinated.
    • Sign and submit an affidavit that they will follow post-arrival health requirements, including COVID-19 testing, quarantine and self-health monitoring.
  • Indian authorities now accepts vaccination certificates from 87 countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Qatar, Singapore, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.

Additional Information: More information regarding India’s entry and health requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: Travelers are reminded that entry and health requirements can change with little or no notice. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Indian government has extended the deadline for those needing to obtain reissued Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.

Key Points:

  • OCI cardholders who have turned 20 years old and have received a new passport must have their OCI card reissued.
  • Individuals holding OCI cards now have until Dec. 31, 2022, to obtain reissued OCI cards.
  • OCI cardholders are required to upload a copy of their new passport and a new photo each time a new passport is issued on this website until they are 20 years old, once after they turn 20 years old and once after they turn 50 years old.
  • Foreign spouses who have an OCI card on the basis of being married to an Indian citizen or OCI cardholder must upload a copy of the new passport and new photo each time a new passport is issued on this website along with a marriage declaration, copy of the Indian passport and OCI card of the spouse.
  • OCI cardholders no longer have to carry old passports and their OCI card to enter India.

Additional Information: Officials said they were extending the deadline so that people would not be inconvenienced amid the ongoing COIVD-19 pandemic. More information regarding OCI services are available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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.

The Indian has updated its guidance for international arrivals and added countries to the “countries at-risk” list.

Key Points:

  • As of Jan. 11, individuals intending to travel to India must:
    • Submit a self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal.
    • Upload a negative PCR test result that was taken within 72 hours of departure.
    • Submit a signed affidavit attesting to the authenticity of the PCR test results.
  • As of Jan. 11, travelers from the “countries at-risk” list, including EU countries, Brazil, China, Israel, Singapore, South Africa, and the U.K., among others, must:
  • Take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and receive negative results before leaving the airport.
  • Quarantine at home for seven days and taken another test on the eighth day of arrival.
  • Self-monitor for another seven days after test results are received.

Additional Information: Authorities advise travelers to pre-book PCR tests online via the Air Suvidha Portal. If travelers from at-risk countries test positive for COVID-19 they must quarantine at a designated facility. More information regarding entry requirements and health protocols is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 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.