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IMPACT – HIGH
India has again extended the suspension of certain passenger aircraft from entering the country, as well as some visa services, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Key Points:
Background: In February, India canceled visas for all Chinese nationals and foreign nationals in mainland China. In March, all commercial international flights were suspended. Visas for most foreign nationals were suspended in the same month until April 15, with some exceptions. Afterwards, the flight suspension was extended until April and then extended again until May 17.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should anticipate significant disruptions to employee mobility and all but essential business. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
The government of India has begun repatriating Indian nationals in cooperation with foreign governments. The massive repatriation that begun on May 7 aims to help over 200,000 Indian nationals return to India in phases.
Country-specific information:
Additional information: Requirements for repatriation to India include pre-departure screening (only asymptomatic individuals will be allowed to fly) and completion of an undertaking form. Following arrival in India, all repatriated individuals must download the Aarogya Setu app, undergo medical screening and 14-day supervised quarantine at their own cost. Repatriated Indian nationals are responsible for payment of all repatriation costs. The conditions for repatriation must be compelling (e.g., being laid off, medical emergencies, closure of educational institution where studying, short-term/non-permanent residency expiring).
Analysis & Comments: Some flights have already begun, and more flights will be made available during the coming days and weeks as India and other governments implement the phases of the repatriation operation. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended India’s COVID-19 lockdown for an additional two weeks. The MHA has also issued new activity guidelines based on district risk levels.
Background: Last month, India extended its international flight suspension and began restricting immigration services and granting visa extensions in March. Click here for more information regarding the new guidelines.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
India has again extended the suspension of international commercial flights, this time until May 3, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Background: International commercial flights were first suspended in March. This suspension was later extended until April 14. The whole country is on a lockdown, which has also been extended until May 3.
Analysis & Comments: The latest international flight suspension extension will continue to impact the movement of people into and out of India. Employers should account for affected travelers and rearrange travel schedules accordingly. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
The government has extended the commercial international flight ban that began March 22.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should anticipate significant disruptions to employee mobility during the commercial flight ban. Public transit (trains, metros and inter-state buses) is also banned while India is under national lockdown. The response to COVID-19 continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
The government has announced that foreign nationals can no longer visit FRRO offices without an appointment. Additionally, foreign nationals who are unable to leave India and whose visa will expire may extend their visa.
Additional information: Affected visas include regular visas, e-visas and stay stipulations.
Analysis & Comments: The visa extension policy is good news for employers, as foreign employees can extend their visa validity online. The response to COVID-19 continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
India has barred entry to passengers traveling from Afghanistan, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Background: Last week, India announced it would suspend most visas and halt visa-free entry for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. The expansion of the entry ban builds on the country’s efforts to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Analysis & Comments: The expanded entry ban will be in force through March 31 at which time it will be reviewed. Employers must be prepared for significant disruptions to employee mobility and should anticipate further restrictions and quarantine measures. The response to COVID-19 continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
The government has expanded the list of countries subject to the temporary entry ban to take effect March 18.
Analysis & Comments: The expanded entry ban will be in force through March 31 at which time it will be reviewed. Employers must be prepared for significant disruptions to employee mobility and should anticipate further restrictions and quarantine measures. The response to the COVID-19 outbreak continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
India has taken additional steps to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus by suspending most visas and halting visa-free entry for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders.
Analysis & Comments: India has escalated its response to the COVID-19 virus, taking steps that will significantly hamper business and other travel to the country. Deloitte will continue to follow developments in India, and will alert clients to any additional changes in travel or immigration policy.
IMPACT – HIGH What is the change? The Indian government has suspended visas and restricted travel from a number of countries to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
What does the change mean? Iranian, Italian, Japanese and South Korean nationals with regular visas and e-visas granted on or before March 3, and who have yet to enter India, will not be allowed to do so, as their visas are now suspended. Visas on arrival for nationals of Japan and South Korea are likewise suspended. Further, foreign nationals with regular visas and e-visas who have traveled to China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea on or after Feb.1, will also be refused admission. A previous ban on Chinese nationals with regular visas and e-visas issued on or before Feb. 5 continues to be in force.
Additional information: Exceptions to the travel suspension apply to diplomats, UN and other international organization officials, OCI cardholders and aircrew from China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea; however, they will be required to undergo compulsory medical screening.
An additional new requirement is that all foreign and Indian nationals must submit self-declaration forms with personal contact information, addresses and travel history to Health and Immigration officials at ports of entry. Failure to disclose such information may result in compulsory quarantine for Indian nationals or, in the case of foreign nationals, an entry ban.
Foreign and Indian travelers (other than those subject to the suspensions) arriving directly or indirectly from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, must undergo medical screening at ports of entry. Analysis & Comments: The new travel restrictions and medical screenings for foreign and Indian travelers represent India’s latest efforts to halt the spread of COVID-19. Those planning travel to India may wish to reconsider their plans. The response to the COVID-19 outbreak continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.