The government on Thursday decided to restore all existing visas with immediate effect, except for the electronic, tourist and medical categories.

The union home ministry said all Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders and all other foreign nationals can visit India for any purpose, except on a tourist visa.

Those who held a medical visa need to reapply for a fresh one if they want to travel to India for treatment. Electronic visas or e-visas, are normally issued to tourists and are valid for a month.

The government’s decision will enable foreign nationals to come to India for purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies and research. Visas were first suspended in February this year following the coro-navirus outbreak and subsequent imposition of a nationwide lockdown.

If the validity of a visa has expired, a fresh one of appropriate category can be obtained from Indian missions or the post concerned, the statement said.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/government-restores-all-existing-visas-barring-electronic-tourist-and-medical-categories/articleshow/78805617.cms