The Government of India on Friday allowed certain categories of OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) cardholders stranded abroad to travel to India.
This relaxation, however, is allowed only for a certain category of OCI cardholders which includes students, minors, OCI spouses of Indian nationals, and those that are coming to meet family emergencies.
The announcement was made by the ministry of home affairs on Friday, and it comes close on the heels of the country widening its expatriates’ extraction program called Vande Bharat Mission to the third phase.
In the second phase, which started on May 16, India in a special operation, is bringing back around 32,000 citizens on more than 160 flights from 47 countries.
According to the order, “It is now been decided to permit the following categories of Overseas Citizens of India cardholders who are stranded abroad.
1) Minor children holding born to Indian nationals abroad and holding OCI cards
2) OCI cardholders who wish to come to India on account of family emergencies like death in the family.
3) Couples, where one spouse is an OCI cardholder and the others, is an Indian national and they have a permanent residence in India.
4) University students who are OCI cardholders (not legally minors) but whose parents are Indian Citizens living in India.”
With this move, the multiple-entry life-long visas given to OCI card holders has also been restored which was temporarily suspended due to the travel restrictions.
OCI cardholders were among several categories of people who have been eagerly awaiting permission to travel to the country.
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