New Delhi: In view of non-resumption of commercial international flights from India since March last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday further extended the Indian Visa or stay stipulation period of foreigners stranded in India due to COVID-19 pandemic till August 31 this year on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty.

According to the MHA order, these foreign nationals will not be required to submit any application to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office/Foreigners Registration Office concerned for extension of their Visas.

“Such foreign nationals may apply for an exit permission to the FRRO/FRO concerned before exiting the country, which would be granted on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty”, the MHA order said.

A large number of foreign nationals who came to India prior to March last year on valid Indian Visas had got stranded in India. The MHA, considering their difficulties in getting their Visas extended in India due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown, had issued an order on June 29, 2020 conveying that the Indian Visa or stay stipulation period of such foreign nationals expiring post June 30, 2020 shall be deemed to be valid until 30 more days from the date of resumption of normal international flight operations, on gratis basis.

Such foreign nationals have been applying for extension of their Visas or stay stipulation period on a monthly basis and keeping in view of their difficulties, the Government has taken this decision, a senior Home Ministry official said.

India has extended ban on scheduled international flights till end of June 2021.