Category Archives: Visa

In a major development, Embassies of Spain and Slovakia have agreed to issue ‘Gratis Visa’ to all Indians who were issued a visa earlier this year but could not undertake travel in the last few months because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision came following the appeal by OTOAI, which had sent a letter to European Embassies in India, requesting them to issue Gratis Visas to all those travellers who despite having received valid travel visas this year could not undertake the planned visits. Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI said, “We are pleased with this development and remain hopeful that in times to come, more European Embassies agree to issuing Gratis Visa. We understand that it will take some time for outbound travel to pick up from India but moves such as these will help in building people’s confidence for international travel while also offering some relief to their pocket. This is the time to show solidarity so that together we can get travel and tourism back on its feet.” This will benefit a lot of Indian travellers who couldn’t travel due to the Covid restrictions. Ivan Lancaric, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to India said, “Applicants, who could not travel on their Schengen visas to Slovakia, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, can apply for this visa fee waiver individually at the time of the submission of their new application. This possibility covers not only tourists, but all the Schengen visa categories. We are keen on promoting travel destinations in Slovakia, my visa section will assist the tourists travelling to Slovakia in this matter once they reapply for a Schengen visa.” “Please be informed that the Embassy of Spain will reissue …

VFS Global will host a webinar for the trade and its travel partners today at 11 am. The session titled ‘A Safe Restart- Your Safety, Our Priority’ will offer a glimpse into VFS Global’s plan as it resumes visa services in India. To attend the webinar, register at https://event.webinarjam.com/register/141/pyr19b51 or email to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532.

VFS Global is re-opening Visa Application Centres in some cities for specific visa categories. Countries for which visa services will resume are United Kingdom (from July 6), Italy (July 3), UAE, Turkey, Ireland, Belarus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Norway, Portugal and South Korea. Applicants will have to schedule an appointment in advance on www.vfsglobal.com. After specific Embassies/Consulates as well as local authorities have given their approval, VFS Global’s centres will accept visa applications for select countries with strict health and hygiene SOPs in place.

VFS Global is all set to host a webinar for the trade on Friday, July 3, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. The informative session titled ‘A Safe Restart – Your Safety, Our Priority’ will offer a glimpse into VFS Global’s plan as it gradually resumes visa services in India, while ensuring complete adherence to health and safety guidelines. To register, please contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +9650196532.

S Jaishankar, Minister, External Affairs, has said that the introduction of chip-enabled e-passports will greatly strengthen the security of Indian travel documents. Underlining the need to expedite their roll out, he said that his ministry is working with Indian Security Press, Nashik, and National Informatics Centre for chip-enabled e-passports with advanced security features. “I am very confident that the introduction of e-passports will greatly strengthen the security of our travel documents. I understand that the procurement process for its production is currently underway and I would emphasise the need to hasten that as much as possible. I emphasise that it is necessary to roll out the manufacture of e-passports on a priority basis,” he said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has requested all diplomatic missions in India to resume visa processing services “in view of lifting of the Covid lockdown”. The move comes at a time when the government is considering a calibrated resumption of international flights from July. The MEA wrote to the diplomatic missions on June 9.

The travel and tourism industry, unarguably, is one of the most affected sectors since the onset of COVID-19. With country borders sealed, cities brought to a standstill and all transportation stationary, it is difficult to imagine the recovery trajectory of travel. Industry experts suggest that while travel will eventually recover in stages, a shift in both travel norms and traveller behaviour is expected. Addressing some common questions on every traveller’s mind, VFS Global has shared guidelines to assuage their concerns and help navigate their holiday plans once international borders open again. • What happens to passports submitted before services were suspended? Following the national lockdown in India, Visa Application Centres had to shut down operations in adherence to directives from central and local authorities and diplomatic missions. When the Visa Application Centres are allowed to re-open, VFS Global will be able to evaluate at which stage of assessment each application is and resume the applicant return process accordingly. If you have a query about your passport that was submitted with your visa application, please write to customercare@vfsglobal.com. • Will Visa Application Centres open for appointments once the national lockdown lifts? Visa Application Centres in any city/country operate according to the directives of the central and local authorities and the diplomatic mission / the country being applied to. In some cases, even if central/local authorities lift the lockdown, the country you are applying to may not be accepting visa applications. In this scenario, an open Visa Application Centre might not serve your purpose. Make sure you’re checking regulations by not only your government but also that of the country you plan to visit. • What are health and safety precautions implemented …

Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group COO, South Asia, Middle East & North Africa, Americas, VFS Global, during the 2nd TravTalk Digital Conclave, said that VFS Global had processed over 32 million visas in 2019. “Out of this data, India contributes a major share as it is among the top three source markets for us. In fact, India is also the fastest-growing outbound market for us,” he said. Also sharing his view on the revival of the industry in the post-COVID era, he said that travel agents needed to come together and stimulate demand across the country.

Government has decided to extend the regular visa, e-visa or stay stipulation of foreign nationals who have been stranded in India because of the spread of COVID-19 till 30th April 2020. “Those foreigners whose visas have expired or would be expiring during April 1- April 30, would be extended till midnight of 30th April on GRATIS basis after making online application by the foreigner. The exit of such foreign nationals, if so requested by them during this period, will be granted without levy of overstay penalty,” read the circular issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. It has been decided to provide the essential consular services by the office of the Foreigners Regional Registration Officers and Foreigners Registration Officers to foreign nationals, presently in India.

The UAE government, has announced the suspension of visa services for foreign nationals as a precautionary measure.  As per the instructions received from Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship, the UAE visa services for all foreign nationals are temporarily suspended. Our visa services will remain suspended till further instructions. Passengers having valid visas issued prior to 17 March 2020 are allowed to travel as per the information received.