FlyerTalk Forums - Are tourist visas allowed for entry into India?

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)

- India (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/india-478/)

- - Are tourist visas allowed for entry into India? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/india/2033020-tourist-visas-allowed-entry-into-india.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliver2002 (Post 32999772)

Most Indian Missions have suspended the OCI application process, so its not that easy to get an OCI card right now.

Perhaps this depends on the country? In the US all Indian missions are processing new and renewal applications for OCI. The outsourced provider for accepting the documents, etc., has changed to VFS Global (used to be Cox and Kings) but the process is largely the same. (And with similar levels of (in)competence reported.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by IADFlyer123 (Post 33011190)

This is the official response from Indian Consulate, DC

Sir,

All visas except for tourist visas, e-visas and medical visas have been restored.
https://boi.gov.in/content/advisory-...ted-covid-19-1

Exemptions can be obtained from institutional quarantine only. Home quarantine is mandatory.
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/0511202...alarrivals.pdf

Best Regards,

Covid-19 control room
Ministry of External Affairs
New Delhi.

The advice regarding the quarantine rules is partly wrong. Depending on which airport is used to enter India there may be a complete waiver of quarantine (institutional and home) if the passenger has a negative covid report.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kumar2013 (Post 33020550)

Really? That is great news (if that is the case). WHat would be the site where I can gather this information? I land in Mumbai and if I land with a negative PCR, my understanding is that I am exempt from Institutional quarantine, but still need to do home quarantine for 14 days. Kindly help when you get a chance.

The 14 day home quarantine is up to you, but not enforced by anyone. You are advised to stay home, but the local health authorities don't check if you do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliver2002 (Post 33025166)

The 14 day home quarantine is up to you, but not enforced by anyone. You are advised to stay home, but the local health authorities don't check if you do.

Violations of a quarantine requirement under the 1897 Epidemics Disease Act is punishable under IPC Section 188. Potential six months jail time, which isn’t as stringent as upper limit punishment for being a 420 violator.

Stay under quarantine as required — otherwise you are at risk of criminal punishment should the government authorities in India choose to pursue the matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by US State Department

Quarantine Information

Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes, all travelers entering India, including residents and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders, are required to quarantine for 14 days unless an exemption is approved. In some cases, travelers may be asked to quarantine based on thermal and other testing conducted on symptomatic passengers. Some states require quarantine for all individuals arriving from outside their borders with no exemptions. During the 14-day quarantine period, travelers are not permitted to use any form of public transportation or appear in any public location.

https://in.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Finally decided to take the leap and “upgrade” the whole family to OCI status. VFS needs to do a much better job of getting integrated with the Indian Consulate website so that when you fill one application at one website, everything can be done thru that website. But it is India,
..so I don’t expect anything better than this.

Due to the Texas freeze, the Houston consulate is processing apps from the first week of Feb. I should have the OCI back before the June trip.