India has announced an extension of visa and a waiver of penalties for overstay for foreign nationals currently stranded in the country due to the escalating tensions in West Asia.
In a notification, the Indian Consulate in Dubai stated that all Visas and e-Visas that are to expire shortly will be extended for one month on a gratis (free of charge) basis through the relevant Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs).
The authorities concerned said that any overstay penalties incurred by affected foreign nationals after February 28, resulting from the ongoing hostilities, will be waived.
Officials further stated that exit permits will be issued free of cost to foreign nationals impacted by t Officials further stated that exit permits will be issued free of cost to foreign nationals impacted by travel disruptions, enabling them to depart India as soon as transportation routes become available.
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The consulate also stated that if a foreign national is unable to apply for an Exit Permit and Extension due to these circumstances, it will not be considered a violation of migration laws.
Additionally, a Temporary Landing Permit (TLP) will be granted on a gratis basis to any foreign national arriving in India because of flight diversions, according to authorities.
These measures follow the intensifying conflict in West Asia, where the US and Israel have launched drone and missile strikes against Iran, while Iran has retaliated by targeting US strategic bases in the Gulf and hitting Israel directly.
Around 500 Indian nationals have travelled from Qatar to India and other global destinations on flights operated by Qatar Airways, the Indian Embassy in Doha said in an advisory.
In a post on X on Friday, the embassy said the passengers travelled on Qatar Airways flights to Kochi and other destinations. The airline also facilitated the transportation of the mortal remains of two Indian nationals who died of natural causes, along with their accompanying family members, to Kochi on humanitarian grounds.
The embassy said Qatar’s airspace is only partially open, resulting in limited flight operations by Qatar Airways.
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“One flight to Mumbai is planned for operations by Qatar Airways on March 14,” the advisory said, referring to Mumbai.
These limited flight schedules are a direct result of the worsening security crisis triggered by Iranian strikes on US military assets and civilian infrastructure across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
The conflict has caused significant disruptions to global energy supplies, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, where approximately 20 per cent of the world’s oil transits.
