September 2020

Visa Free Travel Restored for OCI Card Holders in US, UK, France

September 30, 2020 Manoj Sodhani Comments 0 Comment

Indian government has restored suspended OCI benefits for Indian-Americans to enjoy visa free traveling across India.

Uplifted Ban on Visa Free Travel for OCIs

After a long spell of drastic pandemic COVID-19 outbreak, Indian government has lifted the ban on OCI card holding Indian-Americans. They can now enjoy visa free traveling across the country. The related community has been passing through ordeals in getting visa for being suspended Overseas Citizens of India services.

This card has been allowing lifelong visa free ride across this country with some restrictions for the people of this origin. Earlier, this facility was paused on April 11 amidst a nationwide lockdown and travel restrictions to break the chain of highly contagious virus.

The decision came out of blues, which creates chaos all around. The affected NRI diaspora faced off anxiety, which took them to social media like Twitter and Facebook for protesting against this decision. The media channels were flocked with narratives of this community, which is undergoing severe pain and trauma because of ceasing this service.

However, these people do not have a complete relaxation, as a few travel restrictions on those who have OCI cards were lifted. This has been so far applied to some emergency categories, which include those who travel for employment or some minors whose parents are Indian natives.

In the first week of August 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs proclaimed about the restoration of the full travel privileges for overseas citizens of India, who have passport of the USA, the UK, Germany and France. This is done under an “Air Bubble” arrangements (which are also called bilateral air travel arrangements) with all these countries.

The affected community has been waiting for this decision for a long time. This is going to heal them a little bit and minimise their harassment to a great extent. A few of those who have been using the OCI card for past several years recalled that the abruptly banning led to a lot of heartburns among people in Indian diaspora because it was their native country where they could take shelter.

Upon Lifting Ban

The restored service has enabled free traveling for Indian-Americans, which is a great facility to exchange regards between these two countries, according to Alok Kumar- former president of the Federation of Indian Associations of the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

NRIs Reaction

New Jersey-based social activist Deepender Singh was happy to listen to this great news for overseas citizen of india card holder, as the Indian government has seriously thought about the need for relaxation of visa and travel restrictions for more categories of NRIs who want to visit India and their relatives in different states. These are many from the US, the UK, Germany and France.

The ministry has announced that the air bubble scheme is going to be executed in more countries soon. The non-resident community has welcomed this decision, calling it the air bubble opportunities.

Role of Indian Missions
The Indian missions located in the US, the UK, Germany and France will encompass the air bubble arrangement, granting appropriate and quick visa to those who have related documents and have no adverse things corresponding to the arrangement.

It’s a big sigh of relief from the government of India, which has uplifted all travel sanctions on OCI card holders.

France Invites Talent Passport Holding NRIs From August

September 25, 2020 Manoj Sodhani Comments 0 Comment

France is one of the foremost countries inviting Indian NRIs who are students, researchers and teachers holding the Talent passport.

There are hundreds of Indian students, researchers and teachers who have the Talent passport can now explore opportunities in France. This is the first country that has opened its borders for non-residents and residents of India to try their luck in a French academic establishment or laboratory.

Visa Centers in Metropolitans

The government here has opened seven visa processing centers in metropolitan cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi. These centers have been in the operation from August 17, 2020. However, these visas will be granted to only a few applicants.

The visa providers have been complying with Indian travel regulations and the safety of consular teams amid the widespread of pandemic Covid-19. Likewise, the varsities in France have also made all arrangements for accommodating the international talent, either wholly or partly on the campus premises.

An ambassador Emmanuel Lenain from France addressed thousands of Indian students who would like to study there, stating that the country is back to the state of normalcy from infectious coronavirus. This is delightful to announce that the students will be the first to be benefited with this unlock. Besides, its embassy is also mobilized to allow them study there in all favourable conditions.

Limited Facility

As per directions, this visa facility is limitedly available for a long-term visa. The consul will offer certificate attestation to these applicants there so that they get their documents validated for visa.

Simply put, Indian students can travel there in autumn for studies for more than three months or more. But if they want to go for short-term courses or internship, it is also permitted now. The accommodation facility will be accompanied with the study visa.

As far as professors and researchers are concerned, they can also join French academic institution or research laboratory. Even, the students who are at the end of the course session there, they can also teach and apply for a valid long-term visa or the Talent passport.

Mandatory Certificate

The applicants must have Attestation de déplacement international dérogatoire, aka International Travel Certificate to Mainland France. The interested ones can download it from the website of the French interior ministry. It is mandatory to present it to the travel company before emigrating. The border control authorities will check it on arrival in that country.

In addition, the applicants should have an undertaking reading that the person does not show up any symptoms of COVID-19. This undertaking will ensure that the applicant has not been contacted with the infection 14 days prior to departure.

Visa Processing

Since safety is priority, the visa authority will process applications in small batches every week. It is to ensure that adequate precautions are taken at the processing centers. Moreover, social distancing and other preventive measures are being embraced. Mobile biometric data collection and courier services are being availed to carry out contactless procedures at the centers.

What if Any Sign Appears?

Since infection is widespread, an additional preventive step is being taken. If any of these travelers shows any symptoms of COVID on the entry of the French boundary, he or she will have to be quarantined or self-isolated.

Host Pre-Departure Sessions

Those who would be prepared to catch the flight, there will take place pre-departure sessions. These are called “Bienvenue en France”. These are meant to acknowledge students with administrative procedures, ways to finding accommodation, tips from alumni and practical advice on student life in France.

The authority will grant around 118 Indian students to travel to that country at the end of September as English Language Assistants for their professional journey in French schools. This is a golden chance for French-speaking Indian students to live there and earn their bread and butter, gaining professional experience.

NRIs Certificate Checklist to Enter EU Upon Lifting Travel Ban

September 9, 2020 Manoj Sodhani Comments 0 Comment

The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced countries to enforce a travel ban. All services across the globe have been paralyzed. Lockdown has been imposed and movements are completely stopped unless it is an emergency.

But now, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has announced to unlock its flight services. The Spanish Ministry of Interior has permitted unmarried NRIs or unregistered bachelor partners of European Union (EU) citizens to reunite by following a pre-defined procedure of entry.

Spain MFA Lifts Up Travel Ban

This big announcement came in public through the Twitter handle of the Spanish MFA. It reads:

“Given the current #COVID19 travel restrictions, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Interior, has established a procedure for the entry into Spain of unmarried/unregistered foreign partners of European Union citizens.”

It subtly states that foreign nationals can re-live with their EU partners, provided that they have contacted the corresponding Consular Office and submitted the requisite documents. These documents should have proofs of their relationship.

Checklist of Documents

Travel proof like plane tickets on the same flight or, a notarized statement by an EU citizen
Unmarried certificate that must be apostilled or legalized
Proof of an appointment to enter into a contract of marriage in Spain from the Spanish authority, if there is any
Registration on the census
Joint rental contracts
Joint bank account statements
Joint invoices
Joint ownership of assets
Invitations to family events such as weddings, etc.

These documents will have other docs like visa and passport also, which have been generally asked to show up while taking a flight to any European country. This documentation procedure will be similar to the old one, wherein the non-residents have to go to the providers of services to NRIs for getting assistance in enclosing duly attested bachelorhood or marriage proofs by SDM & the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) with the application. In short, this procedure will be a replica of the pre-conducted emigration procedure.

Post Documentation Procedure

Upon submission, the Ministry of Home Affairs will assess the application and verify documents. Then, the applicant NRIs can visit the Consular Office to receive a substantiating certificate, which they must have to board the plane. The final decision about their compliance with requirements will be made by the migration authorities at the checkpoint.

People have been struggling with coronavirus globally. Now, it would be a big challenge to re-start with the whole procedure from the scratch, scheduling interviews and submitting applications.

Countries Lifting Travel Restrictions

Together with Spain, there are many other countries that have exempted air services from ban. These are Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

The non-residents who are bachelors can contact consular office to know about the checklist of certificates to be submitted. However, many of these would include the aforesaid list of documents.

Many have found that the Spanish MFA is unfair in this matter. These are those who have third-country passports. A few more ones are added to the list of unhappy people who cannot provide all documents for legalization or verification.

S2NRI

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Month: September 2020