Here is a ready chart to help one identify current status of the immigration, tax and social security compliance impacting international assignees / their employers in India during #Covid19.
Covid19 Visa / Work permit restrictions
International commercial flights into India are banned until midnight 30 June 2020, post which further relaxations / restrictions will be announced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). India may negotiate ‘travel bubbles’ with other countries that mutually permit travel from / entry into India and this is expected to begin mid-July 2020.
Who is allowed entry into India?
| Indian citizens / those of Indian origin | Foreign nationals (not of Indian origin) | Foreign nationals (not of Indian origin) |
| Indian citizens stranded overseas, Persons of Indian origin i.e. Overseas citizens of India (OCI) card holders in case of family emergencies, foreign national children / spouse of either Indian citizens / OCI card holders | Business visitors of foreign nationality arriving on non-commercial flights, foreign technicians / experts in specific cases, both categories having to seek a Business / Employment visa afresh | Employment / project visas granted to foreign nationals continue to be valid and if expiring after 1 Feb 2020 can be extended gratis until the date international flight restrictions are removed upon application |
What #covid19 restrictions can the traveler expect upon arrival into India?
Quarantine in an institutional facility for 7 days followed by home quarantine for an additional 7 days.
Who is allowed to leave India?
Foreign citizens travelling back to their home country / Indian nationals holding a visa valid for at least 1 year (exceptions for medical emergency or death in family possible) / green-card holders can travel from India if asymptomatic, in non-scheduled commercial flights, after the Ministry for Civil Aviation has checked that the destination country permits entry into that country.
Covid19 Tax relaxations
Covid19 Social security relaxations
More to come…
India has gone through several phases of lockdown beginning 25 March 2020 as well as some phases of ‘unlock’ (easing of lockdown in non-containment zones largely from 8 June 2020). The next phase (Unlock 2.0) is expected to begin 1 July 2020, but some cities / States have already gone back to some level of lockdown.
While every attempt has been made to ensure the content is current and is based on information made available by Government authorities, the status can undergo a change with amended regulations and therefore, please consult for specific queries.
