Business Visa Returns

Visitors in India on business visas have come in for a nasty surprise

Visitors in India on business visas have come in for a nasty surprise with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry ordering them to leave by October-end. To return, they have to apply for an employment visa under more stringent requirements (secretaries and instructors need not apply). The arbitrary directive, sent through  abrupt emails and personal letters, has caused disbelief, confusion and anger.

Accounting and consulting firm Deloitte advised customers, “Some visits that may need a re-evaluation are training visits, management review meetings, project-related scoping and implementation etcetera.” 
The policy move reportedly targets Chinese blue-collar workers who have overstayed. “This is supported by the fact that only 1,800 of the 25,000 or so Chinese nationals have now applied for employment visas,” says Nitin Pai of the foreign affairs journal Pragati – The Indian National Interest Review.

About The Author

Rahul Bhatia