The GIACC Board offers its deepest condolences and sympathy to GIACC members whose family members and friends have been impacted by Covid-19 in the recent Covid surge in India.

As you may be aware, recent restrictions relating to travel of Indian nationals to the US, have been announced via US Presidential Proclamation of April 30, 2021, which became effective at 12:01 AM EDT on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. As a general guidance, immigrants, U.S. citizens, and lawful permanent residents (LPR) are not subject to the proclamation, as also certain other categories including, certain family members of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents including spouses, minor children, parents (provided that his/her U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident child is unmarried and under the age of 21), and siblings (provided that both the sibling and the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident are unmarried and under the age of 21). Additionally, the travel of certain categories of individuals have been permitted as national interest exceptions under the geographic COVID Presidential Proclamations applicable to certain countries including India. These include fiancé(e)s, students whose academic programs begins August 1, 2021 or later; travelers who are seeking to provide vital support for critical infrastructure sectors; and journalists, among others. For more details, please visit U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs Travel.State.Gov

With regard to travel to India, GIACC has been informed by the Indian Consulate General, Atlanta, that there is no update at this time, to current travel guidelines. If there are any updates, they will be posted on the Consulate General website and social media platforms.

GIACC presented a Webinar on May 19, 2020 at 11 30 AM with a panel of experts in the U.S. and India for current updates on US and India Immigration, Travel and Tourism. The topics addressed included:

• Impact of US Presidential Proclamation of April 23, 2020
• Impact of US Presidential Proclamation of April 23, 2020
• USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) flexibilities due to Covid -19
• Covid-19 impact on H-1B and L-1 workers and employers
• India Lockdown: scope and relaxations
• Status update on commercial travel to India
• Use and validity of visa holders and OCI cards
• Government of India policies regarding employees, employers and salaries
• Covid-19 impact on Indo-US Tourism
• In case you were not able to join, please enjoy the recording (use password 8n^R!0.*).

GIACC presented a Webinar on April 14, 2020 at noon with an expert panel of speakers that are working on the front lines with companies in both India and the U.S. during this unprecedented crisis. The topics addressed included:

• Impact on the U.S. and Indian Economies and Trade/Transactions between the two countries
• Tax Relief, Loans, Credits and Other Aid being provided by the Indian and American governments to small and mid-size entities.

In case you were not able to join, please enjoy the recording and PPT.

Issued on 16-03-2020
Government of India Ministry of Health & FW
Additional Travel Advisory for Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

In continuation of the travel advisory issued on 11th March 2020, the following additional advisory is issued:

• Expanding compulsory quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days for passengers coming from/transiting through UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 18th March 2020 at the port of first departure.
• Travel of passengers from member countries of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey and United Kingdom to India is prohibited with effect from 18th March 2020. No airline shall board a passenger from these nations to India with effect from 1200 GMT on 18th March 2020. The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure.
• Both these instructions are temporary measures and shall be in force till 31st March 2020 and will be reviewed subsequently.

Issued on 19-03-2020

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF ClVlL AVIATION
OPPOSITE SAFDARJUNG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI-110003

No. 4/1/2020-lR
Dated: 19-03-2020

CIRCULAR-II

Sub: Travel and Visa restrictions related to COVID-19

In order to prevent the spread of CONVID 19 (Novel Corona Virus 2019) disease in lndia, all scheduled lndian and foreign airlines engaged in international air transportation to/from lndia are directed as under:

• No scheduled international commercial passenger aircraft shall take off from any foreign airport for any airport in lndia, after 0001 hrs GMT of March 22, 2020 (0530 hn lndian Standard Time (IST) of March 22, 2020). These instructions shall remain in force till 0001 hrs GMT of March 29, 2020.
• A maximum travel time of 20 hours is permissible for such commercial passenger aircraft to land in lndia.
• As such, no incoming scheduled international commercial passenger aircraft shall be allowed to disembark its passengers on lndian soil (Foreigner or lndian) after 2001 hrs GMT of March 22(0131 hrs IST of March 23,2020).
• These instructions are in addition to the travel restrictions1 advisories already issued and under implementation.
• The above are temporary measures to restrict the spread of COVID-19, and are subject to review by Government.

Please acknowledge the receipt and ensure strict compliance.

• All Scheduled Airlines operating flights to/from lndia;
• The Chairman, Airport Authority of lndia;
• All International Airport Operators in lndia.
• The Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration

Shared by the Indian Consulate General

Subject: Visa Restrictions Related to COVID-19

The following instructions have been issued by Boi in pursuance of the meeting of GOM on March 11, 2020.

In supersession of all earlier advisories issued on this subject, the following visa restrictions are issued for implementation.

• All existing visas issued to nationals of any country except those issued to Diplomats, Officials, UN/International Organizations, Employment, Project visas stand suspended until April 15, 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13, 2020, at the port of departure of any foreigner for an onward journey to India.
• Visas of all foreigners already in India remain valid. They may contact the nearest FRRO/FRO through the e-FRRO module for extension/conversion etc., of their visa or grant of any consular service if they choose to do so.
• Visa-free travel facility granted to OCI card holders shall be kept in abeyance until April 15, 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13, 2020, at the port of departure of any foreigner for an onward journey to India.
• Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reasons may contact the nearest Indian Mission for a fresh visa.
• All incoming travelers, including Indian nationals, arriving from any destination and having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Sapin, and Germany on or after February 15, 2020, shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13, 2020, at the port of departure of such travelers.
• International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated Immigration Checkposts with robust medical screening facilities. These will be notified separately by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In addition to the above visa restrictions, the following travel advisory is hereby issued in accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

• Indian nationals presently abroad are advised to avoid non-essential travel. They are hereby informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days on their arrival in India.
• All Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. On their return, they can be subjected to quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days.