MHA allows OCI cardholders in certain categories to come back to India

The Central government on Friday relaxed visa and travel restrictions for holders of Overseas Citizens of India cards stranded abroad since March due to the Covid-19 lockdown, allowing certain categories to come to India. The categories include minor children born to Indian nationals abroad who hold OCI cards, those wishing to travel for family emergencies, and university students who are OCI card holders but whose parents are Indian citizens living in India. Officials familiar with developments said OCI card holders could also be accommodated in vacant seats in flights during the second phase of Vande Bharat Mission, which will continue till June 13. The categories of OCI card holders allowed by the government include minor children born to Indian nationals abroad holding OCI cards, OCI card holders who wish to come to India on account of family emergencies such as a death in the family, couples where one spouse is an OCI card holder and the other is an Indian national and they have permanent residence in India, and university students who are OCI card holders but whose parents are Indian citizens living in India, according to the home ministry’s order seen by HT. Government officials had indicated earlier this month that their first priority is meeting the minimum expectations of Indian nationals stranded abroad before requests from OCI card holders could be entertained.