Visa holders issued after Nov. 3 will not be affected, China said.
New Delhi:
China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry of foreign nationals from India even with valid visas or residence permits due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi said on Thursday. Indian government sources said the order was not specific to India and that Beijing, concerned about COVID-19 cases, has issued similar orders for other countries. Holders of visas issued after November 3 will not be affected.
Visitors from Britain, France, Belgium, Bangladesh and the Philippines will also face similar restrictions.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is announced that China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry into China of foreign nationals in India holding Chinese visas or valid residence permits,” the embassy said in a statement. note.
“The Chinese embassy / consulates in India will not stamp the health declaration forms for holders of the above categories of visa or residence permit,” he said.
The note, posted on the embassy’s website, clarified that foreigners with Chinese diplomatic, service, courtesy and C visas are not affected.
“Foreigners with urgent or humanitarian needs to travel to China can submit a visa application to the Chinese embassy / consulates in India. Entry into China with visas issued after November 3 is not affected,” he indicated.
The embassy said the suspension was a temporary measure that China needs to adapt to deal with the current pandemic.
“China will make further adjustments and make timely announcements in accordance with the current pandemic situation,” he said.
Indian government sources said the measure was temporary and future visas would not be affected. “The measure is not specific to India. It should be noted that similar measures have been announced with regard to several other countries,” sources said.
“The reason for this measure appears to be Chinese concerns about a possible increase in COVID-19 cases around the world, made worse by the advent of autumn and winter in the northern hemisphere. The Indian government is in contact with the Chinese side to facilitate essential travel for Indians to and from China, ”they added.
India is the second most infected country in the world after the United States with more than 83 lakh COVID-19 cases. China, where the virus emerged late last year, has largely brought its outbreak under control thanks to strict travel restrictions and strict health measures for anyone entering the country.
In March, as the virus tore the world apart, China closed its borders to all foreign nationals.
It has gradually eased restrictions to allow people stranded abroad to return with special permission from its embassies, negative COVID-19 tests, and a two-week quarantine on arrival.
(With contributions from agencies)
