THE Government of India has revised the
procedure for granting conference visa to foreigners from eight countries and
stateless persons, who would now need to get prior mandatory security clearance
from the home ministry. These countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China,
Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Sudan. Stateless persons and foreigners of
Pakistani origin would also need the additional security clearance. All central
ministries, departments and chief secretaries of state governments and union
territories are meant to strictly adhere to the revised procedure for grant of a
conference visa.
Conference Visa
A conference visa is a special
type of visa granted to foreigners intending to visit India for attending any
conference, seminar or workshop where substantive discussions, deliberations,
interactions and exchange of thoughts and ideas is expected to take place on a
specific subject matter by the participants. It does not include meetings
organised by a business institution, a sports meet and cultural events. A
foreign participant of assured financial standing who intends to visit India
with the sole objective of attending such an event may apply for a conference
visa.
This
revision would not impact the procedure for foreign participants from other
countries who can obtain a conference visa from the Indian mission on production
of the required documents including invitation letter from the organiser, event
clearance from the ministry of home affairs, administrative approval of the
nodal ministry, political clearance from the external affairs ministry and
clearance from the state government and union territories concerned.
Timelines
These guidelines have been revised as
security clearances are a time consuming process and organisers of international
events were not adhering to the prescribed timelines. Now, organisers, including
private institutions and NGOs would have to submit the proposals to the home
ministry at least two months before the commencement of the event. In case the
event is organised by a ministry or department of central or state government,
then the request for security clearance would need to be submitted by the
organiser at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the event.
Duration
A conference visa would be issued for
the duration of the event and include the necessary travelling time. For foreign
nationals who wished to combine tourism with attending the event, a maximum of
six months visa may be granted, subject to the conditions applicable for a
tourist visa. However, participants for whom security clearances are required
from the Home Ministry, the visa would not be granted for a duration longer than
specified by the ministry of home or external affairs or the minimum period
required.
|
