Middle East conflict: India grants one-month visa extension to stranded foreigners

NEW DELHI: India has announced an extension of visas and a waiver of overstay penalties for foreign nationals stranded in the country due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East region.The Indian Consulate in Dubai said in a notification that all visas and e-visas that are expiring or due to expire soon will be extended for one month free of charge through the jurisdictional foreigners regional registration offices (FRROs).Authorities also said that penalties for any overstay by affected foreign nationals after February 28 will be waived if the delay was caused by the conflict.They added that exit permits will be issued free of charge to foreign nationals affected by travel disruptions so they can leave India once routes reopen.The consulate further clarified that if a foreign national is unable to apply for an exit permit or visa extension because of the situation, it will not be treated as a violation of immigration rules.Authorities also said that a Temporary Landing Permit (TLP) will be granted free of cost to foreign nationals whose flights are diverted to India.The move comes as the conflict in West Asia continues, with the United States and Israel carrying out drone and missile strikes on Iran. Iran has retaliated by targeting US strategic bases in the Gulf region and launching direct strikes on Israel.Meanwhile, nearly 500 Indian nationals travelled from Qatar to India and other global destinations on flights operated by Qatar Airways, the Indian Embassy in Doha said in an advisory.In a post on X, the embassy on Friday said the passengers travelled on Qatar Airways flights to Kochi and other destinations. The airline also helped transport the mortal remains of two Indian nationals who died of natural causes, along with their accompanying family members, to Kochi on humanitarian grounds.The embassy said Qatar’s airspace is only partially open, which has limited flight operations by Qatar Airways."One flight to Mumbai is planned for operations by Qatar Airways on March 14," the advisory said.The limited flight operations come amid the escalating security crisis in Middle East, triggered by Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting US military bases, embassies, and civilian infrastructure across the Gulf region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.The conflict has also disrupted global energy supplies, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes.