Online Event Clearance System for Foreign Nationals (Important)

Union Home Ministry Click here for more information took another step towards ease of getting visas by launching online “event clearance system” for grant of security clearance to foreigners wanting to visit India to attend conferences, seminars or workshops on Wednesday.

Agencies

Advantages of New Process

  • This will enable Indian Missions abroad to issue conference visa to foreign nationals or delegates intending to attend such events organized by central and state governments, public sector undertakings, central educational institutions, public funded universities, private institutions, or NGOs.
  • Whole process has become paperless & standardized resulting in effective monitoring and timely disposal.
  • Various officials involved in process can access online application & documents & take proper decision to facilitate organizers & participants of such conferences.
  • Officials of Foreigners Division have recently brought several successful initiatives relating to FCRA, FRRO, OCI etc. that made work processes faster, transparent & paperless.

Existing Process

Indian Missions are authorized to issue conference visas to delegates on production of invitation to conference⟋seminar⟋workshop being organized in India.

Missions, need to take prior consent from home ministry before granting conference visas to foreigners participating in conferences⟋seminars⟋workshops etc. in India in the following cases:-

  • If the participants are nationals of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq & Sudan or foreigners of Pakistani origin or “stateless persons” .
  • If participants are required to visit Restricted or Protected areas in India, or areas affected by terrorism, militancy and extremism such as in Jammu & Kashmir and the North Eastern States (other than the States of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland) .

Prior to introduction of online module, organisers had to run around to obtaining security clearances for organizing such events in country.

Organizers were required to apply for clearances in physical form along w⟋documents & ministry would give its verdict on paper.

Examrace Team at Jul 13, 2018