Several Indian missions abroad issued identical circulars on 9 October confirming a one-month, no-fee extension of all visa and e-visa categories for foreigners unable to depart India because of flight cancellations linked to the Israel-Iran conflict. The notices—posted by the High Commission of India in London and consulates in São Paulo, Bishkek and Jakarta—also waive any overstay penalties incurred after 28 February 2026, the date civil-aviation authorities first began diverting or grounding West-bound flights. Under the humanitarian package, stranded travellers will receive: 1) gratis visa extensions processed by their local Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO); 2) exit permits at no cost once commercial routes resume; and 3) Temporary Landing Permits for passengers on diverted flights. Overstay days during the specified period will not count as a future immigration violation. Travel-risk consultants say the policy provides welcome clarity for tour operators and expatriate project staff who faced mounting fines of US $300–500 per day. It also spares companies the reputational risk of employees being barred from re-entry under India’s strict immigration-offender list. Mobility teams should compile passenger manifests, ticket cancellations and FRRO acknowledgement receipts as audit evidence. While the extension is automatic, exit-permit processing can still take 72 hours, so stranded staff should avoid last-minute airport departures once West-bound corridors reopen. Airlines are cautiously rerouting via Central Asia and the Red Sea, but full restoration of Gulf hub connectivity may take weeks, meaning further policy extensions are possible.
