MHA extends visa of foreigners stranded in India till May 3

The Indian Home Ministry has extended regular as well as e-visas of all foreigners in India till May 3 on a gratis basis. As per reports, a number of foreigners are stuck in India due to COVID-19 lockdown. Also, as per the notification released by the Home Ministry, the visa granted to those foreigners, who are supposed to come to India, will remain suspended till May 3.
The statement further read that regular visa, e-visa or stay stipulation of those foreign nationals, who have been stranded in India because of lockdown, and also because of travel restrictions imposed by the Indian authorities, and whose visas would be expiring or have expired during the period from February 1 (mid-night) to May 3 (mid-night), would be extended till the midnight of May 3 on 'Gratis' basis, after online application by them.
After India went into a 21-day lockdown on March 24 to stop transmission of COVID-19, thousands of foreign nationals were left stranded in India. Initially, the Ministry of Home Affairs had granted consular services to foreign nationals stranded here due to travel restrictions till April 30. The decision to extend the validity of visas till April 30, which was initially till April 15, was taken after the decision was taken to extend the lockdown.
International flights have also been cancelled, and no official date has been given as to when the flight services will resume again, at least not before May 3 either.
The Home Ministry added that after considering the matter, it has been decided to extend the period of providing consular services by the Office of Foreigners Regional Registration Officers and Foreigners Registration Officers to foreign nationals, who are presently stranded in India. Further, exit to such foreign nationals, if that is requested by them during this period, will also be granted up to 14 days beyond May 3, i.e., till May 17, without levy of overstay penalty.