The Government of India has announced a package of temporary immigration relief measures for foreign nationals, including Fijians, who have been caught up in travel disruptions linked to the escalating conflict in the Gulf region. The High Commission of India in Suva issued a public notice on March 14 outlining one-month free visa extensions, a waiver of overstay penalties, and free exit permits to assist travellers stranded by airspace closures and flight diversions.
Under the measures, all types of visas and e-visas that are due to expire soon will be extended for one month at no charge. Extensions will be processed on a case-by-case basis by the relevant Foreigners Regional Registration Offices. The government also said exit permits for affected foreign nationals will be issued free of charge, and anyone arriving in India as a result of flight diversions will receive a Temporary Landing Permit without cost.
A significant element of the relief is a retroactive waiver of penalties for visa overstays for those affected: penalties linked to overstays after February 28, 2026 — the date cited in the notice as the beginning of the Israel-Iran conflict that precipitated the travel chaos — will not be applied. The notice further states that individuals who are unable to apply for visa extensions or exit permits due to disruptions will not be treated as violating India’s immigration laws.
The High Commission framed the measures as “a goodwill and humanitarian gesture,” saying they are intended to assist foreign travellers stranded because of ongoing regional instability and airspace restrictions affecting international flights. The public notice explicitly includes citizens from Fiji among those covered by the temporary arrangements, reflecting the cross-regional impact of disrupted Gulf air routes that are often used for travel between the Pacific and Europe, the Middle East and South Asia.
The announcement comes amid broader regional concern for citizens of Pacific states in the Middle East and nearby hubs. Earlier this month Papua New Guinea sought Australian assistance to ensure safe passage for its nationals in the UAE, underscoring how rapidly changing security conditions and airspace closures have complicated travel and evacuation options. India’s relief measures will provide immediate administrative relief for travellers already in India or diverted there, removing the immediate threat of fines or immigration penalties and facilitating legal departures when flights resume.
The High Commission’s notice does not detail how long the temporary scheme will remain in effect beyond the one-month visa extension provision, nor does it specify eligibility documentation beyond standard visitor categorizations. Affected travellers should monitor updates from the High Commission of India in Suva and the nearest Indian missions for any operational guidance and further developments as the situation in the Gulf evolves.
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