BackForeigners seeking research visa to see stricter scrutiny
The move came after the Union home ministry found that foreigners have allegedly misused research visas
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New Delhi: Foreigners intending to work in non-governmental organizations, carry out research work on human rights and environment issues will have to face stricter scrutiny of their visa applications after detection of several incidents of alleged misuse of these provisions. The move came after the Union home ministry found that research visas have been allegedly misused by several foreigners in the recent past.
“All research visa applications will be thoroughly scrutinised. An applicant has to submit a brief note in advance about the project in which the research work will be conducted. If we find it appropriate, non-controversial and beneficial to India, only then will the applicant be given a visa," a senior home ministry official aware of the development said.
Christine Mehta, who prepared a research paper on the alleged human rights violation in Kashmir on behalf of Amnesty International, reportedly did not submit her research subject to the authorities beforehand. Unhappy over her work, the government deported Mehta in November 2014. Several foreigners had worked in NGOs, including Greenpeace India, and were alleged to have been involved in anti-government activities.
The home ministry has found that many of the foreigners come to India on tourist visas and later get involved in research works and NGOs dealing with environment and human rights issues. “Such trends have to be stopped. We will not allow anyone misusing the tourist visa provisions too," the official said. However, genuine researchers will not have to face difficulty if the project is to be done under an Indian institution accredited by the University Grants Commission.
Visa applications of foreign scholars who take scholarships from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations for conducting research will also be processed without any difficulty. The ICCR offers the General Cultural Scholarship Scheme, Silver Jubilee Nepali Scholarship, Africa Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme etc. According to an estimate, around 42,000 foreign students study in India of which nearly 3,800 are research scholars.
Most of the foreign students belong to Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Iran.
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