Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether emergency visa is being issued to Indian citizens to any country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has taken any step for issuing emergency visa to Gulf countries in emergencies;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the Government has made any rules under which the mortal remains of persons can be brought; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) to (c) A number of countries have provisions to issue emergency/ urgent/expedited visas to Indian citizens. Certain countries have also extended the facility of electronic visa to Indian nationals wherein a visa can be obtained within a day or two. Some of the Gulf countries also issue emergency visas to Indian nationals depending on the circumstances.
(d) & (e) Our Missions have been authorised to utilise funds from Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) to facilitate the repatriation of the mortal remains of a deceased Indian national from a foreign country. The family or friend of the deceased Indian national can request such assistance from the Indian Mission concerned to cover expenditure on incidentals; air transport of mortal remains to India or local cremation/ burial of mortal remains of the deceased, where the sponsor is unable or unwilling to do so as per the contract and the family is unable to meet the cost.
For the purpose of bringing back the mortal remains of an Indian national, registration of death at the concerned Indian Mission/Post is necessary, for which some documents are required such as, medical report/death certificate issued from a hospital, copy of detailed police report in case of accidental or unnatural death and a consent letter from next of kin of the deceased for local cremation/burial/transportation of mortal remains.
Our Missions/Posts remain in constant touch with the concerned foreign Governments to expedite procedures for the repatriation of mortal remains to India. The issue is also taken up at bilateral dialogues, including at high levels.