ComMin to push for relaxing visa norms for foreigners in SEZs

NEW DELHI: The Commerce Ministry will push for a relaxation in employment visa norms for foreigners in Special Economic Zone units that bring in large foreign direct investment.

The ministry is receiving feedback from the industry, after which it will formally send a proposal in this regard to the Home Ministry, an official said.

At present, employment visas (E-visa) are granted to foreigners that draw a salary in excess of USD 25,000 per annum.

"The Department of Commerce would like to send a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration after consultations with the industries, particularly the SEZs," he said.

While the condition of a USD 25,000 per annum salary was stipulated to ensure that E-visas are issued only for skilled and highly skilled persons, "It is realised that this should not prove to be stumbling block to attract more FDI into the country", the official in the Commerce Ministry said.

However, the exemptions would be limited to those who are specialists in their fields, he said.

FDI inflows into the country dropped to USD 19.42 billion in 2010-11 from USD 25.83 billion in the previous fiscal.