Lok Sabha Question No. 952 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-22
Subject: Visas for Medical Students
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dayakar Pasunoori, Kavitha Malothu, Venkatesh Netha Borlakunta, Gaddam Ranjith Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.952 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2022

## VISAS FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS

952.  SHRI PASUNOORI DAYAKAR:

SHRIMATI KAVITHA MALOTHU: SHRI VENKATESH NETHA BORLAKUNTA: DR. G. RANJITH REDDY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether China is not issuing visas for medical students from India pursuing their education in China while visas are being issued for others working in China and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the efforts being made to persuade China for issuing visas for Indian medical students;
- (c) whether it is true that the Ministry is in discussions with Hungary, Russia and other countries for admitting Indian medical students who returned from Ukraine due to war; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) The Government of People's Republic of China had restricted travel to China by suspending visa and residence permits with effect from 28 March 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

On 13 June 2022, Chinese Embassy issued a notice updating its visa policy for Indian citizens. As per the notice, they will start accepting visa applications   from   (i)   foreign   nationals   and   their   accompanying   family members going to China for resumption of work and production in all fields; (ii) Family members of Chinese citizens and foreigners with Chinese permanent residence permit going to China for family reunion or visiting relatives.

The Government has been taking up the matter of return of Indian students with the Chinese authorities both in New Delhi and through our Embassy in China. Regular updates have been given in this regard by the Embassy to the Indian students.

During External Affairs Minister's meeting with Foreign Minister of China on 25 March 2022, he raised the issue of medical students noting that such restrictive policy puts the future of many Indian students in jeopardy.   The   Chinese   side   has   recently   expressed   its   willingness   to consider facilitating the return of a limited number of Indian students on a trial basis depending upon need. Accordingly, Embassy of India in Beijing issued a Press Release on 29 April 2022 seeking details of students who intend to return to China to continue their studies. A list of all such students willing to return to China has been provided to the Chinese side for their consideration. The two sides are currently in touch with each other to work out further modalities for facilitating the return of Indian medical students to China. The two sides also discussed this issue during External Affairs Minister's recent meeting with Foreign Minister of China on 07 July 2022 in Bali, Indonesia.

The   Government   will   continue   to   pursue   this   matter   with   the Chinese authorities. Meanwhile, Indian students who are studying in China have been advised to continue checking our Embassy website for regular updates on the matter. They have also been advised to remain in touch with their universities for any updates.

(c) & (d) Yes. The Ministry of External Affairs has been in touch with various countries regarding continuation of medical education in respect of Indian students who have returned from Ukraine.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is the nodal Ministry for medical education. This issue will also need to be seen in the context of existing guidelines of National Medical Commission on migration between Universities in different countries.

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