Kerala Nurses who got visas before march 12 can fly

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nurses seeking jobs abroad have been given a slight  relaxation in emigration norms.  Those who  obtained nursing job visas of GCC countries prior to March 12, the day on which the new norms were issued, are now being granted clearance.

According to emigration sources, the relaxation is being given in view of a Delhi High Court directive. However, the centre is yet to take any decision on the  plea of the state government to give relaxation to those who had obtained visas before May 31,  the day on which the fresh restrictions were made effective.

Sources at airport emigration said that those who possess valid nursing visas issued before March 12 were allowed to travel after verifying the documents.

A valid agreement signed before March 12 would be mandatory for granting the clearance.  The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs had brought out the fresh restriction on March 12. 

“Some passengers with visas issued prior to March 12 were already allowed to travel on the basis of this relaxation,” Thiruvananthapuram airport sources said.

Meanwhile, many job aspirants who obtained nursing job visas between March 12 and May 31 could not be allowed to travel owing to the fresh restriction.

Though Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had personally written to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj last week seeking relaxations, no favourable decision has  come.