Visa Exemption to Foreign Designers in Handicrafts Sector

Handicrafts sector has been exempted from minimum salary condition (Rs. 16.25 lakhs per annum) for grant of employment visa to foreign designers for a period of 2 years i.e. till 30.06.2020.

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) had sought the intervention of Union Minister of Textiles for getting the exemption from the minimum salary condition for grant of employment visa to foreign designers. The Textiles Minister’s prompt action to obtain the exemption for handicrafts sector will help the exporters to hire international designers as per their requirement.

Chairman-EPCH O.P. Prahladka said that inputs of skilled international designers will help drive innovations, new product developments and traditional craft material processing in this sector. This exemption will help Indian handicrafts exporters to develop products in sync with international trends.

The exports of handicrafts during the latest period April- May 2018-19 have registered a growth of 3.05% in Rupee terms and stands at Rs. 3782 crores.