India liberalises e-visa regime

Why in news

• The Union Tourism Ministry recently made a series of amendments in India’s e-visa regime, liberalising it further and making it more tourist friendly.
• The e-tourist Visa, which was introduced in September 2014 with 46 countries has now been made applicable for 166 countries.
• The Ministry of Tourism had been working very closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs for easing of the visa Regime in the country over a period of time.

Key Modifications

• The duration of stay in India of e-tourist and e-business visas has been made maximum up to one year with multiple entry subject to the stay stipulations.
• The existing restriction of allowing foreigner for a maximum of three times has also been removed.
• Further, e-visa will be valid for entry through 2 two more designated airports such as Bhubaneswar and Port Blair, raising the total number of such airports to 28.
• There would be no separate category of destination wedding visa. Those attending a destination wedding in India can do so under normal e-tourist visa or tourist visa.
• Further, foreign nationals who fall sick during their stay in India can now avail medical treatment without converting their visa into medical visa. This would take care of sudden medical emergencies.
• Besides, visa-on-arrival facility has been extended to the nationals of the Republic of Korea.

Changes in e-Tourist Visa

• The e-tourist visa has now been made applicable for 166 countries.
• On e-tourist visa, continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 90 days in case of nationals of all countries who are eligible for grant of e-visa except nationals of USA, UK, Canada and Japan.
• In case of nationals of USA, UK, Canada and Japan, the continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days.
• In all cases no registration will be required.

Changes in e-Business Visa

• On e-business visa, the continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days in case of nationals of all countries who are eligible for grant of e-visa
• No registration will be required if the stay is for a period of less than 180 days.

National

Pic courtesy: Jagran Josh