New Delhi: The government on Wednesday reinstated all valid five-year e-tourists Visa given to citizens of 156 countries and Regular Paper Visa to citizens of all countries with immediate effect. These visas were suspended from March 2020 following the outbreak of Kovid-19.
Officials also said that all valid old long-term (10 years) regular tourist visas currently granted to citizens of the US and Japan have been restored. Fresh long-term (10 years) tourist visas will also be issued to US and Japanese nationals.
The Home Ministry said, “The government has taken this step in view of the improvement in the situation of Kovid-19 in the country and the need for further relaxation of visa and travel restrictions.”
Citizens of these 156 countries will also be eligible to issue new e-tourist visas as per the Visa Rules, 2019.
Currently, valid regular (paper) tourist visas with a validity of 5 years issued to foreign nationals of all countries, which have been suspended since March 2020, will be restored.
The official said that fresh regular (paper) tourist visas of up to five years validity will also be issued to citizens of eligible countries, subject to restrictions imposed from time to time.
Currently, the valid old long term (10 years) regular tourist visa which has been suspended since March 2020 will be restored for citizens of USA and Japan.
Fresh long-term (10 years) tourist visas will also be issued to citizens of the United States and Japan.
Foreign nationals on tourist and e-tourist visas will be able to enter India by flights only through designated Maritime Immigration Check Posts (IPs) or ICPs of the airport, including those under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ or ‘Air Bubble’ scheme or through any included by others. Flights permitted by DGCA or Ministry of Civil Aviation.
In no case, foreign nationals will be allowed to enter through land border or river route on tourist visa or e-tourist visa.
The government directives will not apply to citizens of Afghanistan, who will continue to be governed by separate directives issued by the Union Home Ministry to grant e-emergency ex-variety visas, the official said.
(with inputs from agencies)
Officials also said that all valid old long-term (10 years) regular tourist visas currently granted to citizens of the US and Japan have been restored. Fresh long-term (10 years) tourist visas will also be issued to US and Japanese nationals.
The Home Ministry said, “The government has taken this step in view of the improvement in the situation of Kovid-19 in the country and the need for further relaxation of visa and travel restrictions.”
Citizens of these 156 countries will also be eligible to issue new e-tourist visas as per the Visa Rules, 2019.
Currently, valid regular (paper) tourist visas with a validity of 5 years issued to foreign nationals of all countries, which have been suspended since March 2020, will be restored.
The official said that fresh regular (paper) tourist visas of up to five years validity will also be issued to citizens of eligible countries, subject to restrictions imposed from time to time.
Currently, the valid old long term (10 years) regular tourist visa which has been suspended since March 2020 will be restored for citizens of USA and Japan.
Fresh long-term (10 years) tourist visas will also be issued to citizens of the United States and Japan.
Foreign nationals on tourist and e-tourist visas will be able to enter India by flights only through designated Maritime Immigration Check Posts (IPs) or ICPs of the airport, including those under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ or ‘Air Bubble’ scheme or through any included by others. Flights permitted by DGCA or Ministry of Civil Aviation.
In no case, foreign nationals will be allowed to enter through land border or river route on tourist visa or e-tourist visa.
The government directives will not apply to citizens of Afghanistan, who will continue to be governed by separate directives issued by the Union Home Ministry to grant e-emergency ex-variety visas, the official said.
(with inputs from agencies)