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.
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. |
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. |
Following is the comparative statement showing recent changes made by the Government in e-visa:
| S.No | Particulars of Visa Issues | Previous Status | Revised Status |
| 1. | Duration of e-Visa
| For a maximum period of 60 days with double entry for e-Tourist and e-Business Visa | Duration of stay in India of e-Tourist and e-Business visa is maximum upto 1 year with multiple entry subject to the stay stipulations and registrations applicable for normal Tourist and Business Visas.
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| 2. | Duration of Stay per visit | Maximum upto 60 days | e-Tourist visa 90 Days per visit 1. 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. 2. In case of nationals of USA, UK, Canada and Japan continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days. e-Business visa 1. On e-Business visa 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. 2. No registration (with FRRO/FRO concerned) will be required if the stay if for a period of less than 180 days. |
| 3. | Number of Entry | Double entry allowed to e-Tourist and e-Business Visa | Multiple entry allowed |
| 4. | Number of times visa issued in a year | 3 Times in a calendar year | Multiple times |
| 5. | E-visa entry airports | 26 airports | 2 more airports (Port Blare and Bhubaneshwar) added raising the total e-visa entry airports to 28. |
| 6. | Kind of e-visa categories | Five sub- categories: e-tourist, e-Business e-Medical visa e-Conference e-Medical Attendant | Demand for issuing Destination Wedding Visa not accepted - To be granted under normal Tourist/e-tourist visa |
| 7. | Conversion of Visa Category for Medical Treatment in India | Conversion of visa category needed | 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. |
| 8. | Visa-on-Arrival | Earlier, it was available to the nationals of Japan | Visa-on-Arrival facility extended to the nationals of Republic of Korea. |
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