India liberalizes e-visa regime for foreign tourists

In a bid to boost its tourism sector, India has liberalized its e-visa norms for foreign tourists from over 160 countries and regions, with effect from April 1, allowing them to stay up to two months instead of just one month earlier.

"Duration of stay on e-visa increased from 30 days to 60 days with double-entry on tourist and business e-visas and triple entry on medical visas," Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in a statement issued Tuesday.

He added: "The government has liberalized its visa regime to promote tourism, business travel and attract potential investors to the country."

The Home Minister said that separate immigration counters and facilitation desks to assist medical tourists have been provided at six major Indian airports -- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

The Indian government also said that e-visas have been sub-categorised into e-tourist visa, e-business visa and e-medical visa, and the window for application under the e-visa scheme has been increased from 30 to 120 days.

"Multiple entry tourist and business visas for a period of five years will now be available to nationals of most of the countries. Upon urgent requests, business visa and medical visa will be granted within 48 hours of application," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

The e-visa service in India is for nationals of 161 countries for entry through 24 airports and three seaports -- Kochi, Goa and Mangalore. Endit