The Indian government has announced the restoration of e-tourist visas and regular tourist visas with five-year validity for nationals of 156 countries. The announcement comes after the visas were suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government has also restored the long-duration (10 years) regular tourist visa for nationals of the United States and Japan. Fresh regular and long-duration tourist visas will also be issued to eligible nationals subject to restrictions imposed from time to time.
Foreign nationals on tourist and e-tourist visas can only enter India through designated Sea Immigration Check Posts or Airport ICPs by flights, including those under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ or ‘air bubble’ scheme or any flights allowed by the DGCA or Ministry of Civil Aviation. They will not be allowed to enter through land borders or riverine routes.
However, these government instructions will not apply to Afghan nationals, who will continue to be governed by separate instructions issued by the Union Home Ministry regarding the grant of e-Emergency X-Misc visa.
The restoration of tourist visas is expected to boost India’s tourism industry, which has been severely affected by the pandemic. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the industry’s contribution to India’s GDP is expected to fall from 9.2% in 2019 to 5.5% in 2020 due to the pandemic.
India’s decision to restore tourist visas is also in line with the country’s efforts to revive its economy. The government has recently announced a series of measures aimed at boosting economic growth, including a $1.4 trillion national infrastructure plan and reforms in the agricultural sector.
Tourism is an important sector of India’s economy, employing millions of people and generating foreign exchange earnings. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and historic landmarks. It is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Taj Mahal, the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, and the Ellora Caves.
India has been promoting tourism through various initiatives, such as the ‘Incredible India’ campaign, which aims to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage and diversity to the world. The government has also taken steps to ease visa restrictions and promote electronic visas to make it easier for tourists to visit India.
The restoration of tourist visas is expected to provide a much-needed boost to India’s tourism industry, which has been struggling due to the pandemic. With the vaccination drive gaining momentum and travel restrictions easing, the government’s decision is likely to encourage more tourists to visit India and explore its rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes.
The Indian government’s decision to restore tourist visas with five-year validity for nationals of 156 countries and the long-duration regular tourist visa for nationals of the United States and Japan is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the country’s tourism industry. The move is also in line with India’s efforts to revive its economy and promote itself as an attractive destination for tourists from around the world.
