India To Start Issuing Fresh Visas For Foreign Tourists From Oct 15

In a bid to relax travel curbs for foreign tourists who wish to travel the country the Indian government on Thursday announced that it will start issuing fresh tourist visas from 15th October 2021.

However, this is only applicable to foreign tourists who are coming into India on charter flights.

Foreign tourists traveling to India by flights other than chartered aircraft would be able to do so with effect from 15 November, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.

It’s worth mentioning that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all visas granted to foreigners were suspended last year.

Moreover, various other restrictions were also imposed on international travel by the Central Government to arrest the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here is what the Ministry of Home Affairs said in official communication.

Relaxation On Visa and Travel For Foreign Tourists

“After considering the evolving COVID-19 situation, foreigners were later on allowed to avail any kind of Indian visa other than Tourist Visa for entry and stay in India”.

All foreign nationals intending to visit India for tourism purposes will be allowed to enter into India on e-Tourist Visa/Tourist Visa through Charted flights (for group tourism only) from October 15, 2021; and

All individual foreign nationals intending to visit India for tourism purposes will be allowed to enter into India on an e-Tourist visa/Tourist Visa w.e.f. 15.11.2021.

The above-mentioned foreign nationals would be permitted to enter India by water routes or by flights, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission or ‘air bubble scheme or by any scheduled/non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. In no case, the foreign nationals will be allowed to enter India through land ICPs on an e-Tourist Visa/Tourist Visa.

This relaxation as mentioned at paras 2 and 3 above would be applicable only to the e-Tourist/Tourist Visa issued on or after 06.10.2021.

Bureau of Immigration (BoI)/Indian Missions/Posts abroad may grant fresh single entry e-Tourist/Tourist visa for 30 days. Existing e-Tourist Visa/Tourist Visa shall remain suspended.

In respect of quarantine and all other health/ COVID-19 related matters, extant guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shall be strictly adhered to.

These instructions shall come into force with immediate effect. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.