NITN | @notintownlive | 08 Oct 2021, 04:04 am
Tourist visa to India
Image credit: Image by Richard Mcall from Pixabay
New Delhi/NITN: The Indian government has relaxed its rules for visa for international travellers and will start issuing the same in phases starting October 15 this year.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that it will start granting fresh Tourist visas (provided all necessary conditions are fulfilled) for foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from October 15, 2021.
Foreign tourists entering into India by flights other than chartered aircraft will be able to do so only with effect from November 15, 2021 on fresh Tourist Visas, the ministry said in a release.
All due protocols and norms relating to COVID-19 as notified by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare from time to time, have to be adhered to by the foreign tourists, carriers bringing them into India and all other stakeholders at landing stations.
Namaste to all the incredible travelers across the globe. The time has come when Incredible India is ready to welcome you back!
— Ministry of Tourism (@tourismgoi) October 7, 2021
Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India is allowing tourist visas for travellers arriving by chartered flights from 15th October'2021. pic.twitter.com/n1VdJfsaD1
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all visas granted to foreigners were suspended last year.
Various other restrictions were also imposed on international travel by the Union government to arrest the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
However, following representations from several state governments as well as various stakeholders in the tourism sector to start Tourist Visas also, to allow foreign tourists to come to India, the MHA decided to relax its visa policy.
Prior to that, the MHA consulted all major stakeholders like the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Tourism and various state governments where foreign tourists are expected to arrive.
- India announces free e-visas to Filipino tourists
- Sweden unveils Nämdöskärgården – A new Marine National Park in the Baltic Sea
- Monsoon Charity Fair in Kolkata highlights efforts of social changemakers
- Jordan showcases Adventure Tourism with 2025 Marathon Des Sables
- 10 Indian nationals among 99 denied entry into Malaysia after security screening at Kuala Lumpur airport
- Visiting US just got $250 more expensive; here's why
- Air India begins phased resumption of international flights after AI171 crash; Heathrow to replace Gatwick on Ahmedabad-London route
- We took a hit post-Pahalgam but tourism is flowing back: J&K CM Omar Abdullah assures safety to visitors
- Air India expands codeshare partnership with Air Mauritius
- Air India announces network-wide sale ahead of the summer holiday season
Malaysia Airlines will expand its South India network by adding more flights on the Kuala Lumpur–Trivandrum route to meet rising demand, the airline said. From September 12, the carrier will operate five weekly services, with daily flights to start from December 1.
IndiGo has expanded its codeshare agreement with KLM, the Netherlands’ national airline, providing its passengers with enhanced access to destinations across Europe and the United Kingdom through KLM’s network, the airline said.
Etihad Airways and Azul Brazilian Airlines have signed a frequent flyer partnership, allowing members of Etihad Guest and Azul Fidelidade programme to earn and redeem loyalty points across both airlines.