New Delhi: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to begin granting fresh Tourist Visas to foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from October 15, 2021.
Foreign tourists travelling to India by flights other than chartered aircraft would be able to do so with effect from November 15, 2021.
The Ministry of Home Affairs stated today that all COVID-19 protocols and norms notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will have to be adhered to by foreign tourists, carriers bringing them into India and other stakeholders at landing stations.
It may be mentioned that 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 Central 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, the MHA stated that it now reviewed its decision 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 said it consulted all major stakeholders like the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Tourism and various State Governments where foreign tourists are expected to arrive, and after considering their inputs, decided to begin granting of fresh Tourist Visas for foreigners coming to India.
– global bihari bureau
