India will begin granting fresh tourist visas to foreigners who enter the country via chartered flights starting from October 15, the government said on Thursday. It will also allow foreign tourists to enter the country by flights other than chartered aircraft from November 15 onwards.
“MHA has decided to begin granting fresh tourist visas for foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from October 15. Foreign tourists entering into India by flights other than chartered aircraft would be able to do so from November 15 on fresh tourist visas,” the government said in a statement.
The government said that the decision was taken based on recommendations from state governments as well as stakeholders from the tourism industry. The stakeholders from the tourism industry highlighted the need of issuing tourist visas to foreign travellers. The home ministry also discussed the issue with state governments who earn revenues from tourism and who expect high footfall from foreigners. It also held consultations with the Union ministry of health and family welfare, the Union ministry of external affairs, the Union ministry of civil aviation and the Union ministry of tourism.
Foreign tourists entering into India by flights other than chartered aircraft would be able to do so only with effect from November 15, 2021 on fresh Tourist Visas.
All due protocols and norms relating to COVID-19 as notified by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare from time to time, shall be adhered to by the foreign tourists, carriers bringing them into India and all other stakeholders at landing stations.
With this, the restrictions placed on visa and international travel stand further eased given the present overall COVID-19 situation.