India to Grant Tourist Visas to Foreigners from October 15

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be granting fresh tourist visas to foreigners coming to India with effect from October 15 for those who will travel through chartered flights and for those who will travel other than the chartered flights would be able to do so with effect from November 15.

"All Covid-19 protocols and norms notified by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to be adhered to by foreign tourists, carriers bringing them into the country, and other stakeholders at landing stations," an official statement said.

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 virus. After considering the evolving Covid-19 situation, foreigners were later on allowed to avail any kind of Indian visa other than a Tourist Visa for entry and stay in the country.

However, the MHA had been receiving 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. Therefore, 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, reported India Today.

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