India on Wednesday (March 16) restored the e-tourist visa facility, suspended since March 2020, to nationals of 156 countries with immediate effect.
As per a government of India notification the e-tourist visas under the three options (one month, one year, and five years), which remained suspended since March 2020, shall stand restored. Applications for fresh e-tourist visas for eligible nationalities can also be made at the Indian E-Visa Portal [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html].
The Government of India has also decided to restore old valid long duration (10 years) regular (paper) tourist visas for the nationals of the US. and Japan with immediate effect. Fresh issue of regular (paper) long-duration (10 years) tourist visas has also been restored for the nationals of the US. and Japan.
The foreign nationals on tourist and e-tourist visas will be able to enter into India only through designated Sea Immigration Check Posts (IPs) or Airport ICPs by flights, including those under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission or ‘air bubble’ scheme or by any flights as allowed by the DGCA or Ministry of Civil Aviation.
In no case, the foreign nationals will be allowed to enter through the land border or riverine routes on tourist visa or e-tourist visa.
Currently, valid regular (paper) tourist visa with a validity of five years, issued to foreign nationals of all countries, which remained suspended since March 2020, shall stand restored.
Fresh regular (paper) tourist visas up to five years’ validity will also be issued to the nationals of the eligible countries subject to the restrictions imposed from time to time, as per a government official.