In a move aimed toward boosting the economy through tourism, the govt has decided to lift the Covid barrier for international travellers by resuming the grant of tourist visas.
The Ministry of Affairs will start granting fresh tourist visas to foreigners coming to India from November 15. For those impending chartered flights, visas would be granted starting October 15.
The move comes a year and a half after grant of tourist visas was suspended within the wake of Covid pandemic.
The ministry said during a statement that the choice was taken following consultations with stakeholders just like the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Tourism and state governments.
“MHA had been receiving representations from several State Governments in addition as various stakeholders within the tourism sector to begin Tourist Visas also, to permit foreign tourists to return to India. After deliberations we’ve decided to ease travel restrictions,” a senior Home Ministry official said.
The official said states are asked to follow Covid protocols laid down by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and therefore the tourists, the carriers bringing them into the country and other stakeholders must also continue the rules.
Grant of all visas to foreigners had been suspended within the wake of the pandemic last year. After considering the evolving situation, the govt had allowed foreigners to avail any quite visa aside from tourist visa for entry and stay in India.
The centre on Thursday said the country’s Covid-19 graph was plateauing while about 20,000 fresh cases were being reported each day. It said the challenge of Covid-19 wasn’t over yet and warned people to not let their guard down during the festive season.
