India to grant tourist visas from Oct 15

India will grant fresh tourist visas to foreignersfrom October 15.

Dhaka, Oct 7 :  India will grant fresh tourist visas to foreigners who enter the country via chartered flights from October 15, one-and-a-half years after the country completely suspended issuing visas in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Those wanting to visit India on scheduled commercial flights would have to wait till November 15, the Indian government said Thursday.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs (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," it said.

The stakeholders from the tourism industry underscored the need of issuing tourist visas to foreign travellers, 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 state governments where foreign tourists are expected to arrive.

The decision was taken based on recommendations from state governments as well as stakeholders from the tourism industry, the Indian government added.

However, the ministry asked foreign tourists, air carriers and other stakeholders to ensure that all Covid-19 preventative measures are strictly followed, reports UNB.