New Delhi, Oct 7 (FN Agency) Foreign tourists coming to India through chartered flights will be granted visas from October 15, and those coming by other flights would get visas from November 15, the Union Home Ministry said on Thursday. 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 Covid-19 pandemic. After considering the evolving Covid-19 situation, foreigners were later on allowed to avail any kind of Indian visa other than Tourist Visa for entry and stay in India. “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 and Family Welfare, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Tourism and various State Governments where foreign tourists are expected to arrive,” the statement said. The statement added that the Ministry decided to begin granting of fresh Tourist Visas for foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from October 15, 2021. “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,” it said. The move further eases restrictions placed on visa and international travel due to the overall Covid-19 situation. The statement emphasised that all protocols and norms relating to Covid-19 as notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from time to time, shall be adhered to by the foreign tourists, and carriers bringing them into India and all other stakeholders at landing stations.