In a bid to promote tourism, business travel, and medical tourism and attract investors to the country, the Indian government has rolled out visa reforms and introduced new visas.
These reforms come into effect from April 1 this year.
India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced the reforms in series of tweets.
The e-visa has been sub-divided into three categories — e-tourist visa, e-business visa and e-medical visa, the Ministry of Home Affairs tweeted.
The Indian government has also announced two new categories of visa — Intern Visa and Film Visa.
The period of Intern (I) Visa is restricted to the duration of internship programme or one year, whichever is less. The intern visa will be granted immediately after completion of graduation/post- graduation.
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said on Twitter, “Visa reforms aims to promote India as a filming destination through film visas with maximum duration of one year with multiple entry facility. Film Facilitation Office to act as a single window system, ensuring required permissions would be given in time bound manner. Visa Liberalisation and FFO to facilitate foreign film makers to showcase beauty of India to the world in a hassle free manner!”
Here’s everything you need to know about the visa reforms introduced by the Indian government:
- E-visa facility has been extended to the nationals of 161 countries for entry through 24 airports and 3 Indian Ports.
- The window for application under e-visa scheme has been increased from 30 days to 120 days.
- The duration of stay on e-visa has been increased from 30 days to 60 days with double entry on e-Tourist & business visa and triple entry on e-Medical visa.
- Separate immigration counters and facilitation desks to assist medical tourist have been provided at six major Indian airports.
- A new category of visa titled Intern (I) Visa has been rolled out for foreigners intending to pursue internship in India.
- A new category of Visa, Film (F) Visa, has also been introduced with maximum duration of one year with multiple entry facility.
