Foreign tourists may be allowed to visit India soon


PTI, Sep 19, 2021, 11:55 AM IST

Source: unsplash

New Delhi:  Amid a decline in Covid cases in the country, India may soon reopen its doors for foreign tourists for the first time in one-and-a-half years, officials said.

The first five lakh foreign tourists will be issued visas free of cost in an attempt to revive the tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020 when a nationwide lockdown was announced.

Top Union Home Ministry officials are deliberating with all stakeholders on the expected date and modalities for opening up of the country for foreign tourists.

A formal announcement allowing foreign tourists to visit India may come within the next 10 days, an official from the Home Ministry said.

The decision is being taken in view of the declining number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

On Sunday, 30,773 new cases were reported while active cases had come down to 3.32 lakh.

India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has also crossed 80 crores as of Saturday.

The free visa to the tourists will be issued till March 31, 2022, or the issuance of a five lakh visa, whichever is earlier. The total financial implication for this would be Rs 100 crore.

The free visa move is expected to incentivize short-term tourists visiting India, the official said.

The cost for a month-long e-tourist visa is country-specific but is around USD 25. A year-long multiple entry e-tourists visa charge is around USD 40.

The e-tourist visa has been suspended since March 2020.

The Home Ministry officials said they are still deliberating whether the entry of foreign tourists will be allowed with certain conditions like limiting it to only vaccinated travelers for now and having a negative list of countries where COVID-19 cases remain a concern.

The opening up is also expected to be phase-wise to see the response and implications, another official said.

Many countries, including some of those in Europe, have already opened up for tourism.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Will appear before Lokayukta for questioning in MUDA case, says CM Siddaramaiah

Lies have short life, Cong’s ‘fake’ narrative smashed: Fadnavis

Temple idols found desecrated in Hyderabad, case registered

SC junks plea against quashing of LOC issued to ex-house help of Sushant Singh Rajput

JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal to visit K’taka on Nov 7 to meet farmers protesting Waqf notices

Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra wins WBF’s world title

IOA submits ‘Letter of Intent’ to host 2036 Olympics in India

Related Articles More

CBI forms SIT to probe into Tirupati laddu adulteration allegations

Out on bail, murder accused shoots dead wife, three children in Varanasi

Delhi: Man held for killing brother-in-law for ‘ill-treating’ his sister

Lies have short life, Cong’s ‘fake’ narrative smashed: Fadnavis

Temple idols found desecrated in Hyderabad, case registered

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

Clash between 2 groups leads to stone pelting at temple in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri

CBI forms SIT to probe into Tirupati laddu adulteration allegations

Bengaluru airport collaborates with Echoes of Earth festival for 5th consecutive year

Ex-PM Gowda jumps into campaign fray, seeks support for grandson in Channapatna bypoll

Will appear before Lokayukta for questioning in MUDA case, says CM Siddaramaiah

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.