The entry of foreigners, who have been closed in the tourism sector for the last one and a half years, is going to gain momentum once again. The Ministry of Home Affairs will resume the service of granting fresh tourist visas to foreigners coming to India through chartered flights from October 15. However, foreign tourists coming to India by flights other than chartered aircraft have been allowed to do so from November 15.
The Ministry of Home Affairs further said in the statement that all the COVID-19 protocols and norms notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from time to time will have to be followed by foreign tourists, aircraft bringing them to India and others present at the landing stations.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all visas granted to foreigners were suspended last year. Several other restrictions on international travel were also imposed by the central government to contain the spread of the virus. Considering the COVID-19 situation, foreigners were allowed to avail any other form of Indian visa other than tourist visa for subsequent entry and stay in India.
But now foreign tourists can come and roam in India through tourist visa. In view of the current overall situation related to COVID-19 , restrictions imposed on visa and international travel have been further relaxed.
In view of the situation of COVID-19, foreign nationals were later allowed visas other than tourist visa to enter India. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been receiving requests from various State Governments and concerned parties to issue tourist visas so that foreign tourists can come to India.