India : Towards a new evolution of the electronic visa ?

Constantly under development, the e-Visa could evolve in the coming months.

Whether it concerns the number of eligible nationalities, the list of available arrival points, the types of possible stays, or even its price, the Indian e-Visa has been in constant evolution since its creation in 2014. And this could still be the case soon….

Indeed, the country’s Ministry of Tourism is currently in discussion with the Ministry of the Interior in order to consider extending the validity of the electronic visa as well as its possible number of entries, thus wishing to come closer to the characters of the paper visa affixed in the passport, valid up to 6 months for multiple entries, and inspired by the American ESTA, valid two years to make several trips up to 90 days.

When questioned by a local media, the Indian Minister of Tourism, Mr Shri Alphons Kannanthanam, said : « We want long-term e-Visas, like the United States. They should be easier to obtain, with multiple entries and longer. We are currently discussing this issue with the Ministry of the Interior. The e-Visa can be made much more accessible and elongated as in countries like the United States, it will make it even more convenient and the country can be perceived as an easier destination to visit« .

Already under study over the past year, the reduction of visa and e-Visa fees during off-peak tourist periods is still under discussion : « We have approached the Ministry of Internal Affairs to obtain a waiver regarding electronic visa fees for off-peak seasons in India. This decision could increase the sector’s revenues and help increase the number of tourist arrivals in the country.