INDIA RESTORES E-VISA FOR 156 COUNTRIES

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has restored electronic visa (e-visa) facility for foreigners from 156 countries, who intend to visit India for the purposes of business, conferences, and for medical reasons, including in the case of medical attendants.
• E-visa for tourists is yet to be restored.

Important points:

• Launch: The e-visa system is an innovation introduced by the government in 2014. The facility was expanded in 2017-2018.
• The process has its roots in the 2010 Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) scheme for Japan, Singapore, Finland, Luxembourg and New Zealand.
• The government merged the TVOA with Electronic Travel Authorisation, thereby creating the e-visa.
• Five Categories: An e-visa also called Electronic Visa is provided in five categories—tourist, business, conference, medical, and medical attendant.

Process:

Under the arrangement, a foreigner can apply online four days prior to travel.

• After the details are verified, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is generated, which has to be presented at the immigration check post on arrival.
• Entry through e-visas is allowed only at 28 designated international airports and 5 major seaports in India.
• Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry that issues visas to foreigners.
• The facility is not available for the citizens of Pakistan and they are expected to apply for regular visas from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
• E-visas are not valid for foreign diplomats which are dealt separately.

Current Status:

• Though the facility is available to 171 countries, after restrictions were announced in 2020, it has been restored only for 156 countries.
• China, the UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are excluded from the current restoration.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES ,MINT