Indian e Visas restored, e-Tourist VISA to remain suspended
Indian eVISA scheme has been suspended ever since the Government of India has imposed the lockdown last year. In a major relief, it has been now decided by the government that all subcategories of eVISA except e-Tourist VISA have been restored.
Background
The past year or so saw unprecedented travel restrictions across the globe due to the Covid-19 pandemic scare. India too has been very cautious in granting VISAs for people who can visit India for various reasons. Although still being cautious, the development of vaccines by many countries seems to have relieved the travel industry to an extent.
It is known that India was one of the first countries last year to impose a nationwide lockdown and close its borders to any kind of International movement barring exigencies. Thereafter India had taken up the ‘Vande Bharat mission’, the largest evacuations exercise of people conducted by any country. Vande Bharat mission has been bringing several millions of Indian citizens back to the country who were stranded abroad many of whom were distressed due to various causes like job loss due to Covid-19. Simultaneously, the Government of India has gradually eased the issuance of VISAs for reasonable purposes like business, Medical, and emergencies. However, all categories of eVISA (Electronic VISAs) had been in a suspended state until now.
E-visas restored with immediate effect
In continuation of easing of the travel restrictions, the Government of India has on 30th March 2021 decided to restore the eVISAs (Electronic VISAs) with immediate effect. However, the e-Tourist VISA which is a sub-category under the eVISA scheme still remains suspended. Now foreigners who want to travel to India for medical, business, and conference purposes can apply for the eVISA like earlier times. However, if the purpose of the visit is anything else like employment, studies, journalism, etc which are not covered under the eVISA scheme, a regular/Sticker VISA can be obtained from the Indian missions abroad.
What is an e-VISA?
eVISA is one of the easiest ways to obtain VISA of a country. As the name suggests all the process like submission of documents, VISA fee payment and approval happens electronically (online). Indian eVISA application is quite simple wherein after the due approval the applicant receives an ETA (Electronic travel authorization). This ETA serves as a VISA with which she/he can travel to India. Presently, the Indian eVISA scheme has 5 subcategories: e-Tourist VISA (still under suspension), e-Business VISA, e-Conference VISA, e-Medical VISA, and e-Medical attendant VISA.