India Allows Tourist Traveling By Charter Flights; Fresh Tourist Visas To be Issued
The decision to start tourist visas was made after considering representations from state governments and various stakeholders in the tourism sector
Mumbai: According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoFA), from Friday foreign will be allowed to travel by charter flights to India. Regular international flights will be also be resumed from November 15 under bilateral air bubble agreements with countries.
The MHA in revised guidelines on October 7, 2021, lifted the blanket ban on inbound international travellers.
The Ministry had clarified that chartered flights mean those allowed under the air bubble agreement under Vande Bharat mission or any scheduled or non-scheduled commercial flights allowed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Along with the flights, visa restrictions for international travellers were also eased.
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, visas granted to foreign travellers were suspended. Fresh tourist visas will now be granted to foreigners travelling to India through chartered flights as the existing ones remain suspended under Covid-19 restrictions.
“The bureau of immigration, Indian mission and posts abroad may grant fresh single-entry e-tourist or tourist visas for 30 days. Existing e-tourist visas shall remain suspended,” the MHA had said.
The decision to start tourist visas was made after considering representations from state governments and various stakeholders in the tourism sector.
All stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and states which are expected to attract tourists were consulted by the ministry before taking the decision.
The Ministry also said other protocols and norms relating to COVID-19 as notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from time to time shall be adhered to by the foreign tourists, carriers bringing them to India and all other stakeholders at landing stations.
All international flights were suspended in March last year to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Domestic flights were allowed to operate with restricted capacity from May 25, 2020, but international flights remained suspended as Covid-19 cases continued to spread.
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