• The e-tourist visa has now been made applicable for 166 countries. Recently, government made series of amendments in the e-visa regime, liberalising it further and making it more tourist friendly.

Important modifications made are highlighted as under:-

• Duration of stay in India of e-Tourist and e-Business Visas is maximum up to 1 Year with multiple entry subject to the stay stipulations.
• Also, the existing restriction of allowing foreigner for a maximum of three times has also been removed

Changes in e-Tourist Visa

• On e-Tourist Visa continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 90 days in case of nationals of all countries who are eligible for grant of e-visa except nationals of USA, UK, Canada and Japan.
• In case of nationals of USA, UK, Canada and Japan continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days.
• In all cases no registration will be required.

Changes in e-Business Visa

• Continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days in case of nationals of all countries who are eligible for grant of e-visa
• No registration will be required if the stay is for a period of less than 180 days.

Other changes:

• e-Visa is valid for entry through 2 (two) more designated Airports (Bhubaneswar and Port Blair) raising the total number of such airports to 28.
• Attending Destination wedding under normal e-Tourist visa or Tourist visa- No separate category of Destination Wedding Visa
• Foreign nationals who fall sick during their stay in India can now avail medical treatment without converting their visa into Medical Visa. This would take care of sudden medical emergencies.
• Visa-on-Arrival facility extended to the nationals of Republic of Korea.