India has begun to open up visas for foreign tourists amid a drop in daily infections.
According to a statement from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Tourist
Visas to foreigners coming to India through chartered flights will be granted with
effect from October 15. Foreign tourists travelling to India by flights other than chartered
aircraft would do so with effect from November 15.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all visas granted to foreigners
were suspended last year. Various other restrictions were also imposed
on international travel by the Central Government of India to arrest the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After considering the evolving COVID-19 situation, some of the restrictions, except the tourist visas, were gradually relaxed in the past few months.
"However, the MHA had been receiving representations from
several State Governments as well as various stakeholders in the
tourism sector to start Tourist Visas also, to allow foreign tourists to
come to India. Therefore, the MHA consulted all major stakeholders like
the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of External Affairs,
Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Tourism and various State
Governments where foreign tourists are expected to arrive," the
Indian Government said in an official release.
With this, the restrictions placed on visa and international travel
stand further eased given the present overall COVID-19 situation.