India Likely To Roll-Out E-Visa To Select Countries Next Week

The Indian Govt will in all likelihood roll out the electronic-visa next week to select countries like US and Japan. In the first phase of roll-out, the system will be applicable to select countries like South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Phillipines, US , Japan with other 16 countries.. The unveiling of the 1^st phase (select countries out of the 2 dozen - Japan, America, Vietnam, Singapore, Phillipines, Thailand and South Korea) will be done by Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Tourism Minister Sripad Naik at a function in New Delhi.

Citizens of Australia will also be extended this privilege of tourist visa during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the country in December. The extension of the e-visa to more countries is likely to give a big boost to the country’s tourism. With the introduction of this visa, there have been a total of 51.79 lakh tourist footfalls between Jan –Sept alone. Spurned by this the Govt has decided to extend the blanket to Australia, countries in BRICS and the African region.

The software to handle the e-visa has also been put into place at nine international airports including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Kochi, Goa and Thiruvanathapuram. According to the official spokesman, all those countries that enjoy the visa-on-arrival facility will also be covered under the e-visa facility.

Applying for the visa is simple. One needs to go to the designated site fill in the online form with the fees and be awarded with a visa in 96 hours!

News Source: Business Standard

Image Source: Exclusively Bali