Visas for 156 countries granted electronically by India, effective immediately.
India Restores E-Tourist Visas for International Travel
Welcome back, globetrotters! India has some great news for you. On Wednesday, the country reinstated all currently valid 5-year e-tourist visas for citizens hailing from 156 countries. This move is taking place just days before the resumption of regular international commercial flights.
Not only that, but the regular paper visa has also been reinstated for all nations, effective immediately. These decisions come almost two years after the visas were suspended due to the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020.
Furthermore, long-duration (10 years) tourist visas have been reinstated for U.S. and Japanese citizens. Plus, they are now eligible for fresh visa issuance.
According to an official statement, all currently valid e-tourist visas will be automatically reinstated for citizens of the 156 eligible countries. These citizens will also be eligible for applying for a fresh e-tourist visa. Regular (Paper) tourist visas with a validity of 5 years will be restored for all foreign nationals, subject to any restrictions in place at the time.
Long-duration (10 years) regular tourist visas that have remained suspended since March 2020 will now be reinstated for U.S. and Japanese citizens, and fresh visas can be issued to these nationals.
Foreign nationals with tourist or e-tourist visas can only enter India through designated Sea Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) or Airports ICPs by flights, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission, 'air bubble' scheme, or any flights authorized by the DGCA or Ministry of Civil Aviation. It's important to note that foreign nationals will not be allowed to enter through land borders or riverine routes on a tourist visa/e-tourist visa.
For Afghanistan nationals, separate instructions regarding e-Emergency X-Misc. Visas will continue to apply. All other health/COVID-19 related guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare should be followed.
Regarding travel and safety advisories, exercise caution due to crime and terrorism risks in India, but there are no specific new entry restrictions for tourists with e-visas at this time. Keep in mind that additional U.S. travel bans, effective from June 9, 2025, may affect travelers from certain countries, but they will not revoke existing valid visas or broadly restrict entry of tourists already holding valid Indian e-tourist visas, particularly for U.S. nationals.
So, pack your bags and get ready for an adventure! Just remember to adhere to the 180-day limit for your stay in India each calendar year, and ensure you provide all necessary documents for visa processing, which may take up to 5 business days. Safe travels!
Get ready for a dance of cultures, as travelers from 156 countries can now resume their exploration of India's rich lifestyle with the reinstatement of their valid e-tourist visas. With the reopening of international flights, one can only anticipate the exciting journeys waiting on this vast canvas of travel destinations.
