Arrivals in India through e-tourist visa increases at a CAGR of 180% during 2014-18

Arrivals in India through e-tourist visa increased at a CAGR of 180 per cent during 2014-18, according a report by India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). In 2018, 23,69,941 tourists have arrived in India through e-tourist visa.  Tourist arrivals increased at a CAGR of 251.59 per cent during 2014-17 to reach 1,697,000 tourists in 2017.

The government has recently made a series of amendments in the e-visa regime to make it more tourist-friendly. The duration of stay in India of e-tourist and e-business visas is maximum up to one year with multiple entry subject to the stay stipulations. Also, the existing restriction of allowing foreigners for a maximum of three times has also been removed. 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.

On the 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. The e-visa is valid for entry through two more designated airports (Bhubaneswar and Port Blair), raising the total number of such airports to 28.