India changes e-tourist visa fees, validity

Dubai: India on Monday made a series of changes in e-tourist visas, the Consulate General of India announced.

“A 30-day (short term) double entry e-visa for tourists has been intrioduced with a fee of $25. This is applicable for travel between July and March.” Neeraj Aggarwal, press consul, CGI, told Gulf News.

The same 30-day double entry visas fees for off season travel, between April and June, would however, cost $10.

He said a multiple entry e-tourist visa of medium duration with a validity of one year now costs $40, while a long term, five-year multiple entry entry visa costs $80.

entry visa costs $80.

In effect, the validity of the regular e-visa with a fee of $80 has been increased from the current permissible one year to five years with multiple entry.

The Indian Government first introduced an online tourist Visa (e-Visa) for 43 countries in November 2014. This was done to promote travel to India without necessitating a trip to the embassy or waiting in long lines at border control. The following year, India rolled out its e-Visa programme for more countries. In April 2017, the e-Visa programme was retooled, with the introduction of visa sub-categories for tourists, business travelers and medical visits.

Currently, travelers from more than 160 countries can apply for a tourist e-visa, business e-visa or medical e-visa, depending on the purpose of their visit to India. Travelers who use the e-visa programme can apply, pay a fee and receive their electronic visa online before undertaking their travel to India.

Aggarwal said, “Visitors can get all the details by going to the authorised website www.indiavisaonline.gov.in.”

Short term (April-June): 30 days (double entry) --- $10

Medium duration: One year (multiple entry) -- $40

Long term: Five years (multiple entry) -- $80

To apply, go to: www.indiavisaonline.gov.in