India allows foreign tourists on chartered flights to enter the country

New Delhi: Government has allowed foreign tourists on chartered flights to enter the country on chartered flights. Union Home Ministry has started granting fresh Tourist Visas to foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from 15th of October. The Ministry in a statement said that all COVID-19 protocols and norms notified by Health Ministry to be adhered to by foreign tourists and  carriers bringing them into India and other stakeholders at landing stations.

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 to arrest the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. After considering the evolving COVID-19 situation, foreigners were later on allowed to avail any kind of



Indian visa other than Tourist Visa for entry and stay in India.

Home Ministry 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, Home Ministry consulted all major stakeholders like the Ministry of Health , Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Tourism and various State Governments where foreign tourists are expected to arrive.

After considering various inputs, Home Ministry decided to begin granting of fresh Tourist Visas for foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from 15th of October.