NEW DELHI: India is making it easier for foreigners to visit the country, overhauling its visa system as it looks to draw more tourists, students and medical travelers, and facilitate business visits.
The South Asian nation cut the number of main visa categories to nine from 13 and sub-categories to 23 from 49, the Ministry of Home Affairs said Wednesday (Nov 11). Application forms will also be significantly shorter, with the number of fields reduced by 65 to 70 per cent.
The changes are aimed at removing overlaps between visa types and making the system easier to navigate for visitors, according to the ministry. The government expects the overhaul to help increase foreign tourist arrivals, medical travel and overseas students.
By consolidating categories and cutting the information applicants need to provide, the government is seeking to make the application process faster and reduce confusion over which visa travelers should apply for.
The revamp comes as India seeks to capitalise on its growing appeal as a travel destination and its position as a major provider of relatively affordable medical care and education.
The changes are also part of a broader effort to make visa applications faster and more applicant-friendly, while encouraging travel and economic engagement with India, the ministry said. - Bloomberg
