Govt earns Rs. 1,400 crore as revenue from e-Visa scheme
The Indian Government has earned Rs. 1,400 crore as revenue from the e-Visa scheme. The facility is now available for nationals of 163 countries for entry into India through 25 international airports and five seaports. The scheme has been implemented by the Foreigners Division of the Home Ministry to improve the efficiency of services being provided to foreign nationals.
More than 25 lakh tourists expected to avail the scheme
Union Home Ministry officials said the scheme was availed by 19 lakh tourists in 2017 and more than 25 lakh tourists are expected to avail the facility in 2018. The e-Visa fees are divided into four slabs of zero, $25, $50 and $75 which were fixed on reciprocity and depending on nationality. The e-Visa scheme also covers business and medical categories.
Visitors could stay in the country for two months
Under the e-visa scheme, when an online application is submitted, the applicant receives an e-mail authorizing him or her to travel to India after it has been approved. On arrival, the visitor has to present the authorization printout to the immigration authorities who would then allow the entry into the country. Visitors on e-Visa could stay in India for two months.
Application window for the scheme increased
The application window has been increased from 30 days to 120 days and duration of stay has been increased from 30 days to 60 days with a double entry on e-tourist and e-business visa, and triple entry on the e-medical visa. Cruise tourists have been exempted from biometric enrollment till December 31, 2020, as many of the ships are mega ships with 2,000-4,000 passengers.
