India to grant tourist visas to foreigners from Oct 15

India will begin granting fresh Tourist Visas to foreigners through chartered flights with effect from October 15. Home Ministry in a statement said, foreign tourists travelling to India by flights other than chartered aircraft would be able to do so with effect from 15th November. It said, all COVID-19 protocols and norms notified by Health Ministry to be adhered to by foreign tourists, 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. After considering various inputs, Home Ministry has decided to begin granting of fresh Tourist Visas for foreigners coming to India through chartered flights.