India Reinstates e-Visas for UK Nationals and 7 Other Countries
India's High Commission has announced the reinstatement of electronic visa applications for several countries, including the United Kingdom. The decision was confirmed by Vikram K Doraiswami, India's High Commissioner, on December 5, 2022. He stated that the e-visa service is again available and that the country looks forward to a good winter season.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian Government suspended its online visa service to limit foreign arrivals. However, with the situation improving, India has decided to revive international tourism by offering the convenient Indian e-Visa system again.
You require India e-Tourist Visa or Indian Visa Online to witness the amazing places and experiences as a foreign tourist in India. Alternatively, you could be visiting India on an India e-Business Visa and want to do some recreation and sightseeing in India. The Indian Immigration Authority encourages visitors to India to apply for Indian Visa Online rather than visiting Indian Consulate or Indian Embassy.
Impact of India's Visa Restrictions on International Travel
In March 2020, India suspended its online visa service in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, requiring all foreign visitors to apply for a visa in person through an Indian embassy or consulate. This move significantly impacted foreign tourism in India, particularly from top visiting countries like the UK, as obtaining a visa became a more complicated process. In addition, over 160 other nationalities eligible for e-Visas were also affected by the restrictions.
To make matters worse, India implemented additional entry requirements during the pandemic, discouraging international travelers from visiting the country. The combination of visa restrictions and other entry requirements significantly impacted India's tourism industry.
India Fully Reopens Electronic Visa System to All Eligible Nationalities, Including UK Citizens
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, India suspended and reinstated its electronic visa system in 2021 for select nationalities. However, citizens from certain countries, including the UK, could still not use the e-Visa service.
As of December 2022, the Indian government has completely reopened the e-Visa application to all eligible nationalities, including over 160 countries and British citizens. The Indian High Commission in London announced the news on Twitter and expressed their delight, stating that the visa website will soon be ready to receive applications from UK citizens. The system upgrade is currently underway to accommodate the increased demand for e-Visas.
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To obtain an eTourist, eMedical, or eBusiness Visa for India, travelers need to submit a digital scan of their passport's bio page and a recent photograph that adheres to specific criteria.
India e-Visa Now Available for Additional Nationalities
After reopening India's electronic visa system to select nationalities in 2021, the Indian government expanded the list of eligible countries. As of December 2022, citizens from the following additional nationalities can now apply for an e-Visa to India:
Indonesia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Malaysia
Sri Lanka
Tajikistan
United Kingdom
Uzbekistan
This move is expected to provide greater convenience and flexibility for travelers from these countries who wish to visit India for tourism, business, or other purposes. The Indian government continues to prioritize public health and safety measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and visa applicants are advised to check the latest guidelines and requirements before applying.
Obtaining an India e-Visa for British Citizens: A Simple Guide
British citizens wishing to visit India can now quickly obtain their visa through the online e-Visa system, provided they fulfill the requirements.
The process involves completing a brief online application form with basic personal and travel information. Once the application is submitted, travelers can expect to receive their approved visa by email within a few days. This convenient and efficient system saves time and effort, eliminating the need for in-person visa applications at an Indian embassy or consulate.
It is essential for applicants to carefully review the India e-Visa requirements, such as passport validity, the purpose of the visit, and the maximum length of stay, to ensure a successful and hassle-free application process. With the e-Visa system fully reopened to all eligible nationalities, including British citizens, travelers can look forward to exploring India's vibrant and diverse destinations.
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With effect from September 2019, a long-term 5 year Indian Tourist Visa (India e-Visa) is now available to tourists on British passports who yearn to visit India multiple times in a span of 5 years.
Citizens of many countries including United States, France, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Italy are eligible for India e-Visa(Indian Visa Online). You can apply for the Indian e-Visa Online Application right here.
Should you have any doubts or require assistance for your trip to India or India e-Visa,contact Indian Visa Help Desk for support and guidance.