MHA opposes visa-free entry
The home ministry has shot down the commerce ministry’s ambitious
proposal for `visa-free’ entry for business visitors and tourists from BRICS
(Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and RCEP (Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership) countries, citing security concerns.
Why MHA is opposing?
There is negligible rate of visa rejections in the country now and
visa processing has also become expeditious in recent times. It now takes 48
hours for 87% of e-visa applicants and three days for 80% of regular visa
applicants.
- Between January 1, 2016 and June 2, 2016, as many as 1,53,4313 regular visas were issued by India, of which only 16,509 (barely 1%) were rejected. Besides, 9.5 lakh e-visas have been issued since launch of the facility in November 2014, with the rate picking up drastically over the past five months.
- Hence, given the low visa rejection rate, the extension of evisa facility that allows applicants to get electronic confirmation of their tourist visa within 48 hours and the compressed processing time for regular visa applications makes little sense. It also adds up to the security considerations.
eVisa:
eVisa facility is available for citizens of over 40 eligible
countries. The application for e-Tourist Visa must be made minimum 4 days in
advance of the date of arrival.
- Visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival and can be obtained twice in a calendar year.
- e-Tourist Visa allows arrival at only 9 airports in the country.
Who is not eligible?
- Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders.
- Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent’s/Spouse’s Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
Not available to International Travel Document Holders.
