THE Indian Government on Friday announced that it will issue short-term tourist visas with certain conditions.

A single-entry tourist visa valid for 30 days will be available, It will have to be utilized within a period of 120 days from the date of issue.

All foreign nationals intending to visit India for tourism purpose will be allowed to enter on such tourist visas through chartered flights (for group tourism only) from October 15.

All individual foreign nationals intending to visit India for tourism purpose will be allowed to enter India on such tourist visas from November 15.

All foreign nationals / tourists who wish to travel to India are required to obtain fresh short-term tourist visas on their passports. The existing long-term e-visas / tourist visas will continue to remain suspended till further notice.

E-visa facility for Canadian citizens remains suspended till further notice.

Foreign nationals shall be permitted to enter India on such tourist visas by sea routes or by flights but not through land immigration check points.

Tourist visa applications can be submitted to BLS Centres from November 10.

Due to continued COVID-19 restrictions in Canada, the processing times of visa requests remains affected. The minimum processing times for visas after submission of applications is 15 days. Applicants may account for sufficient processing time for visas while planning their travel to India.

For better planning their to travel to India, travellers are advised to go through the latest guidelines issued by the Government of India for international travel to India. The guideline can be seen at the following link:

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalArrival20thOctober2021.pdf