Govt wants to extend e-visa facility to business travellers

NEW DELHI: The tourism ministry is considering a proposal to extend the e-visa facility to business travellers.

As of now, e-visas are available only for leisure and medical tourists, filmmakers and those coming to India for learning yoga.

Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) is a significant segment within the tourism and hospitality sector and the government hopes e-visas for business travel will boost the segment further.


“Electronic visa would make it attractive for business travellers as they tend to have lesser time to plan trips than leisure tourists," said Suman Billa, joint secretary in the tourism ministry.

“We feel e-visa for conferences and meetings could go a long way in boosting the MICE segment."

At present, 161 countries are eligible for e-visas to India. The government recently relaxed the conditions for e-visas.

“Visitors can now apply 120 days in advance. A few months ago, we increased the validity from 30 to 60 days. Single entry has become twin entry," Billa said.

Foreign tourist inflows on e-visa jumped 72 per cent year-on year in January to 1.52 lakh, according to the tourism ministry.