Centre extends e-Tourist visa scheme to 150 countries

New Delhi: The Central government has extended e-Tourist visa scheme to 150 countries to boost tourism in the country.
Initially, the scheme was introduced for 43 countries.
”The scheme has been extended to 150 countries with effect from February 26,” a Ministry official said.
The Centre has launched e-Tourist Visa on November 27, 2014 with a view to facilitate foreign tourist visiting India. The visa service is being rendered in time bound manner and decision is communicated to applicant via e-mail within 72 hours of making online application. The e-Tourist visa has simplified the procedure for seeking India visa for international tourists.
As a result, the year 2015 witnessed a growth rate of 4.5 per cent in terms of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India. During 2015, FTAs were 8.03 million as compared to 7.68 million in 2014. FTAs during the period January-March 2016 were 25.08 lakh with a growth of 10.0 per cent as compared to the FTAs of 22.81 lakh in January-March 2015.
The foreign exchange earnings during January-December 2015 was Rs 135193 crore as compared to Rs 123320 crore during 2014 there by registering the growth of 9.6 per cent.
During January-December 2015, a total of 4,45,300 tourists arrived on e-Tourist visa as compared to 39,046 during January-December 2014 registering a growth of 1040.4 per cent. (UNI)