Important Facts for Prelims (July 7th, 2018) | 07 Jul 2018

e-Tourist Visa Scheme

• In November, 2014 the Government launched e-Tourist Visa scheme in 44 countries. This e-Visa facility has now been extended to 165 countries.
• Under the e-visa scheme, foreigners do not have to meet any Indian official before their arrival at the landing port.
  The government has installed e-Visa processing facilities at 25 airports and 5 seaports in the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is now working to extend the e-Visa scheme to more countries in a planned manner after consulting all the stakeholders.
• The extension of e-Visa scheme is aimed at encouraging tourism, business travel and health tourism in the country.
• The government has done away with Embarkation and Disembarkation cards for Indian citizens and foreigners to streamline the immigration process.
• MHA has also introduced e-FRRO services for those foreigners who are staying in India and who need services like visa extension, visa conversion, exit permit, registration, change of passport details, change of address and others.