Extend validity of e-tourist visa to 180 days: IATO

Besides, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), which claims to represent over 1,500 members covering all segments of the tourism industry, has urged the government to allow foreign tourists undertake journey within six months of booking the tickets from the present one-month period.

“We have written to the Tourism Ministry, urging it to extend the current 30-day limit of stay by a foreign tourist in India under e-tourist visa scheme to 180 days,” IATO President Subhash Goyal said. He said that he was “hopeful” of the Ministry considering IATO’s proposal and announce it in the next Union Budget. 

Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said that the ministry has received a request in this regard. “There is a request,” Sharma said when asked whether the ministry proposes to increase the stay period to 180 days under e-tourist visa scheme. 

Launched in November 2014, e-tourist visa is currently available for 113 countries. The government plans to add 37 more nations to the existing number of countries to take the tally to 150 by March this year.