Key Facts
- New Entry Points Added: 11 international ports (9 land ports + 2 airports)
- Land Ports: Agartala, Darranga, Gede, Ghojadanga, Haridaspur, Jaigaon, Dawki, Morehe, Attari (Road)
- Airport Additions: Bhopal and Tirupati
- Total E-Visa Network: 88 authorized entry points
- 37 airports
- 38 seaports
- 13 land ports
Background
- E-Visa Introduction: 2014 (along with ETA - Electronic Travel Authorisation)
- Initial Coverage: 43 countries
- Current Coverage: Citizens of 172 countries
- Sub-categories Covered: 17 types including tourist, business, medical, student, mountaineering, transit, miscellaneous, and group visitor visas for cruise travellers
Digital Efficiency Metrics
- 95% of e-visa applications processed within 72 hours
- 78% of all visas issued by India are electronic visas
- Foreign nationals receive ETA before arrival, simplifying pre-entry approval
Objectives
- Liberalise, streamline and simplify India's visa regime
- Facilitate legitimate foreign travel
- Improve accessibility and utility of the e-visa system
- Support tourism and business travel
Significance for India
- Border Management: Strengthens technology-driven border management systems
- Security: Maintains internal security safeguards while facilitating travel
- Tourism: Improves access through airports and land borders, supporting tourism growth
- Ease of Doing Business: Simplifies entry procedures for business travellers
- Strategic: Reflects India's growing global connectivity and liberalised visa policy
Related Aspects
- The expansion particularly benefits land-border access, adding 9 new land ports to the network
- Focus on both tourism and business segments
- Integration of ETA system ensures pre-screening of travellers
- Balances facilitation with security through digital verification processes