**Summary:**
In response to a parliamentary question regarding reforms to the e-visa system, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) outlined ongoing efforts to streamline and expand the e-visa program to attract more international tourists. The e-visa facility, initially introduced in November 2014 for 43 countries, is currently available to nationals of 172 countries, allowing entry through 32 designated international airports and 6 major seaports. The e-visa program encompasses 13 subcategories, including e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical, e-Conference, e-Ayush, e-Student, e-Transit, e-Mountaineering, e-Film, and e-Entry X1 visas.
The MHA emphasizes that the entire e-visa process is online, enabling applicants to apply from anywhere. This system aims to provide hassle-free entry for legitimate purposes such as tourism, business, and medical visits. In 2019, a 30-day double-entry e-tourist visa was launched with a fee of US$25. Additionally, to incentivize off-season travel (April-June), the visa fee was temporarily reduced to US$10 during this period. The MHA states that further liberalization and simplification of the e-visa regime, including potential visa fee waivers or special categories for specific tourist groups, are continuously being evaluated based on security considerations, inbound tourism and investment promotion, and bilateral relations, often on a reciprocity basis.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Home Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for internal security and visa regulations.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding the eVisa system was raised.
Rachna Banerjee: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding the eVisa system.
Bandi Sanjay Kumar: Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, who provided the answer to the question in Lok Sabha.
eVisa: Electronic visa facility introduced by the Indian government to simplify and streamline the visa application process for foreign nationals.
Electronic Travel Authorization ETA: A component of the eVisa system that allows eligible foreign nationals to apply for a visa online.
India: The country to which international travel is being incentivized through visa reforms.
eTourist Visa: A subcategory of the eVisa, specifically for tourists visiting India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2533
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 5TH AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 14, 1947 (SAKA)
E-VISA SYSTEM
2533. SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether reforms are being considered for the e-visa system to simplify
the application process, expand its reach to more countries and reduce
processing time to attract a larger number of international tourists and if so,
the details thereof; and
(b) whether the Government has any plans for visa fee waivers or special
visa categories for specific tourist groups to further incentivize international
travel to India and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)
(a & b): India has a robust visa regime in place to enable lawful inward
movement of foreigners including foreign tourists, professionals and skilled
workforce, business persons, students etc. Government has taken a number
of initiatives over the last few years to liberalize, streamline and simplify
visa regime with a view to facilitate the legitimate foreign travelers while
simultaneously ramping up the technological infrastructure to enhance
internal security.-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2533 FOR 05.08.2025
One significant step taken to liberalize and simplify the Indian Visa
regime, especially the tourist visa regime, is the introduction of the e-Visa
facility. This facility, with Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which was
introduced in November, 2014 for nationals of 43 countries, is presently
available to nationals of 172 countries for entry through 32 designated
international airports and 06 major seaports. E-Visa is presently available
under 13 sub-categories i.e. e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa,
e-Medical Attendant Visa, e-Conference Visa, e-Ayush Visa, e-Ayush
Attendant Visa, e-Student Visa, e-Student X Visa, e-Transit Visa,
e-Mountaineering Visa, e-Film Visa and e-Entry (X-1) Visa.
Processing of e-visa is totally on the online platform. A foreigner can
apply for e-visa from anywhere. Introduction of e-visa has helped in
providing hassle-free entry to foreigners into India for legitimate purposes
like tourism, business and medical purposes etc.
A 30 days with double entry e-tourist Visa with visa fee of US $25 was
launched in 2019. To encourage off-season (April - June) tourists, visa fee
of US $25 was reduced to US $10 during this lean period.-3-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2533 FOR 05.08.2025
Liberalization and simplification of the e-visa regime, including the
visa fee waivers or special visa categories for any specific tourist groups,
is an ongoing process which is done after taking into consideration the
issues of security, inbound tourism and investments, bi-lateral relations, on
reciprocity-basis etc.’
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