India makes it easier for foreign nationals’ entry

The home ministry has liberalised India’s visa rules to simplify the entry of foreign nationals and give them greater flexibility in terms of permitted activities.

The main visa categories, apart from those issued for long-term visits and to SAARC members and Overseas Citizens of India, have been scaled down to 21 from 26 by clubbing common groupings.

These include combining the medical attendant and medical visas, project and employment visas, internship and research with student visas and sports with business visas.

The number of visa sub-categories has been cut to 65 from 104 by merging segments, the tourism ministry said in a letter to travel associations on Wednesday, a copy which ET reviewed. “The ministry of home affairs has recently made amendments in various chapters of the visa manual…