Foreign Tourists Are Allowed To Enter India Via Scheduled Flights

International visitors travelling on scheduled flights under air bubble and VBM are now authorized to enter India with a tourist visa as of today (15th November 2021).

Notably, the Government of India has begun granting new visas for foreign visitors beginning on October 15, 2021, although at that time, India only authorized tourists arriving on charter aircraft (for group tourism only).

All overseas passengers, whether going on Charted Flights or Air Bubble Flights, Vande Bharat Mission, are now entitled to enter India on a tourist visa.

Furthermore, India has decided to allow all OCI and PIO cardholders, as well as any other foreign citizens wanting to visit India for any reason other than a Tourist Visa, to enter through recognized airports and seaport immigration checkpoints.

The first 5 lakh tourists will receive a free visa.

The first five lakh international tourists would be granted visas at no cost. The hospitality and aviation sectors have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic since March 2020, when a statewide lockdown was declared.

When foreign travel begins, the first 5 lakh visitors to visit India will be exempt from paying visa costs.
The scheme is valid until March 31, 2022, or until the first 5 lakh visas are distributed.
A visitor can only use the perks once.

Guidelines for Tourist Visa Relaxation

Given the improved COVID-19 situation in India, the Government of India has decided to resume the issuance of Tourist Visas to foreign nationals beginning October 15, 2021, for group tourists and November 15, 2021, for all tourists traveling to India via Vande Bharat Mission, Air Bubble Scheme, or any scheduled/unscheduled commercial flight.

1. The Indian government has also decided to offer the first 500,000 Visitor Visas for free, but only once per tourist.
2. All such foreign citizens who wish to visit India must get a new e-Tourist/Regular Tourist Visa from the BOI or an Embassy/Consulate.
3. These e-Tourist/Regular Tourist Visas are valid for 120 days from the day they are issued. Visas will be valid for up to 30 days from the date of entrance for a single entry.
4. Existing valid e-Tourist Visas/Regular Visas issued previous to October 6, 2021, however, will remain suspended.

Tourist Visa Notification Available at Indian Government Site https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/TouristVisaResumption_07102021.pdf