We are pleased to announce that effective immediately, foreign tourists can now re-enter India up to three times after visiting neighboring countries on a tourist visa in a six-month period. The highlights of the revisions are as follows:
- A Tourist Visa can only be granted to a foreigner who does not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives, etc. No other activity is permissible on a Tourist Visa. The Tourist Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.
- A foreign national who wants to revisit India within 60 days after visiting the neighboring countries may be permitted up to three entries.
- The Immigration authorities in all Immigration check post in the country may allow such foreign nationals on a Tourist Visa arriving in India without the specific authorization from the Indian Missions/Posts subject to production of travel itinerary and supporting documentation (ticket bookings). Once a foreign national exits the country after availing the facility of three entries, there must be gap of at least 2 months from the date of final exit.
- A visit within the 2 month gap may be permitted by the Missions/Posts only in emergent situations, including death/serious illness in the family.
- Persons coming for medical treatment and other attendants shall be granted Med Visa and Med X Visa respectively. Such nationals shall not be issued a Tourist Visa.
We are very excited about these revisions, as it alleviates the challenges of coordinating multi-country itineraries with revisits to India. Please let us know if you have specific questions about the new policy.