e-Tourist Visa Scheme
Whether the Government has included some more countries under the ambit of ''EVS (e-tourist Visa Scheme);
If so, the details thereof;
If not, the reasons therefor;
Whether footfall of international tourists has increased on account of this scheme; and
If so, the details thereof?
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 103 ANSWERED ON: 25.04.2016
e-Tourist Visa Scheme
RAMCHARAN BOHARA
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has included some more countries under the ambit of ''EVS (e-tourist Visa Scheme);
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether footfall of international tourists has increased on account of this scheme; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a): Government of India introduced e-Tourist Visa (earlier known as Tourist Visa on Arrival enabled by ETA) on 27.11.2014 to facilitate the nationals of the 43 countries visiting India. The e-Tourist Visa as on 26.02.2016 is available for nationals of 150 countries.
(b): The list of 150 countries eligible for e-Tourist Visa to India is at Annexure.
(c): Does not arise.
(d) and (e): Yes, Madam. The year 2015 witnessed a growth rate of 4.5% in terms of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India. During 2015, FTAs were 8.03 million as compared to 7.68 million in 2014. FTAs during the period January-March 2016 were 25.08 lakh with a growth of 10.0% as compared to the FTAs of 22.81 lakh in January-March 2015.
During January-December 2015 a total of 4,45,300 tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 39,046 during January-December 2014 registering a growth of 1040.4%.
During the month of January-March 2016, a total of 3,21,049 tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 75,859 during the month of January-March 2015 registering a growth of 323.2%.
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Source : Loksabha
[http://164.100.47.190/loksabhaquestions/annex/8/AU103.pdf]
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