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Tourism Ministry for "visa on arrival" scheme

Special Correspondent

External Affairs Ministry agrees in principle to long-term visas with multiple entries

NEW DELHI: In a bid to facilitate and promote tourist travel to India, the Union Tourism Ministry is pushing for a "Visa on Arrival" scheme even as the Union Home Ministry has expressed certain security concerns before giving its nod. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said that the Ministry of External Affairs had agreed in principle to give long-term visas with multiple entries. "It is a breakthrough, and the Ministry of External Affairs is also considering outsourcing visa and putting additional counsellor staff in embassies where the rush for visas is more. It will be possible to provide a fast track service of giving visas in 36 hours," Ms. Soni said, adding that medical visas for one year were being already granted, giving a boost to wellness and health sectors.

Ms. Soni said the issue regarding grant of visas was one of the most important factors related to the growth of tourism. "An Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) to facilitate security clearances has already been introduced on a pilot basis on all Air-India flights landing in Delhi," she said. The issue of long-term visas for five to ten years to every tourist coming in from select countries has also been agreed to in principle by both the Home and External Affairs Ministries.

Ms. Soni also launched an "Incredible India Bed and Breakfast Scheme" to enhance the availability of accommodation for tourists. Under the scheme, individual house owners can offer up to five rooms or ten beds with working space, air-conditioning facilities as well as attached Western toilets. The owner will also have to provide Indian or Continental breakfast to the guests and display the bed and breakfast rates. Interested house owners will have to apply in the prescribed application form to the Regional Directorof India Tourism .

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