VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department, after persistent efforts with the Union Home Ministry, achieved e-visa facility for Visakhapatnam airport on Friday. This is expected to help expand the footprint of the foreign tourists beyond big airports and metros while facilitating an easy visa-procuring process.
Under the e-visa scheme, an applicant receives an email authorising him or her to travel to India after it has been approved. The tourist can travel with a printout of this authorisation. On arrival, the visitor has to present the authorisation to the immigration authorities who would then allow the entry into the country. E-visa has been subdivided into three categories: e-tourist visa, e-business visa and e-medical visa. Besides, both business and medical visas will be granted within 48 hours of application upon urgent requests.
As tourism sector is one of the largest job creators globally, the e-visa facility will give a major boost to tourism in the state. This would also facilitate visas on arrival scheme that was announced earlier this year. Foreign tourists visiting India on e-visa can now stay up to two months and enjoy double-entry benefits while those coming for treatment can avail triple-entry facility.
This has been extended 161 countries across the globe, people from these countries can avail of the e-visa facility across the airports in India.Tourism Minister Akhila Priya said, “This will help boost medical tourism. Hassle-free e-visa facility available for 161 countries can be tapped to increase international footfalls.”