New Delhi: In the midst of a decline in Covid cases in the country, India can immediately reopen the door for foreign tourists for the first time in one and a half years, officials said.
First First First Lakh Foreign tourists will be issued a free visa, in an effort to revive the tourism, hospitality, and flight sectors, beaten by Pandemi Covid-19 since March 2020 when a national locking was announced.
Top Ministry of Home officials are negotiating with all stakeholders on the date and modalities expected to open countries for foreign tourists.
The official announcement that allows foreign tourists to visit India can come in the next 10 days, said an official from the Ministry of Home.
The decision was taken considering the number of Covid-19 cases in the country.
On Sunday, 30,773 new cases were reported while active cases fell to 3.32 lakh.
Covid-19 Indian vaccination coverage has also crossed 80 crores on Saturday.
Free visas to tourists will be issued until March 31, 2022 or publishing five lakh visas, which is early.
The total financial implications for this are Rs 100 Crore.
Free visa steps are expected to provide short-term tourist incentives visiting India, the official said.
E-tourist visa costs throughout the moon are specific countries but around $ 25.
A few years of e-tourist entry visa is around $ 40.
Visa e-tourists have been suspended since March 2020.
Ministry of Home officials said they still consider whether the entry of foreign tourists will be Allowed with certain conditions limiting it to only carry out vaccinated travelers for now and have a negative list of countries where the Covid-19 case remains a concern.
The opening is also expected as wise to see the response and implications, other officials said.
Many countries, including some of them in Europe, have opened for tourism.