11 new entry points added for foreigners to enter India: Home Ministry
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has expanded the number of international ports through which foreign nationals holding e-visas can enter the country, adding 11
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has expanded the number of international ports through which foreign nationals holding e-visas can enter the country, adding 11 new entry points, including nine land ports and two airports. The move is aimed at facilitating travel and boosting the attractiveness of the electronic visa regime. The MHA said the newly notified entry points comprise the airports at Bhopal and Tirupati, and the land ports of Agartala, Darranga, Gede, Ghojadanga, Haridaspur, Jaigaon, Dawki, Moreh and Attari (Road).
With the latest addition, the total number of international ports authorised for entry of e-visa holders has risen to 88, comprising 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports. The MHA said the move was part of a broader effort to liberalise, streamline and simplify India’s visa regime while strengthening security through improved technological infrastructure. According to the Ministry, nearly 95% of e-visa applications are processed within 72 hours, reflecting the increasing reliance on digital systems for visa issuance.
It also noted that approximately 78% of all visas issued by India are now electronic visas. India introduced the e-visa facility in 2014 for nationals of 43 countries. The scheme, which provides an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival, has since been expanded and is currently available to citizens of 172 countries. The e-visa programme now covers 17 sub-categories under tourist, business, medical and student streams, besides transit, mountaineering, miscellaneous and group visitor visas for cruise travellers.
The MHA said the expansion had been carried out under its ongoing efforts to facilitate legitimate foreign travel while maintaining robust security mechanisms through technology-driven border management systems.
The BriefWire