Travel rush alert: India opens online visa applications, approvals within 5 days

▲India decides to relax visa application rules to boost tourism. The photo shows Akshardham Temple, a popular tourist attraction and Hindu temple in Delhi, India. (Photo/Wikipedia)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

After announcing a "historic" comprehensive review of its strict visa application rules, India will no longer require tourists from 180 countries to queue at its embassies for visas when visiting the country for tourism.

Currently, most foreigners have to wait several weeks after submitting a visa application to find out whether they are approved to enter India, which has been a major deterrent for potential tourists.Under the new rules, many travelers will be able to apply for a visa online and get approval within five days, then collect their visa upon arrival at an Indian airport..

Indian Planning Minister Rajiv Shukla told reporters in New Delhi on the evening of the 5th: "We have decided to expand the visa-on-arrival policy to cover tourists from 180 countries."

Shukla said: "This historic measure will provide a boost to India's tourism industry." (Source: Central News Agency)