Days after it announced that international flights to and from India will resume fully from March 27, the government restored the electronic tourist visa (e-TV) facility for 156 countries, the Union Home Ministry said in an order.

However, all land and riverine borders, including the Attari-Wagah post along Pakistan, will continue to remain shut, except for those with special permission.

The Ministry said that the “instructions will not be applicable to Afghanistan nationals” who will continue to be governed by e-Emergency X-Miscellaneous Visa.

“Order for opening of Land ICPs (Integrated Check Posts) and riverine routes will be communicated separately,” the order said.

“Currently valid e-tourist visa issued for five years, which was suspended since March 2020, shall stand restored to nationals of 156 eligible countries with immediate effect. Nationals of these 156 counties will also be eligible for issuance of fresh e-tourist visa,” the order noted. It said that valid regular (paper) tourist visa with validity of five years, issued to foreign nationals of all countries, shall also be restored.

“Fresh Regular (Paper) Tourist visa up to 5 years validity may also be issued to the nationals of the eligible countries subject to the restrictions imposed from time to time,” it said.

The long duration (10 years) regular tourist visa for the citizens of the U.S. and Japan, issued before March 2020 has also been restored. Fresh ones would also be issued.

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