Government Notifies 11 More International Ports for E-Visa Holders

Government Notifies 11 More International Ports for E-Visa Holders, taking the total number of designated entry points to 88 and making India’s e-Visa facility more accessible to international travellers, particularly those entering through land borders.

Expansion of E-Visa Entry Points

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has added 11 international ports, including 2 airports and 9 land ports, for entry of foreign nationals holding valid Indian e-Visas.

• The newly added airports are Bhopal and Tirupati.
• The newly added land ports are Agartala, Darranga, Gede, Ghojadanga, Haridaspur, Jaigaon, Dawki, Moreh and Attari (Road).
• India now has 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports where e-Visa holders can enter the country.

E-Visa Facility in India

India’s e-Visa is an electronic visa facility that allows eligible foreign nationals to obtain permission to travel to India through an online application process, reducing the need for conventional visa procedures.

India introduced the e-Visa facility along with Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in 2014 to liberalise, streamline and simplify the visa regime, facilitate legitimate foreign travellers and strengthen technological infrastructure for enhanced internal security.

• Initially available to nationals of 43 countries, the e-Visa facility is now available to citizens of 172 countries.
• It covers 17 sub-categories, including tourist, mountaineering, business, medical, student, transit and miscellaneous visas.
• Around 95% of e-Visa applications are processed within 72 hours, according to the government.
• The online system makes the visa application process more convenient and reduces procedural requirements for eligible travellers.
• Around 78% of India’s visas are now issued electronically, reflecting the growing adoption of digital visa services.

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Significance of Government Notification of 11 More International Ports for E-Visa Holders

The Government notification of 11 more international ports for e-Visa holders will make the e-Visa system more accessible and useful by expanding entry options while supporting smoother immigration management.

• Improved connectivity: The addition of nine land ports gives foreign travellers more options to enter India through land borders, particularly those travelling from neighbouring countries.
• Greater convenience: With 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports, e-Visa holders can enter India through a wider network instead of depending mainly on major international airports.
• Support for tourism and business: Easier and more flexible entry can facilitate international tourism, business travel and other legitimate foreign travel, improving the overall ease of travelling to India.
• Faster digital services: Around 95% of e-Visa applications are processed within 72 hours, while the wider adoption of electronic visas reflects the use of technology to simplify and speed up visa-related services.
• Stronger immigration security: The expansion is accompanied by efforts to strengthen technological infrastructure and immigration systems, helping balance easier entry for legitimate travellers with internal security requirements.