Category Archives: Visa

Amid visa woes, Germany has earmarked an investment of about ₹4.5 cr on marketing in India to be a preferred destination amongst Indian tourists. To address the lingering visa-related concerns, Germany is making its visa procedures smooth, and reducing the processing time which currently spans up to eight weeks.

While airlines are beginning to operate international flights to and from Manohar International Airport (MIA), foreign travellers have been in for a rude shock on their arrival to learn that eVisa facilities are not available at MIA. According to the authorised portal for Visa Application to India, Goa has been included in the list of 29 designated international airports, through which eVisa holders can travel. However, it has not been clearly specified in the portal that only the Dabolim International Airport is an authorised immigration checkpost through which eVisa holders can travel.

Tourists to the UAE who stay beyond the validity of their visa will now pay a reduced fine of Dh50 per day instead of Dh100. The new system unified the amount of overstay fines to Dh50 per day for any type of visa violator. The overstay fine payment can be paid either by visiting happiness centres or online through the authority website and smart application.

Voicing his disappointment over delayed visas, Naveen Kundu, MD (India, South East Asia & Middle East), EbixCash Travel Group, says, “It is time we stood up to the outrageous behaviour of Embassies and High Commissions. Are we beggars? Are the corporates who spend millions of dollars in their countries fools to be doing M!CE there?” He urged national travel trade bodies to take immediate action.

The 2023 edition of India Travel Awards (North) was held at the Hyatt Regency Delhi on 25 July, Addressing the event, VK Duggal, Former Governor, Manipur and Mizoram said, “With India’s international tourist offices being closed, the Indian embassies and high commission will have to play an important role in promoting Indian tourism overseas.”

Electronic visa will be launched in Russia from August 1, 2023, allowing Indian nationals to apply for their visa quickly and conveniently. The visa would allow entry into the Russian Federation on a guest, business, tourist visit as well as to participate in events. The term for issuing a single-entry visa would be no more than four calendar days and consular fee would be around $40. “This is a great initiative to boost tourism and ensure hassle-free visa for tourists without much documentation. Now, with e-visa and direct Delhi-Moscow flights operated by Aeroflot airlines, Russia is more accessible than ever. The e-Visa will be valid for 60 days and allow travellers to stay in Russia for no more than 16 days,” explained Prashant Chaudhary, MD, Salvia Promoters and representative of Russian Union of Travel Industry in India.

The Malaysian government has now outsourced visa processing to some companies in Malaysia in a bit to privatise visa processing. Sharing details is Sanjeev Gosain, CEO, Yorker Holidays, said, “Borneo Brothers is one them and they have appointed us as their partner in India to process visas. Yorker Holidays will be starting with tourist visas and other categories will be added later.”

Minister of State for Tourism & Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shripad Yesso Naik held a bilateral meeting with Md. Mahbub Ali, State Minister for Civil Aviation & Tourism. It stressed on the deep cultural bond between the two nations. It also outlined the major infrastructure initiatives which have been taken by respective governments. The discussions stressed the possibility of further collaboration on tourism via inland rivers, and visa facilities to facilitate long-haul travel for visitors.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) gathered leading Travel & Tourism stakeholders and G20 Ministers in a Public-Private Dialogue in Goa today to address the sector’s vast potential and challenges. Joined by India’s Minister of Tourism, the Hon. G. Kishan Reddy, and UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO commended India’s Ministry of Tourism for its leadership during India’s G20 Presidency and highlighted Travel & Tourism’s substantial contribution not only to the global economy but to employment. Currently representing 9.2% of the world’s GDP and supporting one in every 11 jobs globally, the sector is experiencing remarkable growth, outpacing the global economy by growing twice as fast. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “It is proven where governments and the private sector work together in Travel & Tourism the economy is stronger, jobs are created, and people get to enjoy and understand other cultures. “Together, businesses and governments can build back a better, stronger, and more resilient sector. Governments also heard first-hand the value of having streamlined visa processes, digital borders, and a strong focus on sustainability. We need each other to achieve this”. During her address, Simpson emphasised the opportunities for investors, governments, and society to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through collaboration. India’s impressive expansion in Travel & Tourism was praised as a prime example. The sector is projected to contribute over INR 16.5TN to India’s economy this year, create 1.6MN new jobs, to reach a total employment figure of nearly 40MN people. By the end of the decade, tourism is forecast to contribute approximately 7% of India’s economy. Simpson addressed three key challenges facing the industry: Visa backlogs pose a significant obstacle, with excessive …

The European Commission welcomes agreement between European Parliament and European Council to allow digitalisation of Schengen visa procedure. It will modernise two main aspects of the procedure: digitalisation of visa sticker and visa application by setting up an EU online Visa application platform.