Category Archives: Visa

Prabuddha Sen, COO (South Asia), VFS Global, said, “We are expecting to surpass pre-pandemic visa applications calendar year end. There has been a robust rebound in outbound travel sentiments. Despite initial scepticism, the level of bounce back has resulted in a demand-supply gap”.  

Dr. Tito Gronow, Minister, Deputy Head of Mission at Embassy of Finland, New Delhi shared that . He also shared that Indians have grown this year to become the largest group of visa applicants followed by Russia and China. Finland is looking forward to having Indians with open arms.

Sara Sodhi Juneja, Country Head, India & Gulf, Visit Finland, said, “Overall growth has been good, but, demand was high corresponding to number of visas. To streamline visa processing, we have started new office in Helsinki with dedicated team.”   

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.”