Tag: e-visa
Vietnam tourist visa process: It’s simple and fully online
Hanoi (TAN): For the citizens of as many as 80 countries (as of February 2019), getting a Vietnam tourist visa is fairly simple and can be done online.
Here is all you need to know to get a single-entry Vietnam tourist visa for 30 days.
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You can apply for the visa online if you are a citizen of one of the following 80 countries: Continue reading Vietnam tourist visa process: It’s simple and fully online
India e-tourist visa now valid for 1 yr; continuous stay for 90/180 days
New Delhi (TAN): India has decided to increase the validity of electronic tourist and electronic business visas from 60 days to one year with multiple entries in an effort to attract more international tourists.
The country’s ministry of home affairs, in a recent statement, said the decision had been taken because of the immense popularity of the e-visa.
[ALSO READ: HDFC Bank ruins Regalia card travel privilege by overcomplicating rules] Continue reading India e-tourist visa now valid for 1 yr; continuous stay for 90/180 days
Uzbekistan to waive visa for citizens of 45 countries
Tashkent (NITN): Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced that tourists from 45 countries will be able to visit Uzbekistan visa free, effective from February 1, 2019.
This is the latest in a series of reforms designed to stimulate the Central Asian country’s tourism development, as Mirziyoyev identified tourism and foreign investment as the two priorities for his term when he came to power in December 2016.
Initiatives including the introduction of e-visas in June 2018 have already resulted in an increase in foreign tourist numbers from 2.6 million in 2017 to 5.3 million in 2018. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs anticipates significant further growth in 2019.
National carrier Uzbekistan Airways will take delivery of two new Airbus A320neos and three new Boeing 787 Dreamliners in spring 2019, increasing its capacity on long haul international routes and enabling it to add new destinations. The airline already provides direct flights between London Heathrow and Tashkent, and expects to add a second UK airport to its network this summer.
From February 1, 2019, the following countries will be able to enter Uzbekistan visa free for up to 30 days:
Andorra, Canada, Iceland, Mongolia, San Marino, Argentina, Chile, Ireland, Montenegro, Serbia, Australia, Croatia, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Austria, Czech Republic, Latvia, New Zealand, Slovakia, Belgium, Denmark, Liechtenstein, Norway, Spain, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, Brazil, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Switzerland, Brunei Darussalam, Greece, Malta, Republic of Cyprus, United Kingdom Bulgaria Hungary Monaco Romania, and Vatican City.
Nationals of France, Israel, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Turkey were granted visa free access in 2018. Germans will have visa free access from January 15, 2019.
President Mirziyoyev’s 5 January decrees also stated that:
- The existing e-visa scheme will be extended to cover the nationals of 76 countries, and will allow for double and multiple entries;
- New visa categories will be created for pilgrims, students, academics, and for medical tourism, and will be available within one month;
- Hotels must offer accommodation “regardless of the place of residence, citizenship, kinship and marital relations of individuals, as well as other factors that restrict the right to privacy.” This removes restrictions on unmarried couples;
- A list of prohibited sites (i.e. those of security concern) will be published on or before February 1, and clearly marked with signs. Tourists may photograph and film all unmarked sites without restriction.
India plans e-visa fee roll back: Report
September 1 (TravelAndy): The Indian government plans to roll back the hike in e-visa fees, The Hindu Business Line reported.
“So far, we have done a great job by introducing e-visa. However, all the gains that we have achieved from this, I think we are negating some of those by increasing the e-visa fee,” the report quoted Suman Billa, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, as saying.
In June, India had increased the e-visa fee from USD50 to USD80. The fee for US and UK passport holders was increased to USD100. The bulk of foreign tourists come to India from the US and UK. Continue reading India plans e-visa fee roll back: Report
e-Visas for 18 countries to Russia far east
April 24 (TravelAndy): Russia has simplified visa procedures for the citizens of 18 countries, including India, to its far east when the visitors are entering the country through checkpoints at the Free Port of Vladivostok.
A list of 18 countries has been approved whose citizens can obtain electronic single entry business, tourist or humanitarian visas when entering the Russian Federation through checkpoints at the Free Port of Vladivostok. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the investment appeal of the region and expanding business ties by facilitating projects involving foreign companies, and attracting more foreign tourists, an official statement said.
The signed directive submitted by the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East contains an approved list of 18 countries: Algeria, Bahrein, Brunei, India, Qatar, People’s Republic of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Morocco, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tunisia, Turkey and Japan. Continue reading e-Visas for 18 countries to Russia far east
India offers free SIMs to foreign tourists
February 17 (notintown.net): India has decided to start giving free pre-activated SIM cards to foreign tourists arriving in India.
The country’s tourism minister Mahesh Sharma recently launched the scheme which will only be available to tourists arriving in India on e-Visa.
Sharma said this initiative will facilitate the foreign tourists in communicating with their acquaintances immediately after their arrival in India. Continue reading India offers free SIMs to foreign tourists
India extends e-visa to UAE tourists
April 10 (TravelAndy): Citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who intend to visit India for tourism, can now get an e-visa.
The tourists need to carry a printout of the e-tourist visa (e-TV), which will be e-mailed to them, during their visit to India.
A foreign traveller with an e-TV can enter India through 16 designated airports — Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Tiruchirapalli, Thiruvananthapuram and Varanasi. Continue reading India extends e-visa to UAE tourists
Calicut on India’s visa-on-arrival radar
August 4 (TravelAndy): India is planning to extend its tourist visa-on-arrival for the Calicut International Airport, reported The Hindu newspaper.
Around 50,000 foreign passengers arrive at the Calicut airport every year.
The tourist visa-on-arrival facility is now available at nine airports in the country.
A central team is visiting the visiting Calicut on August 6 to discuss the proposal, said the report quoting sources. Continue reading Calicut on India’s visa-on-arrival radar
India plans e-visa for 150 countries by 2015
June 17 (TravelAndy): The Indian government plans to bring bring 150 countries under its e-visa scheme by the end of 2015, minister of state (independent charge) for tourism Mahesh Sharma has said.
More than 1.36 lakh tourists have availed of the e-visa and this year, India has seen a 10 per cent jump in the number of tourists, reports said.
The e-visa scheme currently covers 77 countries including the US, Germany, Russia, Singapore and Guyana. Continue reading India plans e-visa for 150 countries by 2015