The country will resume the granting of new tourist visas from 15 October, but only to those arriving on charter flights.
However, rules will be further relaxed from 15 November, when visas will be issued for those travelling on scheduled carriers. The November relaxation will come in time to benefit the popular winter-sun destinations of Goa and Kerala.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs said: “The MHA had been receiving representations from several state governments as well as various stakeholders in the tourism sector to start tourist visas.”
Tourists are the last visitor category to be reinstated, with business travel already restarted.
The relaxation of restrictions does not apply to those entering via land borders.
