 India's e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme is to be extended from 30 to 180 days, the country's tourism minister has announced.
The scheme, unveiled in August 2015, should make the process of obtaining a visa easier and cheaper as travellers will not have to make an appointment at the embassy and the cost will be reduced from £89.44 to £39.
Proposals are also in place to make it available in 150 countries - up from 113 - and to ensure multiple and double entry.
Under the scheme, visas will not be issued immediately - once an online application is submitted, travellers can expect to receive entry documents via email within three days.
As part of this process, it is mandatory for each passenger travelling under this scheme to carry a printed copy of the approved eTV as proof and verification at the check-in counter whilst boarding.
Passengers who are not able to produce a printed copy of the approved eTV will be denied boarding
Travellers entering India on an e-Visa must arrive at one of 16 designated airports, which include Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. Biometric data, including fingerprinting, will be collected on arrival at the border.
The Indian government said e-Tourist visas are only valid for recreation, sightseeing, meeting friends or family, short duration medical treatment, or for a casual business visit. | 
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