In News:

The Government has expanded India’s e-Visa entry network by notifying 11 additional entry points for foreign nationals holding valid e-Visas.

Key Facts

• New entry points:
  • 9 Land Ports: Agartala, Darranga, Gede, Ghojadanga, Haridaspur, Jaigaon, Dawki, Moreh and Attari (Road).
  • 2 Airports: Bhopal and Tirupati.
• Total authorised e-Visa entry points:88
  • 37 Airports
  • 38 Seaports
  • 13 Land Ports
• e-Visa launched:2014, initially with Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for citizens of 43 countries; subsequently expanded to 172 countries.
• Coverage: e-Visa is available across 17 sub-categories, including tourism, business, medical, student, mountaineering, transit and cruise-related categories.
• Around 95% of e-Visa applications are processed within 72 hours, while approximately 78% of all visas issued are electronic visas.

Significance

• Liberalises and simplifies India’s visa regime.
• Facilitates tourism, business and legitimate foreign travel.
• Improves accessibility at airports and land borders.
• Strengthens technology-enabled border management while retaining security safeguards.
• Expands the role of digital governance in immigration services.