The Indian government has restored all valid five-year e-tourist visas granted to people from over 150 countries and regions as well as regular paper visas to nationals of all countries with immediate effect.

This was two years after a suspension over COVID-19, the state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) reported on Thursday.

The report said people from these countries and regions will also be eligible for getting fresh e-tourist visas.

The Indian government took the step following improved COVID-19 situation in the South Asian country and considering the need to further relax visa and travel restrictions, according to the report.

India’s Ministry of Home Affairs had also restored the valid regular 10 year tourist visas for U.S. and Japanese nationals, the report said.

Meanwhile, Afghan nationals will continue to use the e-Emergency X-Miscellaneous Visa, it said.

After a break of about two years, last week India decided to resume regular international commercial flights from March 27.

Indian authorities had been operating special international flights since May 2020 and under bilateral “air bubble” arrangements with some countries since July 2020. 

(Xinhua/NAN)