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<ul><li>The <keyword id="6359327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="home-ministry" source="Orion">Home Ministry</keyword> has announced that e-visas are mandatory for <keyword id="103498" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="afghan-nationals" source="Orion">Afghan nationals</keyword>.</li><li>All the Afghan nationals wishing to travel to India can apply for the e-visa on the official government portal.</li><li>India has reportedly rescued hundreds of people from <keyword id="6354541" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="afghanistan" source="Orion">Afghanistan</keyword> in the past one week. </li></ul>Amid the “prevailing security situation” in Afghanistan, India’s Home Ministry on Wednesday, August 25, said that all Afghan nationals henceforth must travel to India only on e-Visa. "Owing to the prevailing security situation in Afghanistan and streamlining of the visa process by introduction of the e-Emergency X-Misc visa, it has been decided that all Afghan nationals henceforth must travel to India only on e-Visa," the Home Ministry <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1748786">said</a> in a statement. <div type="twitter" handle="PIBHomeAffairs" handlename="Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1268908506884628482/kzuhL7lj_normal.jpg" favoritecount="216" retweetcount="85" status="Owing to prevailing security situation in Afghanistan all Afghan nationals henceforth must travel to India only on… https://t.co/ykQcpJIbQY" createdat="1629873361000" id="1430418670975479814"></div> Afghan nationals wishing to travel to India may apply for e-Visa on the official website, the ministry said. The Ministry of Home Affairs’ press note also stated that, “Keeping in view some reports that certain passports of Afghan nationals have been misplaced, previously issued visas to all Afghan nationals, who are presently not in India, stand invalidated with immediate effect.” Earlier on August 17, India had announced that it would issue an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-announces-emergency-e-visas-for-afghan-nationals-embassy-still-providing-consular-services/articleshow/85419633.cms">emergency e-Visa</a> to Afghan nationals who want to come to the country in view of the worrying situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban captured power there. "Afghan nationals wishing to travel to India may apply for an e-Visa at <a href="http://www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/">http://www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/</a> ," the government release stated. India has reportedly evacuated hundreds of people including Afghan nationals from Afghanistan in the past one week as people rush to leave the nation after the Taliban seized control last week. India has been reportedly allowed to operate two flights per day from Kabul to evacuate its nationals stranded in Afghanistan. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/cadila-healthcare-to-launch-zycov-d-vaccine-for-12-year-old-and-above/articleshow/85564761.cms">Cadila Healthcare’s ZyCoV-D — This is what makes it different from other COVID-19 vaccines</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/paytm-ipo-delhi-court-asks-local-police-to-conclude-investigation-on-allegations-raised-by-former-one97-communications/articleshow/85564575.cms">Paytm IPO: Delhi court asks local police to conclude its investigation in three weeks</a>

India says Afghan nationals should apply for e-visas from now on, existing visas invalidated

<keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> has registered a whopping 1086% growth over January-April, 2014, thanks to the new 'e-Tourist Visa' facility. Around 94,998 tourists availed the scheme launched last November. 
 Earlier, the TVoA (Travel <keyword id="90790" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="visa-on-arrival">Visa on Arrival</keyword>) facility was available to citizens of 12 countries. Only 8,008 tourists used 'Visa on Arrival' same time last year according to a press release by the <keyword id="62889" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ministry-of-tourism">Ministry of Tourism</keyword>. 
 Christmas just arrived earlier for travel agencies and websites in India. “We expect the new e-tourist visa facility will result in a clear up gradation of our inbound traffic by a minimum of 12- 15%, and this is only the start! There is huge potential of creating a huge competitive space. It is a great opportunity”, confirmed Mr. Prashant Narayan, COO of <keyword id="87184" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Thomas-Cook">Thomas Cook</keyword> India. 
 Under the current scheme, a foreign tourist can apply for an <keyword id="1669219" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="e-visa">e-visa</keyword> by uploading his details and paying the required fee online. The authorities can then process the application and send an e-visa via email within 72 hours. 
 The e-facility visa-on-arrival allows foreign nationals from 76 countries to come into India for <keyword id="20048" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="tourism">tourism</keyword> or short term medical treatments for a short stay of 30 days. 
 
 
(Image credit: cliparts.co)

The numbers are out! Foreign tourist arrivals with e-visa has jumped 11 times in
India

The foreign ministry is reported to be ignoring suggestions by RAW and IB in the context of delivering e-Visas to Chinese citizens. The decision is triggered by <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword> <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>'s visit to <keyword id="1333" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Beijing">Beijing</keyword> next week. As per a news report by <keyword id="105279" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-Times">The Times</keyword> of India, the concerns highlighted by the intelligence agencies at Wednesday's meeting - attended by <keyword id="6447470" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="home-secretary">home secretary</keyword> L C Goyal and brass of the foreign ministry, RAW and IB -- mainly related to overstay by Chinese citizens in India as well as past instances of some taking to spying. 
 The TOI report further reads, even though the issue of stapled visas by China to residents of <keyword id="46408" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arunachal-Pradesh">Arunachal Pradesh</keyword> remains an irritant, junior home minister <keyword id="638723" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kiren-Rijiju">Kiren Rijiju</keyword> had on Wednesday made it clear that e-tourist visa facility was not based on reciprocity since its purpose is to promote tourism. 
 
As per the proposal being discussed for easing visa regime with China, tourists from the country may be allowed entry on e-tourist visa, two-month restriction of consecutive visits on tourist visa done away with and China be removed from the list of prior reference category countries for conference visa. 
 
(Image: reuters)

It’s confirmed: Chinese to get e-Visa for India

Kolkata, Mar 2 () VFS Global, an outsourcing andtechnology services company, has launched the first onlineportal for Vietnam eVisa on arrival for travellers from India.During the recent visit of Vietnamese Vice PresidentDang Thi Ngoc Thinh to India, VFS Global and the Embassy ofVietnam in India had signed an MoU on cooperation for tourismpromotion and facilitation of human mobility.The advanced and digitally integrated solution willoffer eVOA applicants with a digital wallet/locker, astatement said.The digital wallet/locker will include scanned copiesof the applicant's passport, live facial biometric capture,and the receipt of their eVOA approval letters.Customers can also make online payments using theportal, the statement said.The option of special priority services on the sameday as well as next day approvals is now available on thisonline portal.The cost of the priority service is slightlyhigher than the cost of normal visa processing.In 2019, more than 18 million travellers had visitedVietnam from across the globe compared to 15 million in 2018. BSMMM MM

VFS launches first online portal for Vietnam eVisa on arrival

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Kristen Gray's tweets about expat life in <keyword id="19988" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Bali">Bali</keyword> ultimately led to her deportation.</li><li>The government claimed she violated her visa by writing an e-book, which she mentioned in a tweet.</li><li>Gray spoke with Insider, sharing her version of events for the first time since her deportation.</li></ul>The<a href="https://www.insider.com/bali-to-deport-american-expat-after-tweets-report-2021-1"> American expat who was deported from Bali</a> in January after she tweeted about the island as a cheap, LGBTQ-friendly place to live shared her version of events with Insider, speaking out publicly for the first time since her deportation.Kristen Gray, a graphic designer from Los Angeles who moved to the Indonesian island with her partner in January 2020, said she did nothing illegal and feels that she was deported due to public pressure surrounding her tweets.<h2>The expat's tweets were initially considered insensitive by locals</h2>In January 2021, Gray appeared to tweet about the "elevated <keyword id="15482" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="lifestyle">lifestyle</keyword>" she enjoyed in Bali, as well as how "queer-friendly" she felt it was in a series of tweets on her since-deleted account."This island has been amazing because of our elevated lifestyle at a much lower cost of living. I was paying $1300 for my LA studio. Now I have a treehouse for $400," she wrote, according to screenshots that purportedly show her tweets.One of Gray's tweets appeared to plug her $30 <a href="https://gumroad.com/baliebook/follow">"Our Bali Life is Yours" e-book</a>, which could be supplemented with personal consulting for a $50 fee and was meant to help others achieve her Bali lifestyle, <a href="https://thebalisun.com/american-censored-after-tweeting-illegal-tips-to-gain-entry-into-bali/">according to the Bali Sun.</a>The book was released on Gumroad on January 15, a day before the <keyword id="6354616" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword> thread went viral.The Bali Sun reported that the e-book gives tips on how to enter Bali despite <keyword id="8692" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Indonesia">Indonesia</keyword>'s borders currently being <a href="https://denpasar.imigrasi.go.id/">closed to visitors</a> due to the pandemic, how to avoid coronavirus health and safety regulations, and how to circumvent taxes.Read more: <a href="https://www.insider.com/bali-to-deport-american-expat-after-tweets-report-2021-1">Bali is deporting an American expat after she tweeted about the island as a cheap, LGBTQ-friendly place to live</a>Gray received swift backlash from people claiming that she was flaunting her privilege as an American in Indonesia, encouraging gentrification, and being misleading by calling Bali LGBTQ-friendly.At the time, one person, who identifies "as a young Indonesian queer woman," tweeted: "I was f------ livid at [Gray's] audacity for plugging her tips and tricks on how to cheat the visa system to live an 'elevated' life while I am here stuck in the closet in fear of persecution and struggling to make ends meet."<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/06/25/global-divide-on-homosexuality-persists/">According to a 2020 Pew Research Center study</a> that surveyed 38,426 people in 34 countries, only 9% of respondents in Indonesia said they believe homosexuality should be accepted. A <a href="https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/indonesia/">2019 US Department of Labor Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Indonesia</a> cites "violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons" as a concern, and that discrimination against LGBTQ individuals continues as anti-discrimination laws don't apply.In 2020, Indonesian lawmakers <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/indonesia-proposes-bill-force-lgbtq-people-rehabilitation-n1146861">tried to introduce legislation</a> that would force LGBTQ people to undergo government-sanctioned rehabilitation to "cure" them. <h2>Bali officials say Kristen Gray violated the terms of her visa</h2>Multiple local outlets reported that Gray's tweets led the government to look into her, while <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-deported/american-digital-nomad-to-be-deported-from-bali-after-lgbt-and-lifestyle-tweets-idUSKBN29P0D9">Reuters</a> said she was "summoned for questioning." Gray, however, says she approached the government herself. The head of the Bali office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Jamaruli Manihuruk, said in a press conference on January 19 that Gray appeared to be selling an e-book and charging consulting fees, which was considered doing business and violated the terms of her visa.Gray's lawyer told Reuters that she had a social-cultural visa, <a href="https://baliinformationguide.com/social-cultural-visa-bali/">which does not allow for any sort of business activities or employment.</a>Manihuruk also accused Gray's posts of having "disseminated information disturbing to the public," which he said is what led to her deportation, the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-bali-indonesia-coronavirus-pandemic-graphic-design-cad88d12e86c4bec4297dde2a8085f82">Associated Press</a> reported.Gray maintained that she had done nothing wrong, however."I'm not guilty," Gray told reporters at the same press conference. "I have not overstayed my visa, I have not made money in Indonesian rupiah in Indonesia. I put out a statement about LGBT, and I've been deported because I'm LGBT."Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lgbtq-rights-around-the-world-maps-2018-10">10 maps showing how different LGBTQ rights are around the world</a><h2>Gray told Insider that her e-book doesn't encourage illegal activity</h2><div type="image" title="Kristin Gray Bali deportation" height="2801" width="3735" msid="80696982" hostid="261"></div>Gray told Insider that her e-book did not include ways to evade taxes or illegally enter the country and said she felt a lot was misconstrued.She said that she created the e-book with her partner after getting hundreds of questions about Bali on social media."We created the e-book to address the frequently asked questions and provide personal recommendations for a wide variety of themes, from excursions and our favorite restaurants to cultural etiquette, visas, and legal procedures," she said.Gray said that the Balinese government actually read her e-book: according to Gray, an immigration officer asked to see it during her interrogation on January 18 and read it out loud, though none of this was recorded. On January 19, she said she met with tax generals who told her they had also read it, and, according to Gray, "thought it was very nice, and they thanked us for it."The Directorate General of Immigration did not respond to Insider's request for comment.<div type="image" title="Kristen Gray e-book" height="688" width="951" msid="80696983" hostid="261"></div>"My e-book in no way, shape, or form shares any illegal activity," she said. Gray said that she wrote the e-book for post-pandemic visitors, but, based on people's reactions to her tweets, she thinks people assume she illegally moved to Bali during the pandemic and was encouraging others to do the same.Gray and her partner arrived in January 2020, and, like most foreigners, according to Gray, were granted an "emergency stay visa" that lasted from March until September before extending their social-cultural visa until the end of January 2021. <a href="https://www.thejakartapost.com/adv/2020/05/05/automatic-emergency-stay-permit-extension-for-foreigners.html">The Jakarta Post confirms</a> the existence of such a visa.She admitted that her e-book outlines different visas, including an e-visa that she said was used by people to get into the country after December 2020, but that it was legal and advertised by the government.The B211A single entry e-visa is advertised online as a way for visitors "to enter Bali, Indonesia, during [the] COVID-19 pandemic" to engage in "humanitarian activities, volunteering, family reunion, business, or investment visit [sic]," <a href="https://www.balivisas.com/enter-indonesia-during-covid-19-pandemic/">according to Bali Visas</a>."We were never charged for overstaying our visa, or having an illegal visa, or violating it," Gray said.<h2>Gray believes she was deported because her tweets created public pressure for the government to take action</h2>"I was suspected - I was never charged - of providing unsettling information, disturbing the public," she said. "That is the basis for my deportation." The Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Directorate General of Immigration did not respond to Insider's request for comment.She believes that stating that Bali was "queer-friendly" in her tweets was the crux of the problem, but that she was speaking of her own, personal experience. "Culturally, in Bali, I never experienced any hate, hate speech, or discrimination for my sexual preference, orientation, and expression," she said.She added that Bali, the island she was writing about, is not like the rest of Indonesia.She said she now understands that most of Indonesia's LGBTQ community <a href="https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/08/10/these-political-games-ruin-our-lives/indonesias-lgbt-community-under-threat">faces vitriol and intolerance</a>, and takes responsibility for the uproar her tweets caused.Gray said that her official paperwork states that her deportation was also due to being accused of inviting others to Bali during the pandemic, though she emphasized that she was encouraging people to visit in the future.She added that the government also suspected her of working in Indonesia without a proper business visa, but said that Bali does not regulate online work, and essentially only offers two kinds of visas: for tourists and for people with local businesses.She maintains that she never made any Indonesian rupiah and that her online work falls into a visa gray area.The Directorate General of Immigration's website <a href="https://www.imigrasi.go.id/apply_ri/tourism/visitorvisa/">clearly states that</a> "this type of visa is not suitable for work."However, a<a href="https://www.nunomad.com/being-a-digital-nomad-in-bali/"> website on expat life and digital nomads</a> in Bali writes "many digital nomads who base themselves in Bali do so on a tourist visa."<a href="https://hobowithalaptop.com/digital-nomad-bali-guide"> Another site plainly states that</a> the social-cultural visa, also known as a<a href="https://bali.com/immigration/visa-regulations/social-cultural-visa-b-211-for-bali-indonesia/#:~:text=If%20you%20wish%20to%20stay,B%2D211%20Visa%20Budaya).&amp;text=Which%20means%20you%20can%20stay,and%20also%20for%20the%20extensions!ons!"> budaya visa</a> "is widely used and abused [...] The Indonesian Department of Immigration know that foreigners misuse the visa."<h2>She told Insider that if her story has helped even a single person, she's 'proud' to have been made an example for other Westerners</h2>"I never wanted to be the face of expat examples, but if it helps someone with their safety, with their livelihood, or with their public persona online, that's okay," Gray said, adding that she's learned a lot from the conversations her tweets have sparked.She maintains that she was never charged for overstaying or violating her visa, and said that if she had done something illegal she would have been fined or jailed."I left Indonesia with zero crimes or charges and paying zero fines or taxes," Gray said.She added that it was never her intention to disrespect Indonesian culture and that she loves Bali."I lacked a certain level of sensitivity in the current climate, but I will do my best to spread the message of ethical <keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword> to Bali when it is safe and continue to share how everyone can respect and honor Bali and Indonesia as a whole," she said.

The American expat deported from Bali after tweeting about the island as an LGBTQ-friendly place to live maintains she did nothing illegal

India, be prepared to offer best of your <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=hospitality">hospitality</a> as soon there is going to be a flood of tourists in the country. 
 
After <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Narendra+Modi">Prime Minister Narendra </a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Narendra+Modi">Modi</a>-led government extended <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=e-tourist+visa">e-tourist visa</a> facility to nationals of 76 countries, experts are of the opinion that this move will give a boost to tourism in the country. 
 
Earlier, India offered <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=visa+on+arrival">visa on arrival</a> to nationals of 12 countries. 
 
So, hoteliers can expect some brisk business in the second half of this financial year. 
 
The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=tourism+industry">tourism industry</a> is expecting 15% growth in foreign tourist arrivals in the current fiscal over the previous year. In the past three years, the industry witnessed annual growth of about 10% in the past three years. 
 
In 2014-15, foreign tourist arrivals grew 8.2% over the previous year to 77 lakh. 
 
"Given all the push and impetus given to tourism by the central government and the fact that overall we are seeing more interest from foreign tourists -both corporate and leisure -the growth might be trumping what you have seen in the past and you could see a 12-15% year-on-year growth in foreign tourist arrivals this year," Achin Khanna, managing director for consulting and valuation practice at HVS South Asia, told Economic Times. 
 Under the <keyword id="2808505" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="e-tourist-visa">e-tourist visa</keyword> scheme, foreign nationals can apply for a visa by uploading their <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=passport">passport</a> and photograph and paying the visa fee on line. 
 
Then the concerned authorities will send an electronic travel authorisation, or e-visa, via email within 72 hours. 
 
As per the he tourism ministry, the number of tourists under the e-tourist visa scheme grew to 1, 26, 214 in the six months to June. 
 
Following economic slowdown, India's hospitality industry has been in the doldrums over the past few years. 
 
Several <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=hotels">hotels</a> slipped into the red amid falling check-ins and declining room rates. 
 
"The hotel industry is likely to see a highly reduced new supply of 4% in 2015-16 which would result in occupancies showing an increase of 5-6% over last year along with a corresponding gentle increase in average daily rates leading to a top line growth for the hotel industry of 6-7%," Mandeep Lamba, MD, India, hotels and hospitality group, JLL, told ET. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

India awaits foreign tourists from 76 countries with open arms, thanks to e-tourist visa

India sure is feeling a little unsettled with <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> having just doled out $46bn to Pakistan. No wonder this and <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword> <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>'s visit to China next month, is compelling the government not only to consider extending e-tourist <keyword id="6359421" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Visa">visa</keyword> facility to China, but also discussing its removal from the list of 'prior reference category' countries for conference visa and doing away with restriction of two-month interval between visits by Chinese nationals on tourist visa. 
 
Incidentally, though intelligence agencies maintain their reservations over easing of tourist visa norms for Chinese nationals, there is a realization within the home ministry that keeping China out of the list of 150 countries that will be granted e-tourist visa facility this fiscal would send a wrong signal. 
 
MHA frowns over 'visa on arrival' for Chinese tourists, brushes aside tourism ministry plan 
 
The home ministry, which reviewed the matter on Monday but failed to firm up its stand in the wake of stiff opposition from RAW and IB, will hold a final discussion with the foreign ministry later this week and place its comments "for final clearance at the highest level," government sources told TOI. 
 
According to intelligence agencies, allowing e-tourist visa, easing of the two-month restriction on consecutive visits made on tourist visas and doing away with the norm requiring home ministry's clearance for each conference visa application by a Chinese national was fraught with risks. The agencies cited overstay by Chinese citizens in India as well as past instances of some taking to spying. 
 
China excited about India's visa-on-arrival plan 
 However, there were counter-arguments as well at the meeting chaired by <keyword id="6447470" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="home-secretary">home secretary</keyword> L C Goyal. "There are bound to be protests from China if it is kept out of the list of countries eligible for e-tourist visa. Given that the list is set to include Algeria and Nigeria, both of which have a significant presence of terrorist elements, India will have to explain why China should be denied e-tourist visa on security grounds," a home ministry official said. 
 
China keeps India out of visa-free transit policy 
 
As for the fear of overstay, the official said Nigerians were a far bigger threat, as 1,589 of them were found to be overstaying in 2013 compared to 357 Chinese nationals. Sources said there was a strong likelihood of the intelligence agencies' reservations being overruled at the highest level, paving the way for an easier visa regime with China ahead of Modi's visit. This would include streamlining of normal visa regime with China based on reciprocity.

You Searched For "e visa" and got 7 results

India says Afghan nationals should apply for e-visas from now on, existing visas invalidated

BI India Bureau

The numbers are out! Foreign tourist arrivals with e-visa has jumped 11 times in India

BI India Bureau

It’s confirmed: Chinese to get e-Visa for India

BI India Bureau

VFS launches first online portal for Vietnam eVisa on arrival

PTI

The American expat deported from Bali after tweeting about the island as an LGBTQ-friendly place to live maintains she did nothing illegal

Sophie-Claire Hoeller

India awaits foreign tourists from 76 countries with open arms, thanks to e-tourist visa

BI India Bureau

A nervous India to relax visa rules for Chinese soon

BI India Bureau

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