Saudi Citizens Can Soon Travel India Through Indian E Visa

Indian Electronic Visa was launched by the Indian Government in October 2014 to boost tourism in India. It proved to be a very good initiative by the Indian government. Initially, it was launched for tourism, but now, The Indian E visa is of four types serving different purposes of tourism, business, medical and urgent visits. These E visas are:

• Indian Tourist E-visa
• Indian Business E-visa
• Indian Medical E-visa
• Indian Urgent E visa

Although, Initially the Indian E visa was launched for a lesser number of countries. But as time passed, the list of countries became long. And Now, the E visa is to be launched for the Saudi Arabia Nationals too.

This was decided by the Indian Government in February 2019. The Saudi Nationals will now be allowed to apply for the E visa to India. At present, nationals from more than 140 countries can apply for the Online Indian Visa. The Indian E visa provides a stay period of 90 Days to the foreign Applicants (180 Days to the USA/UK/Japan Applicants). The procedure for Online Indian Visa Application will be the same as for the Other Countries. The major documents that'll be required for the application are Passport, Photo, Return Ticket and other specific documents related to the type of E visa. The documents will be submitted online in the scanned form. The E visa to India will then be processed online.

The Tourism Minister of Kerala, Mr. Kadakambali Sorendran said that the visit of Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman was important for securing the Online Indian Visa procedures for the Saudi Applicants. The Kerala Tourism Ministry has welcomed this decision of offering the Indian E visa to Saudi Citizens. The Indian government is easing the E visa application for the Saudi applicants as the government has abolished the Biometric System for the Saudi People. The Government is hoping that these steps will increase tourism to India from Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Prince signed five memorandums of understanding with India respectively in the fields of investment, tourism, information, housing, and broadcasting. According to the reports, an investment of 100 USD Billion in India was announced by the Saudi Prince for the energy, refining, petrochemicals, infrastructure, manufacturing, and agriculture sector. An official joint statement emphasizing the importance of the relationship between the two countries was issued, the statement said "India and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial and friendly relations reflecting the centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties. Close geographical proximity, civilizational links, cultural affinity, natural synergies, and vibrant people to people contacts. Common challenges and opportunities have added momentum to this robust engagement."

This joint decision will surely work in favour of both the countries. The E visa will ease the travel for Saudi Arabia citizens to a great extent.

The Indian Government is constantly making efforts to boost the tourism to India and to ease the norms and regulation for the citizens of other countries. Along with boosting the tourism, the decision will also strenghthen the relations between the two countries.

I am a certified Digital Marketer and a newbie Content Writer. I like writing about traveling.