More Britons opting for Indian e-visas

LONDON: The number of Britons opting for e-visas to visit India has seen an exponential increase since it was first introduced in the United Kingdom, jumping from 82,751 in 2015 to 327,798 in 2017.

At the same time, the number of people applying for the traditional, in-person visa has correspondingly dwindled from 233,005 in 2015 to 103,233 in 2017.

The e-visa has been welcomed by tour operators and others who resented earlier rules that stipulated every visa applicant must appear for an appointment at one of the 13 visa application centres run by VFS Global, India’s private partner that collects and delivers the traditional visas.

An e-visa costs around £53 (excluding a 2.5% bank transaction charge), while the fee for the regular one is nearly £120.

A spokesperson of the Association of British Travel Agents said: “India is a very important destination for the UK travel industry with almost a million visits in 2017, a combination of leisure, business trips and people visiting friends and family.”

However, sources in India’s external affairs ministry said there is a concern over some websites fraudulently offering the Indian e-visa to unsuspecting applicants. Indian missions face their ire when they have a bad experience.

The traditional visa obtained through VFS is of a longer duration (six months) and multiple entry, while e-visas are valid for 60 days and offer double entry.

Tourism industry representatives said most tourists and visitors are happy with the duration and number of visits offered under the e-visa.

The e-visa’s success raises the issue of reciprocity that is key to relations between two countries. It has made easier for British nationals to visit India, but there is no similar facility extended to Indian nationals visiting the UK, who need to jump through several hoops for a visa.