NITI AAYOG ASKS CENTRE TO EASE RULES FOR CONFERENCE VISA

NEWDELHI: The Niti Aayog has recommended a relaxation of conference visa rules and has asked the government to contemplate the possibility of launching an e-visa scheme for those who want attend seminars from abroad.

“Simplify conference visas. Industry experts report that travellers find it hard to obtain these visas. We should launch an e-visa regime to attract the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market”, it recommended.

The think tank said the government should take note of the rise in number of tourists after visa norms for 150 countries’ nationals were simplified.

“The 2015 extension of the e-Tourist visa to 150 countries contributed to the growth of the tourism sector. After the extension of the e-visa, the number of tourists that arrived between January and July 2016 increased by 266 %”, the report said making a case for easing the conference visa for participants.

Industry bodies and conference organisers have for long demanded a simplification of visa process for those who want to attend seminars from abroad.

At present, getting a conference visa to India is a long cumbersome process. Any event — seminar, conference or exhibition — needs a security clearance from the ministry of home affairs if it has participation from foreigners. The clearance process can often take months.

The report points out that “individuals circumvent this (process to get conference visa) by entering (India) on tourist visas”, which are easier to get.