India’s Groundbreaking Move as e-Tourist Visa Now Available to 166 Countries, Revolutionizing Corporate Travel and Unleashing a New Wave of Global Business Visitors!

India’s tourism sector is set for a major boost as the Government of India has recently expanded its e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) to 166 nationalities. This significant development opens doors to easier, faster, and more efficient visa processing, not only for leisure travelers but also for corporate delegates and business visitors. The change, which took effect in early 2026, aims to encourage business exchange, tourism, and international cooperation across multiple sectors.

For years, India has been a top destination for both leisure and business travelers. The e-Tourist Visa scheme, which initially covered fewer nationalities, has now been extended, making it more accessible than ever before for global citizens seeking to explore India or attend business events. This expansion reflects the country’s growing ambitions to enhance its tourism infrastructure and attract international business talent.

A New Era for Inbound Corporate Travel

One of the most crucial aspects of the expanded e-Tourist Visa program is the direct benefits it offers to corporate travel. The new visa accessibility is expected to streamline business operations, especially for multinational companies and international organizations looking to send employees for short-term meetings, trade shows, and business conferences in India.

The hassle-free process now available for corporate delegates is designed to minimize delays that were previously associated with traditional visa applications. Corporate travelers can apply online, pay fees electronically, and receive their Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) within 72 hours, making it possible for them to schedule their travel at the last minute or with minimal planning.

Business travel, a significant contributor to India’s economic landscape, will gain momentum with this development. The new visa accessibility will encourage international business expansion by offering companies a fast, convenient way to engage in the Indian market. With businesses now able to swiftly attend meetings, networking events, and partnership programs, India is likely to see an increase in cross-border collaboration in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and consulting.

Efforts to Streamline Entry and Enhance Global Connectivity

India’s Ministry of Tourism has long emphasized the importance of visa facilitation in attracting foreign investments and supporting economic diplomacy. By expanding the e-Tourist Visa, India joins other tourism-friendly nations in making entry easier for global delegates. The initiative is part of a broader effort to position India as a global hub for business conferences, trade exhibitions, and investment summits.

The e-Tourist Visa expansion aligns with the government’s larger “Visit India 2030” campaign, which targets a substantial rise in international arrivals by focusing on simplifying processes that allow easy entry for international travelers, especially those attending business events. India’s corporate tourism sector, which has been on the rise, will benefit from the enhanced visa access, boosting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism in particular.

Additionally, the extended e-TV will likely stimulate inbound traffic to not only major urban hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru but also emerging Tier 2 cities that are gaining traction as business destinations, providing new opportunities for tourism growth.

How the e-Tourist Visa Works

With the expanded eligibility, travelers from 166 nationalities can now access the e-Tourist Visa via a fully online application process. This includes the submission of necessary documents, payment of applicable fees, and receiving the ETA electronically. Once the ETA is issued, travelers must print it out and present it upon arrival in India for immigration clearance.

The multiple-entry facility under the e-TV allows travelers to visit India multiple times within a period of 60 days. The visa also caters to various business-related activities, such as attending business meetings, training sessions, and workshops. The e-Tourist Visa allows travelers to explore India’s rich cultural heritage and business environment with ease.

The e-Visa process ensures a smooth experience for all types of business travelers, from corporate executives to conference delegates, without the need to go through the time-consuming process of traditional visa applications at the embassy or consulate.

What Does This Mean for India’s Tourism Sector?

India has long been a popular destination for leisure travel, thanks to its rich culture, historical landmarks, and world-class facilities. Now, with the expanded e-Tourist Visa, India is poised to become an even more attractive destination for corporate tourism. From meetings to conventions, the growing ease of entry is expected to bring more high-value visitors to India.

Moreover, the accessibility of corporate visa facilities will likely improve the competitiveness of Indian destinations in the global tourism market, positioning the country as a leading destination for international events. Companies are increasingly looking for cost-effective and accessible locations to hold corporate events, and India’s ability to provide seamless travel options positions it as an appealing choice for businesses across industries.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for India’s Corporate Travel Sector?

Looking ahead, India’s expanded e-Tourist Visa program is expected to transform inbound corporate travel. As countries across the world continue to open up their borders and implement visa facilitation strategies, India’s move to extend e-visa access to 166 countries is a strategic response that enhances the country’s competitive edge in the global business landscape.

By welcoming a growing number of business professionals, government delegates, and corporate event organizers, India is stepping up its efforts to foster international collaboration, making it easier for global businesses to engage in commercial activities. The post-pandemic recovery of the travel and tourism industry will likely benefit from this development, paving the way for sustained growth in corporate tourism for years to come.

Conclusion

The expansion of India’s e-Tourist Visa to include 166 nationalities signals a transformative shift in India’s approach to international business travel. By offering more streamlined, accessible visa options, India is positioning itself as a global leader in corporate tourism and business events. With easier entry, shorter waiting times, and simplified procedures, India is set to attract a new wave of business professionals, delegates, and investors, all eager to engage in India’s vibrant economy.

As more international corporate delegates take advantage of this initiative, India will not only attract high-value tourism but also enhance its standing as a key player in the global business landscape.

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Kenya Joins Algeria, Fiji, Uruguay, Armenia, and More as India Enhances its e-Tourist Visa Programme, Simplifying Travel for Citizens Worldwide – What You Need to Know

Kenya, along with Algeria, Fiji, Uruguay, Armenia, and other nations, has been added to India’s expanded e-Tourist Visa programme, streamlining the visa application process and making travel more accessible for citizens worldwide.

On February 8, 2026, the Ministry of Tourism in India issued an important late-night update confirming that the country’s e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) programme now includes 166 countries, up from 157 just one year ago. This expansion is part of India’s broader digital transformation and aims to make it easier for international visitors to travel to India. The newly added countries include emerging markets such as Kenya, Algeria, Fiji, Uruguay, Armenia, and North Macedonia, marking a significant step towards simplifying the visa process for citizens from these regions.

The e-TV programme has long been a key component of India’s digital strategy, designed to streamline the visa process for tourists and business visitors. The e-TV allows travellers to apply for their visa online, pay through an electronic payment system, and receive their travel authorisation within 72 hours. This convenience has drastically reduced the traditional waiting times for consular services, enhancing the ease of travel to India.

For business travellers, the standard e-TV is a 30-day double-entry visa. However, the programme also offers the option to upgrade to a 90-day business e-visa, which is a popular choice for professionals coming to India for short-term projects, business meetings, after-sales support, and other business-related activities. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for companies seeking to streamline the process for their employees traveling on work assignments.

The e-TV programme has become increasingly popular for both tourism and business travel, offering a user-friendly and time-efficient process. Travellers can submit their applications from anywhere in the world, allowing them to bypass the traditional in-person consular visa application process. With the e-TV, applicants can submit their documents, make payments, and receive approval without ever having to leave their homes, creating a smooth and seamless experience.

For businesses looking to streamline and manage their e-TV applications, VisaHQ has launched an online platform that simplifies the entire process. This platform helps businesses and individual travellers upload necessary documents, track their application status, and receive dedicated support for troubleshooting common problems such as photo rejections, payment issues, or technical glitches. This service is fully integrated into corporate travel workflows, enabling organizations to maintain compliance, reduce administrative overhead, and manage travel plans more efficiently.

The expansion of the e-TV programme has been well-received by several trade bodies. NASSCOM, the industry association for the IT sector, and the Indo-Africa Chamber of Commerce have both praised the move, noting that many of the newly added countries are emerging as important sources of specialized talent, such as technicians, engineers, and mid-level managers. These professionals are often in high demand in India, but the traditional consular visa process has often been cumbersome, with long waiting times and complex documentation requirements. The e-TV offers a simpler, faster solution for bringing skilled workers into the country, enabling Indian businesses to fill critical positions with ease.

For human resources (HR) and global mobility teams within companies, this expansion of the e-TV programme offers an opportunity to update internal procedures to better accommodate the new eligibility requirements. Global mobility teams are encouraged to update their invitation-letter templates and ensure that their travel-booking tools can automatically flag e-TV eligibility. This will help businesses avoid confusion and speed up the process for employees needing to travel to India. By leveraging the simpler and more efficient e-TV process, companies can reduce lead times, lower administrative costs, and improve overall cost control, as the e-TV fee is usually significantly lower than that of traditional paper visas.

In addition to streamlining the application process, the e-TV programme also allows businesses to host foreign trainees or employees more efficiently. The reduced processing times and lower costs associated with the e-TV make it an attractive option for organizations looking to bring in talent from abroad quickly. The ease of use and speed of approval are expected to have a positive impact on industries such as technology, education, and research, where the demand for specialized skills is growing rapidly.

While the e-TV simplifies the application process, travellers must still take care to adhere to certain requirements before departure. The electronic authorisation received through the e-TV must be printed out and carried with the traveller during their journey to India. In addition, passengers must present proof of onward travel when entering the country, as overstays under the new Immigration & Foreigners Act can result in hefty fines or penalties. Airlines have also been instructed to ensure that passengers complete India’s e-Arrival Card online before departure, with gate checks at airports now being strictly enforced to ensure compliance.

The introduction of the e-Arrival Card is part of India’s broader push for digitization and increased security, allowing authorities to gather critical passenger data before arrival. This process is designed to further streamline the arrival experience for travellers and enhance security measures in line with modern international travel standards.

The expansion of the e-TV programme to include 166 countries is a major milestone in India’s efforts to modernize its visa system and facilitate easier travel for both tourists and business professionals. The programme offers a more accessible and efficient way to visit the country, and its growth is expected to have a positive impact on tourism numbers, business travel, and the broader Indian economy. With India continuing to embrace digitalization, the e-TV programme is likely to be expanded even further in the coming years, bringing even more countries into the fold.

This development marks a significant step towards India’s goal of being a more globally connected destination, where international visitors and business professionals can easily access the country without the hassle of traditional visa processing. It is also expected to drive further growth in tourism, education, and cross-border business, contributing to India’s broader economic ambitions in the post-pandemic world.

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