20th June 2018  

To All Members,  

Sub: Regarding Increase in e-Tourist Visa Fees

Dear Colleagues,

You may be aware, e-Tourist Visa fee has been increased by the Government from USD50 to USD80 without any prior information. Even our Ministry is not aware of this increase made by MEA.   

The matter has been taken up with the Secretary (Tourism), Government of India requesting to withdraw this increase. A copy of the letter sent to Secretary (Tourism) is enclosed for your kind perusal.

Also our President, Mr. Pronab Sarkar has spoken with the Hon’ble Minister. Shri K.J. Alphons and Mr. Suman Billa, Joint Secretary (Tourism), who are all in USA for the Incredible India Road Shows and have assured to take up this matter with MEA.

We shall keep you update with the development in the matter.


With regards,  

 

Rajesh Mudgill

Hony. Secretary

 20th June, 2018

Smt. Rashmi Verma

Secretary

Ministry of Tourism     

Government of India

New Delhi

Sub: Increase in e-Tourist Visa Fees

Respected Madam,

Greetings from IATO!

Our members are shocked to see on the Government official website for Indian Visa  

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/eTV_revised_fee_final.pdf that the e-Visa fees has been increased from US$50 to US$80 plus bank charges. The revised visa fee chart is attached for your ready reference.

This increase has been done without any prior notice and has come to our notice yesterday. Our overseas agents’ in their India packages had only US$50 per person included in the visa fees and now they have to pay US$ 30 from their own pocket.

We are already out priced with our package cost due to high GST rates comparing with our neighbouring countries and when we are trying to recover gradually from the huge decline in business with economic downturn, this is a very retrograde step, which is going to affect International Tourist arrivals to our country negatively.

Our Ministry has set a target of 20 million tourists by 2020, but such retrogressive steps will create hurdle in our efforts to achieve the target.

Madam, purpose of this letter is to request you to kindly impress upon the decision makers in the Ministry of External Affairs to look into the matter and withdraw this increase. Also increase should not be made till we achieve our target of 20 million tourists and that too with at least a 6 month’s notice. 

We look forward to your favourable support in the matter.

Thanks and regards,

  

Pronab Sarkar

President