Aiming to boost tourism, the Government has introduced the concept of Collective landing Permits (ClP) for group tourists from several countries but has barred those from nine nations, including China, Pakistan and Sri lanka by putting them on the negative list.
The move has come close on the heels of liberalising the tourist visa on arrival (T-VoA) for people from 11 countries — Finland, Japan, luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, laos, Myanmar and Indonesia.
Welcoming the notification issued by the Home Ministry in regard to the ClP, Union Tourism Minister K Chiarnjeevi on Saturday said that the facility will be available at the airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Thiruvanathapuram and Goa.
The seaports in Marmagoa (Goa), Kochi, Calicut, Mumbai, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Nhava Sheva and Kolkata will also provide similar facilities, he said adding that the step would make the country more tourists-friendly destination.
However, the facility of Collective landing Permits shall not be available to the nationals of Afghanistan, China, Ethiopia, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Somalia, Sri lanka, Pakistan and foreign nationals of Pakistani origin.
“No landing permit facility at all shall be granted to a national of Afghanistan, China, Ethiopia, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia
and Sri lanka and foreign
nationals of Pakistani origin even if he/she is transiting through India and has a confirmed onward journey ticket," said an official from the Tourism Ministry.
In case such a foreigner lands in India without a visa, he/she shall not be allowed to leave the airport/seaport, and shall be put on the first available flight/ vessel for the destination, the release added.
As per the notification, foreign tourists in groups of four or more sponsored by the travel agencies approved by the Union Ministry of Tourism and with a pre-drawn
itinerary will be provided a collective landing permit for a maximum of 60 days. Multiple entry facilities will also enable them to visit neighbouring countries.
If the tourists or travel agencies want to avail the facilities for themselves then they can fill in an application online. "The list of members along with the printed visa application and their itinerary should have to be submitted to the Foreigner's Registration Office concerned," said the official.
An undertaking will also have to be given to conduct the tour as per the itinerary and that no individual will be allowed to drop out from the group. Compared to the collective landing permit, the T-VoA is valid for 30 days.