Relax - Only two trips in six months now for tourists to India

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PETALING JAYA - Tourists to India can now only make two trips to the country with their six-month visas under new rules that came into effect on Monday. Previously, tourists could make as many trips as they liked.

The new ruling also requires a lapse of two months between the trips.

An Indian High Commission spokesman said the new regulation only applied to tourist visas and long-term visas which are for five years.

"Business visas and other visas are not subjected to the two-month regulation," the spokesman said.

She said travellers who needed to re-enter India within two months of their first trip could apply for permission.

"Tourists who need to enter India within two months after the first visit because of sick relatives or other important reasons can contact the High Commission and obtain a letter for multiple entries," the spokesman said.

She said the new rules were drawn up last year and were being implemented here as well as all other countries.

"The Indian government has decided to introduce the new regulation for security purposes. A tourist who visits India would likely enter once and not repeatedly within six months," she said.

The Malaysian Indian Tour and Travel Association said the new ruling would have an adverse effect on frequent travellers to India.

Its president, K. Thangavelu, said local travel agencies and airlines as well as the tourism industry of India would also be affected.

He said there were many travellers who were affected by the 60-day lapse requirement as they had bought tickets for trips which did not take the period into consideration.

"Those who buy from low-cost carriers will not be able to change their tickets easily," he said.

Thangavelu asked the High Commission here to exempt those who already have tickets.

On Nov 4, the Indian home ministry issued a directive that foreigners with long-term multi-entry tourist visas must have a mandatory two-month gap between visits.

The guidelines were introduced after it was revealed that two conspirators of the Mumbai terror attacks, David

Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Rana who are now in US custody, had obtained long-term tourist visas and visited several Indian cities.

Only two trips in six months now for tourists to India

The Star | Thu, Jan 14 2010

The new regulation only applied to tourist visas and long-term visas which are for five years.

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india