United States Aligns With United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Others in India’s Tourism Push as NITI Aayog Proposes Expanded Visa-on-Arrival, Multiple Entry Permits and Simpler eVisa Rules for International Travelers

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India could soon become significantly easier to visit as the country’s top public policy think tank has proposed sweeping reforms to modernise its visa framework, simplify entry procedures and position India as one of the world’s most accessible tourism destinations.

In its latest report, Unlocking Growth in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector, NITI Aayog has recommended introducing a 90-day multiple-entry Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) for travellers from selected countries, simplifying India’s eVisa system, reducing administrative barriers and making international travel to India more seamless. The recommendations are part of a broader strategy to strengthen inbound tourism and support India’s ambition of becoming a global tourism powerhouse.

A Major Shift in India’s Tourism Strategy

India already welcomes millions of international visitors every year, but policymakers believe complicated visa procedures continue to discourage spontaneous travel.

According to the NITI Aayog report, India should gradually transition from a predominantly pre-approval visa model to a facilitation-led system that reduces friction for genuine tourists while maintaining border security. The proposed reforms include expanding Visa-on-Arrival to selected countries, introducing multiple-entry permissions, streamlining visa categories and improving digital infrastructure.

What Has Been Proposed?

Among the most significant recommendations are:

• A 90-day multiple-entry Visa-on-Arrival for travellers from selected countries.
• Simplification of India’s eVisa system by reducing the number of visa categories.
• Faster digital processing and improved user experience.
• Easier hotel approvals and tourism investment reforms.
• Stronger digital payment infrastructure for foreign visitors.
• Better multilingual visitor support and simplified arrival procedures.

Why These Reforms Matter

Global tourism has become increasingly competitive, with countries across Asia and the Middle East introducing visa-free travel, digital visas and integrated travel services to attract international visitors.

India’s proposed reforms aim to reduce procedural delays, encourage repeat visits and improve the country’s competitiveness in the global tourism market. NITI Aayog has argued that simplifying entry requirements could convert more travel interest into actual arrivals, particularly among leisure and business travellers.

Building a Tourism Economy

The proposals form part of India’s broader vision to dramatically expand tourism’s contribution to the national economy.

The report identifies regulatory bottlenecks—including visa complexity, hotel approvals and licensing—as key obstacles to growth. It also notes that India welcomed approximately 20.6 million international visitors, including NRIs, in 2024, while branded hotels account for less than 8% of the country’s estimated lodging capacity, highlighting significant room for expansion.

Digital Travel at the Centre

Alongside visa reforms, India has already introduced several initiatives to modernise the visitor experience, including expansion of eVisa access, the digital e-Arrival Card and the UPI One World prepaid wallet pilot for international travellers. These initiatives aim to create a smoother end-to-end travel journey while strengthening India’s digital tourism ecosystem.

What Happens Next?

The recommendations are currently policy proposals rather than implemented government rules. Any expansion of Visa-on-Arrival or changes to the eVisa system would require government approval and phased implementation.

If adopted, however, the reforms could mark one of India’s most significant tourism policy shifts in recent years, making travel planning easier for international visitors while supporting the country’s long-term ambition of becoming one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.

Conclusion

If these recommendations move from policy paper to government action, they could represent a defining moment for India’s tourism industry. Simplifying visa procedures has long been viewed as one of the most effective ways to boost international arrivals, and a 90-day multiple-entry Visa-on-Arrival, combined with a more streamlined eVisa system, would significantly reduce one of the biggest barriers facing potential travellers. By making entry faster, more predictable and digitally efficient, India would send a strong signal that it is ready to compete with the world’s leading tourism destinations that have embraced traveller-friendly visa policies.

Beyond attracting more leisure tourists, the proposed reforms could also strengthen India’s appeal for business travellers, conference delegates, medical tourists, spiritual pilgrims and repeat visitors, many of whom currently navigate multiple visa requirements for separate trips. Easier entry procedures could encourage longer stays, multi-city itineraries and higher visitor spending, benefiting airlines, hotels, tour operators, restaurants, transport providers, local artisans and small tourism enterprises across the country. As tourism has a far-reaching multiplier effect, increased international arrivals could generate employment, stimulate regional economies and encourage greater investment in hospitality infrastructure, particularly in emerging destinations beyond India’s traditional tourism circuits.

The recommendations also reflect a broader shift in India’s tourism strategy—from focusing solely on attracting visitors to creating a seamless end-to-end travel experience. By combining visa simplification with digital payment solutions, multilingual support, streamlined hotel approvals and enhanced visitor services, the country is laying the groundwork for a more competitive, technology-driven tourism ecosystem that aligns with evolving global traveller expectations.

For now, however, the proposed Visa-on-Arrival expansion and other reforms remain recommendations contained in NITI Aayog’s report and have not yet been approved or implemented by the Government of India. Their eventual rollout will depend on policy decisions, inter-ministerial consultations and security considerations. Nevertheless, the report offers a clear roadmap for the future of India’s tourism sector—one centred on accessibility, efficiency and visitor convenience. If translated into policy, these reforms could not only simplify travel to India but also reinforce the country’s position as a world-class destination, unlocking new opportunities for sustainable tourism growth and strengthening its role in the increasingly competitive global travel landscape.