NEW DELHI: India has introduced a new e-group visit visa facility for foreign tourists arriving by cruise ships, in a move aimed at simplifying entry procedures and giving a fresh boost to the country's growing cruise tourism sector.

The new facility, introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, allows eligible foreign nationals travelling on cruise vessels to enter India through designated seaports using a group visa arrangement. The initiative is expected to make India more attractive to international cruise operators and encourage them to include Indian ports in their itineraries.

According to the newspaper report published on September 4, the new facility is available to nationals of 112 countries eligible for India's tourist e-visa. Cruise operators or their authorised agents can apply for the e-group visit visa through the designated online portal or mobile application.

Easier visa process for cruise travellers

Under the new system, applications for the e-group visit visa must be submitted at least three days before the cruise ship's scheduled arrival at its first Indian port.

There is reportedly no limit on the number of tourists who can be included in an e-group cruise visa application. The visa will have a validity of 30 days and permit multiple entries, providing greater flexibility for passengers travelling on cruise itineraries covering more than one Indian port.

The streamlined process is expected to reduce paperwork and make immigration procedures more convenient for international cruise passengers.

QR code to simplify immigration

The new e-group visa will include a QR code, enabling passengers to use the digital document at immigration checkpoints when entering and leaving the country.

Passenger information—including name, nationality, passport number, date of issue and expiry and other relevant details can be uploaded in bulk through the designated online system or mobile application.

The move is expected to make the arrival and departure process more efficient for cruise passengers while reducing administrative requirements for cruise operators.

Boost expected for tourism and local businesses

The government expects the simplified visa arrangements to encourage international cruise companies to include Indian ports in their itineraries.

The benefits of increased cruise tourism are expected to extend beyond port operations. More international cruise passengers can create additional business opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tour companies and local communities.

Cruise passengers typically spend on shore excursions, sightseeing, food, shopping and local experiences, potentially spreading the economic benefits of cruise tourism across several sectors.

Keralam could benefit from India's cruise tourism expansion

The new initiative could also create opportunities for Keralam, traditionally known as Kerala, which has an established tourism industry and a long coastline.

Kerala is already an important international tourism destination, with attractions ranging from beaches and hill stations to Ayurveda, wellness, cultural experiences and the famous backwaters. Greater international cruise connectivity could provide another channel through which overseas visitors are introduced to these tourism products.

For the state's tourism industry, the expansion of cruise tourism could benefit hotels, resorts, restaurants, taxi and transport operators, tour companies, guides, shopping establishments and local tourism businesses.

The wider development of cruise tourism could also encourage the creation of new shore-excursion products connecting ports with nearby destinations and experiences.

India looks to strengthen cruise tourism

India has been taking steps to develop cruise tourism as part of its wider tourism strategy. The newspaper report notes that the government has introduced major initiatives since 2020 to promote cruise travel in the country.

India's extensive coastline provides considerable potential for both international and domestic cruise tourism. The country also has a substantial network of navigable inland waterways, creating possibilities for the development of river and coastal tourism alongside conventional ocean cruises.

The new e-group visa facility is therefore being seen as another step towards making India a more convenient and attractive destination for international cruise travellers.

New opportunities for India's tourism sector

The growth of cruise tourism could have a multiplier effect across India's travel and hospitality industry.

With easier visa procedures, international cruise companies may find it more convenient to develop Indian itineraries, while tourism businesses can create new products designed specifically for cruise passengers.

For Keralam and the wider Indian tourism sector, the development presents an opportunity to combine cruise travel with established strengths such as wellness, Ayurveda, heritage, beaches, backwaters, nature tourism and cultural experiences.

The new e-group visa initiative could therefore mark an important step in India's efforts to attract more international cruise travellers and ensure that the economic benefits of cruise tourism reach destinations and businesses across the country.