Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday announced that once the government starts issuing visas again, the first 5 lakh tourist visas will be given free of cost.
She said the free tourist visa scheme will be applicable till March 31, 2022, or till 5 lakh visas are issued. “Everyone will get free tourist visas.” The finance minister said this will have a great incentivising impact on those short-term tourists who come in for just a month.
MoS Anurag Thakur said a person can take benefit of free visa scheme only once.
Addressing a press conference, the finance minister also said that financial support will be proved to more than 11,000 registered tourist guides/travel and tourism stakeholders.
“Working capital/personal loans will be provided with a 100 per cent guarantee to people in tourism sector.” “No processing charges, waiver of prepayment charges.”
Working capital or personal loans will be provided to the people, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, to restart their businesses and discharge their liabilities.
Sitharaman also announced various other schemes to combat the impact of COVID-19.
