Vizag airport gets MHA permission for e-visa system

AMARAVATI: In a step that could boost foreign tourist arrivals, the Union Home Ministry has given permission for the e-Visa system at Visakhapatnam airport.

State Tourism Secretary Mukesh Kumar Meena informed here today that foreign tourists desirous of visiting Visakhapatnam could apply online for a visa and obtain authorization by email.

The email could be used for visa stamping upon arrival in Visakhapatnam, he said.

"Tourists and businessmen coming to Visakhapatnam so far had to get their e-Visas either in Hyderabad, Bengaluru or Chennai. The e-Visa facility will now make it easier for them to land in Visakhapatnam directly. Already visa-on-arrival facility is available for visitors from certain countries," Meena said.

Visitors on e-Visa could stay here for two months and could utilize medical tourism facilities, he added.

Visakhapatnam airport will be the first in the state to have such a facility.