Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart about UK citizens needing to complete a paper-based visa application, before visiting India; and what steps he has taken to have the e-Tourist visa reinstated.
Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The FCDO has regularly lobbied the Government of India (GoI) to improve visa services for British Citizens and will continue to update Travel Advice on GOV.UK with the latest information. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary raised the lack of e-visas for British Citizens with the Indian External Affairs Minister during his visit to India on 29 October. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon also raised it with the Indian High Commissioner on 25 October. We will continue to press India to re-introduce e-visas for British Citizens.