The Indian government recently expanded the permitted arrival locations for travellers on an e-visa. Since the beginning of August 2024, travellers holding an e-visa for India may enter the country through the Port Blair harbour on the Andaman islands. This is good news for travellers who want to visit the islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Indian archipelago in South East Asia
Most travellers do not associate India with islands and beaches. However, there is an Indian archipelago called the Andaman islands around 1000 km from the Indian mainland, which has tropical rain forests, mangroves, sandy beaches and coral reefs. The beaches of the Andaman islands are often regarded as the most beautiful beaches in India, and the islands are well-suited for diving and snorkelling. The varied landscapes and colourful underwater world have made the archipelago an attractive tourist destination.
In the past, international tourists holding an e-visa were only allowed to enter the Andaman islands through the airport in Port Blair, which is the capital of the archipelago. At the beginning of August, the Indian minister of Foreign Affairs greenlighted the opening of the Port Blair seaport as an officially recognised border control point. Since then, travellers may arrive at the Port Blair seaport on an e-visa. This is of particular interest for cruise travellers who want to stop at the Andaman islands, as well as for people travelling to the area on their own boat or yacht.
E-visa arrival locations
European travellers always need a visa to be allowed to enter India. This also applies to the Andaman islands, which are governed by India as a union territory. Applying for an e-visa is the easiest way to meet the visa requirement. You can apply for this visa for India online, without having to visit an embassy or consulate or to submit your passport.
You need to meet some requirements to apply for an e-visa. The most important requirement applies to the passport. You need to hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 more months when you enter India. Also, your travel purpose must fall under the categories of tourism, business or medical travel. Besides these requirements, the Indian government only allows travellers on an e-visa to enter the country at certain entry locations. This includes 28 airports and 5 seaports. Recently, Port Blair was added as the 6th seaport at which travellers holding an e-visa are allowed to enter the country. Earlier, travellers who wanted to arrive at the Port Blair harbour in India had to apply for a physical visa.
Stimulating tourism on the Andaman islands
The Andaman islands are a protected area of India. A few years ago, this protected status required travellers who wanted to visit the archipelago to apply for a special permit before departure. Since a few years, travellers may apply for this Restricted Area Permit (RAP) after arrival in Port Blair. Allowing travellers to apply for the RAP in Port Blair and adding the Port Blair harbour to the permitted entry locations on an e-visa has made it easier for travellers to visit the Andaman islands. The local government hopes that the new border control point at the Port Blair seaport will attract more tourists to visit the archipelago on board of cruise ships and (sail) boats, which would increase tourism incomes.