The government has approved a new liberalised visa policy where tourist, business, medical and conference visas can be merged into one. This long-term multiple-entry comprehensive visa, sources said, will help boost tourist and trade-based visits to India. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday also decided to extend the e-Tourist Visa to eight more countries, taking the total number of countries which are under the cover of the scheme to 158.

An official statement said that the Cabinet has given its approval for liberalisation, simplification and rationalisation of the existing visa regime in India and incremental changes in the visa policy decided by the Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with various stakeholders. The approval will facilitate entry of foreigners for tourism, business and medical purposes.

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