Indian Online Visa Pilot Programme

On the 12th January a pilot programme was launched in Australia so that it will be easier for the Indian business and tourism visitor who are planning on travelling Down Under.

The scheme is only a trial initiative that is specific to 600 visas for Indian business and tourism visitors so that they can apply for that visa online. Only a selected number of travel agents across India will be rolling out the pilot programme.

Australia Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb stated,”India is one of the world’s fastest growing outbound travel markets. This trial will make it easier for Indian visitors to apply for visas to travel to Australia.”

Andrew Robb is also responsible for Tourism continued,”Under the Australian Government’s national tourism strategy, Tourism 2020, India has the potential to contribute between $ 1.9 billion and $ 2.3 billion annually to our tourism industry by 2020. That’s why in the first half on 2015, the Australian Government is rolling out a trial of online visa applications to capitalise on this rapidly growing visitor market and create jobs.”

This pilot programme follows up from the Australia-India Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism that was signed back in November by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Australia.