Thailand introduces e-visa for Indian passport holders from January 2025

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: The Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi has announced that Thailand’s e-visa service will be available to Indian passport holders starting 1 January 2025, while the existing 60-day visa exemption for Indian travellers will remain in place.

In a notice on Wednesday, the Embassy clarified that non-Thai nationals must apply for all visa types via the website https://www.thaievisa.go.th. Applications can be submitted either directly by applicants or through authorised representatives.

The Embassy stated that visa applications will be processed approximately within 14 working days from the date the visa fee receipt is issued.

Additionally, the 60-day visa exemption for Indian passport holders travelling for tourism or short business purposes will continue to apply until further notice.

Deadline for visa applications under the current system:

Ordinary passports: Applications submitted through designated visa processing companies will be accepted until 16 December 2024.

Nearly 20,000 Indians, OCI holders join fast-track immigration program since June

NEW DELHI, Dec 4: Nearly 20,000 Indian and foreign nationals with Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards have enrolled in India’s Fast Track Immigration - Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) since its launch in June 2024, officials said.

Initially rolled out at Delhi Airport, the scheme now extends to 31 international airports, including those in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

According to the programme, any individuals seeking entry must provide his/her biometrics failing which they will not be enrolled into the programme.

The initiative was launched to streamline immigration processes by using automated e-gates for faster clearance.

Who is eligible?

The programme currently covers:
Indian nationals

Foreign nationals holding OCI cards

However, those under 12 or above 70 years of age are ineligible. Applicants aged 12 to 18 can use their parents’ or guardians’ email IDs and mobile numbers during registration.

The registration process usually takes about a month, during which field agencies conduct verification, According to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Eligible individuals will be added to a whitelist of trusted travellers.

How does it work?

Applicants must:
1. Register online with personal details and required documents.
2. Submit biometrics—fingerprints and facial images—at designated international airports or Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs).
3. Renew their registration every five years or upon passport expiry, whichever comes first.

Biometrics will be verified at e-gates during travel. Once a traveller’s identity is authenticated, the gate opens, and immigration clearance is granted.

Documents required for registration

Applicants need:
A passport-sized photograph (as per Indian passport specifications)
A scanned copy of their passport (front and back pages)
Proof of present address
OCI card details (if applicable)

Applications may be rejected for reasons such as incorrect information, unclear documents, or outdated photographs.

Why is this programme important?

FTI-TTP draws inspiration from the US Global Entry Programme but adapts it to Indian requirements. While the US programme facilitates expedited entry for international travellers at customs, FTI-TTP focuses on reducing immigration clearance times in India.

According to officials, over 60% of passengers using e-gates experienced faster processing times. Categories of individuals benefitting from the programme include frequent flyers, high-net-worth individuals, CEOs, and businesspersons.

Implementation in phases

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is rolling out the programme in two phases:
1. Indian citizens and OCI cardholders
2. Inclusion of foreign travellers

“The programme runs through automated border gates, minimising human intervention in the immigration process,” the MHA said. The Bureau of Immigration serves as the nodal agency for implementation.

Steps to enrol

@ Register online on the FTI-TTP portal.
@ Upload required documents and provide biometrics at an international airport or FRRO office.
@ Await verification, which may take up to one month.

Once approved, travellers will receive a notification to schedule a biometric appointment.

Points to note

@ ECR passport holders are not eligible.
@ Applicants must have a passport valid for at least six months at the time of applying.
@ If the passport used for registration is lost or expired, travellers must reapply and provide fresh biometrics.
@ For assistance, applicants can contact the support desk at india.ftittp-boi@mha.gov.in.

South African Simplifies of Visa Procedures To Attract More Indians

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: South Africa announced sweeping reforms to its travel infrastructure today, introducing a new digital Entry Travel Agreement (ETA) system and simplified visa procedures as the nation seeks to revitalise tourism links with India.

South African Minister of Tourism, Hon Patricia de Lille (MP), speaking at FICCI’s India-South Africa Business Conclave, revealed that the new ETA system will replace the existing e-visa programme, leveraging technology to create a more efficient entry process. The announcement comes alongside a recently gazetted Trusted Tourist Tour Operator System Scheme, specifically targeting Indian and Chinese markets.

The conclave was organised in association with the South African High Commission and the India-South Africa Chamber of Commerce.

The ministry has also streamlined visa requirements, reducing criteria to three essential documents across all South African missions abroad, eliminating excessive documentation that had previously hindered applications. The new tour operator scheme, which received 23 applications from Indian operators in its first phase, will enable bulk visa processing for group travellers.

Addressing air connectivity challenges, Minister de Lille announced meetings with Air India, Indigo Air, and Spice to explore direct flight routes between the countries. The initiative aims to restore direct connections between Mumbai and Johannesburg, which were discontinued in 2015, currently forcing travellers to route through Middle Eastern or African hubs.

Yunus Hoosen, Head of Invest South Africa, presented ambitious targets for expanding bilateral economic relations, outlining key investment opportunities in South Africa's industrialisation drive, particularly in critical minerals and green energy transitions.

Hoosen detailed opportunities in electric vehicle manufacturing, green hydrogen commercialisation, and pharmaceutical development, noting that Africa lacks any API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) facility despite serving a population of 1.3 billion.

Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Chairman of Sun Foundation and Member of Parliament, highlighted untapped opportunities for bilateral cooperation, particularly advocating for increased collaboration in defence offset arrangements, mining technology transfer, agri-food processing and skills & education.

He called for expedited action on long-standing initiatives, including preferential trade agreements and the revival of direct flights through code-sharing between SAA and Air India.

Professor Anil Sooklal, South African High Commissioner to India, described the initiatives as part of a broader "reset" in bilateral relations. "This relationship needed resetting, and this is the beginning of that reset to bring it back to the level we had under the glorious days of President Mandela," he said.

Ms Jyoti Vij, Director General of FICCI, highlighted emerging areas for bilateral cooperation, particularly in renewable energy, critical minerals, startups, and public digital infrastructure.

"Ongoing discussions for a preferential trade agreement between India and the South African Customs Union hold the promise of reduced trade barriers and enhanced market access," Vij said, emphasising the importance of including women, youth, and small businesses in these initiatives.

The launch of the India-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (ISACC) marks another milestone in strengthening bilateral ties.

Rahul Kaushik, representing ISACC, outlined the chamber's focus on critical sectors, including mining, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and tourism. Our chamber is deeply engaged in advocacy to address regulatory challenges and provide market intelligence, empowering businesses to make informed decisions and capitalise on emerging trends," Kaushik explained, highlighting the chamber's role in facilitating business matchmaking and strategic partnerships.

Ramesh Kumar Mutha, Co-Chair, FICCI Africa Council & Managing Director, Mohan Mutha Exports, also spoke.

On occasion, FICCI signed an MoU with ISACC to jointly work towards the promotion of trade and business.