New Delhi: In a move which will come as a boost for the medical tourism and health sector, government on Thursday allowed free medical visas for Maldivian nationals for 90 days.
"The Home Ministry has allowed free visas for 90 days for medical purposes for Maldivians," a senior tourism ministry official said, adding that "there was a demand for medical visa rules relaxation from the Maldives."
Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi has met Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde earlier over proposals seeking health check up facility on tourist visas and granting of longer duration and multiple entry facilities for medical visas. The tourism ministry had also sought a reduction in the fee for medical visas.
The restriction on 60-days` gap between two entries was also lifted.
"Except for nationals from seven countries, including China, Pakistan and Bangladesh, India has relaxed tourist visa rules... The two-month cooling-off period between two visits has been lifted," he said.
It was also agreed that medical visa holders would be no longer required to report to the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) if their visa was for less than 180 days.
