The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has added 11 new entry points for foreign nationals holding e-visas, making it easier for international travellers to enter India through more airports and land ports.

The newly notified entry points include two airports and nine land ports. The airports are Bhopal and Tirupati, while the new land ports are Agartala, Darranga, Gede, Ghojadanga, Haridaspur, Jaigaon, Dawki, Moreh and Attari (Road).

With this addition, the total number of international ports authorised for e-visa holders has increased to 88. These include 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports. The MHA said the move is part of its wider efforts to make India's visa system more liberal, simple and convenient while continuing to maintain security through improved technology and digital infrastructure.

The Ministry also highlighted the growing use of India's electronic visa system. Nearly 95% of e-visa applications are processed within 72 hours, while around 78% of all visas issued by India are now electronic visas. India introduced its e-visa facility in 2014 for citizens of 43 countries. Since then, the programme has expanded significantly and is now available to nationals of 172 countries.

The e-visa system currently covers 17 sub-categories across tourist, business, medical and student streams. It also includes transit, mountaineering, miscellaneous and group visitor visas for cruise travellers. The MHA said the latest expansion is part of its continued efforts to support legitimate foreign travel while maintaining strong security measures through technology-driven border management systems.