WELCOME MOVE
Foreigners no longer need to register on arrival in A&N Islands
Swati.Mathur@timesgroup.com
New Delhi:15.10.2018
Further relaxing entry norms for foreign tourists visiting Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the government has done away with a rule which mandated all foreigners visiting the islands to register themselves with the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) within 24 hours of their arrival.
The order, issued by the home ministry on September 17 following a push by the tourism ministry, follows an earlier directive in which the government opened up 29 inhabited and 11uninhibited islands in the archipelago to foreign tourists. The government added Viper Island to its earlier list of 29 islands opened for foreign tourists for day visits.
Ministry officials said the decision will have an impact on tourist arrivals and in the infrastructure development of the Union Territory. In June, the home ministry, following discussions with the ministries of tourism and defence, had removed 29 inhabited islands from the Restricted Area Permit regime that was notified under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order,1963, till December 31, 2022.
The islands thrown open to foreigners for day tours were East Island, North Andaman, Smith Island, Curfew Island, Stewart Island, Land Fall Island, Ayes Island, Middle Andaman, Long Island, Strait Island, North Passage, Baratang, South Andaman, Havelock, Neil Island, Flat Bay, North Sentinel Island, Little Andaman, Chowra, Tillang Chong Island, Teressa, Katchal, Nancowry, Kamorta, Pulomilo, Great Nicobar, Little Nicobar, Narcondam Island and Interview Island.
The ministry, however, clarified that citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, or foreign nationals having their origin in these countries, will continue to need RAP to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In such instances, the RAP will be granted after approval of the home ministry. Myanmarese citizens will also need RAPs to enter Mayapur and Diglipur, for which the ministry’s approval will be mandatory.
Foreigners no longer need to register on arrival in A&N Islands
Swati.Mathur@timesgroup.com
New Delhi:15.10.2018
Further relaxing entry norms for foreign tourists visiting Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the government has done away with a rule which mandated all foreigners visiting the islands to register themselves with the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) within 24 hours of their arrival.
The order, issued by the home ministry on September 17 following a push by the tourism ministry, follows an earlier directive in which the government opened up 29 inhabited and 11uninhibited islands in the archipelago to foreign tourists. The government added Viper Island to its earlier list of 29 islands opened for foreign tourists for day visits.
Ministry officials said the decision will have an impact on tourist arrivals and in the infrastructure development of the Union Territory. In June, the home ministry, following discussions with the ministries of tourism and defence, had removed 29 inhabited islands from the Restricted Area Permit regime that was notified under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order,1963, till December 31, 2022.
The islands thrown open to foreigners for day tours were East Island, North Andaman, Smith Island, Curfew Island, Stewart Island, Land Fall Island, Ayes Island, Middle Andaman, Long Island, Strait Island, North Passage, Baratang, South Andaman, Havelock, Neil Island, Flat Bay, North Sentinel Island, Little Andaman, Chowra, Tillang Chong Island, Teressa, Katchal, Nancowry, Kamorta, Pulomilo, Great Nicobar, Little Nicobar, Narcondam Island and Interview Island.
The ministry, however, clarified that citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, or foreign nationals having their origin in these countries, will continue to need RAP to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In such instances, the RAP will be granted after approval of the home ministry. Myanmarese citizens will also need RAPs to enter Mayapur and Diglipur, for which the ministry’s approval will be mandatory.
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