India Unveils E-Group Visa for Cruise Tourists

India has launched an electronic group visa (e-group visa) for cruise tourists to simplify their entry into Indian ports. This new category is designed specifically for organized groups of foreign nationals arriving by sea, typically on international cruise itineraries that include multiple Indian ports.

The e-group visa aims to reduce paperwork at busy terminals and help immigration authorities manage large passenger movements in a more predictable way. The facility has been added alongside existing categories such as e-tourist, business, medical, and others.

India's government is pushing to expand its maritime tourism industry and capture a larger share of global cruise traffic by 2047. The new e-group visa complements individual e-tourist visas that are already valid for entry through international airports and seaports.

The e-group visa works within India's existing electronic travel authorisation platform, which has been progressively expanded since its launch in 2014. Applicants can provide itinerary information and passenger details in a consolidated format, making it easier for cruise operators to manage group processing.