Q453. Two month gap between visits to India now removed for tourists of many countries

Question: Dear website administrator My friends and I are British citizens and are planning a visit to Goa. While we have visited Goa previously a few years back now I am told that India has a new rule where people must be absent from India for two months before being allowed back in. Please confirm this and clarify how this works for tourists visiting India frequently. Nicole

Answer: The two month gap rule does not apply to you and your friends as you are all British citizens. As of December 2012, this rule was relaxed for tourists visiting India. Now the two month gap rule applies only to citizens of Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, foreigners of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Nationals of all other countries are exempt. The revised guideline from the Ministry of Home Affairs is copied below. However, rules and regulations do change periodically. When you apply for Indian visas, the Indian consulate would be able to provide you with the latest rules and regulations in this regard.