Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), will be given a life-long visa by India, according to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.
America passport holders travelling to India will also be given a 'hassle-free Visa on Arrival', said Modi while addressing a sell-out 20,000 strong primarily Indian-American crowd at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday night.
He also said that American passport holders visiting India for tourism purposes will be given a 'Long-Term' visa.
Modi also spoke about foreign nationals married to Indians or PIOs. He said the visa regime will be relaxed to include spouses of PIOs.
The Indian Prime Minister said the two concurrent schemes - PIO and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) will be merged into one scheme.
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He also pointed out that currently foreign passport holding Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) on long term visits to India, have to report to the police station at regular intervals to report their whereabouts. "This will not be required soon."
He also revealed that his government is making outsourcing services easier for NRIs to operate.
"All these changes will come into effect in a few months, Modi told a jubilant crowd.
NRIs welcome move
"Lifelong visas for holders of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card and also merging of PIO and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card are most welcome steps taken by Prime Minister of India and this will really help the Indians who visit India for leisure as well as to meet the relatives, said Kamal Vachani, Regional Director of Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) of India and Group Director of Dubai-based Al Maya Group.
"Visa on Arrival for American passport holders will boost the Indian tourism industry as well as economy and also help tourists understand the Indian tradition and culture.
"The withdrawal of the reporting to police stations by the NRIs holding foreign passport on regular intervals will really help the general tourist travel to India and this will really boost travelers to India," he added.
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