Business

Visa Applications From India Exceed Pre-Covid Levels

Visa applications from India rose by 4% in 2024, surpassing pre-Covid 2019 levels, according to VFS Global. In 2019, Indians filed 65 lakh visa applications, while in 2024, the number increased to 67.6 lakh, as per industry sources.

Government data shows that over 3 crore Indians traveled abroad in 2024, marking an 8.4% increase from 2023’s 2.8 crore and a 12.3% rise from 2019’s 2.7 crore.

Despite strong outbound travel, foreign tourist arrivals in India remain below pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, 96.6 lakh foreign tourists visited India, up 1.4% from 2023’s 95.2 lakh, but 11.6% lower than 2019’s 1.1 crore.

The Indian travel industry is still waiting for a full inbound tourism recovery. Bangladesh, India’s largest source of foreign tourists, saw economic and political issues that slowed inbound growth. Industry experts believe that foreign tourist arrival (FTA) estimates need revision as they also count Indian diaspora visits and expats working in India.

Strong Demand For International Travel

VFS Global highlighted that the top destinations for Indian travelers in 2024 included Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the US, and the UK.

“India continues to show a strong demand for international travel, and this momentum will persist in 2025,” said Yummi Talwar, VFS Global COO (South Asia).

Also Read: India’s Power Consumption Rises To 131.54 Billion Units In February

Ajaypal Choudhary

Recent Posts

Hina Khan Hails 11 Years Of PM Modi’s Leadership; Highlights National Progress

As the nation marks 11 years under PM Modi's leadership, actress Hina Khan shares her…

4 hours ago

Subhash Ghai Hails PM Modi’s Transformative Vision For India

Subhash Ghai has praised PM Narendra Modi’s leadership for catalysing India’s growth and changing the…

4 hours ago

India & Central Asia Boost Rare Earth Cooperation At Delhi Meet

India and five Central Asian nations have agreed to deepen cooperation on rare earths and…

5 hours ago

PM Modi’s Beej Se Bazaar Tak Vision Reshapes Indian Agriculture

Prime Minister Modi has redefined Indian agriculture with the ‘Beej Se Bazaar Tak’ vision, transforming…

5 hours ago

EV Sales Cross 4% Mark In May; Signalling Steady Shift To Green Mobility

EV sales topped 4% of passenger vehicle retail in May 2025, signalling growing demand for…

6 hours ago

Self-Reliant Defence Industry Marks India’s Strategic Security Ascent

One year into Modi 3.0, reforms have reduced poverty, strengthened defence, and accelerated the digital…

6 hours ago