The highest number of visitors were from the United Kingdom, followed by United States, China, France and Germany

Around 18 lakh foreigners visited India on electronic visas till October 31 this year, a Home Ministry statement said.

The highest number of visitors, 2,92,143, were from the United Kingdom, followed by the United States with 2,21,339, China 1,27,022, France 1,07,185 and Germany 89,863.

Over 17 lakh foreigners visited India on e-visa in 2017.

The government received $105,558,496 as e-visa fees in 2017 and $137,527,270 (₹993 crore approx) till October 31 this year.

Covers 166 countries

The number of foreigners who visited India on e-visa has gone up from 4,47,000 in 2015 to 18.7 lakh till October 31 this year. The e-visa facility now covers practically all the countries of the world, 166 as of now. Foreigners can arrive at any of the designated 26 airports and five seaports in India without interacting with any official before checking in at the immigration counter.

Under the e-visa scheme, an applicant receives an email authorising him or her to travel to India after it has been approved. The tourist can travel with a printout of this authorisation, a Home Ministry official said.

On arrival, the visitor has to present the authorisation to the immigration authorities who would then allow entry into the country. E-visa is now available for five categories ie. tourist, business, medical, conference and medical attendant. To promote cruise tourism, immigration facilities have been provided at five major seaports where e-landing permits are granted to passengers for their onshore site-seeing.