Narendra Modi announces slew of visa sops for Indian-Americans

The next Pravasi Diwas will be held in Ahmedabad in January 8-9 next year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in New York on Sunday and announced various steps for the benefit of Non-Resident Indians including life-long visa for Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders.

He also announced visa on arrival facility for the American citizens and electronic arrival authorisation for them.

Person of Indian Origin and Overseas Indian citizen category to be merged to create a single category to remove the discrepancies and to help those whose spouses are of different nationality. There will not be any police reporting for those staying for long durations.

Outsourcing services will be provided to give faster and hassle free service to NRI , he said, adding he may have been living miles apart but he can understand their problems.

The Pravasi Diwas will coincide with the 100 years of coming back of Mahatma Gandhi next year, he said.

(PTI)