Asia Pacific Superyachts hosted a captains’ meeting in Phuket to announce several regulatory changes for the Andaman Islands. The changes are intended to help the Andaman Islands transform into a high-end tourism destination. Since the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a restricted area, foreigners used to be issued a Restricted Area Permit that allowed them to visit for a maximum of 30 days, with the option of a 15-day emergency extension. Foreigners can now visit the islands for tourism purposes without the permit and are allowed to stay for the duration of their visa’s validity. Obtaining a visa used to require visiting the Indian embassy in person. The entire process is now online, and each person can apply for a visa for a period of one month, one year, or five years. Visa approval is now emailed to the applicant within three to five days. It was previously unclear whether scuba diving and game fishing were allowed, but it has now been announced both are allowed. Inward clearances used to have no set completion timeline, but it is now stated that if you arrive in the morning, you will be cleared in the evening of the same day. LSLFHSD fuel has been added in the Andaman Islands as well. “Those attending were surprised to learn the 30 days restriction has been removed,” said R. Rathnam, owner-agent of Asia Pacific Superyachts Andaman Islands and India. “The visa process is hugely simplified and now can be done online. The process no longer requires an in-person/home country visa application.”