Why more Indians seem to be travelling to Nicaragua

Subject :IR

Section: Places in news

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Interest in traveling to Nicaragua has surged in India, leading to increased queries about visas.
A recent incident involved a Nicaragua-bound chartered flight from the UAE with 303 Indian passengers detained in France on suspicion of ‘human trafficking.’
The Airbus A340 made a technical stop in Vatry, France, where an anonymous tip prompted concerns.
The flight returned to Mumbai, but 25 passengers sought asylum in France, highlighting a notable rise in Indian interest and travel to Nicaragua.

Why have cases of Indians seeking to travel to Nicaragua led to some concerns

Increased interest in traveling to Nicaragua from India has raised concerns about potential misuse as a route for illegal entry into the United States and Canada.
US Customs and Border Patrol data reveals a significant rise, with 96,917 Indians arrested for attempting illegal entry into the US in the fiscal year 2023, marking a 51.61% increase.
While some travelers may have legitimate reasons, the surge in inquiries, especially from individuals with limited international travel history, has led to suspicions.
Notably, a large number of queries are coming from Punjab, followed by Gujarat.

Is the process for obtaining a visa from Nicaragua easy

Obtaining a visa for Nicaragua can be challenging for Indian passport holders due to a lack of clarity and an absence of a Nicaraguan embassy in India.
The country only has an honorary consul general in India, Vivek Burman of the Dabur group, whose office lacks the authority to issue visas or authenticate related documents.
While Indian passport holders are technically eligible for a visa on arrival in Nicaragua, the unclear policy and lack of information in the public domain contribute to confusion in the application process.

How do Indians reach Nicaragua

Indians with valid visas for the US, Canada, and Schengen countries can reportedly reach Nicaragua and obtain a visa on arrival by paying the necessary fee.
However, those without valid visas to these countries are advised to apply for travel authorization directly with the Nicaraguan Ministry of the Interior.
Travel agents recommend even those with valid visas to apply for advance travel authorization due to potential complications in Nicaragua’s immigration procedure, language barriers (Spanish being prevalent), and limited familiarity with regulations for Indian citizens.
The honorary consul general’s office in India directs travelers to contact the Nicaraguan Ministry of the Interior for further information on the visa on arrival process.

Some facts about Nicaragua:

The Republic of Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, bordered by Honduras to the north, the Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Managua is the country’s capital and largest city.