Home Affairs has exempted cruise tourists arriving with e-visa from the requirement of biometric enrollment for a period of three years to promote cruise tourism in the country. <br/><br/>Shipping Ministry in a release said, this will make immigration clearance of such passengers faster, leaving them with more time to spend on shore. <br/><br/>E-Visa has been in place in the five major ports of Mumbai, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin and Chennai. The Ministry said, till now biometrics of passengers were required at port of first arrival for immigration clearance. <br/><br/>This simplified immigration clearance procedure is part of a series of steps to attract and to enhance cruise passenger experience at the major ports. <br/><br/>The Ministry said, the standard operating procedures to handle cruise was revised earlier and is being implemented uniformly at all ports. <br/><br/>In November, last year major ports reduced their tariffs for 3 years by 42 to 67 per cent to make it attractive for cruise lines to visit India.