India has announced a visa-on-arrival facility for tourists from Japan, South Korea, and the UAE, aiming to boost tourism. This new visa policy, valid for 60 days with double entry, applies to visits for tourism, business, conferences, and medical purposes. The service is available at six designated airports: Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
The visa-on-arrival scheme is part of India’s efforts to make travel more accessible and convenient for foreign nationals. Travelers can obtain their visas upon arrival at the airport, following the submission of necessary documents to immigration authorities. This initiative is expected to enhance the ease of travel and attract more visitors to India.
In addition to visa-on-arrival, India offers an e-visa facility for nationals from 167 countries. The e-visa, which includes an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), allows entry through 30 designated international airports and six major seaports. Like the visa-on-arrival, the e-visa permits a stay of up to 60 days for tourism, business, conference, and medical purposes.
To ensure tourist safety, 15 state governments and Union Territories have deployed tourist police. The Ministry of Tourism has also set up a 24×7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline, offering guidance in 12 languages. This toll-free service provides valuable support to both domestic and foreign tourists.
India’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme, launched in 2014-15, has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0, focusing on sustainable and responsible tourism. The scheme aims to develop tourism infrastructure with an emphasis on eco-friendly and destination-centric approaches. This initiative aligns with other national programs to boost tourism and economic growth.
Source: Business Standard