India is emerging as a preferred tourist destination for foreigners. Large numbers of foreigners are keen to visit India for tourism. This is important for economy of the country. ...
India is emerging as a preferred tourist destination for foreigners. Large numbers of foreigners are keen to visit India for tourism. This is important for economy of the country.
Being a big consumer market with a rapidly growing economy India has also become an attraction for international business seekers.
With the aim of facilitating the foreigners coming to India and to boost Indian tourism industry Government of India has introduced Tourist Visa on Arrival enabled with ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to 43 countries in first phase viz. (Australia , Brazil, Cambodia, Djibouti, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, Ukraine, Vietnam , USA, Cook Islands , Kingdom of Tongo , Tuvalu , Republic of Nauru , Republic of Kiribati , Vanuatu , Solomon Island , Samoa , Niue , Republic of Palau , Federated States of Micronesia , Republic of Marshall Islands , Fiji , Papua and New Guinea). The facility will be extended to more countries in phased manner.
TVoA-ETA is available for International Travelers whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit etc and no other purpose/ activity.
The TVOA- ETA is allowed for a maximum validity of 30 days with single entry facility by the Immigration Officers at 9 designated airports viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai , Hyderabad , Goa , Trivandrum , Cochin Bangalore and Kolkata on payment of a Visa fee of US $ 60/- or equivalent amount in Indian rupees per passenger (including children). TVOA- ETA is non-extendable, non-convertible and allowed for a maximum of two times in a calendar year. Decision on TVoA Application is conveyed to applicant by e-mail within 72 hours of application submission. TVoA support centre has been setup for 24 * 7 service (Contact Details: - 91-11-24300666, or Email: indiatvoa@gov.in).
“Since 27 November 2014 till 31 December 2014, the government has processed 22,000 visas on TVoA -ETA indicating a significant boost to tourism. It's at par with the visa on arrival (VoA) issued by India between January-November 2014 which totaled 24,963. This is a 41.9% increase from last year when 17,594 VoAs were issued during the same period in 2013.” (Times of India 1st Jan 2015 edition)
The overall project is backed by over 200 strong IT professionals from NIC. Stakeholder involved in implementation of the Project are Bureau of Immigration, State Bank of India, Ministry of Tourism, and Ministry of External Affairs.
For more information: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
Suggestions/views on TVoA- ETA scheme are invited from the public on following:
1. Name of the scheme: - Name should be short, easily comprehensible by foreign tourists/ travelers, sticky and Catchy.
2. Suggestions/Views to ease the process of online application.
3. Suggestions/Views on improving immigration process at Airports.
4. Any other relevant suggestions
Last Date of Submission is 19th February 2015.
Top 10 entries will be recognized and rewarded by Ministry of Home Affairs.
