Visa on Arrival Scheme
In order to promote tourism, Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) scheme was
introduced for the nationals of five countries, namely, Japan,
Singapore, Finland, Luxembourg and New Zealand with effect from
01.01.2010 for one year. The scheme has been found to be useful by the
foreign nationals. The Government of India has extended the Tourist Visa
on Arrival (TVOA) scheme for the nationals of above mentioned five
countries. Further, TVOA scheme has been introduced for the nationals of
Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Philippines with effect from 01.01.2011; and
for the nationals of Myanmar and Indonesia with effect from 28.01.2011.
The TVOA is allowed for a maximum validity of 30 days with single entry
facility by the Immigration Officers at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and
Kolkata Airports on payment of a fee of US $ 60/- or equivalent amount
in Indian rupees per passenger (including children). TVOA is allowed for
a maximum of two times in a calendar year to a foreigner with a minimum
gap of two months between each visit. TVOA shall be non-extendable and
non-convertible.
The foreigners of above mentioned countries may also avail of TVOA for
up to 30 days for medical treatment, for casual business or to visit
friends/relatives, etc. The TVOA facility is not applicable to the
holders of Diplomatic/Official Passports. Further, TVOA shall not be
granted to the foreigners who have permanent residence or occupation in
India. Such persons can visit India on normal visa, as applicable.
Country-wise list of citizens who visited India under Tourist Visa on
Arrival scheme is as under:
New Zealand
2010: 1944
2011: 242
Japan
2010: 1457
2011: 155
Luxembourg
2010: 71
2011: 6
Singapore
2010: 1814
2011: 125
Finland
2010: 1263
2011: 156
Philipines
2010: 0
2011: 98
Cambodia
2010: 0
2011: 4
Vietnam
2010: 0
2011: 4
Laos
2010: 0
2011: 0
Indonesia
2010: 0
2011: 0
Myanmar
2010: 0
2011: 0
There is no proposal to extend visa on arrival facility to citizens of
other countries.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home
Affairs, Shri Mullappally Ramachandran in written reply to a question
in the Lok Sabha today.
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RS/KKA
Source: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=70406
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