> > I wonder if that will lead to reciprocity in visa issuance relaxations > from > those countries. > > Reciprocity is one of the major principles in visa issuance guidelines by > the way. Either that or they might just reduce the visa fees to a token > amount. >
Yes, but it is only one of several factors. I haven't seen the list of countries, but I think visa on arrival will only be introduced for your usual set of Western countries. Those countries simply will not start issuing visas on arrival to Indians (too many concerns about illegal immigration etc) but hopefully, yes, cheaper visas and some relaxation in the rules. In particular, it would be most useful if they exempted Indian citizens who are resident in one western country from the visa requirement for another (as Switzerland very sensibly already does). And gave multiple entry and longer term visas more easily (like the UK/US 5/10 year visas). Visa on arrival (initially at least) won't apply to other countries, but despite that, there's generally a move (slow but sure) towards liberalizing visa rules for Indians even elsewhere, as countries start to realize that Indians aren't just potential illegal immigrants, but also tourists, businessmen, etc. For eg, Indians were only granted visa-on-arrival privileges to Mauritius from late 2004 (I was one of the early people to use it in early 2005 and was subjected to some pretty detailed questioning). At any rate, there is a benefit for India even in unilaterally relaxing pointless visa rules. After all..the global passport system was only established around the time of the first World War I think..and the visa regime (I believe) only around the 60s and 70s (coinciding with the post-colonial era and large scale migration..) Badri
