Govt proposes Visa-on-Arrival for 30 nations

In an effort to bolster travel facilities, the tourism ministry has proposed to the home ministry a Visa-on Arrival scheme for 30 countries which have a potentially good market.

In an effort to bolster travel facilities, the tourism ministry has proposed to the home ministry a Visa-on Arrival scheme for 30 countries which have a potentially good market.

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The countries for which this facility has been proposed include US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Russia, Spain, Italy and Korea. According to sources, China is also on the list of countries .

However, China does not figure among the top ten countries for which the proposal has been made, but in view of the fact that it is emerging as the number one market in the world, tourism policy makers feel that they do not want to neglect this critical market.

China sends around 1.5 lakh tourists to India every year including many pilgrims to the Buddhist circuit.

“We have had two sets of fruitful discussions with the home minister and he has promised to consider our list,” tourism minister K Chiranjeevi told reporters.

Currently, India has extended VoA facilities to 11 countries including Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

If the current proposal is approved, the number of countries with VoA facilities will increase to 41.

Recently, India signed a pact with France for quick issuance of visa for diplomats.