eVisa dream, a reality for 43 nations
Now, Incredible India will get an Incredible number of tourists. Visitors from over countries will be able to avail VoA enabled by Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which has been launched on November 27, 2014.
History was made on November 27 as the decision to guarantee Tourist Visa-on-Arrival facility, enabled by Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), for 43 countries was rolled out by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge) Dr Mahesh Sharma, in Delhi.
The ministers were joined on stage by Tourism Secretary Dr Lalit Panwar, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Anil Goswami, former Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan, IATO President
We've been assured by the tourism associations that the growth in FTAs will be doubled in a very short time It conveys the message of how important the sector is and it augurs well for the industry This is being looked as a big boon for business travellers. We can't even calculate the impact that this is going to have.
Subhash Goyal and IATO Secretary Pronab Sarkar.
All arrangements, including the software, are ready at nine international airports - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Goa.
“It's a major decision of the Government of India. It conveys the message of how important the sector is and it augurs well for the industry. Depending upon how it is received, we'll request the government to increase this from 43 to many more countries,” says Dr Panwar.
Dewan, who has been at the helm of affairs ever since the announcement had been made, says, “We are grateful to the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, the Home Minister and the Home Ministry that this revolutionary step has been taken. I'm predicting this year we are going to achieve 7.5 million tourists, then next year, we are looking at 8.2-8.3 million tourists with VoA. This will not just help boost tourism, but also develop the business sector. In fact, this is being looked as a big boon for business travellers. We can't even calculate the impact that this is going to have.”
In order to get a VoA, one would need to apply on the designated website along with the required fees (US$ 60). They would be granted an ETA within 72 hours. The tourists will need to enter India within 30 days from the date of approval of ETA and will be valid for 30 days stay in India from the date of arrival.
Usha Sharma, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, says, “It is a historic moment. We've been assured by the tourism associations that the growth in FTAs will be doubled in a very short time. We are looking forward to when India will be seen as a country where the visa regime is liberalised and people can visit regularly. We see a very bright future for the country.”