Kerala only state with VoA at 2 airports

Kerala has become the gateway to India for holidaymakers from 43 countries who can now get Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) enabled with ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) at the Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi international airports. Effective from November 27, the TVoA, enabled with ETA, will allow tourists to apply and pay the fee for the visa online, without having to travel to the Indian missions in their home countries. Applicants who are approved will receive the official travel authorisation via email and they only need to present a printed copy of this to the immigration authorities upon their arrival in India.

Kerala is the only state to have two airports where the service has been introduced and the Thiruvanantha-puram and Cochin air- ports are among only nine in the country to offer this facility. Discussions are currently underway to introduce it at the Kozhikode airport as well. “This new facility will make travelling to Kerala hassle-free for citizens of many countries. We will ensure that potential visitors are aware of this advantage by intensifying our promotional campaigns there,” Kerala Tourism Minister AP Anil Kumar said.