India tightened entry restrictions in 2009 in the wake of revelations
that David Headley, a foreign militant who helped plot the 2008 attacks
in Mumbai, regularly stayed in India on long-term tourist visas.
Taking a much appreciated move, Indian officials decided to extend visa-on arrival to tourists of all nations, as it looks to boost tourism. Rajeev Shukla, the Planning Minister, on Wednesday, Feb 5 informed that only eight countries will not be allowed to apply for the same. According to sources, the eight countries are -- Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Somalia. The minister, however, refused to give any details of reason(s) for which the nationals of above mentioned countries will be barred from this facility.
Reports from India say the visa on arrival facility includes citizens of the United Arab Emirates.Most foreigners currently have to wait several weeks before learning whether they will be allowed to enter India after submitting their applications at visa processing centres, a major deterrent for potential visitors.
Under the new scheme, many tourists will be allowed to apply online and then receive the green light within five days, before picking up their visa at the airport on arrival into India.
"We have decided to extend the visa-on-arrival facility to tourists from 180 nations," Planning Minister Rajiv Shukla told reporters in the capital late Wednesday.
"The facility will provide a major boost to the country's tourism sector. This is historic," Shukla said.
Visitors from countries which account for the bulk of India's tourists -- such as the United States, Britain and France -- that have had to go through the time-consuming process of applying in person will be among those to benefit from the changes to regulations.
A meeting of top foreign ministry, tourism and other government officials on Wednesday cleared the way for the changes, which were also recently approved by the India's intelligence agencies.
The changes were first mooted last October, although only for 40 countries.
The government hopes to have the necessary infrastructure in place, including at the country's airports, by October in time for the start of the peak tourist season, local media reported Thursday.
India currently issues visas on arrival to visitors from 11 foreign nations, including Japan, Finland and Indonesia.
Despite its cultural attractions, beaches and mountains, India attracts relatively few foreign holidaymakers -- 6.58 million in 2012, which was about a quarter of Thailand or Malaysia.
Taking a much appreciated move, Indian officials decided to extend visa-on arrival to tourists of all nations, as it looks to boost tourism. Rajeev Shukla, the Planning Minister, on Wednesday, Feb 5 informed that only eight countries will not be allowed to apply for the same. According to sources, the eight countries are -- Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Somalia. The minister, however, refused to give any details of reason(s) for which the nationals of above mentioned countries will be barred from this facility.
Reports from India say the visa on arrival facility includes citizens of the United Arab Emirates.Most foreigners currently have to wait several weeks before learning whether they will be allowed to enter India after submitting their applications at visa processing centres, a major deterrent for potential visitors.
Under the new scheme, many tourists will be allowed to apply online and then receive the green light within five days, before picking up their visa at the airport on arrival into India.
"We have decided to extend the visa-on-arrival facility to tourists from 180 nations," Planning Minister Rajiv Shukla told reporters in the capital late Wednesday.
"The facility will provide a major boost to the country's tourism sector. This is historic," Shukla said.
Visitors from countries which account for the bulk of India's tourists -- such as the United States, Britain and France -- that have had to go through the time-consuming process of applying in person will be among those to benefit from the changes to regulations.
A meeting of top foreign ministry, tourism and other government officials on Wednesday cleared the way for the changes, which were also recently approved by the India's intelligence agencies.
The changes were first mooted last October, although only for 40 countries.
The government hopes to have the necessary infrastructure in place, including at the country's airports, by October in time for the start of the peak tourist season, local media reported Thursday.
India currently issues visas on arrival to visitors from 11 foreign nations, including Japan, Finland and Indonesia.
Despite its cultural attractions, beaches and mountains, India attracts relatively few foreign holidaymakers -- 6.58 million in 2012, which was about a quarter of Thailand or Malaysia.
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