Tourist visa on arrival for 40 more countries including the US, the UK, Brazil, Germany, Canada and Australia, would soon be a reality as the Home Ministry is expected to clear the proposal soon.
"The proposal to allow on-arrival Tourist visa to citizens of 40 more countries will be a reality soon as the Home Ministry is expected to give its clearance soon," Planning MinisterRajeev Shukla told PTI.
"Home Ministry's clearance would be last and final approval required for this proposal as it has already been approved by other ministries and departments like External Affairs, Tourism and Prime Minister's Office," the minister said.
The countries for which visa on arrival facility would be extended are: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, Swedan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Poland, Norway and Ireland.
Under the visa on arrival system, India has agreement with different countries, including Japan, Finland, Singapore, Indonesia, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos and Myanmar.
Last year, the Planning Commission had initiated the process for making India a more tourist friendly destination, which includes simplifying online visa and attracting senior citizen foreign visitors.
In a meeting convened by the Commission in October, besides its Deputy Chairman Montek SinghAhluwalia, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan, Additional Home Secretary and representatives from the Intelligence Bureau and the PMO (Prime Minister's Office), among others, had discussed the matter.
During the meeting, all officials, including National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, were of the view that India should extend visa on arrival facility for these 40 countries as it would help in garnering more foreign exchange.
According to Tourism Ministry data, foreign tourist arrivals in the country in 2013 saw an increase of about 4.1 per cent as compared to 2012.
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