Government of India (GoI) has announced Tourist Visa-on-arrival for citizens from five countries- Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore, in an effort to promote tourism. The Ministry of External Affairs (MoEA) said that the Visa- on-arrival plan for passengers from the five countries will be implemented from January 8, 2010 and will continue for a year on an 'experimental basis'. According to a report in Economic Times, MoEA mentioned that the Visa is aimed at foreign tourists from these countries who plan their trips on a short notice. Tourists can also procure their Visas from the Missions/Posts in the normal course.

The Visas given on arrival for the nationals of these five countries will have a maximum validity of 30 days with single entry facility which will be given initially by the immigration officers at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata airports. While announcing the new Visa-on-arrival policy, GoI also attempted to clarify the way the new Visa guidelines will be implemented.