How Can You Get an Indian Visa on Arrival?

Earlier, traveling to other countries included a trouble-some process like standing in long queues and a whole lot of paper-work. The Government of India eased the process of obtaining an Indian visa in the year 2010. The Indian Government launched the visa on arrival for India scheme on January 1, 2010. At first, this facility was started for 5 countries. However, in a year it grew up to 11 countries and by April 2014 it expanded to include South Korea.

 How to Apply for Indian Visa on Arrival? 

The Indian visa on arrival marked a huge growth in the tourism sector and contributed to the economic growth of the country. So, the Government of India further replaced this facility with Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in November 2014. It was carried out in gradual stages and later on extended to include some more countries.

Due to several confusions over Visa on Arrival and Electronic Travel Authorization, the Indian Government renamed the ETA process as ‘e-Tourist Visa’ in April 2015.

In April 2017, the scheme was renamed to ‘e-Visa’ and grew up to 161 countries to facilitate the Indian visa services.

The e-Visa to India is actually different from the Visa on Arrival to India. The Visa on Arrival need not be applied in advance as it is processed after the arrival. The services of Visa on Arrival for India is available only for three following countries:

• Japan
• South Korea
• United Arab Emirates

Please note- The only citizens of United Arab Emirates who have obtained e-Visa and regular visa for India earlier can apply for Visa on Arrival in India.

The Process to Apply for Visa on Arrival

• Once the foreign national arrives on the destination port, the applicant needs to fill up a physical application form that can be availed from the website as well as from the airlines.
• The applicant needs to carry the application form and a valid passport along with him/her and approach the Visa counter at the Indian Airport.
• The application form, purpose of the applicant’s visit and eligibility and documents will be then verified by the Visa officer.
• The officer will grant the Indian visa on Arrival, once the eligibility of the applicant is approved by stamping the application form.
• After the approval by the Visa officer, the foreign national has to complete the payment process of Indian Visa on Arrival. The bio-metric details (scanned finger-prints) of the applicant will be verified further.
• And lastly, the passport will be stamped by the Immigration Officer.

The validity of Visa on Arrival

Visa on Arrival for India is valid for 30 days and a single entry is permitted during the relevant period. The validity period of Indian Visa on Arrival cannot be extended.

Visa on Arrival can be permitted for a maximum of two times in a year to the citizens of the eligible countries.

Indian Visa on Arrival Fees

Fees of Rs. 2000 or equivalent in a foreign currency will be charged from each foreign national that desires to visit India.

Also Read: https://www.tripoto.com/trip/top-tourist-attraction-of-india-5e2840de09b2f