Visa-on-arrival for all, except 8 countries

In a move towards relaxing the visa norms, the government has extended the visa-on-arrival facility to almost all nations, 180 countries, but eight, from September.

The government has also given green light to Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which will allow foreign travelers to apply and receive their visa online.

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The eight countries that have been kept out are Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Somalia.

The facilities will initially be implemented to few airports, like Mumbai, Delhi Kolkata, Chennai and others, and will be extended later.

Speaking to media on Wednesday, minister of state, Planning Commission, Rajiv Shukla said the facilities have been widened to boost tourism. He said that it will take another 5-6 months to put in the required infrastructure in place, adding the government hopes to implement it from September-October.

India has agreement with 11 countries, including Japan, Finland, Singapore, Indonesia, Luxembourg, New Zealand, under the current visa-on-arrival facility.

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.

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. India earned USD 33 billion as tourism fee in 2013 and forex earnings registered a growth of 2.2 percent.