Visa on arrival for tourists from five countries

In a boost to the tourism sector, the government has decided to introduce a visa-on-arrival scheme for tourists from five countries from early next year.

Tourists from Singapore, Finland, New Zealand, Luxemburg and Japan will be given the visa-on-arrival facility on a pilot basis for a period of one year, tourism secretary Sujit Banerjee said here today.

The scheme will be applicable in airports as well as ports across the country.

The decision was taken after tourism ministry had sought introduction of the scheme for tourists coming from those countries which are potential source markets for India, and from where there are no security concerns.

The modalities of the implementation of the scheme are being worked out with all the stakeholders and will be notified very shortly, Banerjee said.

About the duration of the visa to be given under the scheme, he said the home ministry is finalising the guidelines, and it would be specified soon.

The visa-on-arrival scheme is expected to provide a quantum jump in foreign tourist arrivals to India from these countries in future.