Good news for travellers: Visa-on-arrival now for Japan, South Korea, and UAE tourists

In an exciting development for international travellers, India has introduced a visa-on-arrival facility for nationals from Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This new provision, announced by the Ministry of Tourism, aims to streamline travel for tourists, business professionals, medical visitors, and conference attendees.

As confirmed by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a Lok Sabha update, travellers from these three nations can now obtain a visa-upon-arrival at six designated Indian airports: Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The visa-on-arrival is valid for up to 60 days and allows for double entry, providing enhanced flexibility for visitors.

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This initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to boost tourism and simplify the travel process for international visitors. In addition to the visa-on-arrival, the Ministry of Tourism has expanded the e-visa facility, which now includes Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for nationals from 167 countries. This e-visa allows entry through 30 international airports and six major seaports across India, significantly easing the way for international travellers to visit the country.

The Ministry of Tourism continues to focus on improving the tourism experience through various measures. It conducts need-based surveys, research, and feasibility studies to inform policy development and assess existing programs. This data helps identify areas for improvement and ensures that tourism policies meet their intended objectives.

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For tourist safety, 15 state governments and Union Territory (UT) administrations have deployed tourist police, enhancing security and support for visitors. Additionally, the Ministry has established a 24×7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline, available toll-free at 1800111363 or via short code 1363. This service offers guidance and information in 12 languages, including 10 international ones, catering to both domestic and foreign tourists.

The Swadesh Darshan scheme, launched in 2014-15, aims to develop tourism infrastructure across India. It provides financial assistance to states, UT administrations, and central agencies for tourism projects. Since its inception, the scheme has sanctioned 76 projects with a total funding of INR 5,287 crore, of which INR 4,944 crore has been released. The revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) now focuses on creating sustainable and responsible tourism destinations with a tourist-centric approach.

Additionally, the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) has been introduced to integrate the development of pilgrimage destinations. Under PRASHAD, INR 1,621.14 crore have been sanctioned, with INR 1,024.18 crore already released.

These initiatives highlight India’s commitment to enhancing the travel experience and promoting sustainable tourism, making it an increasingly attractive destination for global travellers.