India extends `visa-on-arrival' facility to 5 more countries
30 Dec 2010
The government today announced an extension of the scheme of `visa-on-arrival' facility to five more countries, namely, Japan, Singapore, Finland, Luxembourg and New Zealand, in the New Year.
Beginning 1 January 2011, the visa-on-arrival facility for tourists will be available at the designated international airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata on payment of a fee of $60 or equivalent amount in Indian rupees per passenger (including children).
The single entry visas, with a maximum validity of 30 days, will be issued by the immigration officers at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata airports.
Tourists from these countries can avail of the facility for up to 30 days for medical treatment, for casual business or to visit friends and relatives, etc. The facility, however, is not applicable to holders of diplomatic/official passports.
A foreigner can avail the facility for a maximum of two times in a calendar year, with a minimum gap of two months. Such visa, however, is non-extendable and non-convertible.
Visa-on-arrival will also be not granted to foreigners who have permanent residence or occupation in India as they can visit India on normal visas, as applicable.
Up to November 2010, about 5,664 foreign nationals have availed the facility, introduced early this year, the government said in a release.