India extends visa-on-arrival facility to 180 countries

[pmaitra]

On one hand GOI relaxes the Visa norms on the other hand faces threat by goras...

Here's an example

India warns US of consequences on visa reform - The Times of India

He is a bold talking man. I like his attitude.

 

[Blackwater]

On one hand GOI relaxes the Visa norms on the other hand faces threat by goras...

Here's an example

India warns US of consequences on visa reform - The Times of India

True already Goa is taken over Russian and Israeli mafia and not to forget Afrikaans will only bring drugs

 

[TrueSpirit1]

I think the move was in the correct direction. However, the implementation was arguable. This VOA should be offered to a few countries first and eventually applied to all 180 countries. This would provide chance to test the idea and time for the immigration staff to practice at the airport.

The first country qualifies for this should be Hong Kong as Hong Kong allows 14 day visa free for Indians and visa requirement for Pakistan passport holders.

Interesting observation & pertinent perspective.

 

[tramp]

Agree with you. Should've been implemented in stages ... so that issues could be thrashed out on the stride. Now the nation's rickety system would be put too sudden jolt from all around the world.

I think the move was in the correct direction. However, the implementation was arguable. This VOA should be offered to a few countries first and eventually applied to all 180 countries. This would provide chance to test the idea and time for the immigration staff to practice at the airport.

The first country qualifies for this should be Hong Kong as Hong Kong allows 14 day visa free for Indians and visa requirement for Pakistan passport holders.

 

[rock127]

So in addition to tourists... all those criminal Africans,Russian,Israeli and all Headley types are welcome with their prostitutes and drugs. They have already started celebrating.

Way to go India ... that's a way to increase tourism... "Incredible India" !!!

 

[tramp]

Wonder what exactly would have been the thinking of MEA/PMO in coming out with such a sweeping change bordering on empty bravado without any worthwhile discussion.

 

[feathers]

Wonder what exactly would have been the thinking of MEA/PMO in coming out with such a sweeping change bordering on empty bravado without any worthwhile discussion.

This step is good from business point of view but even there is one more big reason behind this which i think is related to Permanent seat at UN security council. All the Permanent members of UNSC are having open immigration laws and if India is doing it in advance in which people of majority of countries can easily enter then its like one more plus point.

Regarding illegal immigration and cross border drug supplies , BSF is doing a wonderful job and when the scanners will be placed completely then the problem will be minimized.

 

[Compersion]

it is good to have such a move. but i am sure it will be "fine tuned" for example with hindsight how david hedley got in. there are 180 countries that is a lot (and pakis are known to not travel on their own passports). also i am not sure if it is visa on arrival. more like "easy visa" before arriving. the big one is PRC and Asean countries what is the status for those countries along with the big 20 economies and the important states like israel, russia, usa, uk, france, germany, etc.

it is good because it will allow the country to market to foreign travelers and also bring in foreign exchange and also make a impact in those countries of origin and some can say impact infrastructure development here to cater for such. also the envy of the pakis will make them change. one look at how maldives is influence. from security perspective (outside david hedley situation) i am sure the security complexes have good enough parameters in place. there is 1.2 billion people here already and we have the godzilla next door(s) ...

 

[rock127]

Wonder what exactly would have been the thinking of MEA/PMO in coming out with such a sweeping change bordering on empty bravado without any worthwhile discussion.

It might be order of our own Raul Vinci !

Elections are near so expect more news.

 

[Blackwater]

well system is not that porus.



before coming to India these people has to apply online clearance from Indian govt/embassy, then only they can travel to india and on landing they have to show that clearance certificate

 

[feathers]

ITAR-TASS: Russia - Russians to be issued Indian entry visas upon arrival at airport from October 2014



NEW DELHI, February 06, /ITAR-TASS/. Russians will able to obtain Indian entry visas upon arrival in that country starting from October 2014.

Indian Minister of Planning Rajeev Shukla told journalists on Wednesday that the government had adopted a extended list of countries, whose citizens can get entry visas upon arrival at an Indian airport. The list will have 180 countries more, including Russia - practically all countries of the globe but for Iran, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and some other states. "It was decided to add 180 countries more to the list," Shukla said. "Now we will need up to six months to prepare the relevant infrastructure at airports."

According to the Indian minister, this regulation will come in force from October 2014 at nine airports, including the Indira Gandhi international airport in New Delhi, the Chatrapati Shivaji international airport in Mumbai, and the Dabolim international airport in Goa.

Visas issued at airports will be valid for a term of 30 days for a single entry. To obtain such visa, a tourist will have to fill in a form via the internet and pay a fee. The visa will be issued in the electronic form in a span of three days to be confirmed at an airport.

The initiative to extend the corresponding list came from India's planning commission. Initially, it was planned to include, apart from Russians, citizens of Brazil, the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and Germany. But later, it was extended still more to include practically all world nations. India has relevant agreements with Japan, Finland, Singapore, Indonesia, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar.

In 2012, India received 6.58 million foreign tourists, or by 4.3 percent more than a year before.

 

[CCP]

How can they make sure the tourists have enough money before they travel to India.
I think India should have extended visa on arrival only to developed and a handful of developing nations, as that is where the tourists are going to come from.
I mean 180 countries, are you kiddin' me ?
@Free Karma : I think China should be extended this offer too. I mean, they are gonna harbor ulfa guys anyway, so why not extract moneys from Chinese tourists.

Yes, China is the biggest spenders on international tourism.

World Tourism rankings - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[pmaitra]

well system is not that porus.



before coming to India these people has to apply online clearance from Indian govt/embassy, then only they can travel to india and on landing they have to show that clearance certificate

Thank you. One of the few sensible comments. Most people are commenting without trying to understand the issue properly.

 

[Known_Unknown]

Thank you. One of the few sensible comments. Most people are commenting without trying to understand the issue properly.

In that case, the headline of the story is misleading. If you have to apply in advance, then it is not really visa on arrival.

For example someone with a US passport can hop on a plane and arrive in Canada or the UK without any prior contact with the destination counter's embassy at all. The visa for such an applicant is stamped "on arrival". Hence it is called visa on arrival.

So if what @Blackwater mentioned is true, then this is merely old wine in a new bottle. Changing the name of the same process to make it sound like a grand improvement.

 

[pmaitra]

In that case, the headline of the story is misleading. If you have to apply in advance, then it is not really visa on arrival.

For example someone with a US passport can hop on a plane and arrive in Canada or the UK without any prior contact with the destination counter's embassy at all. The visa for such an applicant is stamped "on arrival". Hence it is called visa on arrival.

So if what @Blackwater mentioned is true, then this is merely old wine in a new bottle. Changing the name of the same process to make it sound like a grand improvement.

I wasn't expecting the readers to comment after just reading the title and without reading the full content or the article at the link.

Thanks to @Blackwater, now we have some clarity.

 

[Blackwater]

Thank you. One of the few sensible comments. Most people are commenting without trying to understand the issue properly.

In that case, the headline of the story is misleading. If you have to apply in advance, then it is not really visa on arrival.

For example someone with a US passport can hop on a plane and arrive in Canada or the UK without any prior contact with the destination counter's embassy at all. The visa for such an applicant is stamped "on arrival". Hence it is called visa on arrival.

So if what @Blackwater mentioned is true, then this is merely old wine in a new bottle. Changing the name of the same process to make it sound like a grand improvement.

I wasn't expecting the readers to comment after just reading the title and without reading the full content or the article at the link.

Thanks to @Blackwater, now we have some clarity.

thanks p maitra. i think indian system is same american system where as any EU passport holder specially west EU has to apply entry clearance online than only can travel to USA for on arrival stamp.

as known unknown said american can travel without any entry clearance to EU and OZ and NZ


american going to canada is same as dutch going to UK.


as known unknown said its old wine in new bottle"""well this system will help people from harassment , formalities and time waste in applying indian visa and going to indian embassy

 

[cobra commando]

Visa-on-arrival facility boosts tourist influx in Goa - The Times of India

 

[tarunraju]

Great, so all the Birmingham Pakis can enter India as terrorists.

 

[santosh10]

Terrible move. In one swoop, they made the OCI/PIO pretty much meaningless. As for reciprocity, why would the US or UK etc want to open their gates to an immigrant flood from India? Similarly, India will be now saddled with millions of refugees from even poorer countries (Somalia, Bangladesh, et al).

A historic move or a hysterical one?

whats the credibility of this news?

it would be for the few selected countries only, how can you have visa on arrival to whole world, including for those neighbors who will only use this facility against this country?

this man Modi always looks working for the enemies of this country?

 

[santosh10]

There seems to be a difference in reporting..see this:


so is China included in the relaxations or not? imo they should not, especially given recent evidence about them harbouring the ulfa leader and such.

From this it seems two of the three departments in the meeting - Home ministry, and the external affairs were against this, but the pmo pushed this forward. Seems like mms at work again, I've read a lot about how he constantly interferes in foreign policy, implementing what certain other countries want, against the advice of specific department, the problem with this guy is he seems to be over assertive at the wrong areas, at the wrong time while being completely silent on other issues.

From the David Headley issue it's clear that people from U.S cant be trusted ,so you make things even easier for them? And then Bangladesh...while the govt there is doing well, there are still many radical elements at play, with backing from external agencies....well some may say visa restrictions never applied to b'deshis visiting here

No reciprocity, valid concerns from home ministry....pushed through because of mms, yup, pretty terrible. I'm sure some countries could be allowed, but not a blanket of 180.

NEW DELHI: Putting to rest the reservations of the ministries of home affairs and external affairs, India on Wednesday allowed visa-on-arrival facility for tourists from 180 countries, including US, UK, China, UAE and Bangladesh. The move is expected to give a major boost to tourism in the country.

However, tourists from eight "prior reference" countries - Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia and Sri Lanka - will continue to apply for visa through embassy.

Visa on Arrival For Bangladeshis in India

and how Bangladesh is included?

this Modi always emerged, looks like a spy of Bangladesh, to destroy this country, finally. who looks like having enough support from US/UK too in this regard.....

and here, how this man can allow visa on arrival for Bangladeshis until US/UK/Australia/Canada themselves haven't allowed these shiits of Bangladesh in their their homeland? while we have been demanding even Permanent Visa on Arrival for Bangladeshis in US/UK, then how this Bangladeshi born spy of US/UK doing this in India, until US/UK themselves don't want the same?