Following request from various Embassies, the Government has now renamed the ‘tourist visa-on-arrival’ scheme as ‘e-tourist visa’ scheme with effect from Wednesday. The renaming aims to avoid inconvenience to foreign tourists who, misled by the scheme’s nomenclature, would fly to India presuming that they would be granted visa on arrival upon landing.
“It has been observed that the name of the scheme is creating confusion among tourists. Tourist presumed as if the visa is being granted on arrival. However, in present system the pre-authorisation of visa to foreigners is being given prior to travel,” Union Home Ministry said in a press release. The Ministry officials said there were requests from several embassies for a change in nomenclature of the scheme. A committee of officers from the Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry and Bureau of Immigration recently suggested renaming of ‘tourist visa on arrival-electronic travel authorization (TVoA-ETA) scheme’ as ‘e tourist visa’ (eTV) scheme, “keeping in mind the application process and purpose of the scheme,” said the release.
Under the ‘tourist visa on arrival-electronic travel authorization scheme’, a foreign tourist is required to apply for a visa online by uploading his photograph and passport and also paying his visa fee online. The visa authorities would then process his application and send him an electronic travel authorisation, or simply e-visa, via e-mail within 72 hours.
As per the new system, the tourists flying into India, e-visa will be the only requirement in Immigration. Directions have also been given to grant visas on spot, said officials. The Home ministry officials said extension of the e-TV scheme to more countries was on track and more countries would be covered in a phased manner. TVoA-ETA facility can now be availed by tourists from 44 countries landing at nine airports across India. Around 1.10 lakh visas have been granted under the scheme so far.