Japan, South Korea, UAE Now Offer Visa-on-Arrival for Tourists: A Traveler's Dream

India has recently introduced a visa-on-arrival facility for tourists from Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a significant development for international travelers. Announced by the Ministry of Tourism, this new provision aims to simplify travel procedures for tourists, business professionals, medical visitors, and conference attendees.

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, confirmed in a Lok Sabha update that nationals from these three countries 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 permits double entry, offering greater flexibility for visitors.

This initiative is part of India's broader strategy to boost tourism and streamline the travel process for international visitors. Alongside the visa-on-arrival facility, the Ministry of Tourism has expanded the e-visa program. The e-visa now includes Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for nationals from 167 countries. This e-visa facilitates entry through 30 international airports and six major seaports across India, further easing access for global travelers.

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To improve the tourism experience, the Ministry conducts regular surveys, research, and feasibility studies to inform policy development and assess existing programs. These measures help identify areas for improvement and ensure that tourism policies effectively meet their objectives.

For enhanced tourist safety, 15 state governments and Union Territory (UT) administrations have deployed tourist police to support and secure visitors. The Ministry has also established a 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline, available toll-free at 1800111363 or via short code 1363. This helpline provides guidance in 12 languages, including 10 international languages, catering to both domestic and foreign tourists.

The Swadesh Darshan scheme, launched in 2014-15, continues to support tourism infrastructure development 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 develop pilgrimage destinations. Under PRASHAD, INR 1,621.14 crore has been sanctioned, with INR 1,024.18 crore already released.

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