Update on New VOA policy for India?

[BabooMcgoo]

Anyone else following the story regarding the mooted new visa policy in India re:voa's? It was big news a couple of months ago. Nothing but radio silence since. :>(

[gerry123]

NOTHING TO REPORT over and out (radio ga ga)

[Jay Sata]

Pretty much a waste of time as there are only a few countries eligible.

They are Finland,Japan,Luxembourg,New Zealand and Singapore. To be honest they have shot themselves in the foot

over the years with the abysmal service at the third world Mumbai airport and Delhi is not much better.

Having gone through the mayhem of security and immigration the average passenger can't wait to leave India.

The subcon has a lot to offer but the tourist authorities need to discover how to make a visitor welcome. There are much better locations in the world so best avoid India.

I'd need a free visa to stopover.

[BabooMcgoo]

@ Jay

As I understand the Thaivisa policy no links are allowed. Bit of a paranoid policy but it is what it is. If you google "voa India" you will find many articles announcing the new policy towards 40 countries.to be included. Here's a copy and paste from one. ( If that is allowed.)

India opens up visa on arrival to 40 countries to promote tourism.

... Some people from countries that have to go through the hassle of securing visas in advance are some of the largest providers of foreign tourists to India. Allowing visas on arrivals would encourage even more visitors from these countries to visit India, as a significant barrier is removed, he adds.

The countries to whose nationals may be given visas on arrival are: Britain, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Malaysia, Australia, the Russian Federation, South Korea, Italy, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, the UAE, South Africa, the Maldives, Sweden, Israel, Switzerland, Oman, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Kenya, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Norway, Portugal, Ukraine, Mauritius, Ireland, Tanzania, Turkey, Brazil, Czech Republic, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Bahrain and Argentina.

“This move by the government is actually a very timely move,” says Mr Thottathil. “Especially from the point of view that we need more tourists to come to India. Currently our share in international tourism is only 0.64 per cent which is very low for India as a destination... .

So next time Jay before you condesc end you should do a modicum of research.

[Jay Sata]

@ Jay

As I understand the Thaivisa policy no links are allowed. Bit of a paranoid policy but it is what it is. If you google "voa India" you will find many articles announcing the new policy towards 40 countries.to be included. Here's a copy and paste from one. ( If that is allowed.)

India opens up visa on arrival to 40 countries to promote tourism.

... Some people from countries that have to go through the hassle of securing visas in advance are some of the largest providers of foreign tourists to India. Allowing visas on arrivals would encourage even more visitors from these countries to visit India, as a significant barrier is removed, he adds.

The countries to whose nationals may be given visas on arrival are: Britain, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Malaysia, Australia, the Russian Federation, South Korea, Italy, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, the UAE, South Africa, the Maldives, Sweden, Israel, Switzerland, Oman, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Kenya, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Norway, Portugal, Ukraine, Mauritius, Ireland, Tanzania, Turkey, Brazil, Czech Republic, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Bahrain and Argentina.

“This move by the government is actually a very timely move,” says Mr Thottathil. “Especially from the point of view that we need more tourists to come to India. Currently our share in international tourism is only 0.64 per cent which is very low for India as a destination... .

So next time Jay before you condesc end you should do a modicum of research.

Well thanks for that advice. I spent a couple of years in India and Pakistan so I'd better put your advisory in my diary for 2014.

India and Pakistan have a lot to offer tourists but sadly I feel most of the 'tourism' on offer would not suit the average tourist.

How would you improve the terrible immigration and dirty airports? The rip off's every where?

Thailand is bad but India and Pakistan are worse.

@ Jay

As I understand the Thaivisa policy no links are allowed. Bit of a paranoid policy but it is what it is. If you google "voa India" you will find many articles announcing the new policy towards 40 countries.to be included. Here's a copy and paste from one. ( If that is allowed.)

I quite agree but there are other better sites for the Subcon.

Bon voyage

Jay