Lankans may get visa on arrival in India

The Indian Government is considering visa-on-arrival facility to citizens of Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Maldives and the Philippines.

The facility would be offered on a reciprocal basis, ensuring that Indian citizens also get a similar benefit in these countries. At a recent meeting between intelligence agencies, and the tourism home ministries, details have been worked out to allow visa-on-arrival at major international airports.

This concession would be extended later to 18 other countries who do not offer this facility to India. Tourism Ministry officials said providing visas on arrival would not be a problem since advance passenger information system is in place at the six major international airports.

"The Home Ministry has cited some security issues in allowing visa-on-arrival to the nationals of all 18 countries. Therefore, chances are that the facility would be provided to only those countries which offer reciprocal benefit to Indian tourists," a Tourism Ministry source said.

Sources said the Home Ministry has agreed to consider implementation of visa-on-arrival gradually. The Indian Government is now considering visa-on-arrival to citizens of the US, Japan, France, Germany, New Zealand, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Finland, South Korea, Vietnam, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and the UK. A liberal visa regime will facilitate business visits to India which, in turn, will boost foreign investment.

The Indian Government feels that by mid-2009, infrastructure at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai will have been upgraded to handle tasks related to issue of visas. At present, the infrastructure at major airports is inadequate for providing visas on arrival.

The visa-on-arrival list initially had 16 countries, which has now been enlarged by including the US and the UK. A final decision on the list will be taken shortly. While India has always refrained from issuing visas on arrival, this facility has been extended to certain categories of visitors in special circumstances.

In December 2004, the Government announced visa on arrival at Wagah border for certain categories of Pakistani travellers. (The Economic Times)