India announces visa-on-arrival service for 3 countries, including UAE tourists: key details inside

The Indian government on Monday, 5th August 2024, announced visa on arrival for citizens of Japan, UAE and South Korea for tourism, business, conferences and medical purposes. The facility is currently available for travellers at six airports – Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.

There is also an added criteria that citizens from these three countries who have obtained an e-visa or a regular paper visa earlier only are eligible to receive the on arrival visa service. The mentioned visa would be valid for 60 days and travellers will be able to visit the country up to two times during the time period of 2 months, the Indian Visa Portal informed. 

Common points to note about this visa;

While there are a few particular rules for UAE nationals to abide by, some regulations remain general for all. These are as follows;

• This facility is not available to any person if he/she or either of his/her parents or grandparents was born in Pakistan or is a permanent resident of Pakistan. Such individuals can visit India only on an appropriate visa obtained from the concerned embassy.

• The Visa on arrival facility is not available to holders of diplomatic or official passports.

• Visa on arrival facility is non extendable and non refundable.

• Japanese, South Korea and UAE nationals are required to fill up an Annexure 1 / application form to avail visa on arrival.

• The Indian Government has advised the travellers to download the form, print it, fill and  present the same to the Visa Officer at the visa counter on arrival. The form can also be filled upon arrival.

• The format of physical form would also be available from the airlines on board the flight by which the visitors would be coming. The nationals from the 3 countries applying for these visas need to have a VoA Application Form along with a duly filled disembarkation card.

Things to note for UAE Nationals;

UAE nationals who are visiting India for the first time are advised to apply for a regular paper visa. Pakistan origin UAE nationals would not be eligible for visa on arrival scheme. Besides these, every point that is applicable for the other two nations that are Japan and South Korea, the same points would be applicable for UAE nationals.