After much hue and cry over the ‘Visa on Arrival’ not being as the name sounded, the Indian government has now christened it ‘e-Tourist Visa’. The ‘Visa on Arrival’ was announced with much fanfare recently by India for 45 countries including Australia. But it was later realised by many applicants the scheme was actually nothing but an ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation’ which one got by advance applying etc. and the visa was later stamped at an Indian airport. Many travellers were misled and faced hardship on the issue.
Last month Australia based newspapers South Asia Times (SAT) and Indian Subcontinent Times (IST) had raised the issue and quoted Mr. Girish Shankar, Additional Secretary as saying, “to obtain the ‘Tourist Visa on Arrival’ at an Indian airport, one has to carry an ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation’ (ETA). One has to in advance apply online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/tvoa.html with a recent photograph and the photo page of the passport uploaded and pay $ 60 fees.”
According to SouthAsia.com.au website, A later story by prominent Indian journalist Karan Thapar where he described a person known to him was denied a visa on arrival and was deported from an Indian airport seems to have moved the authorities to rename the ‘Visa on Arrival’ as ‘e-Tourist Visa’.
The requirements for an Indian tourist visa remain the same as outlined in the older program.
Instead of going to an Indian embassy, travelers have to apply and pay online then present a print-out at a point of entry in India. Applications must be made at least 72 hours to 30 days in advance of travel.
Only nine Indian cities are equipped to handle passengers arriving with the new visa, including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi, Goa and Thiruvananthapuram.
Some travelers have complained about confusion over the program’s name on social media.