TOURIST VISA ON ARRIVAL

Tourism is one of the significant instruments for economic growth and

employment generation in the country. India's performance in tourism sector
showed a remarkable progress in the past three years. In 2012, the number of
foreign tourist visits increased to 207.31 lakh and Foreign Exchange Earnings
(FEEs) from tourism reached Rs.94, 487 crores.
In this growth figure the Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) Scheme has played a
significant role.

Government of India has introduced Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) scheme for the
nationals of eleven countries

Countries whose citizens are eligible for TVOA

Japan
Singapore
Philippines
Finland
Luxembourg
New Zealand
Cambodia
Laos
Vietnam
Myanmar
Indonesia.

Airports Offering TVOA Facility

Delhi

Mumbai

Chennai

Kolkata

Kochi

Thiruvananthapuram

Hyderabad

Bengaluru

TOURIST VISA

Tourist Visa can only be granted to a foreigner who does not have a residence or
occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight
seeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives, etc.
TOURIST VISA ON ARRIVAL (TVOA) SCHEME
The main objective of the TVOA Scheme is to attract more foreign tourists and to
encourage them to plan their travel to India at a short notice
The TVOA is allowed for a maximum validity of 30 days with single entry facility
by the Immigration Officers at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata Airports on
payment of a fee of US $ 60/- or equivalent amount in Indian rupees per
passenger (including children). TVOA is allowed for a maximum of two times in a
calendar year to a foreigner with a minimum gap of two months between two
visits. TVOA shall be non-extendable and non-convertible.
The foreigners of above mentioned countries may avail of TVOA for a period up
to 30 days for tourism, medical treatment, casual business or to visit
friends/relatives, etc. The TVOA facility is not applicable to the holders of
Diplomatic/Official Passports. Further, TVOA shall not be granted to the foreigners
who have permanent residence or occupation in India. Such persons can visit
India on normal visa, as applicable.

Eligibility
A Tourist Visa-on-Arrival can be granted to a foreigner who is a national of
Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam,
Philippines, Laos, Indonesia or Myanmar and:

i.

ii.
i.

ii.

Note:

Whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual

visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or
casual business visit etc. and no other purpose/ activity
Who does not have a residence or occupation in India;
Who holds a passport with a minimum validity of six months and a reentry permit, if that is required under the law of the country of
nationality of the applicant;
Who is a person of assured financial standing (the production of a
return ticket and availability of sufficient money to spend during his
stay in India may be considered sufficient for this purpose).

(i)

A citizen from the above-named countries who wants to come to India

for purposes other than as mentioned above or for a longer duration
should be granted a visa of the appropriate category by the Indian
Mission / Post concerned.

Validity
A Tourist Visa-on-Arrival will be valid for entry and stay in India within
the period of its validity subject to the conditions specified. The
Immigration officer may grant single entry Tourist Visa-on-Arrival valid
up to 30 days to the nationals of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New
Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Indonesia or
Myanmar. Tourist Visa-on-Arrival shall be nonextendable and nonconvertible.
Entry Points
The Tourist Visa-on-Arrival will be provided only at designated international
airports namely, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata and NOT at any other
Immigration Check Post (ICP).
Fee for Tourist Visa-on-Arrival
A fee of Indian Rupees equivalent to US $ 60/- per passenger (including children),
will be charged from each foreigner for the grant of a Tourist Visa-on-Arrival.
Form
The visitors are required to fill a simple Visa application Form on arrival at the
concerned airport. One Passport size photograph is required with the application.
Repeat visits
Tourist Visa-On-Arrival may be allowed for a maximum of two times in a calendar
year to a foreigner with a minimum gap of two months between two visits.
The Tourist Visa-on-Arrival facility shall not be applicable to holders of
Diplomatic/Official passports. Existing procedures/ guidelines, as applicable to
these countries for this category, shall continue to apply.
The extant laws / rules / procedures governing entry, stay and exit of the
foreigners will apply to the holders of Tourist Visa-on-Arrival. There shall be no
deviation from conditions/ procedures outlined above.

FTAs in India, 2010-2013 (Till June)

% change over the

Year

FTAs in India (in million)

2010

5.78

11.8

2011

6.31

9.2

2012

6.58

4.3

2013 (Provisional) (Jan

3.31

2.6

previous year

June)
FEE (in US$ Million) from Tourism in India, 2010-2013 (Till June)
FEE from Tourism in India

% change over the

(in US$ million)

previous year

2010

14193

27.5

2011

16564

16.7

2012

17737

7.1

2013 (Advance

9201

8.8

Year

Estimates) (Jan-June)
Group Visas on arrival have also been allowed under the Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA)
Scheme . The foreign tourists in groups of four or more arriving by air or sea and
sponsored by Indian travel agencies approved by thE Ministry of Tourism and with a predrawn itinerary will be granted Collective Landing Permit for a period not exceeding 60
days, with multiple entry facilities. In order to avail of this facility the tourists or travel
agencies are required to mandatorily fill in an online application form.

Eligibility for Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA)

Eligibility

for

A Tourist

Tourist

Visa-on-Arrival

Visa

can

be

of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New

on

Arrival

(TVOA)

to

citizens

granted

Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia,

Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Indonesiaor Myanmar and:

whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to
meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit
etc. and no other purpose/ activity;

who does not have a residence or occupation in India;

who holds a passport with a minimum validity of six months and a re-entry permit,
if that is required under the law of the country of nationality of the applicant;

who is a person of assured financial standing (the production of a return ticket and
availability of sufficient money to spend during his stay in India may be considered
sufficient for this purpose).

The TVOA

facility is not applicable to the holders of Diplomatic/Official

Passports. Further, TVOA shall not be granted to the foreigners who have
permanent residence or occupation in India.

Countries whose citizens are eligible for TVOA

Finland

Japan

Luxembourg

New Zealand

Singapore

Cambodia

Vietnam

Philippines

Laos

Indonesia

Myanmar

Airports Offering TVOA Facility

Delhi

Mumbai

Chennai

Kolkata

Kochi

Thiruvananthapuram

Hyderabad

Bengaluru

VALIDITY OF TOURIST VISA ON ARRIVAL (TVOA)

A Tourist Visa-on-Arrival (TVOA) will be valid for entry and stay
in India within the period of its validity subject to the
conditions specified. The Immigration officer may grant
single entry Tourist Visa-on-Arrival valid up to 30 days to
the
nationals
of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New
Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia,
Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Indonesia or Myanmar. Tourist Visa-onArrival shall be non- extendable and non-convertible.
REPEAT VISIT
may be allowed for a maximum
of two times in a calendar year to a foreigner with a
minimum gap of two months between two visits.
Tourist Visa-On-Arrival (TVOA)

Entry Points for Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA)

The Tourist Visa-On-Arrival (TVOA)

from Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New

is available for foreign nationals arriving

Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia,

Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Indonesia or Myanmar at

of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai,

international

airports

Kolkata, Kochi,

Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The government is planning to

extend TVOA facility to Goa airport also. The TVOA facility is available only at the
designated airports and not at any other Immigration Check Post (ICP).

FEE FOR TOURIST VISA ON ARRIVAL (TVOA)

A fee of Indian Rupees equivalent to US $60/- per

passenger (including children), will be charged from each
foreigner for the grant of a Tourist Visa-On-Arrival (TVOA) .
FORM FOR TOURIST VISA ON ARRIVAL (TVOA)
The
foreign
nationals
arriving
from Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New
Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia,
Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Indonesia or Myanmar are required to
fill a simple Visa application Form on arrival at the
concerned airport provided by the Immigration Officer for
the grant of Tourist Visa-On-Arrival (TVOA) .

Online Indian Visa Form

Documents required for Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA)

Passport valid for at least 6 months and contains minimum two blank pages.

Two Passport size photographs

Photocopy of Passport

Return ticket