India to cut red tape and issue visas on arrival in a bid to boost tourism

Published: 07:24 EST, 18 February 2014 | Updated: 12:14 EST, 19 February 2014

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Famed for its complicated bureaucracy, India is no different when it comes to applying for a visa - with holidaymakers often having to wait two weeks or more to receive approval to visit the country.

But now in a bid to boost tourism and business, the government is launching a visa-on-arrival scheme for visitors from 180 countries, including the UK.

The scheme is expected to be rolled out by October, in time for India's peak tourist season. It will allow holidaymakers to pick up a 30-day visa at the airport upon arrival.

See the sights: It will be easier to visit India from October thanks to a government plan to issue visas on arrival

The current visa process involves submitting an online form, sending your passport to the Indian High Commission along with photos and a pre-paid envelope for your documents to be returned. The visa itself costs £80 and there is a £12.20 handling fee.

The application can be so complicated that some tourists choose to pay companies to fill out their visa form on their behalf, costing around £45.

The new system will still involve a fee - although the amount is still unconfirmed - and tourists will be encouraged to visit an official website to apply and pay the charge before they fly. The visa will then be available for pick up at one of 26 major airports after three days.

Winter sun: The colourful coastal state of Goa is a particularly popular destination for British tourists

There are only 11 countries currently eligible for a visa on arrival, including Finland, Singapore and Japan. But with the extension of the scheme, most countries will be included except nationals from Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Somalia.

Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi said: 'This is a very good step. The visa-on-arrival for 180 countries will definitely boost the foreign tourist arrivals in the country.'

Planning Minister Rajeev Shukla confirmed that the government hopes to roll out the new visas by the beginning of October.

Western & Oriental’s Indian Subcontinent programme manager Jane Manzoni said: 'We’ve already had clients inquire about the new visa-on-arrival scheme for India so the evidence points to a real boost for tourism going forward.

'The impact could be two-fold – the current system with its fairly lengthy process puts people off travelling to India and although there are not-to-be missed highlights including cultural touring in Rajasthan and spa and beach holidays in Kerala, travellers tend to default to places with an instant visa process.

'And of course India will also become accessible to travellers looking for a last minute holiday getaway and to those who may not have considered travelling to India in the past.'

Helen Pink, Kuoni UK sales support executive addedL 'If the proposed electronic visa on arrival service in India is implemented later this year, it would significantly reduce the time it currently takes to process visa applications and give customers greater flexibility and the opportunity to book a last minute holiday.'