SL not in Indian VISA extension list

5 February 2014 05:12 pm - 37 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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New Delhi: India will extend visa-on arrival to tourists of all nations barring eight, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Iran, as it looks to boost tourism, Planning Minister Rajeev Shukla said on Wednesday.

"We have decided to extend the visa-on-arrival facility to tourists from 180 nations. It will take 5-6 months for the respective departments to put the required infrastructure in place. We hope to implement this from the next tourist session beginning October," he said here.

India currently offers visa-on-arrival to tourists from 11 countries like Finland, the Philippines, Singapore and Japan.

This facility is now being extended to 180 countries. The only exception to this rule will be nationals from Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Somalia, he said without giving reasons. Following a high-level meeting with representatives from various ministries, he said the electronic visa would be valid for 30 days from the date of the tourist's arrival in India.

The move, aimed at boosting country's tourism sector, would not need Cabinet's nod, Shukla said, adding that Home Ministry would notify the same at an appropriate time.

"The facility will provide a major boost to the country's tourism sector. This is historic," Shukla said. A separate website would be set up for extending the facility to foreigners intending to visit India as tourists.

To get visa, they would need to apply in the designated website along the required fees. They would be granted an electronic version of the visa within three days.

"Visa-on-arrival can be availed in all 26 major domestic airports from where international flights ply," he said.

The facility, however, will not be extended to nationals from Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Somalia, he said without giving any specific reason.

India offers tourist visa on arrival to around a dozen countries now. Today's meeting, at the behest of Planning Commission, was called to iron out the objections raised by the Home Ministry for extending the facility to nationals of 40 more countries including the US, the UK and Germany.

Home Ministry nod was a prerequisite for extending the facility. (Source: Zee News)

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Comments - 37

ind Thursday, 06 February 2014 11:18 AM

And also they are boat people. No check points. No need visa!

Suganesh Thursday, 06 February 2014 06:11 AM

SL Tamils will not be affected by this decision as most of them are PIO(people of Indian origin) with landing visas.

Anti Chester Thursday, 06 February 2014 07:56 AM

Chester,
You are living in your dream world. I have seen Indians with Phds driving taxies in Melbourne.
The only country I never want to visit is India.
Aussies want more Sri Lankan here than Indians for respected jobs

gan kabaratya Thursday, 06 February 2014 08:04 AM

how many Indians are over staying Sri Lanka ? if the life style better than Sri Lanka ? why they come and over stay in Sri Lanka soil?

Lanka-From Qatar Thursday, 06 February 2014 08:09 AM

We don't go to visit slums in India ....... We don't worry .....

Lion Thursday, 06 February 2014 09:05 AM

Visit India if you wants get raped or sick.. Almost many european women travellers cancelled their visits to india . thats why this new bolywood show in Town.

don charles Thursday, 06 February 2014 09:46 AM

What a group of Sick nations Sri Lanka has been dumped into!

kumar Thursday, 06 February 2014 10:01 AM

That may be true in your dreams.

kumar Thursday, 06 February 2014 10:03 AM

Yes! but the so called close friends China and Pakistan also not giving on arrival visas for Sri Lankans.

Suq Madique Thursday, 06 February 2014 10:16 AM

Better lifestyles? By defecating on the streets? By coming to SL to work as labourers or walking the streets selling their wares or even working in brothels because the Indian lifestyle is so good?

Isha Thursday, 06 February 2014 05:59 AM

Sri Lanka allows visa-on-arrival facility to only 2 countries... (Singaporeans & Maldivians)

kumar Thursday, 06 February 2014 11:54 AM

But at least they don't try to protect the suspect.

Jayasingha Thursday, 06 February 2014 12:01 PM

This is all propaganda before the Geneva meeting. Note no Indian cabinet approval is required.

kalu banda Thursday, 06 February 2014 12:16 PM

It is high time India clarified whether Sri Lanka is friend or foe!

Jim pappa Thursday, 06 February 2014 04:43 PM

Kalu, its not India who should clarify, but Jaya, because, as far as India is concerned, what Jaya says, goes.

Ali Thursday, 06 February 2014 04:48 PM

haha who wants to go there ..I would travell to SL 1000 times but never to IND

Sane Friday, 07 February 2014 12:00 AM

Pl dont come

Suq Madique Friday, 07 February 2014 05:10 AM

Interesting point of view. Thanks for sharing.

sashmith Saturday, 08 February 2014 04:25 AM

This is an example of brotherly relationship SAARC SENIOR (only on word). Moreover Mr.Cricket Official minister shukla knows that SL not supporting their ICC dreams

ind Thursday, 06 February 2014 04:57 AM

Exactly! But not only India, also most of the countries.

be fair Thursday, 06 February 2014 02:53 AM

I thought we also had something like that, eVISA. So we are actually better than them. That's what worrying aha.....

Lion Thursday, 06 February 2014 02:54 AM

why do we give them , do not give India same privilege when they come here open your eyes please

Lion Thursday, 06 February 2014 02:54 AM

why give the indians on arrival ????

Girish Thursday, 06 February 2014 02:56 AM

Hardly any Lankan illegally settles there. Whereas Bangladeshis and Nepalis enter in large numbers.

Impi Thursday, 06 February 2014 03:08 AM

you will start loving your country more than ever after a visit to India..

Raja Thursday, 06 February 2014 04:31 AM

This is common sense on the part of India, as the countries mentioned may still have terrorists hostile to India, even though the LTTE Tamil terrorists in Sri Lanka are the result of India's own folly.
However, this will not stop these very same terrorists, arriving in India from countries like, Norway, Canada, UK etc where these terrorists have taken refuge in large numbers.
I think Sri Lanka's system is far superior, where visitors have the option to get a visa on-line or on arrival. In fact UK is going to implement the Sri Lankan system.

Lima Thursday, 06 February 2014 04:33 AM

OK, SO BETTER STOP VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR INDIANS AS WELL , WHY WORRY , SRI LANKANS ARE NOT ROGUES AND NOT TERRORIST , ANYBODY KNOWS THAT INDIANS ARE ROGUES AND THE TERRORIST WHO MADE SRI LANKA A MESS

ind Thursday, 06 February 2014 04:50 AM

Joke of the day !!!!

George Cloney Thursday, 06 February 2014 02:16 AM

That is because so many Sri Lankans are overstaying their visa in India, better lifestyle there in in SL.

Geo Clown Thursday, 06 February 2014 05:01 AM

//better lifestyle//
Ever been to India?
Don't make me laugh

Shimark Thursday, 06 February 2014 05:08 AM

Our government boasting of the close connection between both countries, but now we can see how India has rated us.
It is ridiculous to see Srilanka with this group of Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Iraq & Nigeria.

You forget about the other country visas, even if you cannot get into India on arrival, shame on us...

AbduL Thursday, 06 February 2014 05:10 AM

how about indians staying in sri lanka and doing illegal business here on tourist visa ? i think we should take off the online visa application facility for indians and make them apply visa in sri lankan high commission in india. this is the best way to teach them a lesson. ignoring us after giving on arrival visa to 180 countries is an insult for us. that like giving on arrival for 90% of the world.

Chester Thursday, 06 February 2014 05:15 AM

Sin men! Nobody wants Lankan tourists. Only Sri Lankan "patriots" have a high opinion of their countrymen. In the Middle East they can only go so far as to be servants, or if they belong to the peaceloving cult maybe more. in India they are not wanted, same with Europe, Australia, Japan and even China. Is it because of our smile?

Rohan Wickremasinghe Thursday, 06 February 2014 05:22 AM

This is good in a way because Rajive Gandhi killers and LTTE sympathizers will not be able to access India that easily. However Sinhala people should be provided with the opportunity since they have to visit North Indian pilgrimage sites.

instinct Thursday, 06 February 2014 05:24 AM

That depends on where you visited and stayed. Go with more money.

bigsam Thursday, 06 February 2014 05:27 AM

This is the result of our foreign policy approach. We are going backwards in time...at double speed!

Kewattaya Thursday, 06 February 2014 05:37 AM

Look at the POSITIVE side. WE are in Great Company.

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SL not in Indian VISA extension list

Comments - 37

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