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. The Government of India has introduced this Scheme for the nationals of eleven countries, namely, Japan, Singapore, Philippines, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia.
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
Government of India has launched the Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) Scheme . Initially, in January 2010 this Scheme was introduced for citizens of five countries, namely Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore. In January 2011, the TVOA Scheme was extended to citizens of six more countries, viz. Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Indonesia or Myanmar.
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.
| FTAs in India, 2010-2013 (Till June) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | FTAs in India (in million) | % change over the previous year |
| 2010 | 5.78 | 11.8 |
| 2011 | 6.31 | 9.2 |
| 2012 | 6.58 | 4.3 |
| 2013 (Provisional) (Jan–June) | 3.31 | 2.6 |
| FEE (in US$ Million) from Tourism in India, 2010-2013 (Till June) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | FEE from Tourism in India (in US$ million) | % change over the previous year |
| 2010 | 14193 | 27.5 |
| 2011 | 16564 | 16.7 |
| 2012 | 17737 | 7.1 |
| 2013 (Advance Estimates) (Jan-June) | 9201 | 8.8 |
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 pre-drawn 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)
A Tourist Visa-on-Arrival can be granted to citizens of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Indonesia or 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
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-on-Arrival shall be non- extendable and non-convertible.
Repeat Visit
Tourist Visa-On-Arrival (TVOA) 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 (TVOA) is available for foreign nationals arriving from Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Indonesia or Myanmar at international airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, 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) .
- Passport valid for at least 6 months and contains minimum two blank pages.
- Two Passport size photographs
- Photocopy of Passport
- Return ticket
Related links
- Bureau of Immigration
- Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs
- Indian Visa Online
- Visa Provision
- Ministry of Tourism
- Consular, Passport and Visa Division
- Incredible India
