E-visa scheme for 30 countries to be rolled out this month-end

E-visa scheme for 30 countries to be rolled out this month-end





Government's gift to tourists -electronic visa -is likely to be launched by Octoberend. There are about 30 countries including the US, Japan and South Korea where the facility will be extended first while Germany , Israel and Russia are under consideration. Sources said countries already being given visa-on-arrival including New Zealand, Luxembourg, Finland and Singapore besides Japan, South Korea and the US will be able to apply for electronic travel authorization (ETA) or e-visa. There are at least two countries from the African continent that are also in considera tion. Sources said Ger many , Israel and Rus sia were also being actively considered.
Once implemented, ETA will allow foreign travelers to apply for a visa and receive an online confirmation within three to five working days.ETA will be available for a 30day period from the date of the tourist's arrival. The Centre plans to establish a separate website to foreigners intending to visit India as tourists. To get the visa, they would need to apply through the designated website along with the required fees. The evisa scheme received PMO nod in June and is expected to be implemented in time for the tourist season. The countries unlikely to be on the list include Saarc nations and countries that are on “prior reference'' list which include Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Afghanistan.