India visa on arrival to UAE, 40 countries

Dubai India will grant visas on arrival to citizens of 40 nations, including the UAE, an Indian minister announced on October 8.

Besides the UAE, the 40 nations include Saudi Arabia, US, UK, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Poland, Norway and Ireland. India now issues visas on arrival to visitors from Japan, Finland, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand and the Philippines.

Planning Minister Rajeev Shukla was quoted as saying the government will also grant visas on arrival to travellers older than 60 from all countries and reduce the time needed to give visas to groups attending conventions.

Tour operators and travel agencies welcomed the move, saying it would boost tourism, trade and people-to-people interaction between India and the UAE.

Kulwant Singh Lama, Manag-ing Director of Lama Tours, said he expects a huge jump in his destination management business in India. “With visas on arrival people can travel easily. So we anticipate a big jump in our destination management services which cover airport transfers, ground logistics, hotel accommodations, tours and con-ference bookings.” He said Lama Tours helped process 4,000 Indian visas for UAE travellers last year.

Pramod Thomas, Manager, Holidays, SNTTA, said the new facility will be advantageous for last-minute travellers. “Let’s say you have a long weekend and you suddenly decide to go. You just have to book tickets, take your passports and fly out.”

Emiratis were happy with the new move. Filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja said: “This is fantastic news. The relationship between India and the UAE has a long history and Emiratis travel to India for many reasons. We can now travel to India at a short notice.”