Government of India introduced e-Tourist Visa (earlier known as Tourist Visa on Arrival enabled by ETA) on 27.11.2014 to facilitate the nationals of the 43 countries visiting India. The e-Tourist Visa as on 26.02.2016 is available for nationals of 150 countries.

The year 2015 witnessed a growth rate of 4.5% in terms of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India. During 2015, FTAs were 8.03 million as compared to 7.68 million in 2014. FTAs during the period January-March 2016 were 25.08 lakh with a growth of 10.0% as compared to the FTAs of 22.81 lakh in January-March 2015.

During January-December 2015 a total of 4,45,300 tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 39,046 during January-December 2014 registering a growth of 1040.4%.

During the month of January-March 2016, a total of 3,21,049 tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 75,859 during the month of January-March 2015 registering a growth of 323.2%.


The list of 150 countries eligible for e-Tourist Visa to India is given below:-

Albania, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Island, Chile, China, China- SAR Hongkong, China- SAR Macau, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'lvoire, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Island, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam., Zambia, Zimbabwe.

This information was given by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 26 April 2016.

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A Proud Indian Canadian

Scheme is indeed very good and able to cut lot of red tapism. It also facilitate to provide visa for any emergencies under 24 hrs which comes very handy under stressful situations.

Only caveat with e-visa is that its eligible only for 30 days or less and cannot be extended.

Sign up for e-visa and they keep sending various promotion schemes.

TFS GG.

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Growing Old Is Mandatory ..Growing UP is Optional

So, you have first hand experience with it, it seems. It is a good move as you have mentioned and the purpose is only for those who doesn't have enough time to apply for a regular Visa or they don't have any need to stay beyond 30 days.

Earlier whenever my Visa was closer to expiry I had to manage and get another Visa immediately, but E-Tourists Visa gives a peace of mind that in case of emergency, we can use that.

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A Proud Indian Canadian

GG you are correct. I have first hand experience. If stay is less than 30 days than it is worth getting a e-visa even if it is more expensive. Convenience has no price tag ( what else that you don't have to deal with any babus and drive around )

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Growing Old Is Mandatory ..Growing UP is Optional