On Monday, the Indian government announced visa-on-arrival for citizens of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE, applicable for tourism, business, conferences, and medical purposes.

This service is presently available at six airports: Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai.

Only nationals of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE who have previously obtained an e-Visa or a regular paper visa for India are eligible for the on-arrival visa. This visa will be valid for 60 days, allowing travelers to visit India up to two times within that period, according to the Indian visa portal.

Key points to note about this visa

While specific rules apply to UAE nationals, certain regulations remain consistent for all :

  1. This facility is not available to anyone if they or their parents or grandparents (paternal or maternal) were born in Pakistan or are permanent residents of Pakistan. Such individuals must obtain the appropriate visa from the relevant Indian Mission/Post to visit India.
  2. The Visa-on-Arrival service is not available to individuals holding Diplomatic or Official passports.
  3. The Visa-on-Arrival cannot be extended or converted.
  4. Nationals of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE must complete an application form (Annexure I) to obtain the Visa-on-Arrival.
  5. Travelers are advised by the Indian government to download, print, and complete the form as per the portal’s instructions. This completed form should be presented to the ‘Visa Officer’ at the visa counter upon arrival. Alternatively, travelers may also fill out the form upon arrival.
  6. The physical form will also be available from airlines during the flight. Japanese, South Korean, and UAE nationals must carry a completed ‘Visa-on-Arrival Application Form’ along with a filled disembarkation card.

Important Information for UAE Travelers

The Visa-on-Arrival Scheme is available for UAE nationals who previously obtained an e-Visa or regular paper visa for India.

  1. UAE nationals visiting India for the first time should apply for an e-Visa or regular paper visa in advance.
  2. UAE nationals of Pakistani origin are not eligible for the Visa-on-Arrival Scheme.

The visa portal notes that all other conditions and requirements for Visa-on-Arrival, as applicable to Japanese and South Korean nationals, also apply to UAE nationals.

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