Question : Visa on Arrival

(a) whether the Government has extended/proposes to extend the list of countries coming under the purview of visa-on-arrival for the purpose of tourism;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the countries included in the said list and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) the extent to which the said facility has been helpful in increasing the foreign tourist inflow in the country; and
(d) the status of international tourists visiting India along with the locations/tourist spots/sites visited by them during the last three years, year-wise and State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a) & (b): The Visa on arrival facility is presently extended to the citizens of Japan. However, the Government of India has extended e-visa facility to the citizens of 163 countries. The list of countries for which the e-Visa facility is available is at Annexure-I. Expansion of the visa on arrival or the e –visa scheme to more countries is a continuous process, which is done after appropriate consultation with all stakeholders.

(c) & (d): e-visa has been a game changer for Indian Tourism. The international Tourist Arrivals to India has seen marked increase since the introduction of e-visa facility. Foreign Tourist Arrival (FTAs) on e-tourist visa for the last three years are as below:
<pre>
Year FTAs
2015 445300
2016 1079696
2017 1697175
</pre>
The status of international tourists visiting India during the last three years, year-wise and State/UT wise is given at Annexure-II. The Ministry of Tourism does not collect information regarding tourist visits to specific location/tourist spots/sites etc.

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