New Delhi: Tourists from the US may soon get visa on arrival in India. The ministry of home affairs is trying to give a final shape to the proposal in time for the Prime Minister’s visit to the US from September 26. Mr Modi may announce the plan as part of the NDA government’s proposed close partnership with the US, ushering in close ties and enhanced people-to-people contact.
Sources said that the home ministry, in consultation with the tourism ministry, is working on a visa on arrival scheme for US citizens who do not have residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives etc.
Under the new proposal, which is still being worked out, the stay limit is expected to be 30 days. Initially, in January 2010, the scheme was introduced for citizens of five countries and now extends to citizens of 12 countries — Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia and South Korea.
As per some estimates, the annual flow of US tourists stands at around 10 lakh currently. The Prime Minister will be on a five-day visit to the US during which he will address the UN General Assembly in New York and then travel to Washington. Where he will hold bilateral talks with US President Barack Obama. The US President had extended an invitation to Mr Modi during a call to wish him on his victory in the Lok Sabha polls nearly four months ago.
Mr Obama will host a dinner for Mr Modi on his arrival in Washington on September 29 from New York.
