E-Visa for 180 countries to start by october

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) facility to issued visa on arrival for tourists from 180 countries is likely to be introduced from October 2 in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, along with seven other airports in India.

Sources of Bureau of Immigration (BoI) here said that they have received directions to set up the facilities so as to commence ETA from October 2. Though the centre had initially announced that visa on arrival for tourists from 180 countries would be introduced, the present directive from the Centre only says that the facility would be extended only to 140 countries. “We are awaiting further clarifications from the headquarters in this regard,” said BoI sources here.

Meanwhile, the BoI officials here already started making arrangements for commencing the ETA facility. The Airports Authority of India provided additional space in the arrival area of the international terminal. BoI also sought augmentation of manpower to facilitate the new system.

The centre decided to introduce ETA facility at nine airports for citizens of 180 countries, except eight prior reference countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka.