India visa-on-arrival for tourists from 5 countries [merged]
Jan 7, 2011, 3:12 am
#46
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,198
Interestingly, it say's they 'may' get a visa at the border..!!
Jan 7, 2011, 3:45 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
Jan 7, 2011, 3:48 am
#48
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,240
I went thru the list in wikipedia.. quite comprehensive and I hope its correct..
China giving 30days visa if holding a valid visa for Australia /canada/schengen/UK/US/Japan.. interesting..
I know of many folks who get a separate Chinese BV even though they have valid visas of one of the above countries and the visit is for smaller periods..
China giving 30days visa if holding a valid visa for Australia /canada/schengen/UK/US/Japan.. interesting..
I know of many folks who get a separate Chinese BV even though they have valid visas of one of the above countries and the visit is for smaller periods..
Jan 7, 2011, 5:49 am
#49
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,198
I went thru the list in wikipedia.. quite comprehensive and I hope its correct..
China giving 30days visa if holding a valid visa for Australia /canada/schengen/UK/US/Japan.. interesting..
I know of many folks who get a separate Chinese BV even though they have valid visas of one of the above countries and the visit is for smaller periods..
China giving 30days visa if holding a valid visa for Australia /canada/schengen/UK/US/Japan.. interesting..
I know of many folks who get a separate Chinese BV even though they have valid visas of one of the above countries and the visit is for smaller periods..
Jan 7, 2011, 5:55 am
#50
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,240
Jan 7, 2011, 6:00 am
#51
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,198
In the same way, planning a quick side-trip to Mexico as well, while in the US later in the year...Mexico too allows folks with a valid US visa.
Jan 7, 2011, 6:50 am
#52
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,660
Originally Posted by quarryking
Turkey as well offers a Visa on Arrival for Indian passport holders..?? Didn't know that..!! How many days is the visa valid for..??
Jan 7, 2011, 6:55 am
#53
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,240
The Chinese visa-on-arrival is not very convenient. I know somebody who tried it at PEK and even though he eventually got it, it took almost 3 hours to process with lots of questions and bureaucratic double checking. Much easier to get it done from the Embassy if all your documents are in order.
30-day single entry for US$20. The visa process took about 20 seconds at Istanbul airport. It is a new policy decision that has been implemented within the last few months. Very convenient - makes Istanbul a legitimate transit option to Dubai on many routes IMHO.
30-day single entry for US$20. The visa process took about 20 seconds at Istanbul airport. It is a new policy decision that has been implemented within the last few months. Very convenient - makes Istanbul a legitimate transit option to Dubai on many routes IMHO.
+1.. and we can get miles in *A if we want and not restrict to EK..
Jan 7, 2011, 12:46 pm
#54
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: cbr
Programs: QF WP (OWE) / LTG (LT OWS) | Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 4,972
More likely,as saad says, the wording "may" is to let travelers know that VOA is available.
OR
Could be a policy wording to state that VOA "may" be available but is at the ultimate discretion of the immigration official processing the same (which is the case with many if not all VOA / VFA countries).
OR
Could be a policy wording to state that VOA "may" be available but is at the ultimate discretion of the immigration official processing the same (which is the case with many if not all VOA / VFA countries).
Jan 8, 2011, 3:29 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 445
Gosh I very much feel for you, must have been quite stressful.
There is a big difference between theory and practice, especially in India and I guess one learns it mostly the hard way.
I also agree that India is doing itself a great disservice by making things difficult for visitors and imposing a two-month interval between entries. I had the opportunity to go to India in December but gave up because of this, as I had to be there in January. I didn't want to compromise my chance of not being able to go this month, knowing how difficult it can be. They would have had a tourist willing to visit their country and paying for all the services.
Their loss, not mine...
There is a big difference between theory and practice, especially in India and I guess one learns it mostly the hard way.
I also agree that India is doing itself a great disservice by making things difficult for visitors and imposing a two-month interval between entries. I had the opportunity to go to India in December but gave up because of this, as I had to be there in January. I didn't want to compromise my chance of not being able to go this month, knowing how difficult it can be. They would have had a tourist willing to visit their country and paying for all the services.
Their loss, not mine...
Jan 9, 2011, 3:34 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
sounds like you had a bad experience stress77....did you get the name of the agent at the embassy who was rude to you????you should definitely file a complaint....also, a complaint against the ignorant agents is also in order....
Jan 9, 2011, 3:37 am
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
which indian embassy are you talking about????i have come across some unbelievably rude staff at the american & greek embassy here in new delhi....just because a few people are rude doesn't mean the whole embassy is....
Jan 10, 2011, 10:01 pm
#58
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MAA
Programs: BA bronze, Marriott silver
Posts: 2,804
like this barely educated guy who was the visa clerk at the argentinian "embassy" (aka basement of the ambassador's villa) in delhi a couple of years back ..
Jan 11, 2011, 3:46 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,240
You need a passport photo, which the embassy previously said I didn't (!).
They also want _an original return ticket_! Not a printout of an e-ticket or something like that. It had 3 stamps on it when I saw it.
All in all, it is definately TK's fault that I almost was denied the flight.
The people from Novia really did follow procedure. .
They also want _an original return ticket_! Not a printout of an e-ticket or something like that. It had 3 stamps on it when I saw it.
All in all, it is definately TK's fault that I almost was denied the flight.
The people from Novia really did follow procedure. .
The valid points u make IMO are that the Indian embassies and govt need to be more tourust friendly, VoA processes needs to be streamlined ..
Airline at the airport or their check in desk doesnt follow procedures and u expect an embassy to come to ur rescue even though they hv clearly mentioned the details in the website.. I wish we as Indians could even dream about it !!
+1.. only american and greece ?? hv u tried embassies of any Central european countries ..try it out sometime..
Jan 11, 2011, 3:48 am
#60
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,240
Try being Indian and getting a Schengen visa or something similar. It's not any easier. So my apologies, but I think you'll find it hard to elicit sympathy amongst Indians - even the smart ones. Let me assure you your hassles pale in comparison to hassles most Indians face when traveling and/or getting visas.
BTW, one could say the same for the UK government. It's a shame they don't take measures to encourage tourism - what with a $1000 fee for the mere chance of getting a 10yr visa.
BTW, one could say the same for the UK government. It's a shame they don't take measures to encourage tourism - what with a $1000 fee for the mere chance of getting a 10yr visa.
Having travelled decently in the past 5 years mostly in Europe , I can fully suscribe to this.. and try getting a schengen visa from any Central and eastern european country .. its gets more interesting..
