Visa on arrival in India: More countries considered as part of program expansion
May 16, 2010 | 7:35 am
#16
Join Date: May 2005
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It seems to be not getting that much use currently. That's sort of a given when not-even 5% of visitors to India are nationals of the above 5 countries; when even only a bit more than 5% of such nationals are using it; and the program is so new in terms of its going live in India (and most visitors got their Indian visas because of the lack of clarity/confidence in terms of what would happen on arrival and when).
When I checked in for the flight the checkin agent still checked that I had a visa (which I do) but it somewhat surprised me since I travel on a NZ passport...
May 17, 2010 | 4:30 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,255
Anecdotally when arriving at DEL on SQ408 a few weeks back I overheard a bunch of people being met by SQ ground-staff for the VOA processing. It still sounded pretty messy, multiple photos being needed and lots of forms to be filled out. SQ408 tends to carry lots of pax from ANZ into India - I always smile at the number of QFF tags on bags!
When I checked in for the flight the checkin agent still checked that I had a visa (which I do) but it somewhat surprised me since I travel on a NZ passport...
When I checked in for the flight the checkin agent still checked that I had a visa (which I do) but it somewhat surprised me since I travel on a NZ passport...
Jun 6, 2010 | 11:05 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,344
I really wish that India figures out reciprocal VOA deals with places like Egypt, Turkey, Colombia, Peru, etc. where the socio-economic conditions are not that different from those in India. I mean who will want to illegally migrate to/from these places anyway? And besides, these countries have VOA/Visa Waiver deals with many other less developed countries than India.
As in Indian citizen, I'd rather not have VOA for foreigners unless it's reciprocal, despite the increase in tourist revenue (probably marginal anyway).
Jun 7, 2010 | 1:21 am
#19
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
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Once upon a time Indians could travel visa free into many countries in LatAm, which in the early nineties created a wave of immigration there with the intent of then travelling to the US. Ask a few indian in Jackson heights how they came to the US and they will tell you amazing stories.
After the deportations from the US started (which the GoI has to pay BTW), India and the LatAm countries decided it was time to plug that hole. The same occured between the former east block countries.
I seriously doubt Luxembourg has a visa free entry system with India. Its part of the shengen agreement, and LUX has nearly no direct flights from outside the EU.
The same applies to other schengen countries. Germany interprets the shengen visa norms the strictest way possible.
After the deportations from the US started (which the GoI has to pay BTW), India and the LatAm countries decided it was time to plug that hole. The same occured between the former east block countries.
I seriously doubt Luxembourg has a visa free entry system with India. Its part of the shengen agreement, and LUX has nearly no direct flights from outside the EU.
The same applies to other schengen countries. Germany interprets the shengen visa norms the strictest way possible.
Jun 7, 2010 | 1:43 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,255
I mean who will want to illegally migrate to/from these places anyway? And besides, these countries have VOA/Visa Waiver deals with many other less developed countries than India.
As in Indian citizen, I'd rather not have VOA for foreigners unless it's reciprocal, despite the increase in tourist revenue (probably marginal anyway).
As in Indian citizen, I'd rather not have VOA for foreigners unless it's reciprocal, despite the increase in tourist revenue (probably marginal anyway).
I agree completely tht VOA is there for many countries with very less economic clout or economic growth than India, but as I said the difference is the population and the huge difference between the have's and the have nots..
Always been interested to know how countries decide on the VOA or visa waiver scheme..
For eg.. Germany does not require a visa for citizens of Chile, El Salvador, Barbados, Mauritius, Panama, Paraguay and Andorra and I guess all these are much lower risk category than Indians
Jun 7, 2010 | 5:10 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,344
Unfortunately, South Asians tend to illegally migrate to many places well educated folks from these regions wont..I have seen many many illegal South asians in Greece/Italy/France and they all end up doing very low end work, but when asked, they all told tht its still better than wht they had in their village somewhere in SA .. most of them want to go back home or wish to get valid visas so tht they can get higher paid jobs.. and just because of the sheer population of this region, other countries are not willing to hv VOA as even if a miniscule % goes there and disappears, its a big problem for them...
I agree completely tht VOA is there for many countries with very less economic clout or economic growth than India, but as I said the difference is the population and the huge difference between the have's and the have nots..
Always been interested to know how countries decide on the VOA or visa waiver scheme..
For eg.. Germany does not require a visa for citizens of Chile, El Salvador, Barbados, Mauritius, Panama, Paraguay and Andorra and I guess all these are much lower risk category than Indians
I agree completely tht VOA is there for many countries with very less economic clout or economic growth than India, but as I said the difference is the population and the huge difference between the have's and the have nots..
Always been interested to know how countries decide on the VOA or visa waiver scheme..
For eg.. Germany does not require a visa for citizens of Chile, El Salvador, Barbados, Mauritius, Panama, Paraguay and Andorra and I guess all these are much lower risk category than Indians
But I definitely did not know that Indians were using Latin America as a way to illegally get into the US back in the 80s. One would think with the stronger policing of America's borders, and with improved opportunities in India, there isn't much of an incentive to do this anymore. But what do I know...
If nothing else, you'd think the BRIC countries could start a visa waiver or VOA scheme for each other. That would at least justify the arbitrary moniker.
Last edited by abcx; Jun 7, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Jun 7, 2010 | 8:11 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: 1 AU
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Posts: 2,708
Is this still true? I am SFO based but absolutely do not fancy a trip down to LA for an in-person interview. I will probably not go to Argentina this year if this is the case. I will wait till VOA is introduced (maybe wishful thinking).
Basic application materials
For all visa applicants
Passport or travel document: must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the intended date of entry and have at least one completely free page left for the visa.
A completed application form: all questions must be answered. Download application form.
1 recent passport style photograph
Evidence of your immigration status in the U.S.: (if not a U.S. national) i.e. Alien Registration Card, Advance Parole Document, Employment Authorization Card, valid visa, valid forms IAP66, I-94 / I-20 (signed on the reverse by designated school official). Please provide original documents plus copies.
Evidence of funds: credit card and bank statements of the last six months. Please provide original documents plus copies.
Itinerary: roundtrip flight ticket.
Fee: Holiday: US$ 30 (free for India and Morocco nationals). Business: US$ 50 (free for Morocco nationals). Transit: US$ 20 (free for Indian nationals). Religious workers: US$ 30. All other purposes: US$ 50 (free for U.S. nationals).
Interview: All visa applicants without exception are requested to present themselves in person for an interview with a consular officer.
Applicants may be required to provide additional information and documents including the original flight ticket. Failure to provide any of the documents and information requested may delay the processing of your application. You are advised to contact our offices at least thirty (30) days prior to the proposed date of departure to avoid inconveniences.
In accordance with the relevant law of the Argentine Republic and the international practice, the Consul is entitled to refuse the visa.
For all visa applicants
Passport or travel document: must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the intended date of entry and have at least one completely free page left for the visa.
A completed application form: all questions must be answered. Download application form.
1 recent passport style photograph
Evidence of your immigration status in the U.S.: (if not a U.S. national) i.e. Alien Registration Card, Advance Parole Document, Employment Authorization Card, valid visa, valid forms IAP66, I-94 / I-20 (signed on the reverse by designated school official). Please provide original documents plus copies.
Evidence of funds: credit card and bank statements of the last six months. Please provide original documents plus copies.
Itinerary: roundtrip flight ticket.
Fee: Holiday: US$ 30 (free for India and Morocco nationals). Business: US$ 50 (free for Morocco nationals). Transit: US$ 20 (free for Indian nationals). Religious workers: US$ 30. All other purposes: US$ 50 (free for U.S. nationals).
Interview: All visa applicants without exception are requested to present themselves in person for an interview with a consular officer.
Applicants may be required to provide additional information and documents including the original flight ticket. Failure to provide any of the documents and information requested may delay the processing of your application. You are advised to contact our offices at least thirty (30) days prior to the proposed date of departure to avoid inconveniences.
In accordance with the relevant law of the Argentine Republic and the international practice, the Consul is entitled to refuse the visa.
Jun 10, 2010 | 12:09 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 559
Totally OT, somewhat related... I can't help it. I posted it in Airliners of India forum as well but got no firm answers.
I hold Indian passport. I want to know whether I can do LHR-FCO-TIP on AZ metal without a schengen visa. I have both UK and Libyan visa. AZ fares are much cheaper compared to direct flights with BA, and I don't want to fly "Afriqiyah" from LGW. Will I be denied boarding at LHR for not possesing transit visa for Italy?
Anyone?
(Coming back to the topic, when I recently applied for UK visa, I had a print-out of my 6 month online bank statement. Desk clerk at visa center asked me to get a sealed and signed copy of it on the bank's letter head. This despite I having several UK visa stickers on my passport and lots of stamps! They certainly don't want poor souls on their soil)
I hold Indian passport. I want to know whether I can do LHR-FCO-TIP on AZ metal without a schengen visa. I have both UK and Libyan visa. AZ fares are much cheaper compared to direct flights with BA, and I don't want to fly "Afriqiyah" from LGW. Will I be denied boarding at LHR for not possesing transit visa for Italy?
Anyone?
(Coming back to the topic, when I recently applied for UK visa, I had a print-out of my 6 month online bank statement. Desk clerk at visa center asked me to get a sealed and signed copy of it on the bank's letter head. This despite I having several UK visa stickers on my passport and lots of stamps! They certainly don't want poor souls on their soil)
Jun 11, 2010 | 6:18 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: Don't think it matters...
Posts: 5,255
Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Vietnam are up for consideration to be added to the list of countries whose nationals can get a visa on arrival in India.
As of this year, India's visa on arrival program is available to nationals of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore.
As of this year, India's visa on arrival program is available to nationals of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore.
Without getting into the details, I just hope GoI thinks about some kind of reciprocity before making VoA facility available for any country.. It wouls be tragic if we give all kinds of freedom to citizens of foreign countries and the Indian citizens are made to go around and fulfill lots and lots of requirements to even get a short term visa..
