Government of India has decided to extend the Visa-on-Arrival facility to nationals of the United Arab Emirates. This facility, which came into effect yesterday, is aimed at further strengthening people to people and trade links as well as strategic ties between the two countries.
Visa-on-Arrival is available to UAE nationals for a period of up to 60 days with double entry for business, tourism, conference and medical purposes. This facility is available at six designated International Airports namely, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.
Visa-on-Arrival is available only to those UAE nationals who have earlier obtained an e-Visa or a normal paper Visa for India, irrespective of whether the person actually visited India or not. Those UAE nationals going to India for first time, may be advised to apply for e-Visa or a normal paper Visa.
However, Pakistan Origin UAE nationals will not be eligible for Visa-on-Arrival Scheme. Ambassador Pavan Kapoor in a tweet said that this was a ‘special gesture’ for the UAE with whom India has a comprehensive strategic partnership.