The Aviation Ministry has also called for enlarging the list of countries whose citizens should be provided visa-on-arrival (VOA) at international airports here.

“This facility for attracting more international passengers and ease in getting short-term visa would help the industry to develop products such as ‘hop-on/hop-off' tours that would stimulate international traffic and the tourism industry in India,” the Ministry adds.

It has also suggested rationalising the rate at which the visa-on-arrival is issued.

“We charge $60 to issue a VOA, but the same Indian visa is available for $20-25, if applied in the applicant's country of residence. In other countries like Thailand and Malaysia, the difference between normal visa charge and VOA charge is very nominal. It is advisable to reduce the VOA charges to make it more attractive,” the Ministry has said.

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