What is the Tourist Visa on Arrival (T-VoA) scheme?

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Most people are required to go through a lengthy and complicated process of applying for an Indian visa before they arrive in the country. Previously, only citizens from Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Japan, Laos, Burma, Cambodia, and Indonesia were eligible to be granted a visa upon arrival. As of November 2014, the T-VoA system has been extended to include 43 countries, including the United States.

The T-VoA scheme has its benefits and downsides. The obvious benefits are related to how streamlined the new system is. Travelers can apply online and receive an Electronic Travel Authorization within four days. This removes a lot of bureaucratic obstacles and is especially beneficial for tourists who are traveling for only 30 days or less. For long-term travelers, however, it may be worth the effort to go the lengthy route.

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As mentioned earlier, the first step can be done through a simple online form. This requires a scanned file of the passport photo page and a full face photo of the applicant on a white background. After paying the $60 fee, the applicant can expect to receive an ID via email. The ETA will also be sent via e-mail after four days.


The document should be printed and presented at the immigration desk in one of India’s Visa-on-Arrival airports within 30 days of approval. Once the traveler receives the stamp, he’ll be cleared for travel in India for the next 30 days.

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CKGS is a specialist BPO company that provides support to the Embassy of India and its consulates on tasks related to visa applications. For more information on the Indian visa application process, visit www.in.ckgs.us.

Must-have Indian cuisine for first-time travelers

India’s native cuisine is something every tourist should experience, especially those who are traveling to the country for the first time. A melting pot of flavors heavily influenced by cultural, religious, and traditional diversity, Indian cuisine offers something for everyone from their sweet desserts to their spicy chicken and rice.

Here are some dishes you should try when visiting India:

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• Samosas. These are fried or baked triangular snacks stuffed with potatoes, onions and peas and served with mint or tomato chutney.

• Kati Rolls. These are kebabs (grilled skewers of meat, vegetables, or cheese), eggs, and spices wrapped in a type of flat bread called paratha.

• Tandoori Chicken. The chicken is immersed in a yogurt-spice marinade and then slow-cooked in a clay oven called a tandoor.

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• Biryani. This dish is probably one of the more famous Indian foods in the world. Aromatic rice is cooked with spices and saffron and combined with either marinated chicken or mutton.

• Rogan Josh. This Persian-inspired curry dish is popular in the Kashmir region and uses either lamb or goat (usually goat) as protein, cooked in a mixture of shallots, yogurt, and spices, particularly Kashmiri chili which gives it the red color.

• Gulab Jamun. Small, deep-fried balls of dried milk boiled in sugar syrup. A scoop of Indian vanilla ice cream is a recommended add-on.

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Remember to ask a local tour guide about the places where you can get a taste of these Indian delicacies.

Are you a first-time traveler to India? Visit the Cox and Kings Global Services website for more information about tourist visa application.