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.

Ensuring safety on a trip to India

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Safety is always a primary concern to any traveler who’s about to go on a journey to a certain destination for the first time. As a total stranger to India, it can be hard to know what to expect and how to prepare for unforeseen events. Fortunately, many others have gone to the country before and they’ve shared their experiences for the benefit of first-time visitors.

Before the trip, you should definitely read up on as many articles as you can about other tourists’ experiences in traveling across India. This will help you fill in the gaps in your knowledge about the country, its customs, and its people. Apart from knowing which places to visit and which to probably avoid, you may also find recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and other services that would make your stay more enjoyable.

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With that out of the way, you can then start on drafting an itinerary. Using the information you’ve gathered, you can make a complete list of the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to have during your trip. At least for the first time, it might be best to stick to popular tourist spots and familiar places in order to avoid any unexpected events.

During your stay, seek help from your hotel or your guesthouse for booking taxis or other forms of transportation. Like with any other place, it is always a good idea to exercise more caution when it gets dark out. Instead of walking alone at nights to go to a restaurant, it might be best to take a taxi or a rickshaw instead.

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Cox and Kings Global Services is a specialist BPO company that provides administrative support to the Embassy of India and its consulates. For more information on the Indian Visa Application process, visit www.in.ckgs.us.