A Hindu refugee from Pakistan shows her now-expired Indian visa page on her passport. PHOTO: AFP
NEW DELHI: Tourists travelling to India from up to 180 countries will no longer have to queue up at their local consulates to obtain visas under reforms expected to be approved this week, local media reported Sunday.
Most foreigners currently have to wait several weeks before learning whether they will be allowed to enter the country after submitting their applications at visa processing centres, a major deterrent for potential visitors.
But India's intelligence agencies have now given their backing to proposals that would allow tourists to apply online and then wait only three days before receiving the green light, the Indian Express reported.
They would then be able to pick up their visas on arrival at any airport.
India currently issues visas on arrival to visitors from about a dozen foreign nations, including Japan and Indonesia.
But visitors from countries which account for the bulk of its tourists - such as the United States, Britain and France - have to go through the time-consuming process of applying in person.
The reforms were first mooted last October but only for around 40 countries.
The citizens of a handful of countries, including Pakistan, will not be included in the changes, the daily said.
Despite its cultural attractions, beaches and mountains, India attracts relatively few foreign holidaymakers - 6.58 million in 2012, which was about a quarter of Thailand or Malaysia.
A final decision on the visa reforms is likely to be taken on Wednesday at a meeting to be attended by the country's top intelligence officers.
No one from the interior ministry was immediately available for comment.
COMMENTS (84)
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@Jahangir: Not all hearts are filled with hatred im a pakistani and i have many many indian friends and they all are very close to my heart and we share a beautiful relationship stop spreading fake things there is no hatred there are still ppl who desire peace and love.......!!
@mystriousforever: Im a pakistani and i go every year any problems?
@Aman kantharia: Great to read your comments im a pakistani but ive visited india twice there are some extremist from both the countries who have some hatred whereas i have loads n loads of indian friends and relatives in india and love india :)
Hi everyone..i am from Pakistan and i really wish to visit India and explore it. I also want to interact with indian citizens and make friends over there..but i feel quite sad after viewing certain very unwelcoming comments. Come on guys open up your hearts..remove this hatred...and we Pakistanis are not that bad :p..so invite us to india :)...peace.
@Al-Bakistan: Reading the comments here you wouldn’t believe that the two nations were one for thousands of years !! . Wish you were around at the time of Mr. Jinnah. He was convinced that Hindus and Muslims are TWO SEPARATE NATIONS! . Cheers
Good decision by the Indian authorities.
@Jahangir: We first take a decision based on our wishes(belief) and then look for reasons to justify it. hope you understand. It is applicable on both side of the border.
@Ex Lahori,: The only people who care about good relationship are those who have relatives on both sides of border. The rest of India doesn't care about Pakistan.
Reading the comments here you wouldn't believe that the two nations were one for thousands of years !!
The general Public of both the Countrys is innocent and wants to live like good Hamsayays. it is the Establishment which makes sure that Citizens on both Sides do not come to Know what is your Virasat.And how good they are at keeping us separate.However, In the end ,only the Truth shall prevail.Amen
Pakistani citizens fancy cross over to India without passport and visa, so why waste money and time issuing visas ?
Good...This way I hope we severe all ties once and for all......
@Indian:There are my close relative. We and with our family want to visit India and to see there rich culture and diversity. It is good if they remove visa restriction for our country.
Hey Moderators, It's really heartening to see that you allow Indian commentators to bash out at Pakistan (on this Pakistani forum), who even use slang language sometimes, but our comments, which usually point towards the neutrality and even patriotism are filtered.
Going through the comments section of each news make me feel like reading an Indian paper instead of a Pakistani One. Please have some SELF RESPECT... And stop bashing Geo News, you are no less than them any way ! :@
Pakistanis wouldnt go cuz india is just like pakistan except more overcrowded and polluted
@nust: But, no. I’d rather stay in Pakistan. Whatever our faults. . Thank you very much indeed. Your statement is very much appreciated. Wish more Pakistanis had similar views. . Cheers
@optimist: All Pakistanis should visit India once in a life time. There are so many historical and other beautiful sites in India that one visit is not enough. What kind of person would be someone, if he dosn't want to see Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Golden Temple, Jalianwala Bagh, Agra Fort, Red Fort, Mithra, Ajmer Sharif, Dehli Jamia Mosque, Nizam-ud-Din Aulia Mazar, Ghalib's old city, Chandni Chowk and other hundreds of places.
@lol, Realy bro I don't believe it one indian think they are better than Pakistan I wanna laughed like crazy carrot but first wanna remind u just one small thing slumdog Millioners and second thing when one thing about india first thing in mind comes poverty like Africa and best cleaners in mid east... @ET, please published it for the sake of Geneva convention. haha
@ Lahori @ Afridi You both seem to have similar experience (though both of you appear to come from different provinces). . Both of you also suffer from same 'spacing' problem on keyboard as well. And people wonder how there are so many pro India comments!
@ Lol @ Jag Nathan @ Indian Reader @ Cosmo etc etc... I fully believe in you Indians and agree with you guys on severe restrictions. As someone who wants to see complete division between the two countries, I support Narendra Modi too. . We Pakistanis need more Indians like you. I also believe that there must NOT be ANY travel between India and Pakistan. . @ET, if you can publish those comments, mine are very mil as compared. Please no censor.
Who dare to think to go to failed state pakistan.A man with some common sense never go there.Most of the foreigner in pakistan will be a diplomat but in India it will be tourists,that's the difference.Even the ex-pakistan's does not want to go there home country.ET pls publish
Us Bangladeshis just send our drivers to the Indian High Commission with our passports and voila, visa stamped in a day without any hassle.
@mystriousforever "Who Care … Pakistani will never go lawless country"
Seriously, believe me if nobody cared, this wouldn't be a news and you wouldn't be commenting either!!!
Those Pakistani citizens who are above 70 should be given visa on arrival. Its a moral duty of India to give them a last chance to see their relatives.
@nust: India has more than mughal architecture.There are great Hindu,Buddhist.Zoroastrian , and christian centers as well with some of the oldest paintings and art worth viewing..
@optimist: It still better than your country whose streets are stalked by death.
@optimist: india is still richer than pakistan..... and also better HDI.... infact better at everything ....but again not comparing with a failed state.... with mullahs in every corner..... 40% pakis rot in slums..... so how much dirt free is ur pathetic nation every one knows.... rapes,acid attack.... murderes ,bombers.... ufff.....FAILED STATE.... plus pakistanis cant afford to travel to countries like MALAYSIA...... no money..... international beggars....:D be fair ET pubilsh plz
If Pakistan was in Indias position I am sure it would do likewise, Its not placing undue restrictions on Pakistanis but rather to keep themselves safe. Most Pakistanis and most Indians would like to visit each others nations and thats a good thing - but there are a few silly people in both nations who would like to mess things up for everyone.
No surprises there. No country give easy access to cheap pakistanis, not to even their ladies. For example in Canada to bring your spouse it take 3 years for a pakistani while every other nationality can bring theirs in maximum of 6 monthes. Cry me a river pakis... Well done India. @ mysteryforever i know why you wont come to India because we dont hv social welfare system here which you guys can exploit which you guys are fond of.
@optimist: Some parts of India and Pakistan are poor. But westerns want to visit India. Why ? because there is so much to see in India, not in Pakistan. Moreover India is much much safer than Pakistan
@optimist: Dont you know they have special restrictions for Pakistanis as well. You could go to Somalia, as they allow Pakistanis without any VISA.
All Pakistan has to do is to be responsible like other nations.
@TUNG: Right, you could always apply for cross border VISA issued by ISI and try your luck for not getting shot by Indian security forces.
Why pakistanis need Visas... They can come from KARACHI to MUMBAI in boats just like their KASAB.....
Pakistan is a poor country and so is India. . Why visit India? Why not Malaysia or any other dirt free country?
Any one who has regards for Indian heritage which was before Muslims came to India, should come to India. We have not destroyed the Mughal heritage even though hindus/temples suffered under Muslim rulers. Come as a friend and not with a mindset of conqueror.
I have been to India few times and have visited almost all historical sites. I have found Indian people very loving, respectful and helpful. Same is true for Pakistanis who welcome Indians with open arms. Some agencies on both sides create few problmes for Pakistanis and Indians but nobody can harm you, if abide by the law and keep your documents with you.
@Ehsan: Joe loag Surrender kertay hain woe line main he kharay hotay hain....Cheer up it wont be much longer ..
@mystriousforever: It Help speako proper Inglish.
I don't need to go to india I lived in Karachi......
boosting tourism industry in India will be priority for PM Modi just like he boosted tourism in Gujarat by the famous ads starring amitabh bachchan saying "kuch din to guzaro Gujarat mein."
Honestly, other than Muslims, most Indians do not want Pakistanis visiting India. We can do without your travel dollars and the accompanying plans to sow terror on our soil.
Why would anyone in thier right mind ever give a visa waiver or loosen the restrictions for a Pakistani. It is not not fair to many decent Pakistani's but at the end of the day a rule has to be applied to all even unfairly.
So for Pakistani's get your act together and stop living by wearing your religion on your sleeves all the time. Otherwise, you remain shunned and excluded from the World community.
Every country we go,pakistani's are considered like alliens, why ?
Nawaz Sharif was brought to power by rigging elections to give India most favoured nation status What a joke?
Its not just India but other countries too have special stricter restrictions for Pakistani nationals for visa.
We don't want that charity, thank you India!
There is no ban on Pakistanis visiting India. It is just that certain measures have to taken to keep India safe.
@mystriousforever - Grapes are sour ain't it??
@mystriousforever Many actors, singers, players as well as patients needing operation and medical facilities want to come to India. @Adnan You can visit India without problem ! Only Visa takes more time. That should be justifiable because of people like Ajmal Kasab, Bhatkal and many more. Visit India to enjoy Eid, whenever Pakistan have restrictions during Eid or other festivals !
@Ahmed: asked those who went there after taking visa and spent 20 odd precious years or their lives like Mr Chishti and Samjhota express sufferers. There 100 other better countries to visit in the world
It's a good decision on Indian part by excluding Pakistanis.Why to go to India when there hearts are filled with hatred for Pakistani nation and country apart from few celebs, sportsmen or businessmen for their personal gains by compromising on national integrity when they are killing people ruthlessly in occupied Kashmir.
Its awesome to see so many Pakistani brothers Visited or want to visit india.. wish Our government can ease visas for them too :( @Mysteriousforever actually its the other way round bro. Things change
@Adnan: Adnan, good Pakistanis ARE allowed to visit India. You need to apply for a visa in person and cannot do it online and collect at the airport on arrival. It just takes longer.
as for visiting india i only wish abt goin to my ancestoral home!who cares if theydont give me a visa
India...The country is becoming more and more insecure for women. They are treated as lesser beings at all levels and despite, all the hue and cry and all the pressure that the civil society is exerting over the government and other related organizations; after the infamous Delhi gang-rape and other similar incidents, the situation is still getting
Visting qutab minar,taj mahal,jaipur for there astonishing monuments,Riding on a cosmopolitan cities like mumbai,bangalore,delhi etc, walking on beaches in kerala,goa and its back waters,Visting tea estates,shimla etc for trecking and riding on indian trains on other various atonishing places are my wishes. But our dream never come a reality as of this unfair restriction.
No need Visa for Pakistanis. They are expert in crossing LOC to intrude in INdia, Even the Ex president Musharaff has once illegally entered India thru LOC
Waqt ki sitam zarifi dekhoo, Taj mahal jin ki miraas hai sirf unhn hi dekhne ke liye visa aur ticket laini paare geee :P
@mystriousforever: Get your head out of the sand!
India can attract lot of tourists through a new genre of tourism called 'Slum tourism'. Though they have started it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19546792
What we can expect our country, as our international tourist vistors become nill, hotels are running out of cash and deserted, insecuirty feeling every place as of snaching and robbery.Peoples are afraid to go alone as of terrorism and hijacking.Neither east nor west are friendly with us and our citizens are squeezed with out any entertainment !
Maybe Mullah Sami ul Haq or Fazlur Rahman can help to convince India for a visa free regime? What? No takers?
Its unfair that pakistan's are not allowed to visit India.In my life time ,atleast i like to visit India for a month.Tourist visit to any other place other than islamabad becomes dangerous.Visit to India and china is my dream.
This what indian & Geo News call Aman ki Asha.
It was an amazing our last year visit to India.Ride on delhi metro was unbeleivable.Also gone to agra,enjoyed nice beaches in south india.But the food was very spicy.Sorry that these enjoyments are really missing in our country.
Sad decision by Indian government.As tourist visits becomes unsafe here, i like to go to india with my family.Like to visit Taj Mahal,Jaipur,Delhi metro,Goa etc etc..and ofcourse nice foods.
We and with our family want to visit India and to see there rich culture and diversity.It is good if they remove visa restriction for our country.
can you convince me.......why you need to say this.... just shut up..people like u , any ways are not welcome in this country @mystriousforever:
I want to visit this amazing country. Please open visa for us. There are so many places to visit. Also there is a Baloch community living in Mumbai. I want to visit them too.
@mystriousforever: Good you don't want to enter India. We have achieved a polio-free status after a long and hard battle......we don't want the disease to enter India again
Who Care ... Why go to there .. can any one convence me
With divided friends and families India can easily attract a huge number of Pakistani tourists if the visa restrictions are relaxed and relations gets improved between the neighbors. It's a win win for both countries...save a few hawks.
Pakistanis do not need VISA to enter India !!
"Despite its cultural attractions, beaches and mountains, India attracts relatively few foreign holidaymakers – 6.58 million in 2012"
This line was full of frustration and depression .... , what about tourist visiting Pak ?
Who Care ... Pakistani will never go lawless country ... where poverty at peak