India is expecting to see more foreign visitors as it opens the visa-on-arrival system for visitors from Japan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and South Korea. Six main international airports in the country—including those in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai—allow visitors from the aforementioned countries to avail of this facility. This project by the Indian government represents a major turning point in the nation’s attempts to increase its travel industry and improve ties with other countries. This programme highlights India’s dedication to providing visitors from these important partner countries, among the fastest-growing sources of foreign visitors to India, with additional access to and convenience from travel.
Originally, India launched the visa-on-arrival programme for nationals from limited countries, but the Indian government later expanded the list of countries after careful consideration of the growing interest of visitors from South Korea, the the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Japan in India.
Japan and India have a close cultural relationship because of their shared religious and historical backgrounds—especially Buddhism, which originated in India and then expanded to Japan. Apart from that, the two nations have been strengthening their diplomatic and business relations; so, it is expected that the visa-on-arrival program will help to strengthen the international relations even more. Well-known for their passion for cultural travel, Japanese guests are expected to visit India’s many historical sites, hence increasing the tourism business of the nation and ultimately boosting the economy of the country.
The United Arab Emirates is another important partner for India as both nations share tight commercial links and a growing relationship—partially attributable in part to the large Indian expatriate population in the UAE. This close relationship helps both countries to value their visa-on-arrival systems more highly. More UAE citizens are likely to visit India, for business, pleasure, or medical tourism, depending on their choice. Given the proximity and rising appeal of India’s varied tourism offers, the UAE market presents a great opportunity for India.
Another important ally in this endeavour, is South Korea, which is strengthening its commercial and cultural contacts with India. Thanks to spiritual tourism and a rich cultural legacy, India also shows a rise in South Korean visitors. The visa policy amendment will greatly simplify travel for South Koreans, hence improving India’s appeal as a top travel destination for South Korean tourists. This initiative is supposed to inspire more South Korean visitors to discover the special experiences presented by India, hence enhancing the link between the two countries.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme:
Designed to build tourism infrastructure throughout India, the Ministry of Tourism developed the flagship scheme, “Swadesh Darshan.” Initially launched in 2014–2015, the programme was later redesigned under the name Swadesh Darshan 2.0, with changes emphasising environmentally friendly, responsible travel locations. Through this scheme, the government grants funds to UT administrations and central agencies. “Since its inception, 76 projects have been sanctioned under varied thematic circuits with a total funding of Rs 5,287 crore, of which Rs 4,944 crore has already been released,” the Ministry of Tourism said. The scheme also introduces 15 theme-based tourist circuits, which were strategically designed by the Ministry of Tourism.
Future expectations:
The Indian government has been heavily funding programmes meant to boost its travel sector. The visa-on-arrival system is a crucial element of a broader strategy designed to boost tourism, which also includes streamlining visa processes, promoting digital tourism services, and strengthening connections with major international markets. India is positioning itself as a worldwide vacation destination, so expanding visa-on-arrival services to other nations is probably going to boost tourist arrivals, thus promoting development in the industry and improving India’s global attractiveness.
Ultimately, the introduction of visa-on-arrival for visitors from Japan, the UAE, and South Korea is a major step towards reaching India’s travel target. This project is expected to strengthen cultural and economic links with these countries, improve India’s global tourism profile, and help the travel industry expand in the next few years by making travel to India more accessible.
