Tourism News

Visa on Arrival at Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airports

In a move expected to significantly boost Kerala's tourism sector, the Centre Government has given its approval for the introduction of Visa on Arrival (VoA) service at the international airports in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.

Mr. A.P. Anilkumar, Minister for Tourism said preparations to implement the scheme at the two airports is currently underway. The new facility will allow citizens from 11 countries - Japan, Singapore, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia - to obtain tourist visas upon their arrival in Kerala.

The Minister hoped the new scheme and the convenience it offers will encourage more tourists from these countries to travel to Kerala. He said the decision to introduce Visa on Arrival service at five airports in the country, including Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, was taken at the third meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Tourism, subject to approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Mr. Mullappally Ramachandran, Minister of State for Home Affairs, has now informed that his ministry has given the go-ahead for the proposal.

Mr. K. C. Venugopal, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, is leading efforts to put in place the facilities required to implement Visa on Arrival at the two airports. The groundwork is nearing completion and service will soon be available for tourists, Mr. A.P. Anilkumar said.