Tourism News

ETA-enabled Visa-on-Arrival Facility

Published in Newsletter Issue No. 257 - January 2015

Kerala has become the gateway to India for holiday makers from 43 countries who can now get Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) enabled with ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) at the Thiruvananthapuram and Cochin international airports. Kerala is the only state to have two airports where the service has been introduced.

Effective from 27th November 2014, the TVoA enabled with ETA will allow tourists to apply and pay the fee for visa online. Eligible applicants will receive the official travel authorization via email and only need to present a printed copy of the same to the immigration authorities upon their arrival in India.

"This new facility will make travelling to Kerala hassle-free for citizens of many countries. We will ensure that potential visitors are aware of this advantage by intensifying our promotional campaigns in key markets such as Germany, Australia, Japan, Russia, USA and UAE, which will be a great boost to tourism" said Mr. A. P. Anilkumar, Minister for Tourism, Kerala.

"TVoA enabled with ETA, which has been extended to more countries, has opened up wider markets for Kerala Tourism in Asia and Europe. We intend to take full advantage of this," said Mr. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Secretary, Kerala Tourism. 

"Convenient travel facilities coupled with focus on building infrastructure and quality services should help the State maintain its status as one of the leading tourism destinations in the world" said Mr. P. I. Sheik Pareeth, Director, Kerala Tourism.

To know more about TVoA, visit https://www.keralatourism.org/visa-requirement.php