(MENAFN- KNN India) The Ministry of Home Affairs has changed the name of the scheme 'Tourist Visa on Arrival-Electronic Travel Authorisation' to 'e-Tourist Visa' (eTV) from today. The extension of the scheme to more countries and airports will be in a phased manner, in order to avoid any confusion.
"It has been observed that the name of the scheme (TVoA-ETA) is creating confusion among tourists. Tourists presumed as if the Visa is being granted on arrival, however in present system the pre-authorisation of Visa to foreigners is being given prior to travel. The ministry had also received the requests of name change from some Indian embassies." it said.
A committee of officers from Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and Bureau of Immigration (BoI) was formed for formulation of new name for the scheme. A contest was also conducted on mygov.in inviting suggestions on the name of the scheme.
Keeping in view the application process and purpose of the scheme, the committee had suggested e-Tourist Visa (eTV) as the appropriate new name for the scheme.
The 'Tourist Visa on Arrival enabled by Electronic Travel Authorisation' (TVoA-ETA) was launched on 27th November, 2014 to 44 countries at nine airports to facilitate short duration international travellers. The government is now planning to extend the scheme to UK, France, Italy, Spain and China.
Around 1,10,000 visas have been issued by government under this scheme. (KNN/ST)
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