On 13th March, 2015, Magnus Lodefalk and myself wrote a policy brief (under review) on the shortcomings of the promising "Tourist Visa on Arrival Scheme" particularly which is now enabled through ETA. In the policy brief, we thoroughly studied the design of the scheme and one of the recommendations we proposed was to change the name of the scheme, thus ending confusion amongst inbound tourist on whether the tourist would receive the visa on arrival or whether the tourist has to obtain the e-visa to be able to obtain a visa at the immigration check-point for entering India.
On 9th April, 2015 Ideas for India covered the policy brief in as a blog-post where it highlighted the confusion the name was creating amongst inbound tourist to India (http://www.ideasforindia.in/article.aspx?article_id=1436).
On 10th April, 2015, Wall Street Journal also covered the policy brief along with my interview and highlighted the confusion the name was causing amongst inbound tourists to India (http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/04/10/indias-quick-fix-to-visa-on-arrival-confusion/)
Ministry of Tourism has been spreading the word that the name would change such that the confusion would come to end. For instance, on 9th April, 2015, the ministry acknowledged that the name was confusing (http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/to-end-confusion-e-visa-scheme-renamed-visa-online-753577). Similarly, on 14th April, 2015, the ministry continued to acknowledge that the name was confusing (http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tourism-ministry-to-rename-confusing-tourist-visa-on-arrival-facility/article1-1336908.aspx)
However, there was light at the end of the tunnel, with effect from 15th April, 2015, "The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to change the name of the scheme ‘Tourist Visa on Arrival-Electronic Travel Authorization’ to ‘e-Tourist Visa’ (eTV)" (read http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=118240 for press coverage).
Although a change in the name of the policy is a step in the right direction, there is more for the government to achieve to be able to maximize the economic benefits. For instance, bring clarity in the objective of the scheme, provide more information on the stated objective of the traveler using the now e-tourist Visa (eTV), extend it to countries that play a significant role in a developing India (read the policy brief for more details).
We are positive that the government is going to make swift changes for a better India swiftly.
We would like to extend our gratitude to WSJ, Ideas for India, and Observer Researcher Foundation for working with us round the clock.
On 9th April, 2015 Ideas for India covered the policy brief in as a blog-post where it highlighted the confusion the name was creating amongst inbound tourist to India (http://www.ideasforindia.in/article.aspx?article_id=1436).
On 10th April, 2015, Wall Street Journal also covered the policy brief along with my interview and highlighted the confusion the name was causing amongst inbound tourists to India (http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/04/10/indias-quick-fix-to-visa-on-arrival-confusion/)
Ministry of Tourism has been spreading the word that the name would change such that the confusion would come to end. For instance, on 9th April, 2015, the ministry acknowledged that the name was confusing (http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/to-end-confusion-e-visa-scheme-renamed-visa-online-753577). Similarly, on 14th April, 2015, the ministry continued to acknowledge that the name was confusing (http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tourism-ministry-to-rename-confusing-tourist-visa-on-arrival-facility/article1-1336908.aspx)
However, there was light at the end of the tunnel, with effect from 15th April, 2015, "The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to change the name of the scheme ‘Tourist Visa on Arrival-Electronic Travel Authorization’ to ‘e-Tourist Visa’ (eTV)" (read http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=118240 for press coverage).
Although a change in the name of the policy is a step in the right direction, there is more for the government to achieve to be able to maximize the economic benefits. For instance, bring clarity in the objective of the scheme, provide more information on the stated objective of the traveler using the now e-tourist Visa (eTV), extend it to countries that play a significant role in a developing India (read the policy brief for more details).
We are positive that the government is going to make swift changes for a better India swiftly.
We would like to extend our gratitude to WSJ, Ideas for India, and Observer Researcher Foundation for working with us round the clock.