Coming up: Visa-on-arrival facility at RGIA

Introduction of the visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility for international passengers at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad has been delayed for a week due to some technical issues, an official said Thursday.

The facility was to be introduced from Friday. An airport official said that the facility is now likely to be introduced after a week. The new date is expected to be announced in a couple of days.
The delay is reported to be due to some technical issues in the immigration department.

Last week, the central government had extended facility to international passengers travelling through the airport, which is managed by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL).

The tourist visa on arrival with a maximum validity of 30 days with single entry facility shall be granted by the Immigration officers at RGIA to citizens of 11 countries, Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia, GHIAL had said in a statement May 22.

The centre had introduced VoA scheme Jan 1, 2010 at certain airports for citizens of five countries. Subsequently, the number of countries was increased to 11.

The RGIA hopes that the facility will enhance tourism opportunities to India and specifically to Hyderabad and the state of Andhra Pradesh.