The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is set to offer ‘visa on arrival’ facility, following an approval from the Centre.

International passengers travelling through the airport can now have a more convenient transit with this new offering.

Visitors from 11 countries will be eligible to get a visa on arrival with effect from May 31, an airport spokesman said.

The Government had introduced an Indian tourist visa-on-arrival scheme on January 1, 2010, at certain airports, which was initiated for citizens of five countries. Subsequently, it was extended to 6 more countries.

The ‘tourist visa on arrival’ with a maximum validity of 30 days and single entry facility shall be granted by the immigration officers at the airport to the citizens of 11 countries-- Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia.

SGK Kishore, CEO-GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd, said, "The introduction of this ‘Visa on Arrival’ scheme will facilitate enhanced tourism opportunities to India and specifically to Andhra Pradesh. This initiative by the Government of India will position RGIA as a preferred point of entry for foreign tourists planning to visit India."

This facility falls in line with the airport’s strategy to transform itself into a gateway for passengers from south and central India. Recently, the airport has been ranked No. 2 by the Airport Council International in the Airport Service Quality survey in the 5-15 million passengers per annum category.

The airport was commissioned in March 2008 with an initial capacity of 12 million passengers and 150,000 tonnes of cargo handling capacity per annum. It has the flexibility to increase capacity to accommodate over 40 million passengers.

amitmitra@thehindu.co.in

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