India Is Reported to Be Expanding Visa-on-Arrival to 180 Countries From October

India’s Ministry of Tourism is reported to be preparing a significant expansion of the country’s visa-on-arrival facility, extending it from the small group of countries currently covered, around 11 nations including Japan, Singapore and Finland, to roughly 180 nations, according to industry reports citing tourism ministry statements. The expanded facility is expected to become operational from October 2026, though the exact rollout date at individual airports had not been formally notified through official government channels at the time of writing.

What is reportedly changing

Under the current, narrower scheme, visa-on-arrival is limited to a short list of countries. The reported expansion would allow eligible passport holders from around 180 nations to be processed on arrival at designated international airports, rather than needing to apply for an e-visa or a traditional visa before departure. Citizens of a small number of countries, reportedly including Pakistan and Afghanistan, are expected to remain excluded from the facility on security grounds.

Why it matters

The move is being framed, in tourism ministry statements cited by trade coverage, as an effort to simplify entry for leisure travellers, business visitors and delegates attending conferences and exhibitions, part of a broader push to grow India’s inbound tourism numbers. It follows a run of other recent changes to India’s entry procedures, including the removal of mandatory boarding pass stamping at immigration in September 2026 and the steady expansion of e-visa entry points across the country’s airports, seaports and land borders.

View on Google Maps →

Traveller tips

• This report is based on tourism ministry statements carried by travel trade publications rather than a formal notification at the time of writing; treat the October 2026 date as provisional until confirmed.
• The visa-on-arrival expansion, as reported, concerns foreign nationals travelling to India, not Indian citizens travelling abroad.
• Existing e-visa and traditional visa routes into India are expected to continue operating alongside any expanded visa-on-arrival facility.
• Always confirm current visa requirements with India’s Bureau of Immigration or the official e-Visa portal, or with your airline, before booking travel.