They may not be the priciest part of the holiday, but they can be one of the most frustrating.
Obtaining visas, particularly when travelling to a developing country, often requires standing in consulate queues – and that’s well before the day-long wait for approval.
But thankfully, more destinations are starting to see how visas are putting a damper on the holiday before it has even begun.
In the last year, three growing Aussie holiday destinations – India, Indonesia and the UAE – have introduced new visa systems that make travelling to and around their shores simpler.
India was the latest, by introducing a new 30-day single-entry visa that can be obtained online 30 days before travel to the destination.
Speaking at a media event, Sunjay Sudhir, the Consul General of India in Sydney said the new e-visa is designed to cater to last minute travellers.
It’s also beneficial for holidaymakers who want to see the country for a short period before planning a bigger trip.
How does it work? Log onto indianvisaonline.gov.in. Select tourist visa on arrival where you upload your details and documents and pay US$60.
Within 72 hours the applicant will be emailed an approval letter, which they print out and show at an Indian gateway upon arrival.
So far, the visa upon arrival system is only available at nine India airports.
They include Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Trivandrum.
The visa can only be obtained twice a year and is not extendable.
Image: Rad Radu/Shutterstock
Meanwhile, Indonesia is opening up to Australian travellers through new visa-free entry.
Commencing January next year, travellers won’t be required to pay the US25 visa-on-arrival fee.
The country’s Maritime Affairs Coordinating Minister Indroyono Soesilo said the decision was made to increase inbound travel from key markets.
Currently, the country only allows visa-free entry to travellers from Hong Kong, Macau and other ASEAN destinations, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Last year, Indonesia welcomed 8.9 million international visitors. Around 900,000 came from Australia.
Overall 3.1 million visited Bali, including 826,000 Aussies.
Image: Pavel L Photo and Video/Shutterstock
In August this year the UAE also took steps towards making cruisers around the region easier, introducing a new joint visa system that allows cruisers to visit a number of UAE destination using one permit.
The multi-entry visa was previously only available to travellers visiting the region in a cruise ship.
However, now travellers can fly into Dubai Airport before hopping onto a cruise and sail out to UAE destinations like Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain.
The new visa costs AU$59. Whereas entry into Dubai alone can cost up to $44 for an Australia visiting for less than 96 hours.
In a statement earlier this year, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) executive director of business tourism, Hamad bin Mejren expects the new system will have a positive impact on tourism to Dubai and its neighbouring destinations.
“As partners, by working together we can promote the Arabian Gulf more effectively as a leading cruise destination. The new UAE multi-entry visa is a much welcome benefit to growing this important tourism segment.”
Hamad bin Mejren, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing executive director of business tourism
