PANAJI
While airlines are beginning to operate international flights to and from Manohar International Airport (MIA), foreign travellers have been in for a rude shock on their arrival to learn that eVisa facilities are not available at the MIA.
There has also been considerable general confusion especially since Goa has been included in the list of 29 designated international airports through which eVisa holders can travel, but passengers are unaware that this eVisa facility is only applicable to Dabolim International Airport and not MIA.
A passenger recently travelling by Air India from Gatwick to Mopa narrated her experience on the eVisa issues and sought to advise other passengers travelling to Goa via Mopa airport.
“I want to pass this piece of important information to anyone travelling to Mopa on an eVisa. I arrived on the Air India flight to Mopa. My son had a valid eVisa but Mopa airport immigration refused to accept the eVisa.”
“Not just us, but this was with everyone holding the eVisa. The immigration officers made us pay another USD 40 for a three-day temporary leave permit and told us to go to the FRRO to get it extended to the rest of our stay. We had to run around for an extension.”
“We had originally booked our destination as Dabolim, but Air India changed it. If you are in a similar position, make Air India change it to Dabolim or through another flight. Air India staff was with us and were fully aware of the issue we were facing. Mopa Airport does not accept eVisa,” the passenger added.
According to the authorised portal for Visa Application to India, Goa has been included in the list of 29 designated international airports, through which eVisa holders can travel. However, it has not been clearly specified in the portal that only the Dabolim International Airport is an authorised immigration checkpost through which eVisa holders can travel.
Questions are now being asked as to who should take the responsibility to provide clear information and instructions to passengers that eVisa facility is not available at the Mopa airport.
It is unclear if carriers should have provided these details to their international passengers travelling to Goa via Mopa Airport or if this should have been made clear by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation or the Airports Authority of India that Goa, which is included in the list of 29 designated international airports, does not include MIA.
It now appears that trade partners have been informed of this situation.
In an advisory to trade partners, Air India stated that eVisa facility for India is not available for passengers arriving at Mopa airport (GOX) till further notice.
“Please ensure to inform all of your passengers accordingly who are booked to travel on A1-146/LGW-GOX holding Indian eVisa even if visa states in order to land at GOA. Kindly note that the permission on eVisa to land in Goa is only applicable to GOI (Dabolim) airport and not to GOX (Mopa) airport. If a passenger lands at GOX with e-visa, he/she will be deported/RTL on the same flight by immigration,” stated the advisory to the trade partners.
