How can you apply for a Tourist Visa for India?

Every foreign citizen is required to obtain a visa before entering India. For tourists and visitors, there are two ways to apply for a tourist visa for India: the e-visa and the regular tourist visa. The e-visa is for a shorter period of stay and much easier to apply for while the regular tourist visa can be a pain to get and is more expensive but is also valid for a minimum of six months to 10 years, depending on your nationality. So it really depends on your travel plans.

We would like to introduce both options to you in this article and answer questions like Who can apply? How much does it cost? What are the requirements?

What is an E-Visa OR Electronic Travel Authorization?

The e-visa format resembles a visa on arrival but is not exactly a visa on arrival. The applicant needs to submit their India visa forms online and pay the necessary fees online. The applicant would be informed online if the electronic tourist visa is granted or not. It is still not exactly a visa on arrival as you still have to apply before you arrive in India. However, it’s a lot less cumbersome than couriering your passports or having to line up outside an Indian Embassy.

Eligibility for an Indian Tourist Visa:

Purpose: Only four possible intentions are considered innocent by the Indian Government. Recreation and sightseeing, Casual visits with friends and family, short duration medical treatment and Casual business visit. Our apologies on not making a category for Self-Discovery.

Passport: The original document should be valid for another six months from arrival. It should have at least two blank pages to fill up with Indian stamps. Those holding Pakistani Passports or of Pakistani origin are unfortunately not allowed this convenience. They must apply directly at India Mission for regular passports. Diplomatic/Official Passport holders, those endorsed on Parent’s/Spouse’s Passport and International Travel Document Holders will all have to also make do with the regular method of obtaining visas.

Details of E-Tourist Visa for India:

For applications to be eligible they must be submitted no later than 4 days and no earlier than 34 days before the date of arrival. So if you’re the kind that likes their itinerary done and dusted well in advance, you might want to consider a traditional tourist visa for India.

You can get a maximum of 2 Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA) in a year with one of them providing a maximum stay of 30 days.

Carry a copy of ETA at the time of your travel (obviously). After you arrived at one of the designated airports mentioned you will need to proceed to the e-visa counter where they will actually add the tourist visa to your passport. Afterwards you will need to carry on to the immigration counter where they will stamp your passport. This might take quite some time at busy airports like Delhi or Mumbai.

 

Your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will usually be processed and issued within 3 business days after your online application if approved.

 

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Guide on how to apply for an Indian Visa for US Citizens

Almost all nationalities, including US citizens, need to apply for a visa before traveling to India which means that applying for an Indian visa is an essential part of planning any trip to India.  As the process of applying for an Indian Visa for US citizens can sometimes be a little confusing and I get a lot of questions about applying for Indian visas and wrote a post for UK citizens and Canadians.

If a trip to India is approaching and time is in short supply, apply online at the Indian Government’s website for an e-Visa. United States citizens must have a valid passport and visa to visit this vast, diverse, ancient country and it takes a minimum of four days for the visa application to process. Once granted, an e-Visa is valid for 60 days after the arrival date.

Indian e-Visa Restrictions:

Only visitors entering India at certain airports or seaports can use an e-Visa. The 24 designated airports include Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Mangalore, Amritsar, Jaipur, Kolkata and Hyderabad, and the designated seaports are Goa, Mangalore and Cochin. E-Visa holders can exit India from any authorized Immigration Check Post the validity dates on e-Visas aren’t extendable.

Required Documents:

A passport that’s valid for six months after the arrival date and a digital photograph are the minimum requirements to apply for an Indian e-Visa. You must submit a copy of your passport’s bio page along with a recent, passport-style photograph in JPEG format. Medical visa applicants must also submit a copy of a letter from the relevant Indian hospital, and business visitors need to include a copy of their business cards. On arrival, visitors must be able to show they have a return or onward ticket and enough money for their stay.

How to Apply for an Indian e-Visa:

Apply for an Indian e-Visa online via the Indian Government’s website. Complete the application form for the correct visa type, whether it’s an e-Tourist visa, e-Medical visa or an e-Business visa, and attach the relevant documents. You must pay a fee before the application is accepted. After you apply, the visa application status becomes available to view on the website. When the visa application has the status “Granted,” print off a copy to take on your trip.

Regular Visa Applications:

The processing time for Indian visas that aren’t e-Visas is variable, but the application website supplies estimation when the application is submitted. Though a non-e-Visa application for travel, business, medical or other visits usually takes longer to process than an e-Visa application, the validity duration of the visa is often longer.

How to apply for an Indian Visa online | Indian E-Tourist Visa

In order to visit India for tourism, business or any other reasons, all foreign nationalities are required to fulfill certain eligibility criteria and furnish valid travel documents such as the passport, visa, etc. While the visa applicant can opt for the regular method of application, an Indian visa can also be requested online. In case of regular visa application, the application form needs to be signed and submitted along with all other supporting documents at the concerned Indian Visa Application Center.

The Application Process Is Categorized Into The Following Steps:

Online Application – The online application process involves filling in the application form, uploading the necessary documents such as the passport and the passport size photograph according to the specifications. Applicants are advised to use the latest Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Internet Explorer for best viewing and navigation experience.

Payment of Visa Fee – Once the application is completed successfully, the applicant will be advanced to the payment page where he/she can pay the visa fee based on the visa type. The payment can be made through debit and credit cards. Based on the entry scheme, whether the visa will allow single, double or multiple visits, the visa fee will be calculated accordingly.

Receiving the e-Visa – When the application form is submitted, the applicant will receive a reference/acknowledgement number which can be utilized to track the progress of the application process. If the visa application is approved, the applicant will receive the e-visa through an e-mail which is sent to the registered email ID. The applicants are advised to take a print out of the e-Visa and carry it at all times during the travel. If the visa application is rejected, the visa fee will not refund.

Who Can Apply For An Indian E-Visa?

The foreigners who wish to visit India for recreation, sight-seeing, meeting friends or relatives, medical treatment, and business can apply for an Indian Visa. The visitors need a valid passport with at least six months of validity from the date of arrival in India. Additionally, the passport must have at least two blank pages for immigration Officer’s stamp. The visitors are also required to have sufficient funds to support their travel along with accommodation and daily expenses. Along with the other required documents, confirmed return tickets are also a part of the application procedure. The nationalities from the following country can apply for an e-Visa to India.

Benefits of applying with us | Indian E Tourist Visa

Indian E Tourist Visa is an exclusive organization, not affiliated with the Indian Government or any outsiders, providing similar services. Our expert travel assistance services include support and handling of the Indian Electronic Visa application.

Welcome to Indian Online Visa

E-visa for India is a milestone benefit started by the Government of India keeping in mind the end goal to influence making a trip to India to a noteworthy and bother free understanding for the universal guests. E-visa for India has been further subcategorized into E-restorative visa, E-business visa and E-visitor visa for India. The applicants can apply for any of these visa classifications relying on their inspiration of visit to India. The whole methodology is absolutely online in nature the e visa endorsement is straightforwardly informed to the candidate. The global guests need to pass on their substantial international ID and a printed version of their e visa underwriting in order to get section into the Indian Territory.

E-visa for India is a milestone advantage began by the Government of India remembering the ultimate objective to impact influence an excursion to India to a critical and bothers free understanding for the all universal visitors. E-visa for India has been further subcategorized into E-helpful visa, E-business visa and E-visitor visa for India. The candidates can apply for any of these visa arrangements depending on their inspiration of visit to India. The entire procedure is totally online in nature the e visa endorsement is straightforwardly messaged to the candidate. The global guests need to convey their substantial international ID and a printed version of their e visa endorsement so as to pick up passage into the Indian Territory.

Important Note

Is critical to important that once an application is started or submitted then you should not begin or present another application against a similar passport number. Any and every consequent application might be rejected by the Government of India because of redundancy/duplicity. It is strictly advised to complete and finish just a single application and not submit more than one application. You might not be granted some other visa against a similar passport till the time your previous visa is still valid if any details are incorrect in the visa. Once an application is submitted or visa is allowed against a passport, it can’t be canceled, corrected or refunded. Candidates are advised to be most careful about the details submitted in the applications and must survey before at long last making the payment. It is strictly advised not submit more Than one applications at the same Time and just a similar application be finished that was started. There is any inquiry about duplicity/redundancy then you should contact quickly on the 24X7 Customer care number and get it checked before continuing further to avoid any kind of issue.

Urgent Visa Processing

We give Express, Fast Track and Emergency Visa Services for who need to get visa urgently in 18 to 24 working hours. Processing time of e-visitor visa application will be 16 working hours from receipt of the installment of visa applications alongside archives. This administration will be finished with extra charges. Apply for India Online Visa and Get Visa Approval in 12 to 16 Business Hours.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for E Tourist Visa

Indian Tourist Visa is currently required by all nationalities wishing to travel to India as a tourist, to meet friends, family or holiday. Applicants wishing to visit India are normally granted a short-term and long term tourist visa, normally for valid for up to 12 months and two to 5 years effective from the date of issue.

Our visa charges include the fee payable to the Government of India, our handling & administration charges. Please note all visas are granted solely at the discretion of the High Commission of India and its Consulates. Tourist visas are non-extendible and non-convertible. We are able to obtain Indian tourist Visa with fast turn-around time.

Tourist Visa – Indian Visa Requirements:

There should be a gap of at least 2 months between two separate visits to India on a Tourist visa. For Tourist visa holders who wish to visit India within 2 months of their last visit, an application for a Permit to Re-enter India is necessary. No Permit is needed if the visa holder is traveling to multiple countries on the same itinerary and the trip follows the itinerary exactly. The visa holder must carry a copy of the itinerary to show the Immigration Officer.

• An India Tourist Visa is given to those visiting India for tourism or other non-business related purposes.
• Applicants volunteering, working with charities or working with non-profit organizations must apply for an Employment visa.
• 5 year and 10 year Tourist visas are available only to US citizens under a bilateral arrangement.

Eligibility Criteria for E Tourist Visa:

• International travelers who plan to visit India for sightseeing, recreation, meeting friends and relatives, casual visit, business visit or medical treatment for short duration.
• The passport must have validity of at least 6 months from arrival date in India. There should be two blank pages in the passport so that the immigration officer can stamp there.
• The international travelers must have onward journey or return ticket along with sufficient money for the stay in India.
• International traveler who are of Pakistani origin or have Pakistani passport can choose to apply for regular Visa.
• E-tourist Visa cannot be availed by holders of official and diplomatic passports.
• Every individual must have a separate passport. E-tourist Visa cannot be availed by people who are endorsed on the passports of spouse or parent.
• This visa cannot be availed by holders of international travel document.

How to Apply for the India E-Tourist Visa on Arrival | E-Visa

India is truly one of the most memorable destinations to visit when traveling the world. From Jaipur, Delhi, Agra to the holy Varanasi, India offers wonderful and magical sites for the young and old alike. If you like lavish palaces, colorful bazaars, temple carvings, Bollywood movies and off course buildings, such as the Taj Mahal, then you’re in need of the India E-Tourist Visa to make your India travel dreams a reality.

When we first left on our travels in the beginning of 2014, we knew we wanted to visit India but we weren’t sure how to go about getting the required visa for a visit while we were on the road. In the past, taking a trip to India was a bit of a process. There were embassy’s involved, loads of paperwork, long wait times and uncertain results. However today, hundreds of citizens from all over the world can now apply online for their India E-Tourist Visa instead of visiting an Indian embassy in their home country or during their travels.

We happened to be traveling in Thailand when the announcement was made that you could now apply for your visa to India online without having to visit an embassy. It was an overwhelming sigh of relief because we were originally planning to spend several weeks attempting to obtain a visa in Bangkok. With the announcement and new process, came an almost instantaneous visa from the comfort of our hotel room. Traveling to India no longer has to be a headache of paperwork, delays and long lines.

The Process:

For those planning a trip, whether it be for business or leisure, everyone requires a valid passport and a visa to take a flight to India.  Remember that you need to get your Indian E-Tourist Visa Online when planning your trip to enjoy this absolutely awe inspiring country.

 

Thankfully, technology has made it much easier to get the India E-Tourist Visa. It’s now linked electronically to your passport so you can apply conveniently from the comfort of your home prior to your trip and leave the spare time to planning and packing. No need to hover over your mailbox for weeks on end, simply apply at least 72 hours before your arrival to India and print the PDF document that will arrive via email.

 

Your India E-Tourist Visa is valid for a one entry and has duration of 30 days. Make sure that your itinerary is planned accordingly because this is not a visa that can be renewed or extended once you are in the country.

 

There are essentially two types of Indian Visas for tourists:

To apply for a six-month (or longer) tourist Visa, you need to apply at an Indian mission (see links above for examples of Consulate Generals and High Commissions). You have to apply online, print the form and bring it to your local consulate. There will be many very specific rules, such as the exact dimensions of the photos you need to bring. If you don’t follow the guidelines precisely, and to the letter, they will not accept your application. Likewise if there are any mistakes, such as a name misspelled.

To get detailed information about the e-Visa, read this page.

To apply for the new e-Visa facility, you can apply online on this page: Indian Visa Online. See below for more details.

What is the Eligibility for Indian tourist visa | E-visa

Tourism has grown leaps and bounds over the years in India, with each region contributing something to its splendor and exuberance. India’s rich cultural diversity reflects through its people, languages, cuisine, traditions, customs, music, dance, religious practices, and festivals, its holistic healing traditions, art and craft.

To make travel to India trouble-free and unforgettable for foreign tourists, the Government of India launched e-Tourist Visa External Website that opens in a new window on November 27, 2014, to 43 countries from nine designated Indian Airports. The e-Tourist Visa facility – External Website that opens in a new window was extended to the nationals of 31 countries in May 2015. The total number of countries under the scheme is 76. The scheme will be extended to more countries in a phased manner. The Government is aiming to extend this scheme to 150 countries to encourage and promote tourism in India.

E-Tourist Visa Facility:

External Website that opens in a new window is currently available for holders of passport of following countries; Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Japan.

Eligibility for the scheme:

International Travelers whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit.

• Passport should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.
• International Travelers should have a return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.
• International Travelers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.
• Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders. Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent’s/Spouse’s Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
• Not available to International Travel Document holders.

Instructions for e-Tourist Visa:

• Applicants of the eligible countries may apply online visa minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 30 days. Example: If you are applying on 1st Sept. then the applicant can select arrival date from 5th Sept. to 4th Oct.
• Recent front-facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport containing personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc. to be uploaded by the applicant. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded document and photograph are not clear/as per specification.
• Applicant should carry a copy of eTV – External Website that opens in a new window along with him/her at the time of travel.
• Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India.
• The validity of visa will be 30 days from the date of arrival in India.
• eTV – External Website that opens in a new window is valid for entry through 9 designated Airports i.e. Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai & Trivandrum. However, the foreigner can take exit from any of the authorized Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) in India.
• This facility is in addition to the existing Visa services.

What is E-Visa OR Electronic Travel Authorization? | Indian E Tourist Visa

The duration of stay on e-visa has been increased from 30 days to 60 days with a double entry with effect from April 1st, 2017. The window for application under e-visa scheme has been increased from 30 days to 120 days. Therefore it became easier to obtain a tourist visa for India. You can now also apply for a medical or business visa online. However, this requires different documents to be uploaded see here.

Every foreign citizen is required to obtain a visa before entering India. For tourists and visitors there are two ways to apply for a tourist visa for India. The e-visa and the regular tourist visa. The e-visa is for a shorter period of stay and much easier to apply for while the regular tourist visa can be a pain to get and is more expensive but is also valid for minimum of six months upto 10 years, depending on your nationality. So it really depends on your travel plans.

Eligibility for an Indian Tourist Visa

Purpose: Only four possible intentions are considered innocent by the Indian Government. Recreation and sightseeing, Casual visits with friends and family, short duration medical treatment and Casual business visit.

Passport: The original document should be valid for another six months from arrival. It should have at least two blank pages to fill up with Indian stamps. Those holding Pakistani Passports or of Pakistani origin are unfortunately not allowed this convenience. They must apply directly at India Mission for regular passports. Diplomatic/Official Passport holders, those endorsed on Parent’s/Spouse’s Passport and International Travel Document Holders will all have to also make do with the regular method of obtaining visas.

Application Requirements for the Tourist Visa for India

Passport:  You will need to submit a scanned copy of your passport’s information page after filling the application form which you can find here.

Photo:   If you have a digital copy of a passport sized photo, upload it to the website. Alternately use a scanned photo of a regular passport photo instead.

Proof of Departure:  Confirmed round trip ticket so they know you’re not trying to sneak in and start a new life.

 

Fees:  The e-visa fee depends on the country of origin. At the moment citizen from 161 countries can apply for an e-visa. To find out the fee applicable for your country please click here.

 

How to Apply U.S Citizens for Indian Visa | Indian E Tourist Visa

It’s during the holiday season, and you are probably looking forward to that vacation in the Goa. It could even be that work errand to or from India you need to get too urgently, and you are wondering how to get a visa without a tussle.

In the 21st century acquiring a visa has been made easy. You could apply for it online, by mail or by reporting directly to their offices. Payments for visas have also changed through time. Now you may use Visa tokens to pay for your visa. There are several requirements you will need to fulfill to obtain your entry visa.

Requirements Set by the India Visa:

Passport:

You will require an original signed passport and a photocopy of passport information. The passport should be valid for six months beyond your stay in India, and it should be signed.

Indian visa application forms:

You must have a signed Indian visa application form. Have an extra copy as well just in case need arises. Your signature on both the Visa application form and passport must match. Remember to sign on both pages of your visa application form.

Photograph:

For your Indian e Visa enquiry you will need a recent colored 2×2 passport type photo with a plain background. You should not wear sunglasses when the photo is taken. The photo should not be stapled to the application either. Alternatively you can upload your passport photo to the Global Service Order Form instead of providing physical photos.

An Additional particulars form:

This is just a fill-out form on other important information to verify your identity as being legitimately your own. Preferably avoid the use of the term ‘N/A’ in questions that do not apply.

Proof of residential address:

Here you will have to provide a clear photo of your drivers’ license or state issued ID. The address should match exactly your present address on the visa card. Alternatively, a recent major utility bill like on electricity, gas, water, sewage or a current lease containing both the tenant and landlord may be accepted.

Letter of invitation from India:

In case you are coming to India for a company job, a letter of invitation from the Host Company or individual explaining their relationship to you as the applicant is important. The purpose of the travel should also be stated. The letter must be signed and sealed on company letterhead by the host in India. As a measure of being on the safe side, you may include the business cover letter.

Business letter:

A letter from your employer or sponsoring company from outside the country introducing you, the applicant, is important. The letter should include the applicants’ employment status in the company and a clearly stated purpose of going to India.

A tourist visa on arrival scheme exists currently for nationals of listed counties. Here you can apply for and receive the visa on arrival to the country. This visa is only valid for 30 days, and can only be used for tourism purposes.

As soon as you submit your visa application form you will receive a receipt number that allows you to track the progress of the processing of your e-Tourist Visa. It takes a minimum of 4 working days to get e-Tourist Visa approval. Once you receive a confirmation email with the approval of your application form you must print a copy and keep it with you at all times during your trip to India.

Top 5 Guidelines to Getting an E-Visa for India | Indian E Tourist Visa

Visitors to India can either apply for a regular visa or an e-Visa. The e-Visa hassle-free to obtain, although it’s valid for a shorter duration. Here’s what you need to know about it. The Indian government has also widened the scope of the visa scheme to include short duration medical treatment and yoga courses, and casual business visits and conferences. Previously, these required separate medical/student/business visas.

The “e-Tourist Visa” scheme became known as “e-Visa”. It was divided into three categories:

• E-Tourist Visa
• E-Business Visa
• E-Medical Visa

What is the Procedure for Obtaining an E-Visa?

As well as entering you travel details; you will need to upload a photograph of yourself with a white background that meets the specifications listed on the website, and the photo page of your passport that shows your personal details. Your passport will need to be valid for at least six months. Additional documents may be required depending on the type of e-Visa required.

How long is the Visa Valid For?

It’s now valid for 60 days (increased from 30 days), from the time of entry. Two entries are permitted on e-Tourist visas and e-Business visas, while three entries are permitted on e-Medical visas. The visas are non-extendable and non-convertible.

Which Indian Entry Points Accept E-Visas?

You can now enter at the following 25 international airports (increased from 16) in India: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kochi, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi, and Vishakhapatnam.

Important: Scams to be Aware of

When applying for your e-Visa, do be aware that a number of commercial websites have been created to look similar to the government of India’s official website, and they claim to provide online visa services to tourists. These websites are:

• co.in
• org
• com