To apply for a tourist visa to India, you need to apply online for E-visa through the official Indian government website. You will need to visit your closest country consulate. This is a list of country embassies in the world.
India is an unmistakably hospitable country that treats guests with respect and affection. A nation that blindly believes in only one belief: “Guest is equal to God.” There is much to discover in this land of various cultures, deep-rooted beliefs, and uncountable religions, all linked to distinct historical tales.
How to apply for a tourist visa to India
Foreign nationals can apply for a tourist visa to India online by clicking here. The candidate can apply 30-120 days before their estimated arrival date in India. If you plan to enter India, you may be eligible to apply for an e-Visa. The list of countries that are eligible for an e-Visa is updated regularly, so make sure to check here.
To apply for an Indian visa, fill out and print the online application form. Sign the form and submit it with your supporting documents and passport to the Indian Visa Application Center or the Indian Mission on your appointment day. Follow the instructions in the Regular Visa Application guide for help.
To apply for a tourist visa to India, follow these three steps:
Apply Online
You can securely complete and submit your visa application form through the official Government of India portal.
Submit Documents
You must submit your application and the required documentation to the Indian Mission or the Indian Visa Application Center.
Receive Passport
You can collect your passport or visa from the Indian Mission/Visa Application Center or receive it by mail.
There are various benefits to acquiring an India e-Visa:
Simple online application
There is no need to visit an embassy in person
Visas are quickly processed and delivered
Do I need a visa for India
Probably yes, most countries require a visa to enter India, but the good news is that citizens from many countries can apply for an e-Visa. Check the official Indian government website for a list of eligible countries. Bhutan and Nepal are exempt.
Citizens of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE can apply for a visa upon arrival at certain airports in India. Those not on the eligibility list will likely need to apply for a traditional visa at their nearest Indian consulate. Pakistani citizens must also apply through an Indian consulate, regardless of passport.
What exactly is an Indian e-Tourist Visa
The India e-Tourist Visa falls under Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). To enter India, travelers must submit an online visa application and await approval. Once approved, travelers receive a visa stamp upon arrival. The e-Tourist visa is a sub-category within the e-Visa scheme, including the e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa, and e-Conference Visa.
How many types of Indian e-Tourist Visas are available
The 30-day e-Tourist Visa allows entry up to 30 days from arrival with a double-entry permit.
The one-year e-Tourist Visa is valid for 365 days starting from the date of the ETA grant and permits multiple entries.
With a validity of 5 years starting from the ETA grant date, the five-year e-Tourist Visa permits multiple entries.
It’s important to note that all three types of e-Tourist visas are non-extendable and non-convertible. The one-year and five-year e-Tourist visas allow for multiple entries, but there are restrictions on the duration of each stay. If you are a citizen of the USA, UK, Canada, or Japan, you can stay continuously during each visit for up to 180 days. However, if you are from any other eligible country, your continuous stay during each visit must not exceed 90 days.
E-Visa application process
To apply for a tourist e-visa to India, you can visit the official website and follow these steps:
Apply online by uploading a photo and a page from your passport.
Pay the visa fee using a credit or debit card or payment wallet.
Receive your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) online, which will be delivered to your email address.
Fly To India: Print your ETA, or have it on your phone, and bring it to an Immigration Checkpoint to have your visa stamped in your passport.
How much does an Indian e-Tourist visa cost
The cost of an Indian e-Tourist visa varies by country and type of visa. Most eligible countries have the same fee, which can be checked on the e-Tourist Visa Fee Chart. A bank charge of 2.5% is added to the visa fee. It’s important to note that the fee must be paid at least four days before the expected arrival date, or the application will not be processed.
What is the processing time for an Indian e-Tourist visa
It normally takes three business days to process an Indian e-Tourist visa application. It is not advisable to rush the application because there is a 30 or 120-day timeframe for submission. After approval, the ETA will be given to your email, and you may monitor the status of your application there. Check the status to ensure it says “Granted.” You can also check your visa status on the official application page.
Sources: Indian visa online
The caption of the cover image above is in Himachal Pradesh, India. Photo by Aman Upadhyay on Unsplash.
Leave a Reply