A Detailed Guide to eVisa for India

EVisa for India – Avoid India Tourist Visa Surprises. Make sure to check your visa requirements before you book your trip to beautiful India. – by Sushma Goswami

The story about my eVisa application experience for India (Indian e-Tourist Visa)

A few months ago I decided to try the new India eTourist Visa. My employment visa for India had expired and I needed a new visa to fly back to India with Sonal. I decided give eVisa a try instead of going through the lengthy embassy visa application process (which I also explain in the latter part of this post). For those of you that don’t know yet, India has launched a new eTourist visa scheme, so most travelers can get an Indian visa online.

This system supersedes the existing tourist visa on arrival where certain travelers were able to pay a fee upon arrival at immigrations. Travelers now have to apply before arrival to India for a tourist visa. They get a PDF that the airline desk clerk will check before boarding the flight. Then once in India, there is a special immigration queue for eVisas and voila, you are set! This eVisa is actually a great implementation as it not only boosts the tourism industry for Indian locals but it also eliminates costs and is a great benefit to all us travelers.

As I said, the tourist visa is now issued online and you will simply receive it in PDF format via email. Your Indian visa will be linked electronically to your passport so you will no longer receive a visa sticker. Enough about the benefits of the program. I started the process at 8PM and finished 12 hours later, in a nightmare night in the Philippines. The Government website (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html) is tortuous.

I had innumerable problems uploading my ID photo, my passport information page and worse of all, paying. The user experience was even more frustrating than getting a traditional visa. Instead of sleeping before my snorkeling trip in Palawan, I ended up wasting my entire night on this website. So when a blogger friend talked about iVisa.com, I instantly thought this was an interesting option for my readers. eVisa is a US based company whose motto is “zero frustration policy when it comes to visa processing”. For an additional fee, they’ve made an impressively easy interface that makes the visa application a pleasant one (or as pleasant as it can be).

After researching them in depth, they provide a few great service options that are very interesting: travelers can save an application and complete it at any time, eVisa system takes any type of image and they make it compliant to the visa application format (versus the Government website which only accepts a few formats and in ridiculously small sizes), they take any form of payment (including Amex and paypal), and best of all, unlike the Government website, they accept visa applications far in advance from the trip.

It’s crucial to understand that there have been applications rejected by the government in the past so waiting until the last minute to process the visas is not a great idea. The government service will only accept applications 33 days before your actual travel date, which made me a bit anxious, since this seemed to be too close to my actual trip.

India eTourist Visa validity

One thing to remember is that the validity of your Indian visa will only begin on the day of your arrival and you can not apply more than 33 days before your arrival to India. It’s a single entry visa and if you wish to spend more than one month in India then you will have to contact the Indian embassy as the India eTourist Visa is valid for 30 days alone and it seems like you can only apply for 2 eVisas in one calendar year.

Indian E Visa restrictions

If you want to apply for an Indian eTourist visa, make sure you are arriving to India via plane and through one of these airports: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum & Varanasi. You can exit India by any means of transportation and from any point of exit.

What will you need for your online visa to India application?

You will need a valid passport (valid at least 6 months after your arrival date) and a scan of your passport photo page along with a recent digital photograph of yourself.

After you make the payment online, you’ll receive an email with your visa after a few days, which you can print and take to the airport with you. It’s that easy. Show the printed copy to the immigration officer and a visa will be attached to your passport on the spot.

Again, I recommend that you use www.indianetouristvisa.co.in to avoid any frustration with the process. Remember you can apply online at any time with them, and the visa will be processed exactly 33 days prior to departure (so they apply on the first available date, ensuring that the traveler doesn’t have to worry about the visa at all).

Information on Indian E-Tourist Visa for India | indianetouristvisa.co.in

1. The reason for travel and category of Electronic Visas for India

    For tourism reasons, the e-Tourist Visa

    For business reasons, the e-Business Visa

    For medical reasons, the e-Medical Visa

2. about the e-Tourist Visa for India (eTV)

The e-Tourist visa for India or eTV is an online travel authorization and is a double entry visa with a maximum of 60 days, created by the Indian Government in 2014. All those who are eligible and wish to travel to and within India are required to have a valid e-Visa India (eTV). Reason for traveling with an e-tourist visa:

 Tourism

 Meeting friends/relatives

 Yoga retreat

3. about the e-Business Visa for India

The e-Business Visa for India is an online electronic travel authorization and is a double-entry visa with a maximum stay of 60 days for any of the following reasons:

For sales/purchases or trade.

To attend technical/business meetings.

To set up industrial/business venture.

To conduct tours.

To deliver a lecture(s) under the Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN).

To recruit manpower.

To participate in exhibitions or business/trade fairs.

Expert/specialist in connection with an on-going project.

4. about the e-Medical Visa

The e-medical Visa for India is an online travel authorization for foreign nationals, allowing the holder to enter the country a total of 3 times. The e-Medical visa is a short-term visa granted for the reason of Medical treatment and is only granted to the patient and not to family members.

5. e-Visa India important guidelines

Please consider the following:

 The e-Visa India (eTV) validity is 60 days from the arrival date.

 The e-Tourist and e-Business are double entry Visas, while the e-Medical is a triple entry Visa.

 It is non-convertible and non-extendable

 Individuals can apply for a maximum of 2 e-Visa India (eTV) during a calendar year

 Applicants are required to have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in India

 Travelers are required to carry a copy of their approved e-Visa India (eTV) authorization at all times during their stay

 Visitors must have a return or an onward ticket when applying

 All applicants must have an individual passport, regardless of their age

 Parents may not include their child (ren) in their online Visa for India application

6. e-Visa (eTV) India eligible countries

Citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply for an e-Visa India.

How to apply for an Indian Visa online by using indianetouristvisa.co.in

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. Additionally, the computer must have the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader to enable the download and printing of the completed application form.

● 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/ acknowledgment 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 refund if you are applying with indianetouristvisa.co.in.

E-Visa Application Requirements

Before initiating the application process, the applicant needs to keep the scanned documents in pdf format and photograph in jpg/jpeg format ready to be submitted. The following details are required to apply for an Indian visa online.

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.

How to Get Indian Visa for uk citizen | Welcome to Indian eVisa Online

Foreigners travelling to India for Tourism, short medical treatment or casual business activity must possess a six month valid regular passport from the date of their arrival in India to apply for the Indian eVisa. Travel Documents or any special category of passport do not qualify for this facility. You must hold a valid eVisa before leaving your home country. Please click on the Apply for Visa to begin your application and make the selection for the type of services you require. Passengers must have a valid passport and a print out of the eVisa approval letter sent to their email before leaving the respective country they are travelling from. The global guests need to convey their substantial international ID and a printed version of their eVisa endorsement so as to pick up passage into the Indian Territory.

Important Note

It is extremely important to understand that once an application is initiated or submitted then you must not start or submit another application against the same passport number. Any and all subsequent applications shall be rejected by the Government of India due to redundancy/duplicity. It is strictly advised to finish and complete only one application and not submit more than one application. You shall not be granted any other visa against the same passport till the time your previous evisa is still valid even if any details are incorrect in the evisa. Once an application is submitted or evisa is granted against a passport, it cannot be cancelled, amended or refunded. Applicants are advised to be utmost careful about the details submitted in the applications and must review before finally making the payment. It is strictly advised not submit more than one applications at the same time and only the same application be completed that was initiated. If there is any query about duplicity/redundancy then you must contact immediately on the 24/7 Customer care number and get it checked before proceeding further to avoid any kind of hassle.

Urgent eVisa Processing Services

We provide Express, Fast Track and Emergency eVisa Services for who want to get visa urgently in 18 to 24 working hours. Processing time of eVisa application will be 18 to 24 working hours from receipt of the payment of visa applications along with documents. This service will be done with additional charges. Apply India Online Visa & Get Visa Approval in 18 to 24 working hours. For Details Kindly contact us: support@onlinevisaforindia.org.in

Super Urgent eVisa Processing Services

We provide Express, Fast Track and Emergency eVisa Services for who want to get visa urgently in 8 to 12 working hours. Processing time of eVisa application will be 8 to 12 working hours from receipt of the payment of along with acceptable documents. This service will be done with additional charges. Apply India Online Visa & Get Visa Approval in 8 to 12 working hours. For Details Kindly contact us: support@onlinevisaforindia.org.in.

E-Visa is valid for entry through 24 designated Airports

Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh,Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum & Varanasi) and 3 designated seaports (i.e. Cochin, Goa, Mangalore). However, the foreigner can take exit from any of the authorized Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) in India.

How to Get an Indian Tourist Visa for Philippines Passport Holder

India for me is rugged, rustic, and astonishing. Most of the streets are perceived to be chaotic but for me, that’s what makes the country interesting the noise coming from the cars and the voices of the vendors trying to sell their goods matched with the crisp scent of spices and capped off with such gorgeous architecture and backdrop. A visit to the Taj Mahal and the Harmandir Sahib, as well as a walk down the Dharavi Slum, could provide you with an insightful view of what India is as depicted in history and reality. For nature lovers, a Golden Triangle Tour and a Ranthambore National Park Tour could make the adrenaline junkie in you leap for joy.

When and Where to get your Indian Tourist E-Visa

As Filipinos, we are required to have an Indian Visa before entering India unlike before where we can avail of the Visa on Arrival. It is pretty easy and could be obtained within a minimum of 4 days before your intended flight and the application can be done online. (For example, I am traveling on January 10; I can apply on January 6 or earlier).

Requirements to Obtain an Indian E-Tourist Visa

Most of the countries which require a lot of things from you before you can enter their territory, India is different. This is the shortest list of requirements I’ve seen by far and seriously, the easiest to obtain. See for yourself.

1. Scanned copy of your passport’s bio page which should have a remaining validity of 6 months or more.

2. Recent scanned ID photo against white background To Know More about Click Here

Step by Step Guide

STEP 1: Apply online! Fill in the required details on the Indian E-Visa Application. Aside from your Personal Information, Family Details, and Employment Details, they will also ask for your Trip Details including the travel date, airport of entry and your hotel’s address and contact number so make sure to keep your flight and hotel bookings handy.

STEP 2: Upload your documents! Once you’re done with the forms, you will be directed to a page where you have to upload the scanned copy of your Passport Biodata Page and ID photo.

STEP 3: Settle the visa fee! This can be done using PayPal, Debit, or Credit Card. (Visa, MasterCard, or Maestro for debit cards are accepted)

STEP 4: Wait for your visa! This usually takes 72 hours but most of the time it takes shorter. You will receive an Electronic Travel Authority on the email address that you provided them.

Can US citizens get India tourist visa or business visa on Arrival at the airport?

All foreign nationals must have a valid travel visa before they begin their travel to India. Tourist may apply for visa anytime and arrive at selected Indian airports within 120 days after getting the approval and the stay will be valid for a maximum of 60 days from the date of entry into the Indian Territory. Online tourist visa is unextendable and non-transferrable. It cannot be applied for more than twice in a calendar year and it is valid two entries in case of tourist and business visa and for three entries in case of medical visa. Tourists can also avail the fast track facility in case of urgent requirements.

The Indian government has replaced the earlier ineffective visa on arrival systems with ETVs (Electronic tourist visas) like most of the other countries. So from 2015 onwards, anyone visits India need to get an electronic visa before you arrive in India. In fact, airlines will make sure you are holding India E-visa before you board your plane to India.

Many tourists were confused because of the way the Indian government had named their visa following which the government changed the name to “e-Tourist visa”. So if you turn up at Delhi without a visa, you will be asked to go back in your next flight home.

How many days does it take to get E-Tourist visa for American Citizens?

This could take a day or two. So be patient once you have submitted your request. Also, India E-Tourist visa must be applied at least 4 days before your travel. Please note that once you have submitted request for your E-Tourist visa, someone from the Indian government will verify your visa application and if your visa is approved, it would be emailed to you. This usually takes 2 days.

How many times can you enter India with a single Indian E-Tourist visa?

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.

How many days is the Indian Electronic Travel visa (ETV) valid for?

It’s now valid for 60 days (increased from 30 days), from the time of entry. The visas are non-extendable and non-convertible. If you want a visa with multiple entries, then you can get a sticker visa which may be valid for 10 years. For 10 year visas, you need to get an appointment at the embassy and need to take a prior appointment to do so.

What is the Eligibility for E-Visa?

Before applying for an e-visa, make sure you are eligible to apply so you won’t end up wasting your time. You should meet the following criteria:

1. Your sole objective in India should only be for recreation/touristic purposes, visiting friends or relatives, or for just a casual business visit. (For those planning to work there, you should obtain an Employment Visa)

2. Your passport must have at least 6 months validity from the intended date of return from India and must have at least 2 blank pages.

3. You must have a return ticket or an onward journey ticket and enough money to spend during your stay.

4. You’re entering India via any of the following airports: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Calicut, Chennai, Changdigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varnasi or the seaports of Cochin, Goa, Mangalore. (If you’re not entering on any of these ports, I’m afraid you have to get the regular visa from the Indian Embassy. I’ll discuss the process below).

Tips to Avoid Mistakes When Applying for an Indian E-Tourist Visa

At the moment citizens of 112 countries can apply online from their comfort of their computer for an e-Tourist Visa and avoid having to schedule appointments and wait in queues at Indian Consulates.  In order to successfully apply all applicants should keep in mind the following points:

Apply with ample time before your trip – but not too early either

In order for your e-Tourist Visa to be processed you must apply a minimum of four days before your travel date.  This policy is strictly enforced and the system will not even let you apply.  Applying late can ruin your trip since if you can’t apply for an e-Tourist Visa you will not be be able to apply at an Indian Consulate in time for your trip.  Conversely, you are not allowed to apply with more than 34 prior to your travel date.  Our recommendation is that you apply two weeks before your trip as this will allow plenty of time and ensure that even if your eTV application for some reason is denied you still have time to apply for a regular tourist visa at an Indian Consulate.

Submit a copy of your passport and photograph according to the document guidelines

Many applicants send photographs and passport copies that do not meet the guidelines and this can lead to their application being denied.  Photographs should be taken with a white or light background, the full face from the top of the head to the chin should be visible and the height and width of the photograph should be equal.  The passport copy should be submitted in PDF format and needs to show the biographical information page on the passport.

Ensure that the information on your passport matches the information on the application

A very common mistake many applicants make is to enter different information on their application than what is found on their passport.  This includes entering a different or incorrect passport number, not stating their full name on the application or even listing a different place of birth.  Any discrepancy between the information on the passport and what is listed on the application can be automatic grounds for an eTV rejection.  After your application is completed and before final submission you are able to review your application and ensure that all information is correct.  We urge you to carefully review the information you have entered with the information found in your passport in order to avoid an unnecessary denial of your eTV.

Fully list your employment details

Some applicants are not comfortable listing their employer, address, position and contact information on the application and simply write NA.  It is mandatory to list the applicant’s employment information.  If the applicant is a minor or a student then the employment information of the applicant’s father needs to be provided on the application.  If the applicant is a housewife she should list her husband’s employment details.  Writing NA on the application can be grounds for the application being rejected and the eTV being denied.

Provide the address where you will stay in India

The application requires all applicants to list a reference name in India.  Some people are confused by this section and assume that they must list a name of someone they know in India and simply write NA.  What is required from all applicants is to provide the address of their hotel or other lodging information in India.  Where it says reference name in India simply write the name of your hotel or the name of the apartment or other lodging information along with the address and telephone number.  Failure to provide this information can also lead to the application being rejected.