India eVisa Information: Requirements, Application Process
Unlocking India eVisa Information: Everything You Need to Know! Planning a trip to India? Your journey starts here with our comprehensive guide on India eVisa Information. From application process to essential requirements, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to explore the wonders of India hassle-free!
What is an Online India Visa?
An online India visa is a digital authorization granted by the Government of India, allowing foreign nationals to enter the country for various purposes, including tourism, business, medical treatment, or visiting friends and family. This modern approach to visa issuance simplifies the application process, offering greater accessibility and efficiency to travelers worldwide.
Types of Online India Visas
1. Tourist Visa
Ideal for tourists planning a leisurely visit to India, the e-Tourist Visa facilitates entry for sightseeing, recreational activities, and cultural exploration. With a validity period ranging from 30 to 365 days, depending on the nationality of the applicant, travelers can embark on their Indian adventure with ease.
2. Business Visa
Designed for individuals conducting business activities in India, the e-Business Visa grants entry for meetings, conferences, trade fairs, or exploring potential investment opportunities. This visa category supports the seamless flow of commerce and fosters international collaboration.
3. Medical Visa
For those seeking medical treatment in India, the e-Medical Visa offers a lifeline, providing access to world-class healthcare facilities and specialized treatments. Whether undergoing surgery, seeking alternative therapies, or undergoing medical consultations, this visa category ensures timely and hassle-free access to medical services.
The Online India Visa Application Process
Step 1: Eligibility Check
Before initiating the application process, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria specified by the Government of India. Factors such as nationality, purpose of visit, and intended duration of stay play a crucial role in determining your eligibility for an online India visa.
Step 2: Online Application Submission
Once deemed eligible, proceed to the official website for Indian visa application. Complete the online form with accurate personal details, passport information, and purpose of visit. Ensure all information provided is correct to avoid delays or complications during the processing phase.
Step 3: Document Submission
Support your visa application with relevant documents, including a scanned copy of your passport’s bio-page, recent passport-sized photograph, and additional documents based on the type of visa requested. Ensure all documents meet the specified requirements to facilitate a smooth processing experience.
Step 4: Payment of Visa Fees
Upon completing the application and document submission, proceed to make the required visa fee payment using the available online payment options. The fee structure varies depending on the type and duration of the online India visa, so verify the applicable fees before proceeding with the payment.
Step 5: Visa Approval and Issuance
Following the submission of your application and payment of fees, await the processing of your online India visa. Upon approval, the e-visa will be electronically issued and sent to your registered email address. Print a copy of the e-visa and carry it with you during your travels to India.
Guidelines for Applicants of the Indian e-Visa
- Determine the Purpose: Identify the purpose of your visit to India. Whether it’s tourism, business, medical treatment, or education, understanding the purpose will help you select the right type of e-Visa.
- Choose the Correct Visa Type: Select the appropriate category of e-Visa based on your purpose of visit. Make sure to review the eligibility criteria for each type before proceeding with the application.
- Prepare Required Documents: Gather all necessary documents required for your e-Visa application. This may include a scanned copy of your passport, recent passport-size photograph, travel itinerary, and supporting documents specific to your chosen visa category.
- Complete Online Application Form: Visit the official Indian Visa Online portal and fill out the online application form accurately. Provide all requested information and ensure that there are no errors or discrepancies in your submission.
- Upload Supporting Documents: Upload scanned copies of the required documents as per the guidelines provided during the application process. Make sure that the documents are clear, legible, and in the specified format.
- Pay Visa Fee: Pay the non-refundable visa fee using the available payment options on the portal. The fee amount may vary depending on the type of e-Visa selected and the nationality of the applicant.
- Review and Submit Application: Review all the information provided in the application form and verify that it is correct and up-to-date. Once satisfied, submit your application electronically through the portal.
- Monitor Application Status: Keep track of the status of your e-Visa application using the reference number provided upon submission. You can check the status online to know if any additional steps are required or if your visa has been approved.
- Receive e-Visa via Email: Upon approval, your e-Visa will be sent to the email address provided in the application. Download and print a copy of the e-Visa to carry with you during your travel to India.
- Entry into India: Present your printed e-Visa along with your passport upon arrival in India. Ensure that the details on your e-Visa match those on your passport to avoid any issues during immigration.
- Respect Visa Conditions: Adhere to the conditions and restrictions outlined in your e-Visa. Engaging in activities not permitted under your visa category could lead to legal consequences or deportation.
- Departure from India: Make sure to exit India before the expiry date of your e-Visa. Overstaying your visa validity period can result in penalties and may affect your future travel plans to the country.
Online Indian Visa Eligible Countries
Citizens from the following countries are eligible to apply for the Indian e-Visa. Citizens from all other countries not mentioned here need to apply for the traditional paper Visa at the Indian Embassy.
| Andorra | Angola | Anguilla | Antigua & Barbuda | Argentina | Armenia | Aruba | Australia | Austria | Azerbaijan |
| Bahamas | Barbados | Belgium | Belize | Bolivia | Bosnia & Herzegovina | Botswana | Brazil | Brunei | Bulgaria |
| Burundi | Cambodia | Cameroon | Canada | Cape Verde | Cayman Islands | Chile | China | China- SAR Hongkong | China- SAR Macau |
| Colombia | Comoros | Cook Islands | Costa Rica | Cote d’lvoire | Croatia | Cuba | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark |
| Djibouti | Dominica | Dominican Republic | East Timor | Ecuador | El Salvador | Eritrea | Estonia | Fiji | Finland |
| France | Gabon | Gambia | Georgia | Germany | Ghana | Greece | Grenada | Guatemala | Guinea |
| Guyana | Haiti | Honduras | Hungary | Iceland | Indonesia | Iran | Ireland | Israel | Italy |
| Jamaica | Japan | Jordan | Kazakhstan | Kenya | Kiribati | Kyrgyzstan | Laos | Latvia | Lesotho |
| Liberia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Madagascar | Malawi | Malaysia | Mali | Malta | Marshall Islands |
| Mauritius | Mexico | Micronesia | Moldova | Monaco | Mongolia | Montenegro | Montserrat | Mozambique | Myanmar |
| Namibia | Nauru | Netherlands | New Zealand | Nicaragua | Niger | Niue Island | Norway | Oman | Palau |
| Palestine | Panama | Papua New Guinea | Paraguay | Peru | Philippines | Poland | Portugal | Qatar | Republic of Korea |
| Republic of Macedonia | Romania | Russia | Rwanda | Saint Christopher and Nevis | Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent & the Grenadines | Samoa | San Marino | Senegal |
| Serbia | Seychelles | Sierra Leone | Singapore | Slovakia | Slovenia | Solomon Islands | South Africa | Spain | Sri Lanka |
| Suriname | Swaziland | Sweden | Switzerland | Taiwan | Tajikistan | Tanzania | Thailand | Tonga | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Turks & Caicos Island | Tuvalu | UAE | Uganda | Ukraine | United Kingdom | Uruguay | USA | Uzbekistan | Vanuatu |
| Vatican City-Holy See | Venezuela | Vietnam | Zambia | Zimbabwe |
Documents Required for the Online Indian Visa
No matter the type of Indian e-Visa you are applying for you would need the following documents to begin with:
- An electronic or scanned copy of the first (biographical) page of your passport.
- A copy of your recent passport-style colour photo (only of the face, and it can be taken with a phone), a working email address, and a debit card or a credit card for the payment of the application fees. Refer to India e Visa Photo Requirements for further details.
- A return or onward ticket out of the country.
- You would also be asked a few questions to determine your eligibility for the Visa such as your current employment status and ability to finance your trip.
While filling in the application form for the Indian e-Visa you should make sure the following details match with the exact same information that is shown on your passport:
- Full name
- Date and place of birth
- Address
- Passport number
- Nationality
Other than these, depending on the type of e-Visa you are applying for, you would also need other documents.
For the Business e-Visa:
- Details of the Indian organization or trade fair or exhibition that you would be visiting, including the name and address of an Indian reference.
- The invitation letter from the Indian company.
- Your business card or email signature as well as website address.
- If you are coming to India to deliver lectures under Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN) then you will also need to provide the Invitation from the institute which would host you as a foreign visiting faculty, copy of the sanction order under GIAN issued by the National Coordinating Institute viz. IIT Kharagpur, and copy of the synopsis of the courses that you will take up as the faculty at the host institute.
For the Medical e-Visa:
- A copy of a letter from the Indian Hospital that you would be seeking treatment from (the letter would have to be written on the Official Letterhead of the Hospital).
- You would also be required to answer any questions about the Indian Hospital you would be visiting.
For the Medical Attendant e-Visa:
- The name of the patient who must be the holder of the Medical Visa.
- The Visa number or the Application ID of the Medical Visa holder.
- Details such as the Passport Number of the Medical Visa holder, the date of birth of the Medical Visa holder, and the Nationality of the Medical Visa holder.
For the Conference e-Visa:
- Political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, and optionally, event clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
Travel Requirements for Citizens from Yellow Fever Affected Countries
If you are a citizen of or have visited a Yellow Fever affected country, you would need to show a Yellow Fever Vaccination Card. This is applicable to the following countries:
Countries in Africa
| Angola | Benin | Burkina Faso | Burundi | Cameroon |
| Central African Republic | Chad | Congo | Cote d’ Ivoire | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Equatorial Guinea | Ethiopia | Gabon | Gambia | Ghana |
| Guinea | Guinea Bissau | Kenya | Liberia | Mali |
| Mauritania | Niger | Nigeria | Rwanda | Senegal |
| Sierra Leone | Sudan | South Sudan | Togo | Uganda |
Countries in South America
| Argentina | Bolivia | Brazil | Colombia | Ecuador |
| French Guyana | Guyana | Panama | Paraguay | Peru |
| Suriname | Trinidad (Trinidad only) | Venezuela |
Authorized Ports of Entry for Online Indian Visa
Traveling to India on an e-Visa, you can enter the country only through the following Immigration Check Posts:
Airports:
| Ahmedabad | Amritsar | Bagdogra | Bengaluru | Bhubaneshwar |
| Calicut | Chennai | Chandigarh | Cochin | Coimbatore |
| Delhi | Gaya | Goa (Dabolim) | Goa (Mopa) | Guwahati |
| Hyderabad | Indore | Jaipur | Kannur | Kolkata |
| Lucknow | Madurai | Mangalore | Mumbai | Nagpur |
| Port Blair | Pune | Tiruchirapalli | Trivandrum | Varanasi |
| Vishakhapatnam |
Sea ports:
| Chennai | Cochin | Goa | Mangalore | Mumbai |