In 2015, the process of obtaining a tourist visa for India became cheaper and quicker with the introduction of a new e-Visa (also known as ‘e-Tourist Visa’ or ‘Visa on Arrival’).
Before, foreign nationals had to book an appointment at an outsourced visa application centre or complete a postal application, which could be a confusing, lengthy and costly affair. Now, it’s a great deal smoother and more efficient as you can apply and pay for an online visa using the Indian government’s tourist visa website.
“The new e-visa process is quicker, easier and cheaper than the old way. A massive improvement is that you don’t have to send off your passport or documents – it’s all processed online.”
– Shiv Gurjar, Co-Founder
The new e-Tourist visa costs (US) $25 and is valid for 30 days on entry. Alternatively, visitors can apply for one-year validity at the cost of (US) $40.
Am I eligible to apply for an India e-Visa?
Passport holders of more than 100 countries – including the United Kingdom, United States of America, New Zealand, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Brazil and the Netherlands – can apply for an e-Visa for India. You can check the complete list of eligible nationalities at this link.
According to news reports, the e-Tourist Visa scheme will be extended to all countries by the 31st of March, 2016. However, note that if your parents or grandparents were born in or lived in Pakistan, you will be ineligible and will need to apply via the traditional route.
The e-Tourist visa is valid for travellers visiting India for recreation, sightseeing, meeting friends or family, short duration medical treatment or a casual business visit.
How to apply for an India e-Visa?
You can apply for your 30-day e-Visa online at this official website, no less than four days and no more than 30 days before you intend to arrive in India. For example, if you plan to arrive on the 1st of January, the first day you can apply is the 2nd of December and the last day would be on the 28th of December. The window to apply for one-year validity is broader; visitors can apply for a one-year e-Visa within 120 – 4 days before arrival.
To complete the application, you’ll need to enter your travel details and upload a photograph of yourself with a white background that meets the specifications described on the website. Upload the photo page of your passport, and pay the fee online with your debit or credit card. Your passport will need to be valid for at least a further six months and have two blank pages.
You will receive an Application ID, and the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) will be sent to you via email within three working days. The status of your application can be checked here. If you’ve applied for the 30-day e-Visa, your 30 days start on arrival rather than on issuance. So if you arrive in India on the 1st of January, you can stay until the 30th of January.
You will need to print a copy of the ETA and carry it with you to India, to present to the immigration officer when you land. The officer will stamp your passport with your e-Tourist visa for entry into India, and this is valid for the next 30 days. It’s also worth noting that you should have a return ticket and enough money to spend during your stay in India.
The e-Tourist visa is non-extendable and can be applied for not more than twice in a calendar year.
Which Indian airports accept e-Tourist visas?
Your ETA will be valid for entry at the following airports: Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam. Designated seaports include Kochi, Goa, Mangalore, Chennai and Mumbai. You may depart the country from any airport/seaport.
Can you help with my application?
Though we can not complete your e-Visa application for you, we are happy to help with any technical problems or questions by calling the helpline in Delhi on your behalf.
0