Do You Need A Visa To Visit India? Getting One Is Easy
India is a massive and fascinating country, with every state different from the next, making for a fascinating visit. In fact, it’s best to make sure you have time to explore and get to know this Asian nation. Moreover, if you need a visa to visit, they are easy to get and can offer ample time for exploring.
Who needs a visa to visit India?
Almost every nationality needs a visa to visit India, but for most, tourist visas are easy to obtain. Meanwhile, citizens of 164 countries, including most countries in the EU and EEA, as well as Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US can apply for an e-Visa before traveling by applying online. Moreover, many countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East can also apply for an e-Visa by completing a simple online form.
Applying for a visa online is an easy process, compared to applying in person at an Indian embassy or designated India visa office. Even better, e-Visas for tourists offer a range of options. You can apply for a 30-day visa or one that lasts for one year or five years. Meanwhile, the one- and five-year visas allowed for multiple entries, simplifying the process in one swoop. However, there are restrictions on continuous stays – during those times, you are allowed to stay for 90 or 180 consecutive days, depending on your nationality.
About visas
The 30-day visa allows the holder two entries into India, making it ideal for those planning a side trip to Nepal. Moreover, this visa can be applied for up to 30 days in advance of travel. It should be borne in mind that e-Visas can take a minimum of 72 hours to process, so make sure you apply n plenty of time. In fact, it is recommended that you apply four days in advance to ensure travel goes smoothly.
From December 2022, you can use the e-Visa portal to apply for tourist visas, visas for medical treatment or attending conferences, or business visas. Meanwhile, the cost varies depending on your nationality.
While things are easy for tourist visas, applying for business visas can be more difficult. In fact, business travelers wishing to visit India will be asked to provide a copy of their business cards. Alternatively, they will be required to produce letters of introduction from Indian companies or organizations they plan to meet. However, business visas are usually valid for multiple entries into India and are valid for one year.
As with all visa requirements, the situation is subject to change. Contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for more information.
Applying for an e-Visa to visit India
Applying for an e-Visa for India is relatively straightforward and can be done via the government’s official e-Visa portal. You will be required to upload a digital passport-style photo along with copies of your passport ID pages. On top of this, you will need to pay the visa fee, which varies depending on nationality and the class of visa applied for.
It is important to note that your passport must be valid for six months beyond the entry date. On top of this, you will also need two spare pages for the visa, which will be physically stamped into your passport on arrival in India.
Once the e-Visa application is accepted, you will receive a digital Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) which should be printed and carried with you at all times while traveling in the country. Bear in mind that you may also be required to show a return travel booking, as well as proof of sufficient funds to cover you during your visit.
Use e-Visa to enter India via air or sea
Meanwhile, once you have your e-Visa, it can be used to enter India through 29 designated airports, as follows:
Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru (Bangalore), Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kannur, Kochi (Cochin), Kolkata, Kozhikode (Calicut), Lucknow, Madurai, Mangaluru (Mangalore), Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Varanasi and Visakhapatnam.
Moreover, they are also valid for entry via the designated seaports at Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Mangaluru, and Mumbai.
Visiting India overland
If planning to enter India overland, your visa must be stamped into your passport before you even leave home. You’ll need to visit an Indian embassy or consulate, or an approved visa office to apply for your visa.