Planning a trip to India? In today’s interconnected world, E-travel has become the norm, and obtaining your Indian visa is no exception. The e-Visa system simplifies the process, allowing eligible travelers to apply online, saving time and hassle. This comprehensive guide answers frequently asked questions to help you navigate the Indian e-Visa system smoothly and prepare for your e-travel adventure.
Who Can Apply for an Indian E-Visa?
E-Visa services are available to nationals of a specific list of countries, which you can find on the official e-Visa website. Eligibility also depends on the purpose of your visit. The e-Visa caters to foreigners visiting India for specific reasons, including:
- Tourism and Recreation: Exploring India’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage.
- Social Visits: Meeting friends and family in India.
- Short-Term Educational Programs: Engaging in yoga retreats or short courses (under 6 months) on Indian culture, languages, arts, or medicine. These courses should not be formal degree programs.
- Volunteer Work: Contributing to short-term voluntary projects (up to one month) without pay.
- Medical Treatment: Seeking medical care, including traditional Indian medicine.
- Medical Attendant: Accompanying a patient holding an e-Medical visa.
- Business Purposes: Conducting business activities in India.
- Conferences and Seminars: Attending workshops, conferences, or seminars.
To be eligible, applicants must also meet passport and financial requirements:
- Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your e-Visa application. It should also have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
- Return or Onward Ticket: You must possess a confirmed return or onward travel ticket, demonstrating your intention to leave India after your permitted stay.
- Sufficient Funds: You need to have enough financial resources to support yourself during your stay in India.
However, some individuals are not eligible for e-Visas:
- Pakistani Origin: Nationals of Pakistan or individuals of Pakistani origin (parents or grandparents born or permanently residing in Pakistan) are not eligible. They must apply for a regular visa through an Indian Mission.
- Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders: Holders of Diplomatic or Official passports, Laissez-passer, or international travel documents are not eligible.
- Dependents on Parent/Spouse Passports: Each traveler, including minors, must have their own separate passport.
How to Apply for Your Indian E-Visa Online
The entire e-Visa application process is online, making it a convenient option for modern e-travel. The official government website, https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/, is the only legitimate platform for e-Visa applications.
It’s crucial to use only the official website. Be wary of unofficial websites or intermediaries claiming to expedite the process or offering e-Visas through other channels. These are often fraudulent and may compromise your personal data. The Indian government emphasizes that no facilitation is required by agents or travel agencies for e-Visa processing.
For any clarifications or assistance, you can directly contact the e-Visa support team via email at indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in or by phone at (+91) 827808 7808 or +91 11 24300666.
Understanding E-Visa Fees and Payment
A processing fee is applicable for the e-Visa application, and this fee is non-refundable, regardless of visa approval or rejection. The exact fee amount varies depending on your nationality and the type of e-Visa. You can find the country-specific fee details on the official e-Visa website.
Be aware that there are no other mandatory fees beyond the stated processing fee. Do not entertain any requests for additional payments from unofficial sources.
If you encounter payment issues on the e-Visa website, ensure you clear your browser history and cookies or try using a different browser. If problems persist after multiple attempts, you may need to restart the application process. For payment-related technical support, you can reach out to Axis Bank or SBI ePay support helplines provided on the website.
When to Apply for Your E-Visa
The application timeline depends on the type of e-Visa you are applying for:
- e-Tourist Visa (1 year / 5 years), e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa, and e-Conference Visa: Apply online at least 4 days before your intended arrival date, and no more than 120 days in advance.
- e-Tourist Visa (30 days): Apply online at least 4 days before your intended arrival date, and no more than 30 days in advance.
It’s advisable to apply well in advance of your e-travel dates to allow sufficient processing time.
E-Visa Processing Time and Status
After submitting your application and completing the payment, you will receive an immediate confirmation of submission via email. However, e-Visa processing can take up to 72 hours or possibly longer.
You will be notified of your visa status (granted or rejected) via the email address provided in your application. You can also track your e-Visa application status online by visiting the official website and clicking on the ‘Check your Visa Status’ tab.
If you haven’t received any updates even after 72 hours, you can contact the e-Visa support team for assistance. In some cases, delays may occur if additional information or corrections are required from the applicant. Promptly respond to any such requests to avoid application rejection.
E-Visa Validity and Stay Duration
The validity of your e-Visa depends on the specific type of visa granted:
- e-Tourist Visa (1 year / 5 years): Valid for 365 days or 5 years from the date of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) grant. Allows multiple entries, but the maximum stay in India within one calendar year should not exceed 180 days.
- e-Tourist Visa (30 days): Valid for 30 days from your first arrival in India. Allows double entries within the 30-day validity period. Your first entry must occur between the ETA issue and expiry dates.
- e-Business Visa: Valid for 365 days from the ETA grant date, with multiple entries. Continuous stay during each visit should not exceed 180 days. Registration with FRRO/FRO is required if staying longer than 180 days within two weeks of crossing the 180-day limit.
- e-Conference Visa: Valid for 30 days from the date of arrival in India, with single entry.
- e-Medical Visa & e-Medical Attendant Visa: Valid for 60 days from the first arrival in India. Allows triple entries within the 60-day validity.
Important Note: E-Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible to other visa types.
Permitted Ports of Entry and Departure
You can enter India using an e-Visa through 31 designated airports and 5 designated seaports. These designated ports are listed on the e-Visa website. You are allowed to depart from any authorized Indian Immigration Check Post (ICP), regardless of your port of entry.
Entering through land borders is not permitted on an e-Visa. You must enter through one of the designated airports or seaports.
Other Important Considerations
- Carry a copy of your ETA: While traveling, always carry a printed copy of your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) document.
- Passport Match: Ensure all details on your ETA, including name, nationality, passport number, and date of birth, exactly match your passport information. Discrepancies can cause issues upon arrival. If you find errors, contact the e-Visa support center at least 24 hours before your journey.
- New Passport with Old ETA: If you have a new passport but your ETA was issued on your old passport, you can still travel. Carry both your old and new passports with you.
- Yellow Fever Vaccination: Travelers arriving from yellow fever endemic countries within 6 days of departure must possess a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate in original. Refer to the official health ministry website for the updated list of endemic countries.
- Visible Identification Mark: Be prepared to describe any visible identification marks (moles, scars, birthmarks) as this is a standard question in the application.
- Visa on Arrival (VoA): Visa on Arrival facility is limited to nationals of Japan, South Korea, and UAE (for UAE nationals who have previously held an Indian e-Visa or regular visa). Nationals of other eligible countries must apply for an e-Visa online prior to travel.
- E-Visa for Minors: Each minor child requires a separate e-Visa, and their passport must also have at least six months validity.
- Refunds for Rejected Applications: E-Visa processing fees are non-refundable, even if your application is rejected.
- E-Visa for Cruise Travel: E-Visa holders can enter India via cruise ships at 5 designated seaports: Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, and Mangalore.
- Activities Not Permitted on E-Visa: E-Visas are not permitted for employment, NGO activities, or journalism purposes (except for short-term voluntary work under specific conditions). For these purposes, you need to apply for a regular visa.
- Medical Attendants: A maximum of two e-Medical Attendant visas are granted per e-Medical visa holder (patient).
Embrace E-Travel with Confidence
The Indian e-Visa system is designed to facilitate e-travel to India, making it easier for tourists, business travelers, and those seeking medical treatment or attending conferences. By understanding the eligibility criteria, application process, and important guidelines, you can navigate the system effectively and look forward to a smooth and enriching experience in India.
