Planning a trip to India? Navigating the visa process can seem daunting, but the Indian government has simplified entry for many nationalities with the introduction of the e-Visa. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the Indian Travel Visa e-Visa, ensuring a smooth start to your Indian adventure.
Understanding the Indian E-Visa System
The Indian e-Visa is an electronic authorization that permits eligible foreign nationals to enter India for various purposes without the need for a traditional paper visa. This online system streamlines the application process, making it more convenient for travelers.
Who Can Apply for an Indian E-Visa?
To be eligible for an Indian e-Visa, you must meet certain criteria. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements:
Nationality: You must be a national of a country listed on the official Indian e-Visa website. It’s crucial to check the updated list on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ as eligible countries may change.
Purpose of Visit: The e-Visa caters to specific visit objectives. These include:
- Tourism and Recreation: Exploring India’s diverse landscapes, historical sites, and cultural attractions. This includes sightseeing and general travel for leisure.
- Casual Visits: Meeting friends or relatives residing in India for social purposes.
- Short-Term Yoga or Language Programs: Participating in yoga retreats or short courses in local languages, arts, music, dance, crafts, cooking, or medicine. These courses must be non-formal, structured programs lasting no longer than 6 months and should not issue formal qualifications or diplomas.
- Volunteer Work: Engaging in short-duration voluntary activities, not exceeding one month, without any form of monetary compensation or exchange.
- Medical Treatment: Seeking medical care in India, including treatments under Indian systems of medicine.
- Medical Attendant: Accompanying a patient holding an e-Medical visa as an attendant.
- Business Purposes: Conducting business activities in India.
- Attending Conferences/Seminars/Workshops: Participating in conferences, seminars, or workshops held in India.
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 stamping. If your country’s law requires a re-entry permit, ensure your passport includes one.
Financial Stability and Travel Arrangements: You need to possess a return or onward journey ticket, demonstrating your intention to leave India after your permitted stay. Additionally, you should have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your visit to India.
Who is Not Eligible for an Indian E-Visa?
Certain individuals are not eligible for the e-Visa and must apply for a regular Indian visa through an Indian Mission. These categories include:
- Persons of Pakistani Origin or Pakistani Passport Holders: Regardless of current nationality, individuals of Pakistani origin or those holding a Pakistani passport are ineligible for the e-Visa. This also extends to those whose parents or grandparents (maternal or paternal) were born in or were permanent residents of Pakistan, even if they are not Pakistani nationals themselves.
- Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders: Individuals holding Diplomatic or Official passports, or Laissez-passer/international travel documents cannot apply for an e-Visa.
- Individuals Endorsed on Parent’s/Spouse’s Passport: Each traveler, including minors, must possess their own separate passport. E-Visas cannot be issued to individuals endorsed on another person’s passport.
- Employment Purposes: The e-Visa is not for employment in India. For work-related purposes, a regular Employment Visa is required.
- NGO Activities and Journalism: Engaging in Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) activities or journalism is not permitted under the e-Visa, except for short-term voluntary work as defined in the eligible purposes.
Applying for Your Indian E-Visa: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Indian e-Visa application process is entirely online and designed to be user-friendly. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through each step:
Step 1: Access the Official Website:
The only official website for Indian e-Visa applications is https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/. Be extremely cautious of unofficial websites or intermediaries claiming to offer e-Visa services. These may be fraudulent and could lead to data theft or financial loss. The official portal is secure and provides all necessary information and application forms.
Step 2: Begin Your Application:
On the official website, navigate to the e-Visa application section. You will typically find a clear link or tab labeled “Apply for e-Visa” or similar. Click on this to start your application.
Step 3: Fill in the Application Form:
The online application form requires you to provide personal details, passport information, travel plans, and answer security questions. Ensure you have all necessary documents and information at hand before starting to fill the form. Accuracy is crucial to avoid delays or rejection.
Key information you’ll need to provide includes:
- Personal Details: Name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, religion, marital status, etc.
- Passport Information: Passport number, date of issue, date of expiry, place of issue.
- Contact Information: Email address, phone number, and current address.
- Travel Details: Purpose of visit, intended port of arrival, expected duration of stay, and details of previous Indian visas (if any). If you don’t remember previous visa details, you can write “NA,” “Not Available,” or “Not Applicable.”
- Details of Stay in India: Addresses of intended stay in India.
- Occupation and Family Details: Information about your profession and family members.
- Security Questions: Answer questions related to your background and any criminal history.
Step 4: Upload Required Documents:
Depending on the type of e-Visa you are applying for, you may need to upload specific documents in addition to your passport details. Common documents include:
- Passport Photograph: A recent passport-sized photograph meeting specific requirements (size, format, background).
- Passport Scan: A scanned copy of your passport’s bio page (the page with your photo and personal details).
- Business Card or Invitation Letter (for e-Business Visa): A business card from your company OR an invitation letter from the Indian company you will be associated with, including their address and phone number in India.
- Hospital Letter (for e-Medical Visa): A letter from the hospital in India on their official letterhead, including the patient’s details, passport number, nationality, and tentative dates of admission/treatment.
- Invitation and Clearances (for e-Conference Visa): An invitation from the conference organizer, political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (mandatory), and event clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (optional but recommended).
Step 5: Pay the Processing Fee:
After filling the application and uploading documents, you will be directed to the payment gateway to pay the non-refundable e-Visa processing fee. The fee amount varies depending on your nationality and the type of e-Visa. You can find the country-specific fee details on the official website.
Payment Methods: The website accepts various online payment methods, including credit cards and debit cards.
Payment Issues: If you encounter payment issues, ensure you:
- Clear Browser History and Cookies: Delete your browser’s cache, history, and cookies before attempting payment again.
- Try a Different Browser: If the problem persists, try using an alternative web browser.
- Resubmit Application (if needed): If you have attempted payment more than three times unsuccessfully, you might need to resubmit the entire application form.
For payment support, you can contact:
- Axis Bank Technical Support: Email: ecom[at]axisbank[dot]com, Toll-free numbers (specific to countries like USA, UK, Singapore, Australia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and a general number for other countries: +91-40-6717-4100).
- SBI ePay Payment Support: Phone: +91-22-2753-5773 (24×7).
Step 6: Submit Your Application and Receive Confirmation:
Once payment is successful, you will receive an application submission confirmation immediately via email to the address you provided in the application form. This confirms that your application has been successfully submitted for processing.
Step 7: Check Your E-Visa Status:
E-Visa processing typically takes around 72 hours or more. You will be notified of your visa status (Granted or Rejected) via email. You can also check your e-Visa application status online at any time by visiting the official website and clicking on the “Check your Visa Status” tab. You will need your application ID and passport number to track the status.
Step 8: Receive and Print Your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization):
If your e-Visa application is approved, you will receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in your email. Print a copy of the ETA and carry it with you when you travel to India. You will need to present it to immigration authorities upon arrival.
When to Apply:
- e-Tourist Visa (1 year/5 years), e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa, and e-Conference Visa: Apply online a minimum of 4 days before your date of arrival in India. You can apply up to 120 days in advance of your planned travel date.
- e-Tourist Visa (30 days): Apply online at least 4 days before your arrival date. Applications can be made up to 30 days in advance of travel.
E-Visa Validity, Entry, and Other Important Conditions
Understanding the validity and conditions of your Indian e-Visa is crucial for a hassle-free trip.
Validity Periods:
- e-Tourist Visa (1 year / 5 years): Valid for 365 days or 5 years from the date of ETA grant, allowing multiple entries. Maximum stay per calendar year should not exceed 180 days.
- e-Tourist Visa (30 days): Valid for 30 days from the date of your first arrival in India. Allows double entries within the 30-day validity period. Your first arrival must be within the ETA validity period.
- e-Business Visa: Valid for 365 days from the date of ETA grant, with multiple entries. Continuous stay during each visit should not exceed 180 days. Registration with FRRO/FRO is not required for stays under 180 days. For stays exceeding 180 days, registration is mandatory within two weeks after completing 180 days in India (https://indianfrro.gov.in).
- e-Conference Visa: Valid for 30 days from the date of arrival in India, allowing single entry.
- e-Medical Visa and e-Medical Attendant Visa: Valid for 60 days from the date of first arrival in India. Allows triple entries within the 60-day validity period.
Port of Entry and Exit:
- Designated Airports: You can arrive at 31 designated airports in India. These include major international airports such as Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and many others. Always check the updated list on the official e-Visa website for the complete list of designated airports.
- Designated Seaports: Entry is also permitted through 5 designated seaports: Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Mangalore, and Mumbai. Cruise ship passengers with e-Visas can enter through these seaports.
- Departure: You can depart from any authorized Indian Immigration Check Post (ICP), not limited to the designated entry points.
- Land Borders: Entry into India using an e-Visa is not permitted through land borders. You must enter through designated airports or seaports.
Other Key Conditions:
- Non-Convertible and Non-Extendable: Indian e-Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible to other types of visas once issued. If you need to stay longer or change your visa category, you will need to apply for a regular visa.
- Passport Requirement for Minors: Each child, regardless of age, requires a separate passport and e-Visa. Ensure your child’s passport is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.
- Yellow Fever Vaccination: If you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country within 6 days of departure, you must carry a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate in original. Check the WHO’s updated list of yellow fever endemic countries for requirements.
- Visible Identification Mark: You may be asked to describe a visible identification mark during the application. This usually refers to moles, birthmarks, or permanent scars that are easily noticeable.
- Carry Both Old and New Passports (if applicable): If you have obtained a new passport after your ETA was issued on your old passport, you are allowed entry into India provided you carry both your new and old passports.
Troubleshooting and Support
Application Delays: If you haven’t received any intimation about your e-Visa status even after 72 hours, you can contact the e-Visa support center. Processing can sometimes take longer than 72 hours.
Contact Information for Enquiries:
- Phone: (+91) 827808 7808 or +91 11 24300666
- Email: indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in
Discrepancies in ETA: Carefully check all details on your ETA, including name, nationality, passport number, and date of birth, immediately upon receipt. If you find any discrepancies, contact the e-Visa Support Centre at the contact details above at least 24 hours before your travel date for assistance.
Beware of Unscrupulous Agents: Be cautious of unauthorized agents or intermediaries offering expedited e-Visa services for a fee. The official e-Visa process is straightforward and does not require any intermediaries. Always rely on the official website for information and application submission.
Conclusion
The Indian e-Visa has revolutionized travel to India, making it more accessible and convenient for eligible travelers. By understanding the eligibility criteria, application process, and visa conditions outlined in this guide, you can confidently apply for your indian travel visa and look forward to exploring the incredible diversity and rich culture of India. Always ensure you use the official government website for your application and double-check all details before submission to ensure a smooth and successful visa process. Start your Indian journey the right way with a correctly obtained e-Visa!
