indian travel visa application

Welcome to Embassy of India, Washington D C, USA

• Skip to main content
• Screen Reader Access

• List of Officers
• Departments
• List of Holidays
• Consulates in US
• Right to Information
• Embassy of India, Washington, DC Jurisdiction
• Emergency Contact Numbers
• A brief history of the Chancery building
• Former Ambassadors of India to U.S.
• Discontinuation of walk-in consular services
• Apply Indian Visa
• EMERGENCY VISA
• Visa for Diplomatic/Official and Laissez-Passer Passport Holders
• Passport Services
• Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card
• Conversion of PIO card to OCI card
• OCI Card Reissue Guidelines
• Miscellaneous-Attestation Services
• Renunciation of Indian Citizenship
• Global Entry Program (GEP) For Indian Nationals
• Emergency Travel Document (Emergency Certificate-EC)
• Consular Assistance
• VFS Helpline Numbers
• Brief on India-US Relations
• What's New/Press Releases
• Journalist Visas/Documentary Filming in India/Film Visa
• Photo Gallery
• Arts/Culture
• Indian Council For Cultural Relations (ICCR)
• International Day of Yoga
• Contact point
• Education Wing
• Guidelines for Indian Students in the United States
• Registration of Indian Students in USA
• Inviting applications for 'International Hindi Course' by the Central Institute of Hindi, India
• Fulbright Scholarships
• The Quad Fellowship
• Guidelines for issue of No Objection Certificate / Visa for students proceeding to India on Fulbright Scholarship residing under the jurisdiction of Embassy of India, Washington D.C.
• Financial Terms and Conditions for Scholarships handled by ICCR.
• ICCR Scholarship
• Equivalency certificate of academic qualification
• Study in India
• Advisory/Information for students desirous of pursuing medical studies abroad
• Information on various aspects of US Legal system for incoming Indian students
• Public Notices/ Alerts
• How to address issues related to Marriages of Indian nationals to Overseas Indians
• Bill on NRI Marriages
• Procedure for sending/ forwarding Court Order/ Summons
• Legal and other provisions in foreign countries on Indian women cheated/abandoned/abused by Overseas Indian Spouses
• Officer-in-charge
• FAQs on Marital disputes involving NRI/PIO spouses
• प्रायः पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न : "भारतीय महिलाओं का विवाह

• Home > e-Visa

Nationals of USA and of other eligible countries can also apply for E-Visa under different categories (Tourist, Business, Medical, Medical Attendant and Conference) at Government of India website:

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/

The following may also be noted in this regard:

• Visa applicants are cautioned against using any other website which may appear to represent the Government of India and only use the Government of India portal which is   https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
• Passport used by the applicant should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer on arrival.
• The applicant must travel on the passport on which e-Visa has been applied. Entry into India will be allowed on a new passport even if the e-Visa has been granted on the old passport. However, in such cases, the traveler must also carry the old passport on which the e-Visa has been granted.
• E-Visa is not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders.
• E-Visa is not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
• E-Visa is not available to International Travel Document Holders.
• Applicants requiring help regarding e-Visa may call the 24X7 helpline number (+91-11-24300666) or send an email to [email protected] for any queries.
• The e-Visa facility is in addition to the existing Visa services being provided through Indian Embassy and Consulates.

Advisory :  The applicant may note that the Embassy does not process e-visas and any enquiries in this regard will need to be made directly on the e-visa portal. Service of e-Visa involves a completely online application for which no facilitation is required by any intermediary / agent etc. Applicants are, therefore, advised to be cautious and for any clarification, please contact [email protected]  

1. E-Visa has been made available by the Government of India to citizens of certain countries, including the United States of America. Details of the scheme are available on the dedicated website created for this purpose:  https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html  .  International travellers whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, business purpose, as attendant to e-Medical visa holder, attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations etc. & their subordinate/ attached organizations & PSUs and no other purpose/activity, can apply for e-Visa.

2. The revised fee structure for e-Tourist visa is as under:-

3. Passport used by the applicant should have at least six-months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer on arrival.

4. The applicant must travel on the passport on which e-Visa has been applied. Entry into India will be allowed on a new passport even if the e-Visa has been granted on the old passport. However, in such cases, the traveler must also carry the old passport on which the e-Visa has been granted.

4. International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.

5. International Travellers having a Pakistani Passport or are of Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at the Indian Mission.

6. E-Visa is not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders.

7. E-Visa is not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.

8. E-Visa is not available to International Travel Document Holders.

9. Applicants requiring help regarding e-Visa may call the 24X7 helpline number (+91-11-24300666) or send an email to  [email protected]  for any queries.

10. The e-Visa facility is in addition to the existing Visa services being provided through Indian Embassy and Consulates.

11. Advisory: Service of e-Visa involves completely online application for which no facilitation is required by any intermediary / agent etc. Applicants are, therefore, advised to be cautious and for any clarification, please contact  [email protected]

• Copyright policy --> Copyright policy
• Terms & Conditions --> Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy --> Privacy Policy
• Hyperlinking Policy --> Hyperlinking Policy
• Accessibility Option --> Accessibility Option

Chancery Address: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008

Consular Wing Address: 2536 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008

Disclaimer: The Embassy is not responsible for the information or content provided in any of the external links given in its Website.

Tel No. for all enquiries:(202) 939-7000 Embassy closed on Saturdays, Sundays & Public holidays. Official working hours: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM EST

Page last updated on: July 19, 2024

© Embassy of India, Washington DC, USA 20008. All Rights Reserved. Ardhas Technology India Private Limited. -->

A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for an India Tourist Visa (for U.S. Citizens)

Traveling to India as a U.S. citizen has become more accessible post-pandemic, with streamlined visa processes. In this comprehensive step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to show you how to get your Indian visa if you’re a U.S. citizen. Understanding the visa application process is essential for a smooth journey and with that out of the way, you can focus on your India trip planning .

This post contains affiliate links. I never leave home without travel insurance- I use World Nomads  but here’s a  trip insurance finder tool   to find a plan that matches your budget. Read more about  coverage options for U.S. travelers.

Differences between a regular Indian visa and Indian e-visa?

Table of Contents: A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for an India Tourist Visa (for U.S. Citizens)

• 0.1 Differences between a regular Indian visa and Indian e-visa?
• 0.2 What is the official India Visa application website?
• 0.3 What documents do I need for an India tourist visa?
• 1.0.1 1. Getting a regular India Tourist Visa in the U.S. (paper or sticker)
• 1.0.2 Regular India Tourist Visa (Paper Application)
• 2.0.1 The Indian eVisa Application process is easy
• 2.1.1 What are the Photo Upload Requirements?
• 2.1.2 Which internet browser should I use for applying for my India tourist visa?
• 2.1.3 Listing References for your India Tourist Visa
• 2.1.4 What are the India Tourist Visa Photo Requirements
• 2.1.5 What profession should you list on your visa application?
• 2.1.6 Do I need an India visa for layovers in India?
• 2.2 Related Posts on India Trip Planning
• 3 Watch India Travel Guides for Solo Travelers!

There are two ways to apply for your Indian Tourist Visa: the regular paper India visa application and the Indian e-Visa. Both options offer the same visa types and durations.

But the differences end there. Determining which to get is based upon how you wish to use it in entry points and how much cost and processing time you can afford. From a tourist standpoint, the only caveat to getting a regular paper India visa is that you will have more flexibility with entry points as they are not only limited to airport access, but sea and land as well. When I was researching how to do an overland passage to India after my group adventure in Pakistan , crossing the Wagah-Attari border into Amritsar required the regular Indian tourist visa .

With the regular India tourist visa, the price is also more expensive with the VFS mail-in/courier process and processing time can be much longer, especially if there is an issue with your application or documents. The paper Indian tourist visa is a process you will need to start well over a month in advance of your travel dates .

Meanwhile, the Indian e-Visa can be done online and you’ll get it lickety-split and for tons cheaper. It’s almost as if the Indian government prefers for tourists to just get the Indian e-Visa. The drawback is that  you can only enter India via the airport. Land and sea is not allowed.

Join my Responsible Group Adventures for Solo Travelers! Sign up to my Adventure group newsletter for the latest group trip and discounts.

What is the official india visa application website.

Both regular and eVisa can be accessed through the Indian Visa Online website at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in

Although the India eVisa is a bit tricky and it is in a sub section of the website and they do not link to it (duh!). You won’t be able  access the Indian evisa easily unless you Google it or so I’ve listed it here. Note: There are other India visa sites that you’ll find on the internet, but this is the official one. I don’t believe the other sites are scams, but you may end up paying more to get it expedited through one of the other visa sites.

What documents do I need for an India tourist visa?

Gather these following documents for a successful application:

• A copy of your passport bio page with at least 6 months’ validity.
• How to remember dates and countries you’ve been? Check your passport for immigration stamp dates!
• Previous India visa details (if applicable). If  you traveled to India in the past, you will need to know your last visa number and the date it was authorized . Again, check in your passport or in your email if you still have the information. I found my passport had all the dates I needed.
• Current citizenship details
• Your visa application form
• Reference contact in India. This can also mean your tour operator/friend/family you’re staying with or hotel information. I list my hotel information at Booking.com

How to Apply for a regular Indian Visa for U.S. Citizens

In the past, getting an Indian tourist visa was complex. After the pandemic, requirements changed and they made it much easier to get a tourist visa, a long term visa (i.e. 5 year and 10 year) and multiple entry.  But there’s still aspects that can be confusing to U.S. travelers.

Read Essential trip planning tips for India

1. getting a regular india tourist visa in the u.s. (paper or sticker).

Applying for the regular India Tourist Visa (paper or sticker) in your home country is a time consuming route because it is a mail-in service and India uses a third party service to facilitate this process.

Regular India Tourist Visa (Paper Application)

• Application process: Requires mailing the application and using a third-party service.
• Processing time: Up to 15 days, potentially  30-60 days if scrutiny is needed.
• Visa validity: Starts on the issuance date. So you might not want to apply too far in advance if you want to use the most of your allowance stay.
• Application link: The Indian Online Visa website is where you apply. It is confusing because it says says “ online ” which can feel like the same thing as e-visa .  Rest assured, this is it. The window opens to the process and you’ll see the photo below.
• Fill out the form and remember to keep your ID number. You will be able to save your form and return back to it in the case you cannot complete it in one sitting. But you will need your ID number. I forgot to keep mine the first time. But I was filling out the regular India visa; not the evisa, which I ultimately decided upon.
• When you’re complete with your form, download it and print it out to mail in.
• Indian Tourist Visa Application (Mail in process): Here’s where it gets a little extra. The outsourced service that handles the regular Indian tourist visa application for U.S. citizens is  VFS global website (2023) . 
• You may walk your application into a VFS center nearest you; otherwise, mail your application and passport in. VFS locations in the U.S.: Washington DC ,  New York ,  Chicago ,  Houston ,  San Francisco  &  Atlanta  .
• VFS Global Indian Visa Application Centre, 128 East, 32nd Street, 2nd Floor, New York, 10016.
• Email only for questions [email protected] , Helpline: +1-800-320-9693
•  They are very specific about the type of visa photo, application and packaging when mailing it in.  
• There is a 3.5% fee for the online payment convenience and another $18 for return courier service.

Cost and Duration of regular India Tourist Visa for U.S. Citizens, Entry   &   Fee

10 Years –   Single Entry $178 5 Years   –   Multiple Entry $178 6 Months – Multiple Entry $178

How to Apply for an Indian e-Visa for U.S. Citizens (Online Application)

Getting an Indian Tourist eVisa online is probably the easiest and fastest and cheapest method if you were ever in a hurry and you’re afforded the same amount of stay. But you can only enter through airport entry points.

The Indian eVisa Application process is easy

Getting a tourist eVisa for India is an easy online application through the official Government of India Online Visa website. The processing time is quick and easy, and takes around 10-15 minutes.  You want to apply at least four days before departure, as validity starts from date of arrival. Once your visa is processed, you will get your visa sent via email and you should print it out as well as have a copy of your visa snapshot on your mobile phone. Your email notification of a granted visa processed an granted IS NOT THE INDIA E-VISA. You must still log into your account and download the actual printable visa. I made this mistake where I thought the email saying that my visa was GRANTED was enough and when I arrived at the check-in gate, I was declined. Luckily, I was able to use the airport WiFi to access the India visa website with my account, where I could download my actual eVisa.

 A one year Indian tourist e-visa $40, a five-year Indian tourist visa $80. Expect an 2.5% online fee.

• Official India eVisa Website Application (you can see the ports of entry on this page)
• Entry points : Limited to major international airports in India. Applicant can arrive at 30 e-Visa designated airports i.e. Ahmedabad , Amritsar , Bagdogra , Bengaluru , Bhubaneshwar , Calicut , Chandigarh , Chennai , Cochin , Coimbatore , Delhi , Gaya , Goa (Dabolim), Goa (Mopa), Guwahati , Hyderabad , Jaipur , Kannur , Kolkata , Lucknow , Madurai , Mangalore , Mumbai , Nagpur , Portblair , Pune , Tiruchirapalli , Trivandrum , Varanasi , Vishakhapatnam and 5 designated seaports (i.e. Chennai , Cochin , Goa , Mangalore , Mumbai ) . However, he/she can depart from any of the authorized Immigration Check Posts in India.
• e-Visa is not allowed for employment, NGO activities and journalism purposes
• Avoid using any other websites that sell the Indian e-Visa. There are a lot of sites that masquerade as the Indian visa site, especially because the government website in the past did not look very official (the regular India visa website is still confusing to navigate; whereas the eVisa site is much easier)! While some of these other sites may legitimately get you an India visa, they are not the official website and the Indian consulate is very specific about that .
• This is a sample of the application
• Passport photos and passport bio page must be scanned for online upload.

Frequently Asked Questions about the India Tourist Visa Application Process

What are the photo upload requirements.

Ensure your visa photo meets these specifications and read carefully because the passport conditions are tricky if you’re submitting documents for an India eVisa.

• Visa Photo Format: JPEG, maximum 1 MB, 2 inches by 2 inches.
• Photo must show 80% of your face against a white background
• Scanned or photo of passport bio page in PDF format (for e-Visa applications). Size must be under 300kb!

To be honest, uploading your scanned bio page will take the most amount of time and is probably the trickiest aspect of the entire application process. I despise it.

First, you can scan or take a photo of your passport information page. Whatever you use, you want to make sure  the details are sharp, crisp and easy to make out.

Secondly, when you export your jpg or png photo to pdf, it will naturally uprez your photo. So your photo might be 300kb, but after exported into pdf, it can be 3 mb! This is the tricky part, because your image cannot be the regular size of your passport . It must be smaller to get through that upload gate keeper.

My settings were 72 dpi resolution but ultimately, I had to take the size below 500 dpi width. Yep, it’s small, when you view it on the application form but it is bigger when you open your pdf on your laptop. This is why you want to ensure your information is clear and easy to read.

Which internet browser should I use for applying for my India tourist visa?

The website is best viewed in Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer (Windows) version 9.0 and Android and iOS.

Listing References for your India Tourist Visa

Listing references for your stay in India is the part which trips up a lot of travelers applying for the Indian visa. This part forces you to lock itinerary details and long-term travelers, digital nomads and flexible travelers -like myself- like to keep part of their trip itinerary open-ended and loose. There are many travelers who visit India on an open backpacking trip and don’t have many solidified details such as hotels or departure dates, so you’re not alone.

If you’re not staying with an Indian friend or family, you can list your hotel or tour company as a reference. I like to use Booking.com. Check out my Ways to Show Proof of Onward Travel . I was inspired to write this article because of this India visa process!

What are the India Tourist Visa Photo Requirements

Read the website specifications for the passport photos you must send in. The trickiest part of this is not the visa photo but getting your passport bio data page down to under 500kb as a pdf (tip: it’s small)!

I always make extra copies of my passport photos, for future travel purposes and the fact, if you’re getting an Indian SIM card , you’ll need two photos for your application.

What profession should you list on your visa application?

Firstly, if you’re applying for a Tourist visa, then your sole reason for visiting should be Tourism .

If you’re a travel blogger on a press trip with the India tourism board, on a business trip to meet with clients, a travel writer, photographer, freelance/professional media, yoga student (going for yoga teacher certification ), etc… do not list these as your professions, unless you’re applying for a Journalist,  Business  or Student visa . These latter visas require more information and possibly professional credentials.

Acknowledging these professions or any other reason for being in India, outside of tourism, your visa will be under additional scrutiny and you may be declined or flagged.

I claim “Artist” or Salesperson or something standard to a tourist.  Even when I did my yoga teacher’s certification , I was told to not mention that unless I wanted the hassle of applying for a Student visa and being a yoga student in India is a casual and touristic thing. It is not the same as attending a Indian university.

Do I need an India visa for layovers in India?

If you have a layover in India, and do not plan to leave the airport terminal (and do not need to go past immigration), then you do not need an Indian visa or a transit visa.

However, if your baggage is not checked all the way through to your destination an you need to retrieve it and re-check it, you will need an Indian visa.

Hope this guide on how to apply for an India visa was helpful to you! Applying for an Indian visa can feel overwhelming but visiting India is so worthwhile. Hope you love India as much as I do.

Related Posts on India Trip Planning

Getting an Indian SIM card Guide to Indian Trains What’s in my backpack for my India trip Trip Planning India: Popular Routes & Costs Top 5 travel tips for India

Watch India Travel Guides for Solo Travelers!

   my travel survival cheat sheet.

• eSim I’m using to stay connected abroad. Activate it before or on your trip!
• Skyroam – Global wifi (take 10% off with referral code GRRRLTRAVELER )
• Trip Insurance Finder Tool for budget travelers looking for trip insurance to fit specific needs.
• I get my adventure trip insurance from World Nomads trip insurance (they cover travel theft)
• Expedia for great weekend trip package deals
• Take your yoga traveling and book a yoga retreat/ training .
• Book hotels  without a cancellation fee. Use this Hotel Comparison Tool to find the lowest prices!
• Book chic hostels with Hostelworld
• Ditch and store your luggage at local businesses for under $10/day
• 12goAsia Book trains and buses.
• Discover Cars  finds the best car rental price quote.
• GRRRLTRAVELER Group Adventure trip : Travel with me beyond YouTube.

Download my 25 Solo Travel Mistakes to AVOID Checklist

And Get my Travel Survival Blog Updates

Related Posts

15 Unforgettable Towns: 3 Month Backpacking Itinerary for India

A Rajasthan Roadtrip (My 8 day itinerary) and Top Places in Rajasthan

My Udaipur Travel Guide: 18 Wanderlust things to do in Udaipur for a 3 day itinerary

Join a group adventure.

Solo Travel Survival Tools

KEEP ME ON THE ROAD

YouTube Coach & Mentoring

Latest Travel Gear Reviews

I'm Christine! I film my travels 100% alone, so get confident traveling alone too!

Travel Discounts We Love

70% OFF 3-year plan + 1 month FREE: Use code: GRRRLTRAVELER 

Copyright & Affiliate Link Disclosure

All content on is this site ©GRRRLTRAVELER. Artwork on this site from contributors have special permissions for our use.

How To Apply & Get An Indian e-Visa Online

India has some amazing architecture and natural sights, with famous landmarks like the Taj Mahal in Agra, and snow capped mountains in the Himalayas.

Most nationalities (except for Bhutanese and Nepali citizens) will need a visa to visit India, which is given in the form of an electronic Indian visa (eVisa) since November 2014.

This guide explains everything about how to get an Indian tourist visa using the e-Visa India website! I wrote it in 2019 and last updated it in 2024.

I went through this process as a tourist, but the process on the e-Visa India website is very similar for the other visa categories as well.

What Is The India eVisa?

The Indian e-Visa is for visitors coming to India on a short term trip for sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives, short term medical treatment or casual business related things.

The 5 eVisa types are as follows: e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant, or e-Conference.

The eVisa is valid for 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years from the date of your arrival in India, and it’s a double entry visa (for e-Tourist or e-Business), single entry visa (e-Conference), or triple entry visa (e-Medical). It’s non-extendable and non-convertible.

You can apply and pay online anywhere from 4 to 120 days in advance of your date of arrival in India, but no later than 4 days prior to arrival, otherwise the application will not be processed.

The eVisa is valid for entry through 26 designated airports and 5 seaports in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Goa. The full list of airports and seaports permitted for the India eVisa can be found here (click the Instructions For Applicant link on the left side).  

Who Is The eVisa Available To?

The eVisa is available to US citizens and those of 170+ other places , and the fee depends on your country/territory.

The current fee for American citizens and other countries can be found in their full list of fees by country on the website .

An additional bank transaction charge of 2.5% may be applicable on the eVisa India online website.

The visa fee is non-refundable, even if for some reason your application is rejected.  

How Can I Get The India eVisa?

The visa process may sound complicated, but don’t worry, it’s actually pretty simple! Here it is broken down in 4 short steps:

• 1. Apply Online. You will need to submit an application with a personal photo and passport page.
• 2. Pay Visa Fee. Credit or debit cards (or Paypal) are accepted for online payment.
• 3. Receive e-Visa. The visa will be sent to you by email.
• 4. Visit India. You will need to print the India eVisa and carry it with you at the time of travel.

Before You Apply For The Indian e-Visa

It’s important to fill out your visa application completely and accurately, otherwise it may be rejected.

Before applying on the eVisa India website, make sure of the following:

• Passport Validity. Your passport should have >6 months validity
• Visa Pages. Your passport should have at least 2 blank visa pages for stamping
• Sufficient Funds. You should have enough money for your stay in India (this is rarely questioned), and also a return ticket or onward ticket.

You will also need to have the following items on your computer:

• Personal Photo. This should be a recent, clear photo of your face with a white background. JPEG format is required.
• Passport Photo. This should be your main passport page with your name, date of birth, nationality, etc. PDF format is required. If you need help changing your passport image to a PDF, you can use the following website: https://smallpdf.com .

Note: If you’re applying for an e-Business or e-Medical visa, in addition to the above you will also need a copy of the business card (for the e-Business visa) or a copy of the letter from the hospital concerned in India on its letterhead (for the e-Medical visa).  

How To Apply For The India eVisa (Indian Tourist Visa)

When you’re ready to proceed, you can begin your visa application at the Indian government’s official eVisa website:

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

THIS IS IMPORTANT. There are other websites circulating on the internet that mimic this one or pretend to grant speedy visas, but those are often scams and they will take your money. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER WEBSITE.

I’ve provided some photos below as EXAMPLES to guide you through the application, but these are not from my actual eVisa submission. In other words, the addresses and other data I used in the images below are only examples. With that said, the pages you see in your visa application will resemble the ones shown in these images.

If anything has changed in the application process since this guide was written, please let me know in the comments at the bottom of this page and I will update the guide ASAP. I will do my best to keep this entire page up to date.

To begin your visa application, click the button circled in red that says Apply here for e-visa .

Visa Application Page 1

E-visa application.

Passport Type*:  Select Ordinary Passport Nationality*:  Select your country from the dropdown list Port Of Arrival*:  Select the airport you will be flying into Date Of Birth*: Email ID*: Re-enter Email ID*: Expected Date Of Arrival*: Visa Service*: Select from the list, and then choose an activity that best fits your trip to India Please Enter Above Text*: Enter the captcha code given

(Items above marked with  * are required.)

Page 1 of the Indian visa online application on the eVisa India website. Very straightforward.

After selecting continue, if you’re applying for the Indian tourist visa (e-Tourist), then a small message will appear: “The following documents are required to be submitted. 1) Photograph. 2) Passport.” Select OK.

(For some reason the photo dimensions here state 2″ x 2″ but when you come to the actual uploader, the correct minimum dimensions will be 350 x 350 pixels. You’ll use the latter. Side note: separate messages may appear for Business/Medical eVisa applications.)

You can ignore this message on the Indian visa application and click OK.

You have now arrived at the second page of the Indian visa online application form. It’s a good idea to write down the Temporary Application ID  because it will be required if you have issues or need to come back to your application later.  

Visa Application Page 2

Applicant details form.

Surname: Exactly as in your passport Given Name*: Exactly as in your passport Have You Ever Changed Your Name?* If yes, click the box and give details Gender*: Date Of Birth: Automatically filled in Town/City Of Birth*: Country Of Birth*: Citizenship/National ID No*:  If not applicable, type NA Religion*: Visible Identification Marks*:  List any tattoos if you have them, otherwise put NONE Education*: Nationality:  Automatically filled in Did You Acquire Nationality By Birth Or By Naturalization?* Select yours Have You Lived For At Least Two Years In The Country Where You Are Applying Visa?* Select yes or no  

Passport Details

Passport Number*: Place Of Issue*: Whatever nationality is on your passport Date Of Issue*: Date Of Expiry*: Any Other Valid Passport/Identity Certificate (IC) Held?* Yes or no. If yes, give details

Page 2 of the e-Visa India application form. Personal identification details.

Visa Application Page 3

Applicant’s address details.

House No./Street*: Village/Town/City*: Country*: State/Province/District*: Postal/ZIP Code*: Phone No.*: One phone number is required Mobile No.: Email Address: Automatically filled in Click Here For Same Address*: Click here if your permanent address is the same address as above, and then it will be applied.

Page 3 of the Indian visa online. Personal address details.

Visa Application Page 3 (continued)

Father’s details.

Name*: Nationality*: Previous Nationality:  Leave blank if it never changed. Place Of Birth*:  Use the state/province/district of birth if you don’t know the town/city Country Of Birth*:  

Mother’s Details

Name*: Nationality*: Previous Nationality: Leave blank if it never changed. Place Of Birth*:  Use the state/province/district of birth if you don’t know the town/city Country Of Birth*:

Applicant’s Marital Status:  Select whether you’re single or married. If married (or separated but not divorced), enter your spouse’s details. If divorced, just select single. Were Your Parents/Grandparents (Paternal/Maternal) Pakistan Nationals Or Belong To Pakistan Held Area?  Select yes or no  

Profession / Occupation Details Of Applicant

Present Occupation*:  Select your occupation from the dropdown list. If it’s something else, select ‘Others’ and then enter it. The image below gives an example. Employer Name/Business*: Designation: Address*:  Phone: Past Occupation, If Any: Are/Were You In A Military/Semi-Military/Police/Security Organization?* Select yes or no. If yes, a dropdown will appear asking for the following: Organisation, Designation, Rank and Place Of Posting.

Page 3 (continued). Family and occupation details for the Indian visa online.

Visa Application Page 4

Details of visa sought.

Type Of Visa:  Automatically filled in Visa Service:  Automatically filled in Places To Be Visited*: Enter any cities or areas (e.g. Delhi) you will be visiting in India Places To Be Visited Line 2:  Duration Of Visa:  Automatically filled in No. Of Entries:  Automatically filled in Port Of Arrival In India:  Automatically filled in Expected Port Of Exit From India*:  Select the correct airport from the dropdown  

Previous Visa/Currently Valid Visa Details

Have You Ever Visited India Before?*  Select yes or no. If yes, enter the name and address of the place you stayed previously. Cities In India Visited*:  Enter details from previous visits Last Indian Visa No/Currently Valid Indian Visa*:  If your previous visit was with an eVisa, the number will be written on the stamp given in passport. If you don’t know the number, type unknown. Type Of Visa*:  Tourist Place Of Issue*:  United States (if it was a regular visa). Enter the airport name in India if it was an eVisa. Date Of Issue*:  The date it was issued. For an eVisa, you can use the date of entry from the stamp on your passport, or possibly in your email. Has Permission To Visit Or To Extend Stay In India Previously Been Refused?*  Select yes or no. Hopefully the answer is no  

Other Information

Countries Visited In Last 10 Years:  List any countries you’ve recently visited. I didn’t have room to list all of them, so I included a partial list. This field is not mandatory.  

SAARC Country Visit Details

Have You Visited SAARC Countries (Except Your Own Country) During Last 3 Years?*:  The list of SAARC countries can be found in the dropdown list.

Page 4 of the eVisa application. Your travel details.

Visa Application Page 4 (continued)

Reference Name In India*:  Your accommodation details will work Address*:  For a hotel this can usually be found on Google Maps or the listing at Booking.com or Agoda.com Phone*:  For a hotel this can usually be found on their website or on Google Maps Reference Name In Home Country*:  A relative or friend will work Address*:  Phone*: 

Page 4 (continued). Travel and reference details.

Visa Application Page 5

Additional question details.

• Have You Ever Been Arrested/Prosecuted/Convicted By Court Of Law Of Any Country?*  Yes or no
• Have You Ever Been Refused Entry/Deported By Any Country Including India?* Yes or no
• Have You Ever Been Engaged In Human Trafficking / Drug Trafficking / Child Abuse / Crime Against Women / Economic Offense / Financial Fraud?* Yes or no
• Have You Ever Been Engaged In Cyber Crime / Terrorist Activities / Sabotage / Espionage / Genocide / Political Killing / Other Act Of Violence?* Yes or no
• Have You Ever By Any Means Or Medium, Expressed Views That Justify Or Glorify Terrorist Violence Or That May Encourage Others To Terrorist Acts Or Other Serious Criminal Acts?* Yes or no
• Have You Sought Asylum (Political Or Otherwise) In Any Country?* Yes or no

Page 5 of the Indian visa online application. Background questions.

Visa Application Page 6

Upload photograph.

At this point you will be asked to upload a personal photo.

If you need to come back and do this later, you can save and exit the application (but make sure to write down the Temporary Application ID  because it will be required if you want to reuse your application later).

The photo format will need to be JPEG, with a minimum size of 10 KB and a maximum size of 1 MB. Minimum dimensions are 350 pixels wide x 350 pixels high. The personal photo needs to be recent and front facing, with a white background.

The picture needs to be a clear photo of your face. You can get these done at places like Walgreens, for example. Unfortunately you cannot crop your passport photo to use for this, it needs to be a separate photo.

It’s important to follow all of these specifications and rules, otherwise your eVisa India application may be rejected. Click choose file and navigate to the photo you want to choose; then click upload photo .

After uploading the photo, you’re given an opportunity to crop the photo or upload it again if you’d like.

Page 6 of the Indian visa online guide. Upload your personal photo.

Visa Application Page 7

Upload passport.

Next, you will be asked to upload a copy of your passport page.

This should be the photo page with personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiration date, etc. It should match the passport details entered in your eVisa application.

The file should be in PDF format with a minimum size of 10 KB and a maximum size of 300 KB. If you need help changing your passport file from an image to a PDF, you can use the following website: https://smallpdf.com .

Again, it’s important to follow all of the specifications and rules, otherwise your eVisa application may be rejected. Click choose file and navigate to the PDF file you want to choose; then click upload document .

Page 7 of the Indian visa online guide. Upload your passport.

Verification & Payment

After submitting your passport upload, the next page will ask you to confirm ALL of the previous details from your Indian e-Visa application.

Look these over thoroughly to make sure you entered everything correctly, because this will be your last chance to edit anything. Once you verify and continue, you will be brought to the visa payment page.

At this point, you can pay for the visa now or later. Follow the instructions on the page for either option. You should also write down the visa Application ID so you can access the application again.

You can pay with international credit or debit cards, or you can make your visa payment with Paypal. I used Paypal and I would recommend this. It was easy to process.

If you don’t have a Paypal account, then the next best option is probably using your card via the Axis option.  

After submission and payment, you will get an email from the Indian government saying that your Indian visa online application was submitted successfully and will take 72 hours for processing.

Generally you will hear back in much quicker time; in my case the Indian visa application was processed and granted in under 24 hours.

You MUST print the email you receive containing the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and present it to the immigration officer when you arrive in India. I would recommend printing and bringing at least two copies.

The government of India emphasizes that you should also track your application and make sure that the status says  granted on the official eVisa India website ( same link as above ) before making your journey to India.  

What If My India Visa Is Rejected?

If your India visa is rejected, don’t worry. You can apply again, and there’s no minimum amount of time you have to wait before re-applying for a visa. If the online system allows you to re-apply, then you can go ahead and do it when you’re ready.

However, it’s important to find out why you were rejected so you can fix it in your next application. Unfortunately a reason is not always given, but generally the most common reasons for India visas being rejected are simple errors like typos, wrong dates, or wrong photo specifications.

When reapplying, you’ll be faced with this question: “Has permission to visit or to extend stay in India previously been refused?”

How you answer this question will depend on why you were rejected in your first application. If it was a simple clerical error like a wrong date or wrong photo specifications, then I would answer no, because you weren’t actually refused a visa for visiting India due to being ineligible for some reason, you only made a minor mistake in the submission process that can easily be corrected.

Good luck and happy travels!

Best India Tours

More travel guides.

Thanks for looking! I hope you were helped by this guide on how to fill out an Indian e-visa application.

While you’re waiting for your visa to be processed, don’t forget to check out the other travel guides on my blog!

You may also like

Fulidhoo island guide: shark & stingray beach in maldives, how to visit dhigurah island: budget paradise in maldives, how to visit tanjung puting national park in indonesia, sanur bali travel guide: 24 best things to do, coron vs el nido: which is better all differences explained, banggai islands travel guide & itinerary for sulawesi, 19 comments.

I’m very impressed by the quality of information on this website. There are a lot of good resources here. I’m sure I will visit this place again soon.

I have an extra copy of my passport photo. Although it is the same picture as in my passport it is not just a cropped version of the photo in the passport. Is this acceptable?

Hi Jeanne, I haven’t tried that myself but it should be okay as long as it meets the other requirements for the personal photo. Regards

I used my extra copy of my passport photo this past week for my India E-visa, and it worked!

Thank you, David, for providing the details regarding the E-visa information. It was really helpful and guided me as I entered the required fields in the application.

Good to hear. Thanks Esther!

why is it that when i filled the places to be visited form, it says invalid characters

What are you trying to enter there?

Once we receive ETA the first name and last name are shuffled is it the same for everyone?

Yes, it was the same on my ETA. No problem.

Hi David, thank you SO MUCH for this helpful post. I’m flying to India in a month and my e-visa application was just rejected (I traveled to India in early 2020 and had no issues at all) so I’m now going through the process of carefully re-applying… one question I’m hoping you can help me with: I just got married 2 weeks ago, do you expect it to be an issue to check the “married” box despite the fact my (USA & Israeli) passports say nothing about being married (or single, for that matter?) also -I can’t seem to find anything online about a minimum amount of time to wait before re-applying… any idea? Trying to minimize all odds of being rejected again. Thanks so much again, really appreciate your guidance.

Hi Abigail! Glad the post was helpful for you. Yes, it should be okay to put married on the application. Like you say, the marital status isn’t shown on the passport anyway, and spouse names aren’t always changed right away after marriage either, or sometimes they never change. So that should be fine. As far as I know, there’s no minimum amount of time to wait before re-applying. If the online system allows you to re-apply, then I would go ahead and try again. Do you know why you were rejected the first time? I would figure that out before re-applying. Good luck!

Hi David! Another important question – for the “Has permission to visit or to extend stay in India previously been refused?” question on page 4 – would my previous e-visa rejection quality as a “yes”?

For this question, I think it would depend on the reason why you were rejected on the first application. Was it a simple error like a wrong date, wrong photo specifications, etc? If so, I would answer no, you weren’t refused a visa for visiting India, your application was only rejected because of a minor mistake. This is different from refusing you a visa because you aren’t eligible for some reason.

My e-visa application just got rejected without any specific reason provided. All they mention in the remark is “You may apply for Regular/Official Visa at nearest Indian Mission/Embassy abroad”. I compared my application to yours and the only difference I see is that for “city/town” of birth I put down city and state as opposed to state only. Would you happen to know if this could have caused the rejection?

Hi Jan! That shouldn’t cause a rejection. I’ve heard of people doing it either way (city and state, or city only). Both are correct answers. Do you think there might be another issue on your application? The most common things are simple errors like typos, wrong dates, or wrong photo specs.

Thanks so much. This is very helpful.

Question – on page 2 it asks if you ever changed your name. Am I correct in assuming that I put yes because I changed my name when I got married?

Hi Judy! If your passport still has your maiden name, I would use that name in the application and answer no to the question about name change. If your passport has your married name, I would use that name in the application and answer yes to the question about name change. However, I know of people who have applied successfully either way. It shouldn’t affect your application.

Thank you, this was very helpful. I have a question on section “Previous Visa/Currently Valid Visa Details”. I have traveled to India multiple times, but as an Indian citizen and held an Indian passport. Now I am no longer Indian citizen and applying for India Tourist visa for first time. What do I click in this “Previous Visa/Currently Valid Visa Details” section’s “Have you ever visited India before?”

Hi Sylvia, in that case you can answer “No” for the question “Have you ever visited India before?” because they’re asking if you’ve visited India on a visa before, and you haven’t. You were a citizen and resident, not a visitor. They should be able to understand this since you will list your country of birth as India on page 2 of the application, and also when they ask “Did You Acquire Nationality By Birth Or By Naturalization?” you can put Naturalization.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Welcome to Consulate General of India, New York (USA)

• Skip to main content
• Screen Reader Access
• English Hindi

• Visa Guidelines for USA Passport Holders
• Advisory on Satellite Phone
• Emergency Entry Visa Guidelines
• Visa for Diplomatic/ official/ Laissez-Passers Passport Holders
• Tourist Visa
• Business Visa
• Employment Visa
• Transit Visa
• Medical Visa
• Student Visa (Study/Research /Internship)
• Conference Visa
• Mountaineering Visa
• Missionary Visa
• Journalist Visa(Journalist /Documentary filming)
• Film Visa: Visa for shooting Feature Films
• Visa for Pakistani Passport Holders/ Foreign Passport holders of Pakistani Origin
• Important Advisory on Fake Indian eVisa websites

FAQ’s on Visa

• General Passport Information
• TATKAAL  Passport Services
• Public Advisory on Urgent Re-issuance of Passports
• FAQ on Passport
• EAMs Message on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas 2023 (24 Jun)
• How to apply for OCI ?
• When to Update/Reissue OCI
• Renewal/Re-issue of OCI Card
• General Information on OCI
• Conversion of PIO card to OCI card
• Instructions to Convert PIO Card to OCI Card
• Renunciation of OCI
• FAQ On OCI Related Matters
• Notice regarding Dual Citizenship
• FAQs on Misc. Service
• Outsourcing of Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Service for Indian Nationals with VFS Global
• General Information
• FAQs on Renunciation
• Emergency Travel Document (Emergency Certificate-EC)
• Calendar of upcoming Camps
• Past Consular Camps
• Import of Pet
• Data of Death Record
• Adult Protective Services (APS)
• Empanelled NGOs with Consulate
• Child Protective Services (CPS)
• Assistance for distressed women in India
• Minutes of Fourth Interaction-Community Organizations
• Procedure for sending/ forwarding Court Order/ Summons
• India: Leather Exports
• DISCLAIMER: Links given to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement / promotion of external websites by the Consulate General of India, New York. This Consulate does not take responsibility for the content therein. It does not endorse, approve, or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficiency, timeliness, or correct sequencing of such information. They are given solely for access to prima facie information.
• अमरीका में हिंदी
• Statement of Need Certificates for Medical Doctors
• Equivalence Certificate
• Open Admissions - School of International Cooperation, Security and Strategic Languages, Rashtriya Raksha University, India
• CUNY India Study Abroad Program (July 30 –August 15, 2019)
• RIT- OASIS organised Dandiya event with Mr. Jeffrey Cox, Director, International Student Services and Ms. Erica Ford, International Student Advisor
• Meet and Greet for Indian Students in USA, 21 October 2022 Consulate General of India in New York in association with GOPIO- Manhattan organized the 'Annual Day for Indian Students in USA' on October 21, 2022 at the Consulate. The Chief Guest for the evening was Mrs. Chandrika Tandon, Chairperson of Tandon Capital Associates and a recognized business leader, Grammy- nominated artist and humanitarian.
• Celebrating 20 years of Indian School of Business as part of Amrit Mahotsav. CGI, New York hosted ISB delegation led by Dean, its founding chairman & members and alumni on November 18, 2022
• Advisory/Information for students desirous of Pursuing Medical Studies abroad
• Fulbright - Nehru and Fulbright - Kalam Fellowships
• Online Annual Hindi Learning Program by Yuva Hindi Sansthan.
• Emergency Contact
• PIB Accreditation
• PRAMIT Pravasi Mitra (Helpline)

• Home › Consular Services › Visa Services › FAQ’s on Visa

FAQ on Visa

Q.My old passport with ‘valid Indian visa’ is lost. How can I  get fresh visa on new passport?

A. Same category visa can not be re-issued,  even on different passport,  to  an applicant during the validity of existing visa .  Fresh  visa will be issued only when first visa  has  either expired or is lost (Police report of lost passport is required).

  Q. What is eligible criteria to get Indian Tourist Visa ?

A. Indian Tourist visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, short duration medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine etc. and no other purpose/ activity (Short term yoga programme means a yoga programme not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc.)

Q. How to apply for Indian Visa ? How much time it will take ?

A: Please follow these steps for Visa application :

a. Visit CKGS website ( https://www.in.ckgs.us ) and apply online.

b. Pay required fees online & Submit your application

c. Print your submitted application

d. Submit physical copy of application along with required documents to CKGS center by Walk in or Mail/Post :

CKGS (Visa / OCI / PIO / Renunciation of Indian Citizenship Department)

235 West 23rd Street, Level 2, New York, NY 10011.

Processing Time : If everything are in order (i.e documentation etc.) it will take 4-5 working days for US Passport holder (excluding VFS mailing time). 

Q. My Passport will be expiring soon/running out of pages which has valid Indian visa in it (and I already applied for my new Passport), Can I travel on valid visa on my old Passport ?

A: Yes, your Visa is valid till it expiry date, but while traveling you have to carry this old Passport with valid visa along with your new Passport.

  Q. While applying Visa online on CKGS website, they ask previous Visa number, which I have not remember, what should I do?

A: If you do not remember your previous visa number then skip that portion and complete the online application.

Q. I applied for Visa on CKGS website but not getting appointment, what should I do ?

A . If you are not getting appointment on desired date please select walk in option which is always open.

Q. I am US passport holder of Pakistani origin, applied for Indian Visa on CKGS website but not getting any update on my visa status, what should I do ?

A. In this case administrative process will take minimum 45 working days. Once concerned authority approved it we will intimate you accordingly.

Q. I am holding dual nationality (i.e. Pakistan & USA) & also holding two Passports (i.e Pakistan & USA), on which Passport I need to apply for Visa ?

A. Pakistani nationals holding dual nationality must apply only on their Pakistani Passports.

  Q. I am holding dual nationality (i.e. Pakistan & USA), but holding only one Passport (i.e. USA), which documents are required to apply Visa ?

A. USA passport holders of Pakistani origin must submit their visa application form along with:

a. Certificate of Renunciation of Pakistani Citizenship

b. US passport with valid Pakistani visa OR Copy of the Pakistan Overseas Card

Q. I am Pakistani Passport holder, Can I choose my entry port in India & book the flight tickets accordingly ?

A. No, you can not choose your entry Ports in India & book tickets until a visa decision has been made.

Q. I am Indian origin of US Citizen, Can I apply for emergency Visa ?

A. Yes, you can apply for Emergency Visa through CKGS website ( https://www.in.ckgs.us/visa ).

Q. I have applied Indian visa for my minor Son/Daughter and CKGS kept his/her application on hold due to lack of Parental authorization, what should I do ?

A. Parental authorization signed by both the parents is must, you have to submit this documents to CKGS to avoid further delay.

Q. I have applied for Indian visa for my minor Son/Daughter, Should my son/daughter needs to be present at VFS center for interview ?

A. No need for child to be present. Please submit notarized parental authorization signed by both parents along with other documents to process the visa.

Q. I have applied for E-visa and status is pending, could you please let me know the status of my E-Visa ?

A. E-visa is directly handled by authority in India, Consulate has no role in e-Visa, please do notcontact consulate for e-visa , for more details please visit : https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html . If you would like to apply for R egular V isa please visit (which is handled by consulate): ( https://www.in.ckgs.us/visa ).

  Q. What is authentic website of E-Visa ?

A. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

Q. What is the Processing timing for E-visa ?

A. E-visa is directly handled by authority in India, C onsulate has no role in E -Visa, please do not contact consulate for E -visa . For more details please visit : https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

Q. What is the Processing timing for Regular Visa through CKGS ?

A. Once we receive the visa application from CKGS and if everything is in order (i.e. documentation etc.) then processing time will be as per below (excluding CKGS processing time);

a. US passport holders (2-3 working days)

b. Passport holders of other countries (5-10 working days)

c. Pakistan Passport holder OR Pakistani origin of US passport holders(minimum 45 working days)

Q. I entered wrong name/data in CKGS online visa form, how to edit it ?

A. Please contact CKGS helpline : https://www.in.ckgs.us/feedback/ OR Phone : 516-206-1483 / 646-589-0088

Q. Can I book my Air Ticket before getting the visa?

A. No bookings or travel arrangements should be confirmed until a visa decision has been made. Consulate will not be responsible for any loss of bookings made in anticipation of obtaining a Visa.

Q. If my visa is issued, from when does the validity begin?

A. The validity of the visa begins from the date it is issued and not from the date of your departure mentioned on the application form.

Q. What are the Emergency Visas?

A. Please visit our website and follow these steps :

Home › Consular Services › Visa Services › Emergency Visa

Q. Can I send my visa application directly to Consulate ?

Q. I have only one blank page left in my passport, can I apply for visa ?

A . No, for Visa minimum two blank pages in passport is required.

Q. I want to visit Sikkim/Arunachal Prades in India, how to get Restricted/Protected Area Permission ?

Q. How to get Restricted/Protected Area Permission ?

A. Foreign nationals intending to visit a place falling in the Protected/ Restricted Area in India, may submit an application for the grant of Protected/Restricted Area Permit to Concerned offices in particular Indian states OR nearest Indian Mission/Post. This requirement is in addition to getting an Indian visa. It will take shorter time, if the traveler apply for RAP from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) /Resident Commissioners of the Concerned State Govt. through nearest metropolitan City OR through travel/tour operators in India. If traveler apply in Indian Mission/Post abroad, it will take around 5-6 weeks to process. For more details please visit: https://mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/AnnexVII_01022018.pdf

Q. Is there any restrictions on Indian Tourist Visa holder to re-entry in India within 2 months ?

A. With effect from January 24, 2013, the gap of two months required between visits to India of a foreign national on a Tourist Visa would be applicable only in the case of nationals of Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistan origin and Stateless persons.

Q. I am traveling to Nepal via Delhi, do I need Indian transit Visa ?

A. Transit visa is not required by a foreigner passing through, in direct transit by air, and traveling onward through India, provided he/she does not leave the specified precincts of the airport. A transit visa is not required by a foreigner who does not leave the ship while it halts at an Indian port.

Q. I am an Artist visiting India to Participate in Painting Exhibition or Music show on Charitable basis (not Paid performance), which visa should I apply ?

Entry Visa : Those going to India for Charitable performances e.g an artist going for painting exhibition, musician for musical shows etc on charitable basis have to apply for Entry Visa.

Business Visa : Those going to India for short term paid performances e.g an artist going for painting exhibition, musician for musical shows etc have to apply for Business Visa.

Employment Visa : Those going to India for long term paid performances e.g an artist going for painting exhibition, musician for musical shows etc have to apply for Employment Visa.

Q. For more FAQ Please click here --> click here click here -->

Q. For more FAQ Please click here

• Visa Services
• Travel Advisory for Indian Nationals
• Passport Services
• OCI Services
• Miscellaneous Consular Services
• Renunciation of Indian Citizenship
• Emergency Travel Document
• Global Entry Program (GEP) For Indian Nationals
• Emergency Contact No
• Consular Camps
• Customs Regulations
• PAN Card for NRI/PIO ?
• Aadhaar Card for NRI/OCI/PIOs
• Adoption of Indian Children
• Vaccination Guideline
• About PRAMIT
• Important Notification for Travelers to India - Bringing on Import or Use of satellite phones in India

• @IndiainNewYork @IndiainNewYork
• CGI NewYork CGI NEW YORK
• CGI NEWYORK CGI NEWYORK
• PRAMIT PRAMIT
• Google Feedback Google Feedback

• Copyright policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Hyperlinking Policy
• Accessibility Statement

Address: Consulate General of India, 3 East 64th Street (Between 5th and Madison Avenues), New York, NY 10065

Tel No. for all enquiries : +1 347-721-9243

Consulate closed on Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays Official working hours: 9.00 AM - 5.30 PM EST Submission of documents/or any Consular Query: 09:30 am to 11:30 am Collection of documents: 04:00 pm - 04:30 pm For submission of documents : 09:15 am to 11:15 am (Monday to Friday) Delivery of documents : 11:30 am to 13:00 pm (Monday to Friday) --> For submission of documents : 9:15 am - 12:15 pm Delivery of documents : 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm-->

Visitors Since (June, 2018): 9429329

Page last updated on: June 29, 2024

Most Searched

• Birth Certificate
• Driving Licence

e-Tourist Visa Scheme - Fly to India trouble-free

Tourism has grown leaps and bounds over the years in India, with each region contributing something to its splendor and exuberance. India's rich cultural diversity reflects through its people, languages, cuisine, traditions, customs, music, dance, religious practices and festivals, its holistic healing traditions, art and craft.

To make travel to India trouble-free and unforgettable for foreign tourists, the Government of India launched e-Tourist Visa scheme - External Website that opens in a new window on November 27, 2014 to 43 countries from nine designated Indian Airports. The Government extended this Scheme to the citizens of Guyana and Sri Lanka in January, 2015 and April, 2015, respectively. The e-Tourist Visa facility - External Website that opens in a new window was extended to the nationals of 31 countries in May, 2015. With more addition, the total number of countries under the scheme is 76. The scheme will be extended to more countries in a phased manner. The Government is aiming to extend this scheme to 150 countries to encourage and promote tourism in India.

e-Tourist Visa Facility - External Website that opens in a new window is currently available for holders of passport of following countries; Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Vietnam.

e-Tourist Visa Application

• Apply online
• Pay visa fee online
• Receive eTV Online
• Check visa status online
• Fly To India
• e-Tourist Visa Scheme

Apply online - External Website that opens in a new window

Upload Photo and Passport Page

Pay visa fee online - External Website that opens in a new window

Using Credit / Debit card

Receive eTV Online - External Website that opens in a new window

eTV Will be sent to your e-mail

Check visa status online - External Website that opens in a new window

Visa Status Enquiry can be used to know Visa Status, Payment Status and to Print e-Tourist Visa.

Fly To India - External Website that opens in a new window

Print eTV and carry at the time of travel

• International Travellers whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit.
• Passport should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.
• International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.
• International Travellers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.
• Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders.
• Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
• Not available to International Travel Document holders.

The documents required for e-Tourist Visa (eTV)

• Format -PDF
• Size : Minimum 10 KB ,Maximum 300 KB

The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following requirements:

• Format - JPEG
• Size: a. Minimum 10 KB b. Maximum 1 MB
• The height and width of the Photo must be equal.
• Photo should present Full face, front view, eyes open.
• Center head within frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin.
• Background should be plain light colored or white background.
• No shadows on the face or on the background.
• Without borders

• Applicants of the eligible countries may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 30 days. Example: If you are applying on 1st Sept. then applicant can select arrival date from 5th Sept. to 4th Oct.
• Recent front facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport containing personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc. to be uploaded by the applicant. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded document and photograph are not clear/as per specification.
• e-Tourist Visa (eTV) - External Website that opens in a new window fee is US$ 60/- per passenger excluding interchange charge for credit/debit cards. The fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel filled by you otherwise application will not be processed.
• eTV - External Website that opens in a new window fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of VISA.
• Applicant should carry a copy of eTV - External Website that opens in a new window along with him/her at the time of travel.
• Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India.
• The validity of visa will be 30 days from the date of arrival in India.
• eTV - External Website that opens in a new window is valid for entry through 9 designated Airports i.e. Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai & Trivandrum. However, the foreigner can take exit from any of the authorized Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) in India.
• This facility is in addition to the existing Visa services.
• eTV - External Website that opens in a new window is allowed for a maximum of two visits in a calendar year.
• eTV - External Website that opens in a new window once issued on arrival is Only single entry, non-extendable, non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas.
• Applicants can track the status of their application online by clicking visa status.
• Please be careful while making payment of the eTV - External Website that opens in a new window fee. If the number of unsuccessful attempts is more than three (03), then the application id would be blocked and the applicant would be required to apply afresh by filling the application form again and regenerating a new application id.
• Before re-applying, the applicants are requested to wait for 4 hours for payment status updating, after final submission of the application form and payment of the fee. The payment status updating may take up to 4 hours.
• Nationals of Yellow Fever affected countries must carry YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CARD at the time of arrival in India, otherwise they may be quarantined for 6 days upon arrival in India. Please visit the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare's latest guidelines regarding yellow fever countries - External Website that opens in a new window .
• For any assistance call 24x7 Visa support center at +91-11-24300666 or send email to indiatvoa[at]gov[dot]in

Useful Related Links

• Ministry of Home Affairs
• Ministry of External Affairs
• Ministry of Tourism
• Bureau of Immigration
• Incredible India
• FAQs-Payment Related - External Website that opens in a new window

Here's how to get a visa to visit India

Dec 20, 2023 • 7 min read

From applying for an e-Visa to extending your stay, here's what you need to know about entry requirements for India beavera / Getty Images

With its dense tapestry of cultures and landscapes, India feels like dozens of countries rolled into one, but a single visa will cover you for travel across more than 3 million sq km (more than a million sq miles) of territory, taking in everything from steamy jungles to the high passes of the Himalayas.

Every Indian state is as large and diverse as a nation, so take your time navigating this enormous and fascinating country. The good news is that visas are easy to obtain and allow plenty of time for exploring.

Here’s everything you need to know about visa requirements for India, from the application process for e-Visas to overland travel and extending your stay.

You'll probably need a visa to go to India

Almost everyone needs a visa to visit India , but for most nationalities, tourist visas are easy to obtain online or through your local Indian embassy or consulate. Citizens of 166 countries – including most nations in the EU and EEA, the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand, and many countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America – can apply for an e-Visa before traveling via a simple online form .

Applying online is a fairly painless process, and it will save you hours compared to applying in person at an embassy or through a visa agency (in countries where Indian embassies no longer issue visas directly). Tourist e-Visas are available with a validity of 30 days, one year or five years, with the one- and five-year visas allowing for multiple entries for a maximum stay of 180 days on each visit.

For one- and five-year tourist visas, applications are accepted up to 120 days in advance of travel. The 30-day visa allows two entries into India, which is handy if you’re planning a side trip to Nepal , and you can apply up to 30 days in advance of travel. All e-Visas take at least 72 hours to process, so be sure to apply in plenty of time (at least 4 days in advance is recommended).

Applying online is the most hassle-free way to obtain a visa

The Indian government’s online e-Visa portal can be used to apply for tourist visas, business visas, and visas for medical treatment and attending conferences. The cost and duration of the visa vary depending on your nationality, and you may need to show proof of return travel arrangements and sufficient funds to support yourself during your trip.

Rules for non-tourist visas can be complex. Business travelers usually need to provide letters of introduction from Indian companies and organizations that they plan to meet. Assuming you meet the requirements, business visas are usually valid for multiple entries over the space of one year.

Working for an Indian company is more complicated. You’ll need an employment visa and a work permit, and most people need a firm job offer and assistance from an Indian employer to complete the paperwork. As with all visa requirements, the situation is subject to change; contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.

Applying for a tourist e-Visa is fairly straightforward

To apply for an Indian e-Visa, visit the government’s official e-Visa portal . You’ll need to upload a digital passport-style photo and copies of your passport ID pages, and pay the visa fee, which varies depending on your nationality.

Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry, and you’ll need two spare pages for the visa, which will be physically stamped into your passport on arrival. Assuming your application is accepted – which is the case for most applicants – you’ll receive a digital Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which you should print out and carry with you when you travel, so you can present it to the immigration authorities on arrival. 

Enter India via air or sea on your e-Visa

E-Visas allow entry to India through 25 designated airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Bengaluru (Bangalore), Hyderabad, Kochi (Cochin), Goa, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Gaya, Jaipur, Lucknow, Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), Varanasi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Pune, Nagpur, Coimbatore, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Chandigarh and Visakhapatnam.

They’re also valid for entry via the designated seaports at Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, New Mangalore and Mormugao (in Goa).

Apply for a visa before you travel to enter India overland

If you plan to enter India overland – for example, from Nepal or Pakistan – you’ll need a visa stamped into your passport before you leave home, which you’ll need to obtain from the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country, or through an approved visa application office.

If you plan to visit India and Nepal on the same trip, get a multiple-entry visa – it used to be possible to arrange a new Indian tourist visa through the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu , but the authorities may now insist on a two-month gap before issuing a new visa.

There’s no need to worry about applying for a visa for Nepal in advance – they’re available on arrival at border crossings (bring passport photos and US dollars to pay the fee).

If you can't apply for an e-Visa, get one in person in advance

Contact your local embassy or consulate to check the application process in your country; the Indian Ministry of External Affairs maintains a list of diplomatic missions online. It’s best to apply for a visa in your home country – obtaining an Indian visa from an embassy in another country can be tortuously slow, assuming it’s possible at all. Fees and the permitted duration of stay will vary depending on your nationality.

As an alternative to applying through an Indian embassy or consulate, you may be able to apply for a visa through a visa agency – however, this tends to be more expensive than applying directly. In practice, many of these agencies just collect together applications and then send over a staff member to the embassy to apply in person.

Student visas are available to those on full-time courses in India

Student visas are reserved for people enrolled in approved full-time educational courses in India (which can include training courses in yoga, meditation, and traditional Indian art forms). Student visas are valid for up to five years, depending on the length of the course, but the rules are strict, and you’ll need documentation from the institution where you are studying to apply. The Ministry of Home Affairs provides some information online, but contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date requirements.

Extending your stay in India is for exceptional circumstances only

E-Visas cannot be extended, but other types of visas can, though only in exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies or theft of your passport. To apply, you’ll need to use the government’s special online portal , providing evidence of a valid reason for extending your stay in India (e.g., a letter from the hospital where you are being treated or a police report).

You may then be called in for an in-person interview at the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Delhi. If there is a fee, it will be made clear during the application process.

Some border areas in India require additional travel permits

Under a system carried over from British colonial rule, special permits (known as “protected area permits” or “restricted area permits”) are required to visit many areas close to India’s disputed external borders with China , Pakistan and other territories – a zone known as the “inner line.” Applying for these permits outside India is tricky, but you can apply locally in India without too much difficulty.

Permits are especially important for highly sensitive border areas (which tend to be off-limits to all travelers). Applications can be made through local government offices or local travel agencies; contact the state government offices for these regions to get the latest information. In some areas, you may need to register with the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office on arrival, but this is an easy process.

This article was first published Mar 12, 2022 and updated Dec 20, 2023.

Explore related stories

Destination Practicalities

Jul 18, 2024 • 6 min read

The smallest of the five Central Asian countries, Tajikistan still packs a punch and has plenty to offer. Plan your trip now with our first-time guide.

Jul 15, 2024 • 5 min read

Jun 26, 2024 • 9 min read

Jun 14, 2024 • 6 min read

Jun 6, 2024 • 6 min read

May 31, 2024 • 6 min read

May 29, 2024 • 8 min read

May 28, 2024 • 9 min read

May 22, 2024 • 7 min read

May 9, 2024 • 6 min read

India's Climate & Seasons

Monsoon in India

Your Essential Packing List

Things to Buy Before You Go

What to Pack for Monsoon

The Best India Guidebooks

How to Save on Your India Trip

The Top Destinations in India

The Most Iconic Sights in India

Which Region Is Right for You?

India's Top Historical Destinations

Romantic Indian Destinations

India's Top Hill Stations

India's Top National Parks

The Best Beaches in India

India's Best Backpacker Spots

India's Most Spiritual Destinations

The Best Luxury Spas in India

India Off the Beaten Path

India for Adventure Travelers

Where to Experience Rural India

The Top Things to Do in India

Palaces & Forts in India

India's Best Surfing Beaches

Volunteer on a Budget in India

7 Cool Sound & Light Shows

India's Most Popular Festivals

India's Best Bike Tours

See India by Motorcycle

India's Top Tribal Tours

Offbeat Tours to Take in India

India's Best Homestays

Palace Hotels in India

India's Coolest Treehouse Hotels

Top Wildlife & Jungle Lodges

The Best Hostels in India

Best Budget Hotels in India

Transport in India: An Overview

India's Major Airports

India's Best Airlines

Domestic Airlines in India

Hiring a Car & Driver in India

Your Intro to Indian Railways

Travel Classes on Indian Trains

How to Reserve a Train Ticket

How to Find & Board Your Train

Tips for Train Travel in India

India's Scenic Toy Trains

12 Indian Etiquette Don'ts

The Top 10 Indian Stereotypes

Tipping in India

What Does the Head Shake Mean?

9 Challenges You'll Face in India

How to Avoid Culture Shock

Top 5 Monsoon Health Concerns

Voltage Information for India

How to Use Your Cell Phone

How to Say Hello in Hindi

Often Misunderstood Hindi Terms

Hindi Language Books

Most Common Indian Scams

How to Handle Begging in India

How to Spot Fake Indian Currency

What to Buy in India

How to Buy a Sari in India

How to Bargain at Indian Markets

How to Get an Indian Visa

India's Visa Types, Explained

Applying for an E-Visa

Your Essential Guide to Getting an E-Visa for India

Understanding India's New Electronic Visa Scheme (Updated)

All visitors to India require a visa , except for citizens of neighboring Nepal and Bhutan. Visitors must either apply for a regular visa or an e-Visa (citizens of Japan and South Korea can also get a visa on arrival at six major airports in India). The e-Visa is hassle-free to obtain, and will be suitable for most tourists. Here's what you need to know about it.

Latest News as of September 2019

Three types of e-Tourist visas are now available with validity of one-month, one-year and five-years. The one-month e-Tourist Visa permits two entries. The one-year and five-year e-Tourist visas allow multiple entries but are subject to limitations on length of continuous stay. The fee for the one-year e-Tourist Visa has been reduced, while the fee for the new one-month e-Tourist Visa is discounted during the off-peak summer season from April to September.

The Indian government introduced a tourist visa on arrival scheme on January 1, 2010. It was initially trialed for citizens of five countries. Subsequently, a year later, it was extended to include a total of 11 countries. And, from April 15, 2014 it was extended to include South Korea.

Effective November 27, 2014, this visa on arrival scheme was replaced by an online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme. It has been implemented in phases and progressively made available to more countries.

In April 2015, the scheme was renamed "e-Tourist Visa" by the Indian government, to remove confusion over the previous ability to get a visa on arrival without applying in advance.

In April 2017, the scheme was further extended to passport holders of 158 countries (up from 150 countries).

The Indian government has also widened the scope of the visa scheme to include short duration medical treatment and yoga courses, and casual business visits and conferences. Previously, these required separate medical/student/business visas.

The aim is to make getting an Indian visa easier, and to bring more business people and medical tourists into the country.

To facilitate this change, in April 2017, the "e-Tourist Visa" scheme became known as "e-Visa". Furthermore, it was divided into three categories:

• e-Tourist Visa
• e-Business Visa
• e-Medical Visa

Two additional categories—e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa—have since been added. Up to two e-Medical Attendant visas will be granted against one e-Medical Visa.

The visa categories can be clubbed together. However, e-Conference visas are only permitted to be clubbed with e-Tourist visas.

Be sure to research the different types of Indian visas .

Who is Eligible for an E-Visa?

Passport holders of the following 165 countries: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Island, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D'lvoire, Croatia, 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, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger Republic, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, 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 and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Island, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

However, do note that if your parents or grandparents were born in or lived in Pakistan, you will be ineligible to get an e-Visa even if you're a citizen of the above countries. You will have to apply for a normal visa.

What is the Procedure for Obtaining an E-Visa?

Applications must be made online at this website, no less than four days and no more than 30 days before the date of travel (for a 30-day tourist e-visa). A sample form with screen shots can be downloaded here .

As well as entering you travel details, you will need to upload a photograph of yourself with a white background that meets the specifications listed on the website, and the photo page of your passport that shows your personal details. Your passport will need to be valid for at least six months. Additional documents may be required depending on the type of e-Visa required.

Following this, pay the fee online with your debit or credit card. You will receive an Application ID and the ETA will be sent to you via email within three to five days (often earlier). The status of your application can be checked here . Make sure it shows "GRANTED" before you travel.

You will need to have a copy of the ETA with you when you arrive in India, and present it at the immigration counter at the airport. An immigration officer will stamp your passport with your e-Visa for entry into India. Your biometric data will also be captured at this time.

You should have a return ticket and enough money to spend during your stay in India.

What are the Fees?

The visa fees depend on the nature of the reciprocal relationship between India and each country. Citizens of some countries can get visas free of cost. There are also differing fees for e-Tourists visas and other types of e-Visas. The details can be found in this e-Tourist Visa Fee Chart and Fee Chart for Other E-Visa Types .

Citizens of the following countries are entitled to free visas:

• Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay and Vanuatu.

Citizens of all other countries, except Japan, now pay the same fees for e-Tourist visas. These are as follows:

• One-month e-Tourist Visa (April to June): $10.
• One-month e-Tourist Visa (remainder of the year) : $25
• One-year e-Tourist Visa : $40.
• Five-year e-Tourist Visa : $80.

Japanese citizens only pay $25 for one-year and five-year e-Tourist visas.

The fees for other types of e-Visas are as follows:

• $100 Citizens of US, UK, Russia, Ukraine and Mozambique.
• $80 : Citizens of the majority of countries including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• $25: Citizens of Japan, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

In addition to the visa fee, a bank charge of 2.5% of the fee must be paid.

How Long is the Visa Valid For?

The one-month e-Tourist Visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival in India, with two entries permitted. One-year and five-year e-Tourist visas are valid for 365 days from the date the ETA is granted, with multiple entries permitted.

E-Business visas are valid for one year from the date the ETA is granted, with multiple entries permitted.

E-Medical and e-Medical Attendant visas are valid for 60 days from the date of arrival in India. E-Conference visas are only valid for 30 days from the date of arrival. Three entries are permitted on e-Medical visas and e-Medical Attendant visas. Only one entry is permitted on e-Conference visas. The visas are non-extendable and non-convertible.

How Long Can You Stay in India?

It's important to note that although your e-Tourist Visa may be valid for one year or five years, this doesn't mean you can stay in India continuously for the whole time. The length of continuous stay must not be longer than 90 days—except for citizens of US, UK, Japan and Canada. Citizens of these countries can stay for up to 180 days at a time.

Citizens of all countries can stay in India for up to 180 days continuously on an e-Business visa.

Which Indian Entry Points Accept E-Visas?

You can now enter at the following 28 international airports in India : Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kochi, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi, and Vishakhapatnam.

You can also enter at the following five designated seaports: Kochi, Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai, Chennai.

In addition, separate immigration desks and help counters have been set up to assist medical tourists at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad airports.

Once you have the e-Visa, you can leave India (and return) through any immigration point.

How Often Can You Get an E-Visa?

You can apply as often as you want. The limit on the number of times in a calendar year has been removed.

Visiting Protected/Restricted Areas with Your E-Visa

The e-Visa is not valid for entry into areas such as Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India, by itself. You'll need to obtain a separate Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Inner Line Permit (ILP), depending on the requirements of the particular area. This can be done in India after you arrive, using your e-Visa. You don't need to hold a regular tourist visa to be able to apply for a PAP. Your travel or tour agent can take care of the arrangements for you. If you're planning on visiting Northeast India, you can read more about permit requirements here.

Need Help with Your Application?

Call +91-11-24300666 or email [email protected]

Important: Scams to be Aware of

When applying for your e-Visa, do be aware that a number of commercial websites have been created to look similar to the government of India's official website, and they claim to provide online visa services to tourists. These websites include but are not limited to:

• e-visaindia.com
• e-touristvisaindia.com
• indianvisaonline.org.in

The websites do not belong to the government of India and they will charge you hefty service fees.

Expediting Your E-Visa

If you do need to get your e-Visa in a hurry, iVisa.com offers 24-hour and 2-day processing times. However, this comes at a price— $100 for 24-hours, and $65 for 2-days. Their standard fee for a 4-day processing time is $35. These fees are all additional to the e-Visa fee. The company is legitimate and reliable though.

Visa Requirements for India

Visa Requirements for Australia

Visa Requirements For Thailand

Visa Requirements for the Netherlands

Visa Requirements for Canada

Visa Requirements for Vietnam

Visa Requirements for Cambodia

Visa Requirements for Macao

Required Documents for Travel to China

How to Get a Shenzhen Visa in Hong Kong

Permits for North East India and What You Need to Know

Visa Requirements for Italy

Visa Requirements for Myanmar

Visa Requirements for Sweden

Visa Requirements for Norway

Visa Requirements for France

Breathedreamgo

The transformational travel guide

Updated guide to Indian Tourist Visa with top 4 tips

Table of Contents

Traveling to India? Updated Indian Tourist Visa news and application tips 

MOST IMPORTANT LINKS:

• Indian Visa Online — official government site.
• India Ministry of Health — latest government guidelines for travel to India
• New Delhi airport information

UPDATED November 23, 2023 : India has restored e-Visa services for Canadians, including the Tourist Visa.

Guidelines for tourists arriving in India: Access the latest Guidelines for International Arrivals here . The New Delhi Airport website also has updated information for travellers. And you should also check with your airline on their requirements.

In March 2022, India announced it has restored all currently valid five year e-tourist visa given to citizens of 156 countries and regular paper visa to nationals of all countries with immediate effect (two years after their suspension following the COVID-19 outbreak).

Officials also said all currently valid old long duration (10 years) regular tourist visa given to nationals of the US and Japan have been restored. Fresh long duration (10 year) tourist visa will also be issued to the US and Japanese nationals. For more details visit this page .

VISA FEES: There is no fee other than the processing fee for e-Visa application and it is non-refundable. Fees are country-specific. Check Indian Visa Online — official government site.

FRAUD ALERT, BE AWARE! There are numerous fake e-visa websites operating on the internet, some even mimicking the government of India’s official site. There is only one official site! It is Indian Visa Online

NEW RULE: As of this year, 2023, foreign nationals who are in India on a tourist visa can only stay a maximum of 180 days in the country in a calendar year.

NEW VISA: Announced on August 11, 2023: The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the creation of a new visa category,  Ayush Visa , for foreign nationals, who are keen to visit the country for medical treatment including therapeutic care, wellness and yoga in India. The introduction of this special visa will meet the purpose of introducing a special visa scheme for foreigners visiting India for treatment across different streams.

Come to India with us!

Are you dreaming of a trip to India? Come to India with India for Beginners custom tours, from Breathedreamgo and let us show you the India we love. With India for Beginners, we help you design a tour based on your interests, preferences, and budget. We pick you up at the airport and we are available by phone 24/7. We hold your hand in India! FIND OUT MORE

Tips for getting an Indian tourist Visa

If you are from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and many other countries, you need a passport and a Visa to visit India, even as a tourist. However, getting a Visa for India is much easier than ever, and the Indian Visa application process now includes the option to apply for an India Visa online (the e-Visa).

NOTE: Most nationalities can use the e-visa service with a few exceptions. To find out if your nationality is on the list for the e-Visa, click here: Indian Visa Online

Tip 1: Decide which type of Indian Visa you want

Regular Visa: To apply for a regular Visa, such as the 10 year tourist Visa, you need to apply at an Indian mission. You have to apply online first, print the form and bring it to your local consulate or the outsourcing company. There is a three step Indian Visa application process . You can read the detailed instructions here .

There will be many very specific rules, such as the exact dimensions of the photos you need to bring. If you don’t follow the guidelines precisely, and to the letter, they will not accept your application. Likewise if there are any mistakes, such as a name misspelled.

e-Visa: To apply for the e-Visa, you can apply online on this page: Indian Visa Online . See below for more details. To get detailed information about the e-Visa, read this page .

TIP: Make sure your passport has more than six month’s validity from your date of travel.

Tip 2: Contacting your Indian mission for a regular Visa

You need to contact the Indian mission in your country to begin the process of getting a regular Indian Visa and filling out the Visa application form. Often, you will be directed to a company they outsource for processing Visas, such as BLS Services in Canada. So be prepared to have all your information, documents, and passport ready so that you can apply for an India Visa. 

• If you are from Canada, visit the Consulate General of India, Toronto website or the High Commission of India in Ottawa website.
• In Canada, you can visit the BLS Services website. This is the company that the Consulate General of India in Canada outsources its Visa processing to.
• If you are from USA, start here at Embassy of India .
• If you are from Britain, start here at the High Commission of India website.
• If you are from Australia, start here at the Consulate General of India, Sydney website.

Tip 3: Everything you need to know about the Indian eVisa 

To apply for the e-Visa, you can apply online on this page: Indian Visa Online . To get detailed information about the e-Visa, read this page . And to find out about all the Indian Visa categories click here .

Please note: After you receive an email announcing that your e-Visa was granted, you need to log back into the India Visa Online website and download the Visa certificate. Print it, and bring it with you when you travel.

• Be aware that you still need to print a copy of your Indian e-Visa and bring it with you when you travel to India. When you arrive in India, you will have to wait in line at the immigration counter to have your Visa stamped.
• The new e-Visa also allows double entry — you are now able to leave India and re-enter with one Visa.
• You need to apply at least four days in advance of your arrival, and not more than 30 days. TIP: Do not apply exactly 30 days before your date of departure; wait a couple of days in case of plane delays.
• You can apply twice a year for the e-Visa.
• e-Visa is available for e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa, e-Conference Visa, e-Medical Visa, and e-Medical Attendant Visa.
• For e-Tourist Visas of 30 days, the validity would be 30 days from the date of your first arrival in India. Double entries will be granted within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport. Your first arrival must be between the date of issue and expiry of ETA.
• The e-Tourist Visa is for “International Travellers whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment, or casual business visit” according to the Indian government website.
• Visitors to India on a Tourist Visa can stay a maximum of 180 days per calendar year in the country.

The e-Visa scheme can be accessed at 24 airports in India including: Delhi , Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai , Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Jaipur, Amritsar, Gaya, Lucknow, Trichy, Varanasi and Ahmedabad. Also there are some ports where e-Visa can also be used. But please double check to make sure your arrival airport is on the current list, as it has changed.

Tip 4: All about Visas for Yoga study in India, education, volunteering,  journalism, and doing business in India

Yoga : If you are attending a short-term program (less than six months) to study Yoga in India , you can get a Tourist Visa.

Education : If you are attending a recognized educational institution in India, you need an education Visa. 

Journalism : If you are working full-time on staff for a professional publication or media outlet, and writing professional travel stories about India or taking photographs for publication, you need a journalist Visa.

Bloggers : Many travel bloggers are hobby bloggers, and a Tourist Visa will probably be just fine. Just make sure you mark down that you are in India for tourism, not for work. And never say you are a journalist unless that is your full-time, professional job and you are working for a media outlet.

NOTE : It’s not a good idea to say that you are a writer as this implies you are a journalist. Many writers are actually working in marketing or corporate communications — I did this for years — so probably better to say you work in marketing or in the industry that you do corporate communications for.

Volunteers : If you are volunteering in India, you need a volunteer Visa.

Business Visa : If you are planning to do business while in India, you need a Business Visa.

Other types of Visa include conference, medical, transit, and research Visa. You can see a list of all the categories of Indian Visas here .

TIP: The most difficult part about applying for an Indian Visa is getting all the details right. If you make a mistake, you could be denied.

For detailed instructions on the Indian Visa application process,  visit this page .

If you enjoyed this post, please sign up to The Travel Newsletter in the sidebar and follow Breathedreamgo on all social media platforms including Instagram, TripAdvisor, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Thank you!

Peaceful, authentic stay near Ranthambhore

Offbeat Bundi is a gem of Rajasthan

Bundi Vilas: The perfect haveli hotel

About Mariellen Ward

Professional travel writer Mariellen Ward is the founder of award-winning Breathedreamgo. Mariellen has a BA in Journalism and has been travel writing and blogging since 2005. She has won many awards, including a National Tourism Award from Incredible India Tourism, and writes for some of the world’s leading publications including BBC Travel and NatGeo Traveller India.

Sign up for my newsletter and get inspiration to live your travel dreams

Privacy Overview

• EXPLORE Random Article
• Happiness Hub

How to Apply for an Indian Tourist Visa

Last Updated: January 24, 2022 References

This article was co-authored by Jennifer Mueller, JD . Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 1,740 times.

If you want to visit India, you must have a tourist visa to enter the country. The most common tourist visa is the eVisa (express visa), which allows you to stay in India for up to 30 days at a time. If you want to stay for more than 30 days, you'll need to apply through the nearest Indian diplomatic mission for a regular tourist visa, which allows you to stay for up to 6 months. Nationals of Japan, South Korea, and UAE may also be able to request a visa on arrival at the airport. [1] X Research source

Getting an eVisa

• You must have your own valid passport. An eVisa isn't available for other international travel documents or if you're endorsed on a parent's or spouse's passport.
• Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity from the date of your application and 2 blank pages for your visa and stamps.
• If you are a Pakistani national, you cannot get an eVisa. You must apply for a tourist visa at the nearest Indian diplomatic mission.

• Wear solid colored clothing without any discernible pattern or texture.
• Passport photo services are available in pharmacies, camera shops, and many discount stores. If you get your photo taken there, they'll know the guidelines for Indian visa photos.

• After you click that box, the next page asks basic information about your planned trip to India and the type of visa you want. For a tourist eVisa, you can choose one with 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years validity. Fees are higher for visas that are valid for a longer duration.

Exception: If you are in the US (regardless of your citizenship), India has outsourced tourist visa processing to Cox & Kings Global Services (CKGS). Go to in.ckgs.us/visa/tourist-visa to begin your application rather than going directly to the Government of India website.

• If you hold any other valid passport, provide details about that passport and the nationality it represents.
• If you've previously had a visa to India, give the dates you last traveled to the country along with a brief description of what you did there.

Tip: You may need to upload digital scans of other documents to support your application. The website will prompt you for those documents and provide a checklist at the end of the application so you can make sure you've included all required documents.

• If you live in the US, when you click the button to submit your application, you'll be redirected to the CKGS website. Print a copy of your application before you leave the Government of India site. You'll need it to finish the application process.

• For a table of all fees that is accurate as of January 2020, go to https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/images/Etourist_fee_final.pdf .

Tip: If you're applying from the US, CKGS advises that you submit a check or money order for your fees along with your application, rather than paying online.

• CKGS has supplementary forms and letters for you to fill out. You'll also need to print out a copy of the Document Checklist. Use this checklist to make sure you've included all the required documents with your application.

• CKGS has application centers in San Francisco and New York. If you live in or near one of those cities, choose "walk-in" if you want to take your application to the center in person. You can schedule an appointment on the CKGS website. If you choose walk-in submission, you'll need to get new fingerprints taken.
• Processing of your application starts when your physical application is received by CKGS. In most cases, your ETA will be ready in 24 to 48 hours. You can view the status of your application and estimated processing time from your account on the CKGS website.

• It's a good idea to save the email in case you lose your print-out. You'll still have to print it again to give to the visa officer at the port of entry, but at least you'll have it.

• Keep your passport with you at all times while you're traveling in India. If you lose your passport, your visa may not be reissued until you leave the country.

Applying for a Long-Term Tourist Visa

• For example, India has only 2 diplomatic missions in the US that handle visa applications: one in San Francisco and the other in New York.
• Go to https://www.mea.gov.in/indian-missions-abroad-new.htm and click on the name of the country where you live to find the Indian missions in your country.

• If you don't have time to complete the application in one session or need to look up additional information, you can save your application and return to it later.
• The regular visa application requires more information than the eVisa application, including details about your criminal background and employment.

• Even if you plan to submit a paper application rather than submitting your application electronically, you still need a digital photo for your application. The digital photo will be used for your visa.

• Select "yes" if you want to schedule your appointment and pay your visa application fees online. You'll still need to print your application and sign it to take with you to your appointment.
• Select "no" if you simply want to print out your application form without making an online payment.

Warning: Online payment and scheduling are not available for all diplomatic missions. If the diplomatic mission nearest you does not accept online payments, submit your payment in person at the mission, along with your paper application and supporting documents.

• Your passport, showing at least 6 months of validity and 2 blank pages
• Proof of residence (mortgage statement, lease, or utility bill) [17] X Research source

• Answer any questions the consular officer asks you completely and honestly. If the officer needs additional information or documents, they'll let you know.
• At the conclusion of your interview, the consular officer will let you know if your application has been accepted and when your visa will be ready. You can either return to the mission to pick it up or have it mailed to you.

Requesting a Visa on Arrival (VoA)

• Make sure your passport shows at least 6 months' validity and has 2 blank pages available for your visa stamps.
• You are not eligible to get a VoA if you were ever a Pakistani national or permanent resident, or if either of your parents or grandparents was born in or was a permanent resident of Pakistan.

• Download the form at https://boi.gov.in/sites/default/files/Annexure-I.pdf . You'll have to print it to fill it out. Use an ink pen to fill out the application in English using block capital letters.

Tip: If you don't have the opportunity to download and fill out the VoA application before you leave, you can also pick one up on board your flight or at the visa counter at the airport.

• This card requires your name and date of birth as they appear on your passport, your passport number, flight number, and date of arrival. You'll also need to provide the address where you'll be staying in India as well as a list of the countries you've visited in the last 6 days. [22] X Research source

• Keep your passport on you at all times while traveling in India. Pay attention to the expiration date on your visa and make sure you don't overstay it.

Expert Q&A

• India requires visitors of Indian origin to travel with an OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card. [24] X Research source If you are an OCI cardholder, you don't need to get a visa. You just need your OCI card and a valid passport. [25] X Trustworthy Source Official UK government website Official website for the public sector of the UK government Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If your tourist visa application is denied, you will be told a reason. If you believe a mistake was made, you can reapply again. However, you'll have to pay the application fees again. If you applied for an eVisa, you can call +91-11-24300666 for assistance. This number is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. [26] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Additional forms and photos are required if you hold a passport from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh. [27] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you are of Pakistani origin and are the citizen of another country, you must apply from your visa on your Pakistan passport unless you provide documentary proof that you canceled your passport and renounced your Pakistani nationality. [28] X Trustworthy Source Official UK government website Official website for the public sector of the UK government Go to source

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/
• ↑ https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
• ↑ https://www.in.ckgs.us/visa/howtoapply
• ↑ https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html
• ↑ https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/instruction.html
• ↑ https://www.immihelp.com/nri/indiavisa/tourist-visa-checklist.pdf
• ↑ https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/visa-on-arrival.html
• ↑ https://boi.gov.in/sites/default/files/Annexure-I.pdf
• ↑ https://www.immihelp.com/travel-to-india/foreigners-arrival-card-india/
• ↑ https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india/entry-requirements

About this article

Did this article help you?

• About wikiHow
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

India tourist visa from the embassy in 2023: A complete guide

Published: June 7, 2023

This article is a complete guide to obtaining India tourist visa from the embassy or consulate. You can learn everything about India tourist visa types, requirements, eligibility, documents needed, fee and application procedure.

Indian missions around the world issue India tourist visas for those that require a visa to enter India. Most nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Visa or Visa on Arrival. But there are a handful of nationalities that are not eligible. These nationalities must apply for a tourist visa at their nearest Indian embassy or consulate. 

Nationalities that are eligible for India e-Visa or India Visa on Arrival are also eligible to apply for an Indian tourist visa from their nearest Indian embassy or consulate. There may be occasions where a tourist visa from the embassy is a better choice than an India e-Visa or India Visa on Arrival . For example, US nationals can get a 10-year tourist visa from the embassy vs an Indian e-Visa which is only valid for 5 years. So a tourist visa from the embassy is a better choice in this case.

There are three types of tourist visa categories T-1, T-2 and T-3. T-1 is for tourists. T-2 is for tour groups and T-3 is for cruise passengers. 

Table of Contents

Requirements for india tourist visa from the embassy (sticker visa).

Who is required to apply for India tourist visa?

Following nationalities are REQUIRED to apply for an Indian tourist visa from the embassy in order to travel to India.

• Congo, Dem. of
• Congo, Dem. Rep. of
• North Korea
• Saudi Arabia
• South Sudan
• Turkmenistan

NOTE Nationals who are eligible to apply for e-Visa or Visa on Arrival can also apply for an India tourist visa from the embassy. 

Pakistan citizens are restricted from obtaining Indian tourist visas from the embassy. They must apply for a special visa. 

Anyone of Pakistan origin is granted only a 3-month single-entry tourist visa. Applicants whose parents or grandparents were born or ever lived in Pakistan are considered of Pakistan origin. 

What are the different types of India tourist visas available?

Indian embassies offer three types of tourist visas depending on whether the applicant is an individual, a tour group or a cruise passenger. Below is a summary of the three categories of Indian tourist visas offered at the embassy. 

NOTE For this article, we will focus only on the T-1 category meant for individual tourists. 

What is the validity of India tourist visa?

India tourist visa is valid for 1 year, 5 years and 10 years. Your tourist visa validity varies depending on your nationality. Below is a summary of various nationalities and the corresponding tourist visa validity. 

How many days can you stay in India on a tourist visa?

You can stay up to 90 days in India on a tourist visa. Canada, Japan and US nationals can stay up to 180 days. Below is the summary of permitted stay for your tourist visa depending on your nationality.

How many times can you enter India on tourist visa?

All tourist visas from India are multiple-entry, except for those of Pakistan origin. That means you can enter India as many times as you like. But there are some restrictions on how frequently you can enter India on your multiple-entry visa.

When can you enter India on a tourist visa?

You can enter India anytime during the validity of your tourist visa. You are allowed to stay 90 days on each entry (or 180 days if you are a Canada, Japan, UK or US national).

Even if you enter India on the last day of your visa validity, you will still be given 90 days of entry (or 180 days if you are a Canada, Japan, UK or US national)

When should you apply for India tourist visa?

Indian tourist visas can be applied for up to 180 days in advance. But the latest is 30 days as the visa processing takes 15-20 calendar days in some locations. 

Where should you apply for Indian tourist visa?

You can apply for an India tourist visa from any Indian embassy/consulate in any country. You don’t have to be a citizen or resident of that country. You can be a tourist as well. 

In case you are a non-resident or a tourist in a country, the Indian embassy where you have applied may consult the Indian embassy in your home country for the visa process. This usually does not delay the visa process. 

Which airports or land borders you can enter India from using tourist visa?

You can enter India from all international airports, sea ports and land borders using an India tourist visa obtained from the Indian Embassy. There are no restrictions on where you can enter or exit the country with a tourist visa.

What is the minimum passport validity required for India tourist visa?

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.

How many blank pages are required in the passport for India tourist visa?

You need at least two blank pages in your passport for your Indian tourist visa. One blank page is necessary for the visa sticker and another is for entry and exit stamps when entering and leaving India. 

What are the documents needed for India tourist visa?

The following documents are needed for tourist visa.

• Completed and signed India visa application form
• One digital photo for the online application
• One physical photograph to affix on the completed application form
• Proof of residence (ID, passport or visa)

What are the India tourist visa photo requirements?

You must upload one digital photo during your online application. The photo must meet the following specifications.

• Must be in JPG or JPEG format only
• Must be a minimum of 10 KB and a maximum of 300 KB
• Must be square in dimensions
• Must not have any borders
• Background must be white or light color
• Must not have any shadows on the face or on the background
• Must show full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin
• Head must be about 1 inch to 1 ⅜ inches, i.e roughly 25mm to 35mm
• Eye height must be between 1 ⅛ inches to 1 ⅜ inches

What is the current India tourist visa fee?

The visa fee varies depending on the visa period, the embassy’s location and the nationality. For example, the fee for a 10-year India visa for a US citizen applying from the US is $160 plus VFS charges. The fee for a 1 year India visa for Bangladesh nationals applying from Bangladesh is free of charge. 

What is the current India tourist visa processing time?

The India tourist visa processing time is 3 working days the application is submitted directly at the Indian embassy/consulate. 

The processing time is 15 calendar days or more if applied through a visa application center such as VFS. 

Whether you must apply at the visa application center or directly at an Indian mission depends on your location and whether or not the Indian embassy/consulate has outsourced its visa application process. 

INDIA TOURIST VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

How to apply for Indian tourist visa from the embassy?

The India tourist visa application is a two-step process.

STEP 1: Online Application

Step 2: appointment.

The first step in the Indian tourist visa application process is to fill out an online application on the India visa portal . 

If you are a family or group, each person must complete one online application form. There is no family application. Similarly, each person must schedule one separate visa appointment for document submission. 

In the online application, you must select the Indian embassy/consulate where you plan to apply for your visa. 

After filling out the application, you must print and sign it. 

If the Indian embassy/consulate did not outsource the visa application to a visa application center, then you can walk into the embassy/consulate any day to pay the fee and submit your visa application. 

If the Indian embassy/consulate has outsourced the visa process to a visa application center, then you will have to go to the visa application center’s website and schedule an appointment. You may be able to pay the visa fee while scheduling the appointment. 

On the day of the appointment, you must submit your completed and signed application form, photographs and original passport. You must also pay the fee if you haven’t while scheduling the appointment. 

If there is no visa application center near you, you can also send your completed application and documents to the visa application center by mail. 

Word of caution on India tourist visa fake websites

If you search on the internet, you will see that there are many Indian visa websites posing as “official websites”. There is ONLY one OFFICIAL website for Indian tourist visas. The rest are all fake. The OFFICIAL website is below.

India tourist visa OFFICIAL website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html  

How to track India tourist visa application?

If applied directly at an Indian embassy or consulate: There is no option to track your application. But the processing time is fairly quick. The Indian mission where you are applying will tell you when to come back and pick up your passport, which is usually within 3 working days. 

If applied at a visa application center such as VFS: You can track your visa application status on the visa application center’s website. 

How to receive the approved India tourist visa?

If applied directly at an Indian embassy or consulate: At the time of submitting your documents at the embassy, the visa officer will tell you when to come back to pick up your passport. You will simply have to go back on that day to pick up your passport with your India visa. 

If applied at a visa application center such as VFS: When your visa is processed, you will be notified by email to pick up your passport. If you have opted for returning the passport via mail/courier, your passport will have mailed to your address.

Is there a priority service for India tourist visa?

Unfortunately, there is no priority visa service for Indian tourist visas. You must apply at least 30 calendar days prior to your travel to avoid any delays. Or you can opt for an India e-Visa which usually is processed within 72 hours. 

How to contact India tourist visa customer service?

You will have to contact your nearest embassy or the visa application center for any questions.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

RELATED POSTS

• Cookie Policy
• Copyright Notice
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Flight Itinerary
• Hotel Reservation
• Travel Insurance
• Onward Ticket
• Testimonials

Search this site

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK Government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in India set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the  High Commission of India in London or another Indian consulate in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering India.

Passport validity requirements

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into India.

Your passport must also: - have 2 blank pages for your visa

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

Apply for the right type of visa for the purpose of your travel.

You need a visa to travel to India unless you are an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder.

India has a number of visa categories. Make sure you get the right visa for the purpose and duration of your travel.

Penalties for having the wrong visa can include refusal of entry or deportation. This may also include not being allowed to enter India in the future.

For latest information on Indian visas and immigration requirements, see the  e-FRRO online portal (part of the Indian Foreigners Registration Office), the  Bureau of Indian Immigration website  and  Indian Ministry of External Affairs website .

Applying for a visa or e-visa

Find out how to apply for a visa from the Indian Bureau of Immigration Depending on your requirements you may be able to apply for:

• regular (paper) visa
• e-visa (make sure to check the website’s ‘FAQs’ for restrictions on airports and seaports of entry)

Check your eligibility and any restrictions before you apply and allow plenty of time for your application to be processed.

More information is available from the website of High Commission of India in London .

Applicants of Pakistani origin

If you are of Pakistani origin, a British-Pakistan dual national, or holding a National Identity Card for overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), the visa processing time will be substantially longer than other visa applications. More information is available from the High Commission of India in London .

If you are a British-Pakistan dual national, you must apply for an Indian visa on your Pakistani passport. If you have renounced your Pakistani nationality or cancelled your Pakistani passport, you will need to submit documentary proof of this.

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders

If you hold a valid Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card, you can use this, along with your valid British passport to visit India. You do not need a visa. If you have a Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card, you will need to convert it to an OCI card. More information is available from the  High Commission of India in London  and the  Indian Bureau of Immigration .

Arrival, registration, and extensions

If you plan to stay in India for more than 180 days and do not hold an OCI card, register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) . You could be denied permission to leave if you do not do this. Check if you are required to register your arrival on the Indian Bureau of Immigration website and FRRO .

Overstaying in India on a visa is an offence. Make sure you leave the country before your visa expires or get an official extension if needed. More information is available on the Indian Bureau of Immigration website.

If you’re hospitalised

If you or someone you’re travelling with has a short-term Tourist Visa and is hospitalised, you may be able to extend or ‘convert’ to a Medical Visa .

Exit requirements

You will pass through immigration as you depart India. Officials will check when you entered the country. If you do not have an entry stamp, for example if you have a newly issued passport, you will need to apply for special exit visa before you travel. This must be done online and can take between five and fifteen working days for straightforward applications. Factor this into your timeframe to leave India when you are booking flights. For further information see the  e-FRRO online portal (part of the Indian Foreigners Registration Office).

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and vaccination certificates you may need on TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre).

Depending on your circumstances, these may include:

• yellow fever

The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also provides  vaccination guidance and data .

Accommodation

By law, hotels, hostels and other accommodation providers must register the stay of foreign guests with the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) using a “C Form”.  Please ask your accommodation provider to ensure they have done so.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of India . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Satellite phones and listening devices

It is illegal to possess and operate satellite phones in India without a licence. British nationals have been arrested for bringing them into the country without prior permission. You can contact the Indian Department of Telecommunication to request a licence .

You may also need prior permission from the Indian authorities to bring equipment like listening or recording devices, radio transmitters, powerful cameras, or binoculars into India. You can ask the High Commission of India in London for advice.

Taking money into India

There are restrictions on bringing Indian rupees into India. Visitors, including residents and tourists, should follow Reserve Bank of India guidelines .

If you’re visiting India, you can bring cash, travellers’ cheques (in pounds sterling or another foreign currency) or a bank card with you and exchange or withdraw rupees once in India.

You must declare any amount above 5,000 US dollars in notes, or 10,000 US dollars in notes and travellers’ cheques combined.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab) .

Select Your Language

Select your currency.

• AED United Arab Emirates Dirham
• AFN Afghan Afghani
• ALL Albanian Lek
• AMD Armenian Dram
• ANG Netherlands Antillean Guilder
• AOA Angolan Kwanza
• ARS Argentine Peso
• AUD Australian Dollar
• AWG Aruban Florin
• AZN Azerbaijani Manat
• BAM Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
• BBD Barbadian Dollar
• BDT Bangladeshi Taka
• BGN Bulgarian Lev
• BIF Burundian Franc
• BMD Bermudan Dollar
• BND Brunei Dollar
• BOB Bolivian Boliviano
• BRL Brazilian Real
• BSD Bahamian Dollar
• BWP Botswanan Pula
• BZD Belize Dollar
• CAD Canadian Dollar
• CDF Congolese Franc
• CHF Swiss Franc
• CLP Chilean Peso
• CNY Chinese Yuan
• COP Colombian Peso
• CRC Costa Rican Colón
• CVE Cape Verdean Escudo
• CZK Czech Republic Koruna
• DJF Djiboutian Franc
• DKK Danish Krone
• DOP Dominican Peso
• DZD Algerian Dinar
• EGP Egyptian Pound
• ETB Ethiopian Birr
• FJD Fijian Dollar
• FKP Falkland Islands Pound
• GBP British Pound Sterling
• GEL Georgian Lari
• GIP Gibraltar Pound
• GMD Gambian Dalasi
• GNF Guinean Franc
• GTQ Guatemalan Quetzal
• GYD Guyanaese Dollar
• HKD Hong Kong Dollar
• HNL Honduran Lempira
• HTG Haitian Gourde
• HUF Hungarian Forint
• IDR Indonesian Rupiah
• ILS Israeli New Sheqel
• INR Indian Rupee
• ISK Icelandic Króna
• JMD Jamaican Dollar
• JPY Japanese Yen
• KES Kenyan Shilling
• KGS Kyrgystani Som
• KHR Cambodian Riel
• KMF Comorian Franc
• KRW South Korean Won
• KYD Cayman Islands Dollar
• KZT Kazakhstani Tenge
• LAK Laotian Kip
• LBP Lebanese Pound
• LKR Sri Lankan Rupee
• LRD Liberian Dollar
• LSL Lesotho Loti
• MAD Moroccan Dirham
• MDL Moldovan Leu
• MGA Malagasy Ariary
• MKD Macedonian Denar
• MNT Mongolian Tugrik
• MOP Macanese Pataca
• MUR Mauritian Rupee
• MVR Maldivian Rufiyaa
• MWK Malawian Kwacha
• MXN Mexican Peso
• MYR Malaysian Ringgit
• MZN Mozambican Metical
• NAD Namibian Dollar
• NGN Nigerian Naira
• NIO Nicaraguan Córdoba
• NOK Norwegian Krone
• NPR Nepalese Rupee
• NZD New Zealand Dollar
• OMR Omani Rial
• PAB Panamanian Balboa
• PEN Peruvian Nuevo Sol
• PGK Papua New Guinean Kina
• PHP Philippine Peso
• PKR Pakistani Rupee
• PLN Polish Zloty
• PYG Paraguayan Guarani
• QAR Qatari Rial
• RON Romanian Leu
• RSD Serbian Dinar
• RUB Russian Ruble
• RWF Rwandan Franc
• SAR Saudi Riyal
• SBD Solomon Islands Dollar
• SCR Seychellois Rupee
• SEK Swedish Krona
• SGD Singapore Dollar
• SHP Saint Helena Pound
• SLL Sierra Leonean Leone
• SOS Somali Shilling
• SRD Surinamese Dollar
• SVC Salvadoran Colón
• SZL Swazi Lilangeni
• THB Thai Baht
• TJS Tajikistani Somoni
• TOP Tongan Pa anga
• TRY Turkish Lira
• TTD Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
• TWD New Taiwan Dollar
• TZS Tanzanian Shilling
• UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia
• UGX Ugandan Shilling
• USD United States Dollar
• UYU Uruguayan Peso
• UZS Uzbekistan Som
• VND Vietnamese Dong
• VUV Vanuatu Vatu
• WST Samoan Tala
• XAF CFA Franc BEAC
• XCD East Caribbean Dollar
• XOF CFA Franc BCEAO
• XPF CFP Franc
• YER Yemeni Rial
• ZAR South African Rand
• ZMW Zambian Kwacha

India Tourist eVisa: Apply online now

How to apply: tourist evisa.

Complete our easy online application and pay with credit card or PayPal

No need to deal with the embassy. We do it for you so you don't lose valuable time

Present your Passport and the Document we provide upon entry to destination country

Learn More: Tourist eVisa

What you need to know.

The India Tourist eVisa permits international travelers to enter India for tourism purposes

Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after you enter India and have at least two blank pages

This eVisa isn’t allowed at every port of entry in India, keep reading to learn which ports of entry allow this visa

Apply today for the India Tourist eVisa with us

Last updated: April 2024

Ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and breathtaking beauty of India? The India Tourist eVisa is an essential requirement. With us, applying for this eVisa is as easy as pouring a cup of chai.

Apply online for the India Tourist Visa or use our handy app for an even smoother experience.

What is the India Tourist eVisa?

The India Tourist eVisa is an electronic authorization that allows travelers to enter and explore India for tourism purposes.

The online application process eliminates the need for physical paperwork and visits to embassies or consulates.

Officially known as the "e-Tourist Visa," it provides a convenient and quick way to secure travel permissions for those looking to experience India's rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes.

What you can do with the India Tourist Visa:

Visit tourist sites across India.

Attend cultural and festival events.

Take short-term yoga or cooking classes.

Visit family or friends.

What you cannot do with the India Tourist Visa:

Work or volunteer.

Enroll in long-term educational courses.

Engage in journalistic activities.

Conduct business or start a business.

Enter protected or restricted areas without special permission.

Who requires the India Tourist eVisa?

The India Tourist eVisa is available to citizens of many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

To see if you are eligible, please check at the top of this page, where you can input your nationality to determine your visa requirements.

Requirements to apply for an India Tourist Visa:

Travel purpose: Your visit must be for tourism purposes such as sightseeing, meeting friends or family, or attending a short-term yoga program.

Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry into India.

Digital photo: You must provide a digital photograph that meets the eVisa requirements.

Email address: An email address is required to receive the eVisa electronically.

Payment method: A credit or debit card is needed to pay the eVisa processing fee online.

By providing these details and meeting the conditions, you can apply for the India Tourist eVisa comfortably and efficiently.

Visa-exempt: Who doesn't need to apply for India Tourist eVisa?

Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan do not require a visa to enter India. These travelers can enter, live, and work in India without a visa. For all other nationalities, a visa or eVisa is typically necessary to travel to India. For specific conditions and a full list of visa-exempt countries, please check the eligibility section at the top of this page.

Do children also require the India Tourist eVisa?

Yes, children require an India Tourist eVisa just like adults. The application process is the same for minors, and they must have a visa to enter India regardless of their age.

When applying for a visa for a minor, legal guardians need to provide additional documents:

A copy of the minor’s birth certificate.

Copies of the passports of the child's parents or legal guardians.

A consent letter signed by both parents or legal guardians, which authorizes the child's travel to India.

These extra steps ensure the safety and proper documentation of minors traveling to India.

India Tourist eVisa validity: How long can I stay in India?

Here are the options for the India Tourist eVisa we offer, along with their validity and entry types:

30-day double-entry visa: This eVisa allows two entries into India and is valid for 30 days, so you must use it to enter India within that time. You also have 30 days max stay from the date of your first entry.

1-year multiple-entry visa: This visa is valid for one year from the date of issuance. You can enter India multiple times during the year, and it permits stays of up to 90 days per visit for most nationalities, except for the U.S., UK, and Canada, who can stay for up to 180 days per visit. The maximum stay for all nationalities is 180 days per year.

5-year multiple-entry visa: This eVisa offers the greatest flexibility. Valid for 5 years from the date of issue, it allows multiple entries, with each stay capped at 90 days. Except for those from the U.S., UK, and Canada, who can stay for up to 180 days. The maximum stay within a year for all nationalities is 180 days.

For comprehensive information on your India Tourist e-visa validity check out our blog .

For both the 1 and 5-year India visas, you need to ensure that your first entry into India is within 120 days from the date the visa is issued. Plan your trips according to these rules to make the most of your India Tourist Visa.

How to read your Tourist Visa validity

Validity period: How long can your visa be used for.

Max stay: The longest you can stay in India each time you visit.

Expiry date: This depends on which visa type you have.

For example:

If you've got a 30-day India Tourist eVisa, and the expiry date is March 14:

The latest date you can enter India is March 14, 2024.

This is the expiry date of your visa. From this date, you're allowed to stay in the country for up to 30 days.

If you've got a 1-year or 5-year India Tourist eVisa, and the expiry date is March 14:

The latest date you can leave India is March 14, 2024.

The expiry date, in this case is the date by which you must depart India.

You can stay in India for as long as your maximum stay but not longer than the validity period.

Can I extend my India Tourist eVisa?

Generally, the India Tourist eVisa cannot be extended. Tourists are expected to adhere to the validity period specified on their eVisa—either 30 days, 90 days per visit on the 1-year visa, or 90 days per visit on the 5-year visa.

If you need to stay longer than the terms of your original visa due to exceptional circumstances, you must apply through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in India. For detailed procedures and exceptions, it’s advisable to consult the official Indian government immigration website .

India Tourist eVisa required documents

To apply for the India Tourist eVisa online, you generally need:

Passport : A scan of the information page of your valid passport, which must have at least six months of validity from the date of arrival in India and at least two blank pages.

Photograph : A recent passport-style color photo, which can be uploaded during the application process.

Email address : To receive the visa confirmation.

Payment method : Credit or debit card for the visa fee payment.

Additional documents:

Depending on your circumstances and the purpose of travel, you may also need:

Travel itinerary : Details of your stay, including flight bookings and accommodation.

Financial proof : Statements or other documents showing you have enough funds for your stay.

Invitation letter : If visiting friends or family, an invitation letter may be required.

Note : This is a general list, and we will send a complete list of required documents via email upon application. This service ensures you are fully prepared for your application.

Once your visa is approved:

Confirmation delivery : You will receive an email containing your eVisa in PDF format.

Recommendation : We recommend printing out the eVisa and carrying it along with your passport when you travel to India, as immigration officers will want to see a copy upon your arrival.

We will be in touch by email if we need any more information from you during the application process.

India financial requirements

For the India Tourist eVisa, applicants should provide proof of financial stability to cover their stay in India. This can typically be shown with:

Bank statements : Recent statements indicating sufficient balance.

Sponsorship letter : If someone is sponsoring your trip, a letter from them stating their commitment to cover your expenses is accompanied by their financial documents.

These financial documents help demonstrate that you can support yourself during your visit to India. We will guide you on how to provide these proofs effectively as part of our visa application services.

India Tourist eVisa costs and processing times

The cost of processing your visa depends on the chosen validity and your nationality.

For those exempt from government visa fees, the only cost incurred will be our iVisa service fee. Countries exempt from the government fees include:

Argentina Cook Islands Fiji Micronesia Indonesia Jamaica Kiribati Marshall Islands Myanmar Mauritius Nauru Niue Papua New Guinea Palau Solomon Islands Seychelles Tonga Tuvalu Uruguay Vanuatu Samoa South Africa

You can check if you should expect to pay government fees at the top of this page. Note: all nationalities applying through us will still need to pay our processing fees. You will be shown a detailed breakdown of the costs during your application.

Typically, the processing time for an India Tourist eVisa ranges from 2 to 5 days. However, in certain cases, it might extend to a few weeks.

Opting for our services can streamline and expedite this process, making it more efficient and less time-consuming for you.

Benefits of applying for India Tourist eVisa with us

When you apply for your India Tourist eVisa with us, you get more than just guidance. You get:

Do you have more questions about India Tourist eVisa?

If you want to learn more about India Tourist eVisa or have questions about the application process, we’re here to help.

Our dedicated online team of customer service agents is available via online chat, or you can speak with them via WhatsApp .

Unforeseen events happen and can change your travel plans. This is why we understand you may want to request a cancellation of your visa application and a credit for the amount paid. However, these are the iVisa refund policy guidelines:

If your application has not been reviewed by our team , nor submitted to the government for approval, then you will receive a credit for the full amount of the iVisa processing fee and government fee .

If your application has been reviewed by our team but has not yet been submitted to the government for approval, you will receive a credit for the full amount of the government fee .

If your application has been submitted to the government for approval or a visa is already issued , unfortunately, no credit is available.

• India Embassy Registration
• India Tourist eVisa: Common issues and solutions
• How long does it take to get an India Visa?
• How does the India Visa on Arrival differ from the India eVisa | iVisa
• India eVisa for Filipino citizens
• India OCI Card: What it is, requirements, and costs
• India Vaccination Requirements
• Securing an India Visa for Portuguese citizens
• How much does an India Visa cost?
• India COVID-19 travel rules, requirements, and restrictions
• Learn More - India Medical eVisa
• Learn More - India Tourist eVisa
• Learn More - India Business eVisa

happy customers

assistance when needed

+48,000 reviews

years of experience

approval rate

Online Visa Application

Complete Partially Filled Form

Visa Status Enquiry

Print Registered Application

VISA INFORMATION

Visa categories, visa processing time, photo requirements, fee for indian visa, foreigners act, visa provision.

• Technical Info.
• Instructions for form
• Useful Web links

All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document in the form of a national passport with a valid visa obtained from an Indian Mission or Post abroad. All Individual visa seekers are requested to apply for the Indian Visa through Online application link , in order to make an application for getting the Indian visa. The duly signed physical copy of the application form completed in all respect and submitted succesfully, is to be submitted at the concerned Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or directly to Indian Mission/ Post, on the scheduled date of interview along with the requisite supporting documents. The instructions for filling the form and scheduling the appointment can be seen at Instructions for Online Visa Application. Important technical information for filling online Indian visa application can be referred at Technical Instructions. The status of Visa Application can be seen on the link for Visa Enquiry . The applicants are also requested to visit website of the Indian Mission concerned for detailed information about Indian visa.

All Individual visa seekers are requested to apply for the Indian Visa through online application link. Or can apply by typing the URL: https://indianvisa-bangladesh.nic.in/ in the address bar of web browser, in order to make an application for getting the Indian visa. In either case, no hand written application form will be accepted by any of the Indian Mission/ Post, where-ever online Visa facility has been implemented. The application form completed in all respect and submitted succesfully, is to be submitted at the concerned Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or directly to Indian Mission/ Post in absence of IVAC, on the scheduled date of interview along with the requisite supporting documents. The instructions for filling the form and scheduling the appointment can be refered at Instructions for Online Visa Application. Important technical information for filling online Indian visa application can be referred at Technical Instructions. If you have already applied online for Indian Visa online and want to know the status of your application, please follow the link for Visa Enquiry . Further details / description shall be available on the Visa Enquiry page.

Governement of India issues the following visas: Business Visa, Conference Visa, Diplomatic Visa, Employment Visa, Emergency Visa, Entry Visa, Journalist Visa, Medical Visa, Missionaries Visa, Permit to re-enter within 2 months, Research Visa, Student Visa, Tourist Visa, Transit Visa. Please follow the link for details on Visa Provision and supporting documents

Upon receipt of the Visa Application through Indian Visa Application Center or directly, the Indian Mission/ Post requires a minimum of three working days to process the case and issue a visa depending upon the nationality and excluding special cases.

Online India Visa Application allows the Applicant to upload a digital photograph of self to complete the online visa application. The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following requirements:

• Format � JPEG
• Minimum 10 KB
• Maximum 300 KB
• The minimum dimensions are 350 pixels (width) x 350 pixels (height).
• The maximum dimensions are 1000 pixels (width) x 1000 pixels (height).
• Photo should present Full face, front view, eyes open.
• Center head within frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin.
• Background should be plain light colored or white background.
• No shadows on the face or on the background.
• Without borders.
• Make sure that photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin. Head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25mm to 35mm). Make sure eye height is between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3.

The visa fee depends upon the type of applied for and duration of visa. Visa fee is divided into various types depending upon the case viz; Basic fee, special fee, processing fee by out-sourcing agency. During the online registration process, at the end of the process the basic fee shall be displayed. However, this fee shall be indicative only and final fee shall be charged while submitting the application at the respective counters Fee once received are non refundable even if the visa application is withdrawn, the visa is not granted, or if visa issued is of shorter duration of period than applied for or otherwise issued or returned at a time or on terms and conditions that may vary from those sought by the applicant. For further information on this, please check with local embassy office or Indian Visa Application center office or websites for information on applicable fee and payment methods.

Act Name : THE FOREIGNERS ACT, 1946 Act title : ACT NO. 31 OF 1946* Enactment date : [23rd November, 1946.] THE FOREIGNERS ACT, 1946 ACT NO. 31 OF 1946* [23rd November, 1946.] An Act to confer upon the Central Government certain powers In respect of foreigners. WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the exercise by the Central Government of certain powers in respect of the entry of foreigners into 1[India], their presence therein and their departure therefrom; 1. Short title and extent. (1) This Act may be called the Foreigners Act, 1946. (2) It extends to the whole of 1[India] 2* * *. 2.Definitions. In this Act- 3[(a) "foreigner" means a person who is not a citizen of India;] 4* * * * * * (b) " prescribed " means prescribed by orders made under this Act ; (c) "specified" means specified by direction of a prescribed authority. 3.Power to make orders.(1) The Central Government may by order make provision, either generally or with respect to all foreigners or with respect to any particular foreigner or any prescribed class or description of foreigner, for prohibiting, regulating or restricting the entry of foreigners into 1[India] or their departure therefrom or their presence or continued presence therein. -------------------------------------------------------------------- * This Act has been extended to- Goa, Daman and Diu with modifications by Reg. 12 of 1962, s. 3 and Sch. Pondicherry with modifications vide Notification No. G.S.R. 1557, dated 24-11-1962, Gazette of India, Part II, Sec. 3 (i), p. 1886. and brought into force in Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Reg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 and Sch. 1. Lakshadweep, Minicoy and Amindivi Island vide Reg. 8 of 1965, s, 3 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-10-1967). the State of Sikim vide Notification No. G.S.R. 41 (E), date 27-1-1976 (w.e.f. 1-2-1976). 1 Subs. by Act 38 of 1947, s. 2, for "British India". 2 The words "except the State of Hyderabad", ins. by the A.O. 1950), omitted by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and Sch. 3 Subs. by Act 11 of 1957. s. 2. For the former clause (w.e.f. 19-1- 1957). 4 Cl. (aa), ins. by the A.O. 1950, omitted by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and Sch. 5 For Foreigners Order, 1948, see Gazette of India, 1948, Pt. I, p. 198. 8 (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, orders made under this section may provide that the foreigner- (a) shall not enter 1[India] or shall enter 1[India] only at such times and by such route and at such port or place and subject to the observance of such conditions on arrival as may be prescribed; (b) shall not depart from 1[India], or shall depart only at such times and by such route and from such port or place and subject to the observance of such conditions on departure as may be prescribed;(c) shall not remain in 1[India] or in any prescribed area therein ; 2 (cc) shall, If he has been required by order under this section not to remain in India, meet from any resources at his disposal the cost of his removal from India and of his maintenance therein pending such removal;](d) shall remove himself to, and remain in, such area in 1[India] as may be prescribed;(e) shall comply with such conditions as may be prescribed or specified- (i) requiring him to reside in a particular place; (ii) imposing any restrictions on his movements; (iii) requiring him to furnish such proof of his identity and to report such particulars to such authority in such manner and at such time and place as may be prescribed or specified ; (iv) requiring him to allow his photograph and finger impressions to be taken and to furnish specimens of his handwriting and signature to such authority and at such time and place as may be prescribed or specified (v) requiring him to submit himself to such medical examination by such authority and at such time and place as may be prescribed or specified; --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by Act 38 of 1947, s, 2, for "British India". 2 Ins. by s. 4, ibid. 8A (vi) prohibiting him from association with persons of a prescribed or specified description ; (vii) prohibiting him from engaging in activities of a prescribed or specified description ; (viii) prohibiting him from using or possessing prescribed or specified articles ; (ix) otherwise regulating his conduct in any such particular as may be prescribed or specified ; (f) shall enter into a bond with or without sureties for the due observance of, or as an alternative to the enforcement of, any or all prescribed or specified restrictions or conditions 9 1[(g)] shall be arrested and detained or confined;] and may make provision 2[for any matter which is to be or may be prescribed and] for such incidental and supplementary matters as may, in the opinion of the Central Government, be expedient or necessary for giving effect to this Act. 2[(3) Any authority prescribed in this behalf may with respect to any particular foreigner make orders under clause (e) 2[or clause (f)] of sub-section (2).] 4[3A. Power to exempt citizens of Common-wealth countries and other persons from application of Act in certain cases. (1) The Central Government may, by order, declare that all or any of the provisions of this Act or of any order made thereunder shall not apply, or shall apply only in such circumstances or with such exceptions or modifications or subject to such conditions as may be specified in the order, to or in relation to- (a) the citizen's of any such Commonwealth country as may be so specified; or (b) any other individual foreigner or class or description of foreigner. (2) A copy of every order made tinder this section shall be placed on the table of both Houses of Parliament as soon as may be after it is made.] 4. Persons on parole. 5[(1)] Any foreigner (hereinafter referred to as an internee) in respect of whom there is in force any order made under clause (g) of sub-section (2) of section 3, directing that he be detained or confined, shall be detained or confined in such place and manner and subject to such conditions as to maintenance, discipline and the punishment of offences and breaches of discipline as the Central Government may from time to time by order determine.] (2) Any foreigner (hereinafter referred to as a person on parole) in respect of whom there is in force an order under clause (e) of sub- section (2) of section 3 requiring him to reside at a place set apart for the residence under supervision of a number of foreigners, shall while residing therein be subject to such conditions as to maintain- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Ins. by Act 42 of 1962, s. 3. The former brackets, letter and words" (g) shall be, arrested and detained or confined ;" were omitted by Act 11 of 1957, s. 3 (w.e.f. 19-1-1957). 2 Ins. by Act 38 of 1947, s. 4. 3 Subs. by Act 11 of 1957, s. 3, for ", clause (f) or clause (g)" (w.e.f. 19-1- 1957). 4 Ins. by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 19-1-1957). 5 Ins. by Act 42 of 1962, s. 3. The former sub-section (1) was omitted by Act 11 of 1957, s. 5 (w.e.f. 19-1-1957). 10 ance, discipline and the punishment of offences and breaches of dis- cipline as the Central Government may from time to time by order determine. 1[(3) No person shall- (a) knowingly assist an internee or a person on parole to escape from custody or the place set apart for his residence, or knowingly harbour an escaped internee or person on parole, or (b) give an escaped internee or person on parole any assistance with intent thereby to prevent, hinder or interfere with the apprehension of the internee or the person on parole. (4) The Central Government may, by order, provide for regulating access to, and the conduct of persons in, places in India where internees or persons on parole are detained or restricted, as the case may be, and for prohibiting or regulating the despatch or conveyance from outside such places to or for internees or persons on parole therein of such articles as may be prescribed.] 5.Change of name. (1) No foreigner who was in 2[India] on the date on which this Act came into force shall, while in 2[India] after that date, assume or use or purport to assume or use for any purpose any name other than that by which he was ordinarily known immediately before the said date. (2) Where, after the date on which this Act came into force, any foreigner carries on or purports to carry on (whether alone or in association with any other person) any trade or business under any name or style, other than that under which that trade or business was being carried on immediately before the said date, he shall, for the purposes of sub-section (1), be deemed to be using a name other than that by which he was ordinarily known immediately before the said date. (3) In relation to any foreigner who, not having been in 2[India] on the date on which this Act came into force, thereafter enters 2[India], sub-sections (1) and (2) shall have effect as if for any reference in those sub-sections to the date on which this Act came into force there were substituted a reference to the date on which he first enters 2 [India] thereafter. (4) For the purposes of this section- (a) the expression "name" includes a surname, and ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by Act 42 of 1962, s. 3, for sub-sections (3) and (4). 2 Subs. by Act 98 of 1947, s. 2, for "British India". 10 (b) a name shall be deemed to be changed if the spelling thereof is altered. (5) Nothing in this section shall apply to the assumption or use- (a) of any name in pursuance of a 1* * * licence or permission granted by the Central Government; or (b) by any married woman, of her husband's name. 6. Obligations of masters of vessels, etc. (1) The master of any vessel landing or embarking at a port in 2[India] passengers coming to or going from that port by sea and the pilot of any aircraft landing or embarking at any place in 2[India] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 The word " Royal omitted by Act 1 1 of 1957, s. 6 (w.e.f. 19-1- 1957). 2 Subs. by Act 38 of 1947, s. 2, for "British India". 11 passengers coming to or going from that place by air, shall furnish to such person and in such manner as may be prescribed a return giving the prescribed particulars with respect to any passengers or members of the crew, who are foreigners. (2) Any District Magistrate and any Commissioner of Police or, where there is no Commissioner of Police, any Superintendent of Police may, for any purpose connected with the enforcement of this Act or any order made thereunder, require the master of any such vessel or the pilot of any such aircraft to furnish such information as may be prescribed in respect of passengers or members of the crew on such vessel or aircraft, as the case may be. (3) Any passenger on such vessel or such aircraft and any member of the crew of such vessel or aircraft shall furnish to the master of the vessel or the pilot of the aircraft, as the case may be, any information required by him for the purpose of furnishing the return referred to in sub-section (1) or for furnishing the information required under sub-section (2). 1[(4)] If any foreigner enters India in contravention of any provision of this Act or any order made thereunder, the prescribed authority may, within two months from the date of such entry, direct the master of the vessel or the pilot of the aircraft on which such entry was effected or the owner or the agent of the owner of such vessel or aircraft, to provide, to the satisfaction of the said authority and otherwise than at the expense of Government, accommodation on a vessel or aircraft for the purpose of removing the said foreigner from India. (5) The master of any vessel or the pilot of any aircraft which is about to carry passengers from a port or place in India to any destination outside India, or the owner or the agent of the owner of any such vessel or aircraft shall, if so directed by the Central Government and on tender of payment therefor at the current rates, provide on the vessel or aircraft accommodation to such port or place outside India, being a port or place at which the vessel or aircraft is due to call, as the Central Government may specify, for any foreigner ordered under section 3 not to remain in India and for his dependents, if any, travelling with him.] 1[(6)] For the purposes of this section- (a) " master of a vessel " and " pilot of any aircraft shall include any person authorised by such master or pilot, as the case may be, to discharge on his behalf any of the duties imposed on him by this section ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subsections (4) and (5) ins. and the original sub-section (4) renumbered as (6) by Act 38 of 1947, s. 5. 12 (b) passenger "means any person not being a bona-fide member of the crew, travelling or seeking to travel on a vessel or aircraft. 7. Obligation of hotel keepers and others to furnish particulars. (1) It shall be the duty of the keeper of any premises whether furnished or unfurnished where lodging or sleeping accommodation is provided for reward, to submit to such person and in such manner such information in respect of foreigners accommodated in such premises, as may be prescribed. Explanation.- The information referred to in this sub-section may relate to all or any of the foreigners accommodated at such premises and may be required to be submitted periodically or at any specific time or occasion. (2) Every person accommodated in any such premises shall furnish to the keeper thereof a statement containing such particulars as may be required by the keeper for the purpose of furnishing the information referred to in sub-section (1). (3) The keeper of every such premises shall maintain a record of the information furnished by him under sub-section (1) and of the information obtained by him under sub-section (2) and such record shall be maintained in such manner and preserved for such period as may be prescribed, and shall at all times be open to inspection by any police officer or by a person authorised in this behalf by the District Magistrate. 1(4) If in any area prescribed in this behalf the prescribed authority by notice published in such manner as may in the opinion of the authority be best adapted for informing the persons concerned so directs, it shall be the duty of every person occupying or having under his control any residential premises to submit to such person and in such manner such information in respect of foreigners accommodated in such premises as may be specified ; and the provisions of sub-section (2) shall apply to every person accommodated in any such premises.] 2 [7A. Power to control places frequented by foreigners. (1) The prescribed authority may, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, direct the owner or person having control of any premises used as a restaurant or as a place of public resort or entertainment or as a club and frequented by foreigners- (a) to close such premises either entirely or during specified periods, or ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Ins. by Act 38 of 1947, s. 6. 2 Ins. by S. 7, ibid. 13 (b) to use or permit the use of such premises only under such conditions as may be specified, or (c) to refuse admission to such premises either to all foreigners or to any specified foreigner or class of foreigner. (2) A person to whom any direction has been given under sub- section (1) shall not, while such direction remains in force, use or permit to be used any other premises for any of the aforesaid purposes, except with the previous permission in writing of the pres- cribed authority and in accordance with any conditions which that authority may think fit to impose. (3) Any person to whom any direction has been given under sub- section (1) and who is aggrieved thereby may, within thirty days from the date of such direction, appeal to the Central Government ; and the decision of the Central Government in the matter shall be final.] 8. Determination of nationality. (1) When a foreigner is recognised as a national by the law of more than one foreign country or where for any reason it is uncertain what nationality if any is to be, ascribed to a foreigner, that foreigner may be treated as the national of the country with which he appears to the prescribed authority to be most closely connected for the time being in interest or sympathy or if he is of uncertain nationality, of the country with which he was last so connected : Provided that where a foreigner acquired a nationality by birth, he shall, except where the Central Government so directs either generally or in a particular case, be deemed to retain that nationality unless he proves to the satisfaction of the said authority that he has subsequently acquired by naturalization or otherwise some other nationality and still recognized as entitled to protection by the Government of the country whose nationality he has so acquired. (2) A decision as to nationality given under sub-section (1) shall. be final and shall not be called in question in any Court : Provided that the Central Government, either of its own motion or on an application by the foreigner concerned, may revise any such decision. 9.Burden of proof. If in any case not falling under section 8 any question arises with reference to this Act or any order made or direction given thereunder, whether any person is or is not a foreigner or is or is not a foreigner of a particular class- or description the onus of proving that such person is not a foreigner or is not a foreigner of such 14 particular class or description, as the case may be, shall, notwith- standing anything contained in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, lie upon such person. 10. Power to exempt from application of Act. [Power to exempt from application of Act.] Rep. by the Foreigners Laws (Amendment) Act, 1957 (11 of 1957), s. 7 (w.e.f. 19- 1-1957). 11. Power to give effect orders, directions etc. (1) Any authority empowered by or under or in pursuance of the provisions of this Act to give any direction or to exercise any other power, may, in addition to any other action expressly provided for in this Act, take, or cause to be taken such steps and use, or cause to be used, such force as may, in its opinion, be reasonably necessary for securing compliance with such direction or for preventing or rectifying any breach thereof, or for the effective exercise of such power, as the case may be. (2) Any police officer may take such steps and use such force as may, in his opinion, be reasonably necessary for securing compliance with any order made or direction given under or in pursuance of the provisions of this Act or for preventing or rectifying any breach of such order or direction. (3) The power conferred by this section shall be deemed to confer upon any person acting in exercise thereof a right of access to any land or other property whatsoever. 12. Power to delegate authority. Any authority upon which any power to make or give any direction, consent or permission or to do any other act is conferred by this Act or by any order made thereunder may, unless express provision is made to the contrary, in writing authorise, conditionally or otherwise, any authority subordinate to it to exercise such power on its behalf, and thereupon the said subordinate authority shall, subject to such conditions as may be contained in the authorisation, be deemed to be the authority upon which such power is conferred by or under this Act. 13. Attempts to etc., contravene the provisions of this Act, etc. (1) Any person who attempts to contravene, or abets or attempts to abet, or does any act preparatory to, a contravention of, the provisions of this Act or of any order made or direction given thereunder, or fails to comply with any direction given in pursuance of any such order, shall be deemed to have contravened the provisions of this Act. (2) Any person who, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that any other person has contravened the provisions of this Act or of any order made or direction given thereunder, gives that 15 other person any assistance with intent thereby to prevent, hinder or otherwise interfere with his arrest, trial or punishment for the said contravention shall be deemed to have abetted that contravention. (3) The master of any vessel or the pilot of any aircraft, as the case may be, by means of which any foreigner enters or leaves 1[India] in contravention of any order made under, or direction given in pursuance of, section 3 shall, unless he proves that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the said contravention, be deemed to have contravened this Act. 14. Penalties. If any person contravenes the provisions of this Act or of any order made thereunder, or any direction given in pursuance of this Act or such order, he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine and if such person has entered into a bond in pursuance of clause (f) of subsection (2) of section 3, his bond shall be forfeited, and any person bound thereby shall pay the penalty thereof, or show cause to the satisfaction of the convicting Court why such penalty should not be paid. 15. Protection to persons acting under this Act. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act. 16. Application of other laws not barred. The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of the Registration of Foreigners Act 1939, (16 of 1939.) the Indian Passport Act, 1920, (34 of 1920.) and of any other enactment for the time being in force. 17. Repeals. [Repeals.] Rep. by the Repealing and Amending Act, 195 (35 of 1950), s. 2 and Sch. I. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by Act 38 of 1947, s. 2, for "British India".

• If visa is for more than 180 days, registration is compulsory within 14 days� of arrival in India.

REQUIREMENT OF IDENTIFICATION PAPERS TO ESTABLISH THEIR IDENTITY AS NEPALESE OR INDIAN FOR PERSONS ENTERING INDIA OR NEPAL FROM EITHER COUNTRY BY AIR

Instructions have been issued whereby Nepalese and Indian citizens, while travelling by air, between the two countries must be in possession of any of the following documents to prove their nationality:

• Valid national passport
• Valid photo identity card issued by the Government of India / State Government or UT Administration / Election Commission of India
• Emergency certificate issued by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu to Indians and by the Embassy of Nepal in Delhi in respect of Nepalese citizens

The above arrangement is in operation since 1.10.2000

Technical Information

• This site is best viewed in Mozilla Firefox,Google Chrome,Internet Explorer (Windows) version 9.0 and above.
• The applicant must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 7.0 or higher installed on your PC in order to download and print the completed application form.
• The applicant should use either an Ink-Jet or Laser printer to print the completed Visa Application forms once submitted online.
• Once the form is filled and submitted, it is requested to submit the signed physical copy of online application form along with the supporting documents and the passport to the concerned Indian Mission on the scheduled appointment date.

Instructions

• This application form is meant for those foreigners who are applying for visa from outside India.
• Each online application form is meant for one person only. Separate application has to be filed for each applicant.
• Furnish information exactly in the manner asked for in the forms, especially the names, address and date of birth.
• Applicants are required to verify the application details before submitting the online application. They have an option to save the online application form, in case it is not to be submitted.
• Once the online application form is submitted by the applicant, then further modifications are not allowed. Hence applicants are requested to check and validate the details before submitting the online application form.
• Applicants are requested to keep the Application Id (generated automatically after the submission of online form) for further communications.
• Applicant can schedule the appointment as per his/ her convenience with the concerned Indian Mission.
• Each applicant to schedule a separate appointment with the Indian Mission
• Applicant shall access the Visa Application system online through the following link: https://indianvisa-bangladesh.nic.in/
• Applicant visits the above mentioned web link and selects the Indian Mission from where he intends to apply for the Visa from the tab �Select Mission�.
• Applicant fills the application on-line as per the forms standardized by the Ministry.
• After filling the form and submitting it, the system shall automatically generate a Application Id. Applicants are requested to keep this Application Id for further communications with the concerned Indian Mission.
• System will automatically ask the Applicant for the following confirmation: �Select �Yes� if the applicant want to seek appointment and make payment online or �No� if the applicant just want to print the submitted application form.�
• If the applicant response is �No�, then it is requested by the applicant to take the print out of the submitted online application form and approach the concerned Indian Mission for submission of the online form along with supporting documents.
• Selection of Date and Time of appointment at the concerned Indian Mission
• Calculation of Visa fee, service charge, VAT etc. as applicable according to the Visa type
• ePayment using service provider�s payment system
• In case the facility of Appointment Scheduling and e-Payment is not available for the concerned Indian mission, then applicant has to take the printout of the online application form and visit the concerned Indian Mission to submit the same along with supporting documents and make the payment.

* The e-payment facility is not available for all the Indian Missions abroad. Wherever the said facility is not available, it is requested to kindly submit the application submission fees to either the out sourcing agency or to the Mission directly along with the supporting documents.

Useful Weblink

• Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. Of India.
• Minister of External Affairs, Govt Of India

VISA APPLYING PROCESS

Apply online

Secure online application saves time and check status online.

Submit documents

Submit your application with required documents at Indian Misison/Visa collection centre.

Receive passport, visa

Collect your passport/visa from Indian Mission/Collection Centre or by post.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs a visa for India? All foreign nationals entering India are required ...

View all >>

News and notices.

Please note that effective 01 April 2014 the visa fees will b ... Published on 1 April 2014

Blog Outline

Home > Blog > Travel > Visa > How to Apply for Singapore Tourist Visa: Guide for Indians

How to Apply for a Singapore Tourist Visa (For Indian Citizens)

30sec Snapshot

• Determine the visa type you need to enter Singapore.
• Prepare the required documents.
• Submit your visa application and the fee.
• Wait for the processing time.
• Collect the e-visa from the ICA website or visa agent.
• Ensure to carry all relevant documents when travelling.

Singapore, often referred to as the “Lion City,” is a bustling metropolis famous for its stunning skyline, vibrant culture, and rich history. As a premier tourist destination in Southeast Asia, Singapore offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition, featuring magnificent attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, and Sentosa Island. Visitors can also explore the diverse culinary scene, enjoy shopping in luxury malls, and experience the multicultural heritage in neighbourhoods like Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam.

Do You Need a Visa for Singapore?

Indian passport holders, excluding those with diplomatic, official, and service passports, require a visa to enter Singapore. Visas are valid for up to 2 years with a maximum stay of 30 days, subject to immigration approval. All travellers, including Indians, must submit a Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) before arriving unless transiting without immigration clearance. The SGAC, submitted via the ICA website or mobile apps, facilitates the immigration process and is free of charge. It can cover up to three trips per submission.

Types of Singapore visas are as follows:

• Singapore Tourist Visa
• Singapore Work Visa
• Singapore Transit Visa
• Singapore VFTF

How to Apply for a Singapore Tourist Visa from India

A. online application (through authorised agents/local contacts).

Here is a brief guide on how to get Singapore visa . The steps are as follows:

• Identify the Visa Category: Determine the visa type that suits your journey.
• Meet Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you meet the requirements for the specific visa type you are applying for.
• A valid passport
• Completed visa application form
• Recent passport photos
• Cover letter describing your travel plans
• Proof of flight and accommodation reservations
• Financial documents demonstrating your ability to support yourself during your stay
• Additional documents such as invitation letters or sponsorship proof, depending on the visa type
• Apply Through Authorised Agents: Submit your application through authorised visa agents or the official website ( Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) ), as direct applications to Singapore are not accepted.
• Processing Time: Allow 3-5 working days for processing. To ensure a smooth travel process, apply early to account for any potential delays.
• Receive and Print e-Visa: Once your application is approved, you will receive your e-Visa via email. Print a copy of the e-Visa and carry it with your passport when checking in at the immigration desk upon arrival in Singapore.

B. Application through Singapore Overseas Mission in India

Indian citizens can apply for a Singapore visa at the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission or through an authorised visa agent. The application process is as follows:

• Obtain Form 14A: Download it from the official website or get a free copy from an authorised visa agent or Singapore Overseas Mission.
• Complete and Sign the Form: Fill out Form 14A and sign it.
• Provide a Recent Photograph: Submit a recent coloured passport-sized photograph taken within the last three months.
• Photocopy of Passport: Include a photocopy of your passport biodata page.
• Additional Documents: Provide other supporting documentation, such as a LOI.
• Submit the Application: Submit the completed application form and supporting documents through the appropriate channel.

For further information, please check the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore.

Are you prepared to travel abroad for exploration? Become a part of our alliance for easy visa options.

Required Documents for Singapore Tourist Visa

With all the details on how to apply for Singapore visa , you should get track of the documents required. The following documents must be submitted to make an application for a visa to travel to Singapore for leisure or commercial visits:

• A duly completed and signed Form 14A. The information you provide on this form will be the basis for your visa application. The ICA may request that you submit it.
• A recent colour passport-sized photo was taken no more than three months ago. For detailed requirements, refer to the Picture Guidelines.
• A copy of the biodata section in your passport, which needs to be functional for a minimum period of six months after the date you plan to enter Singapore.
• The proof of your hotel bookings and other accommodation.
• A confirmed return flight ticket.
• A bank statement of the last six months attested by a bank official.
• Supporting documents as per your occupation and type of visit,
• On an individual basis, more supporting documentation, including Form V39A and LOI, may be needed.

Singapore Visa Fees for Indians

The Singapore visa charges from India is INR 1,800 (SGD 30) for either a single entry or multiple entry visa, with an additional service charge of INR 650 for tourists. This fee for processing the visa is non-refundable and should be paid at the time of application submission. Additionally, authorised visa agents may apply their own service fees.

Processing Time for Singapore Tourist Visa

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore, visa applications usually undergo processing within 3 to 5 working days (not including weekends), public holidays, and the submission day. Nonetheless, certain applications might require extended processing times, particularly those containing contradictory documents.

• Student visa: 15 days to 1 month
• Work visa: 7 days to 5 weeks
• Dependant visa: 3 to 5 weeks
• Transit visa: 3 to 4 days

 You can access your money in 130 different currencies and more than 150 countries. Travel comfortably and wisely.

Additional Tips for Applying

These are some additional tips you must keep in mind while applying for a Singapore visa:

• Apply Well in Advance: Submit your visa application at least 30 days before your planned trip to Singapore. This allows ample time for processing and avoids any last-minute complications.
• Complete Documents: Ensure all required documents are complete and meet the specified requirements. This typically includes the visa application form, passport, photographs, flight bookings, accommodation details, financial proofs, and any additional documents as per the visa type.
• Accuracy Check: Double-check all information your application provides for accuracy and consistency. Errors or discrepancies could lead to delays or rejection of your visa application. Reviewing your application thoroughly can help avoid such issues and streamline the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike countries that provide visa-on-arrival for specific nations, Singapore doesn’t offer this privilege to any country, including India. Therefore, if you’re travelling to Singapore, you need to obtain a visa in advance.

The Singapore tourist visa is normally issued for 30 days and is valid for 2 years.

There isn’t any way to extend its validity. You have the option to reapply after your existing visa expires or is used up. 

Yes, Singapore is open to Indian tourists.

Visa charges depends on the type of visa, you are applying for. The tourist visa of Singapore costs around INR 2500 with service charges. 

Related Blogs

Things to do in Da Nang For An Incredible Vacation from India

Incredible Places to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City from India

Best Time to Visit Malaysia from India

Top Places to Visit in Kuala Lumpur for Indian Travellers

Best Time To Visit Vietnam from India for An Unforgettable Adventure

Top Things to Do in Hanoi for Indians

Recent Blogs

Famous Vietnam Food for Indian Explorers

• Discover famous Vietnam food, street food treats, and Vietnamese meal prices. Explore the rich tastes and cooking legacy of this paradise from Southeast Asia.

Shishira & Navneeth

• Here's all about the best things to do in Da Nang, from sunbathing on dainty beaches to exploring cultural sites while munching amazing Vietnamese food.

• The fascinating places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City, including the War Remnants Museum, Saigon Opera House, cathedrals, shops, and many more, are waiting for you.

Related Videos

Network Partners

Download App

Partner T&Cs

Legal Policies & Documents

Verify MobileApp Checksum

SBM Bank Customer Care

© goniyo.com 2024 | FINNEW SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD.

Discover more from Niyo

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Stop Paying International Transaction Fees!

Share on Mastodon

Select Your Language

• Travel Tips & Reviews

How To Apply For Thailand Visa For Indians Online: Step-By-Step Guide

We’ve curated a detailed step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Thailand visa online. Keep reading to learn more about the simple and hassle-free Thailand visa application process for Indians. 

• Shivangi Sarkar
• Updated - 2024-07-15, 19:56 IST

Do Indians Need A Visa For Thailand?

What Are The Documents Required To Apply For Thailand Visa?

• The biodata page of your Passport or Travel Document.
• Any photographs taken within the last six months.
• One or more documents indicating your current location.
• The travel booking confirmation.
• The proof of accommodation in Thailand, e.g. hotel bookings, invitation letters from family/friends in Thailand.

• Step 1: Start by visiting the Thai E-Visa Official Website at https://www.thaievisa.go.th/.
• Step 2: Go to the ‘Create Account’ option on the top right corner and create an account by filling in the required details.
• Step 3: Next, go to the application section of the website and fill out the application for the tourist visa.
• Step 4: Now, upload all the aforementioned documents required for the tourist visa.
• Step 5: Pay the Thailand visa fee via the online portal of your choice.
• Step 6: Now wait for your visa to the processed.
• Step 7: Once done, you will receive an e-confirmation for your Thailand e-visa via email.

Herzindagi.com is Jagran New Media's gender and lifestyle vertical, catering to women of all age groups, helping them remain updated, on-trend and aware. To improve our performance and understand our readers' interests better, we have created this poll. This will take 2 minutes of your time, do help us out. Click here for the link .

Your skin and body like you are unique. While we have taken all measures to ensure that the information provided in this article and on our social media channels is credible and expert verified, we recommend you consult a doctor or your dermatologist before trying a home remedy, quick hack or exercise regime. For any feedback or complaint, reach out to us at [email protected]

A Comprehensive Guide to Your Dubai Tourist Visa

S tampThePassport is India's first and only hybrid (online and offline) visa application solution, StampThePassport is designed to simplify and expedite the visa application process. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the intricacies of obtaining a Dubai Tourist Visa , ensuring that your journey to this extraordinary destination is smooth and hassle-free.

What is a Dubai Tourist Visa?

A Dubai Tourist Visa is an official authorization that allows Indians to visit Dubai, one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), for a specific period and purpose – primarily for tourism. Issued by the UAE immigration authorities, the tourist visa permits visitors to explore the diverse attractions, cultural richness, and modern marvels that Dubai has to offer.

Types of Dubai Tourist Visas

StampThePassport understands that every traveller is unique, and so are their needs. To cater to various preferences, Dubai offers different types of tourist visas:

14-Day Tourist Visa

Entry Type: Single

Processing Time: Up to 4 Working Days

Stay Duration : 14 Days

Visa Validity: 60 Days

Cost : ₹ 6600 

30-Day Tourist Visa

Stay Duration : 30 Days

Visa Validity : 60 Days

60-Day Tourist Visa

Stay Duration : 60 Days

Cost : ₹ 10500

For those looking for more flexibility or planning multiple trips, there is an option to apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa with additional charges. This allows travellers to enter and exit Dubai multiple times within the visa validity period, providing convenience for those with frequent travel plans.

Additionally, for individuals in a hurry or with last-minute travel arrangements, an Express Visa option is available. The Express Visa ensures a faster processing time, and applicants can receive their visa within 24 hours. However, it's important to note that this expedited service comes with an additional cost.

Apply For Your Dubai Tourist Visa in 2 Minutes!

StampThePassport takes pride in its user-friendly system, ensuring a hassle-free application process. Here's a step-by-step guide to obtaining your Dubai Tourist Visa:

Step 1: Select the right visa for your trip

Step 2: Complete our easy online application

Step 3: Our Expert will review your application before submitting

Document Requirements For Dubai Tourist Visa:

To ensure a swift processing of your Dubai Tourist Visa, it's crucial to provide the necessary documents. StampThePassport recommends preparing the following:

• Scanned copy of the passport
• Passport copy should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date
• Your passport should have a minimum of 2 blank pages
• Your passport should have been issued within the last 10 years
• Indian passports with any observations or corrections will not be accepted
• Scanned copy of the recent photograph (coloured)
• Ensure your photos have a white background with 80% face coverage

Supporting Documents

• Scanned Pan card copy of the primary applicant

Tips for a Successful Online Dubai Visa Application

StampThePassport is committed to making your online Dubai visa application a success. Here are some valuable tips:

• Start Early: Initiate the application process well in advance to avoid any last-minute rush.
• Accuracy is Key: Ensure that all details provided are accurate and match the information on your documents.
• Complete Documentation: Submit all required documents to avoid delays in processing.
• Secure Payment: Use secure payment methods provided on our platform to safeguard your financial information.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To enhance your visa application experience, steer clear of these common mistakes:

• Incomplete Information: Provide all necessary details to prevent delays or rejection.
• Expired Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date.
• Incorrect Photographs: Use recent passport-sized photographs with a white background as per the specified guidelines.

Okay to Board (OTB)

This important step in the travel process is often mandatory for travellers from various countries, including India. It's crucial to understand the 'Okay to Board' procedure to ensure your travel plans go smoothly. At StampThePassport, we're here to guide you through this process with ease.

What is 'Okay to Board'?

The 'Okay to Board' (OTB) is a verification process that ensures your visa status is valid and authentic before you board your flight. It is primarily applicable for Indian citizens travelling to certain countries, like the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. It is mandatory to get your 'Okay to Board' (OTB) updated by the same source where you obtained your visa.

Here's how it works: after you receive your visa, you must get an 'Okay to Board' status added to your flight booking. This status update serves as proof that you have a valid visa for your destination. Airlines in these countries require this before they allow you to board your flight. Failing to get 'Okay to Board' can result in denied boarding, disrupting your travel plans.

The 'Okay to Board' process is a vital step to ensure that your journey to these destinations is trouble-free. It adds an extra layer of security and confirmation to your travel plans, making certain that your visa is genuine and in order. So, when planning your trip to the UAE, Qatar, Oman, or Bahrain, be sure to consider the 'Okay to Board' requirement and update it alongside your visa application. StampThePassport is here to assist you throughout this procedure, making your travels to these incredible destinations as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Don't let the 'Okay to Board' process catch you by surprise, prepare in advance, and get ready to embark on your exciting journey to these remarkable countries.

FAQs About Dubai Tourist Visa

A Dubai Tourist Visa is an official authorization that allows individuals to visit Dubai for a specific duration, primarily for tourism purposes. It is issued by the UAE immigration authorities and comes in various types to cater to different travel needs.

Can I apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa?

Yes, travellers have the option to apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, which allows them to enter and exit Dubai multiple times within the visa validity period. Additional charges apply for this service.

Is there an expedited option for visa processing?

Yes, an Express Visa option is available for those in a hurry. With this service, applicants can receive their visa within 24 hours, but it comes with an additional cost.

Can I extend my Dubai Tourist Visa?

Generally, tourist visas are not extendable. However, travellers have the option to leave the country and reapply for a new visa if they wish to extend their stay.

Are the visa fees refundable if my application is rejected?

No, visa fees are non-refundable, even in the case of rejection. It is essential to ensure that all application details and documents are accurate to avoid any issues.

Is there an age limit for applying for a Dubai Tourist Visa?

There is no specific age limit for applying. However, minors (under 18 years) must have a parent or guardian as a sponsor for their visa application.

Can I apply for a Dubai Tourist Visa online through StampThePassport?

Yes, StampThePassport provides a user-friendly online platform where travellers can easily apply for their Dubai Tourist Visa. The platform streamlines the application process, making it efficient and accessible.

Disclaimer: This is a featured content    

• Saved items

Wapakoneta, OH (45895)

Sunshine and clouds mixed. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 84F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

A few clouds. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.

Updated: July 23, 2024 @ 2:16 am

• Full Forecast

The Captable

Social Story

Enterprise Story

The Decrypting Story

Daily Newsletter

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Founder first

Announcement

Startup Sectors

Women in tech

Entertainment

Art & Culture

Travel & Leisure

Curtain Raiser

Wine and Food

Travel for Free! (Visa-Free): 10 Countries You can Travel to Visa-free as long as You Have an Indian Passport

Discover 10 stunning visa-free destinations for indian passport holders. explore and plan your next adventure.

Monday July 22, 2024 , 4 min Read

Traveling without the hassle of obtaining a visa is a dream for many Indian passport holders. Fortunately, several countries welcome Indian tourists visa-free. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ten such destinations, perfect for your next getaway!

1. Seychelles

• Why Visit: Pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs make Seychelles a paradise for nature lovers and beach enthusiasts.
• Average Trip Cost: Round trip flights: ₹50,000-₹70,000; Accommodation: ₹3,000-₹15,000 per night.
• Travel Tips: Carry enough sunscreen, stay hydrated, and respect local wildlife. Try island-hopping to explore various islands.
• Why Visit: Known for its stunning beaches, tropical rainforests, and friendly locals, Fiji offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.
• Average Trip Cost: Round trip flights: ₹70,000-₹90,000; Accommodation: ₹2,500-₹10,000 per night.
• Travel Tips: Explore beyond the resorts to experience local culture, including traditional Fijian ceremonies.
• Why Visit: Oman boasts a rich cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and warm hospitality. From deserts to green oases, it's a visual treat.
• Average Trip Cost: Round trip flights: ₹20,000-₹40,000; Accommodation: ₹2,000-₹8,000 per night.
• Travel Tips: Visit the local souks for unique shopping experiences and don’t miss out on exploring the stunning Wadis.
• Why Visit: With its modern skyline, cultural landmarks, and luxurious lifestyle, Qatar is a blend of tradition and modernity.
• Average Trip Cost: Round trip flights: ₹25,000-₹45,000; Accommodation: ₹3,000-₹12,000 per night.
• Travel Tips: Dress modestly in public places and plan your visit around major events like the FIFA World Cup.

5. Barbados

• Why Visit: Barbados offers beautiful beaches, historic sites, and vibrant nightlife. It’s a haven for sun-seekers and adventure lovers.
• Average Trip Cost: Round trip flights: ₹80,000-₹100,000; Accommodation: ₹5,000-₹15,000 per night.
• Travel Tips: Participate in local festivals, enjoy the seafood, and explore both the west and east coasts for diverse experiences.

6. Mauritius

• Why Visit: Mauritius is famed for its beaches, lagoons, and reefs. The island also has a rich cultural mix and lush landscapes.
• Average Trip Cost: Round trip flights: ₹40,000-₹60,000; Accommodation: ₹3,000-₹12,000 per night.
• Travel Tips: Rent a car to explore the island at your own pace and don’t miss visiting the Black River Gorges National Park.
• Why Visit: Known as the "Spice Isle," Grenada is rich in natural beauty with waterfalls, rainforests, and stunning beaches.
• Average Trip Cost: Round trip flights: ₹90,000-₹120,000; Accommodation: ₹4,000-₹10,000 per night.
• Travel Tips: Visit the local markets for spices and explore underwater sculptures in Molinere Bay.

8. Montserrat

• Why Visit: This Caribbean gem is known for its volcanic landscape and lush, green hills, offering a serene escape.
• Average Trip Cost: Round trip flights: ₹80,000-₹110,000; Accommodation: ₹3,500-₹8,000 per night.
• Travel Tips: Visit the Montserrat Volcano Observatory and enjoy hiking trails for breathtaking views.

9. St. Kitts and Nevis

• Why Visit: These twin islands offer beautiful beaches, historical sites, and lush rainforests, ideal for a relaxing yet adventurous trip.
• Average Trip Cost: Round trip flights: ₹80,000-₹110,000; Accommodation: ₹4,000-₹12,000 per night.
• Travel Tips: Explore Brimstone Hill Fortress and take a scenic railway tour for panoramic island views.
• Why Visit: Known for its blend of Portuguese and Chinese cultures, Macao is famous for its casinos, heritage sites, and vibrant nightlife.
• Average Trip Cost: Round trip flights: ₹25,000-₹50,000; Accommodation: ₹2,500-₹8,000 per night.
• Travel Tips: Visit the historic Senado Square and try local delicacies like Portuguese egg tarts.

Final Tips for Visa-Free Travel

• Ensure Passport Validity: Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay.
• Travel Insurance: Purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering health, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.
• Local Customs: Research and respect local customs and traditions to make your trip more enjoyable and respectful.
• Sufficient Funds: Carry proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay, as required by many countries.

These visa-free destinations offer a fantastic opportunity for Indian travelers to explore diverse cultures, landscapes, and experiences without the hassle of obtaining a visa. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

Edited by Rahul Bansal

• VisaFreeTravel
• Travel Tips

MOST VIEWED STORIES

Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (July 22, 2024)

Over Rs 1,100 crore and counting: Rajasthan Unveils Plan For Startup Boom

Startup TN on a mission to encourage world-class, deeptech, ground-breaking startups

MeitY to Train 10,000 Indian Startups on AI: A Google I/O Summit Bonanza