Indian e-Tourist Visa | Emergency Tourist Visa to India
The government of India has played a significant role in promoting tourism in India. One of the things that the government has done is to make the application and approval of the Indian tourist visa fast, efficient, and convenient. Within three working days, you can have your e-tourist visa. However, you must fulfill some requirement before you can make your trip to India.
That said, we will consider what is an Indian e-tourist Visa, what is the eligibility criteria and your role in that e-visa application process.
How are you to Understand E-Tourist Visa?
This is an online authorization to travel to India given by the Government of India. It is given upon successful application to foreigners who wish to visit India for a vacation, sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends or for religious purposes.
Globally, only 165 countries are eligible and can apply for the Indian e-Tourist visa. The Indian government has provided a detailed list of nationals that qualify. If you still want to visit India and your country is not on that list, then apply for the normal visa.
Indian e-Tourist Visa Requirements
You will need a Recent Photograph of you that is colored, taken with a digital camera on a white background and with a maximum size of 4MB. Clarity of the photo is important.
You will also need a Passport valid at least six months from the expected day of arrival in India. Your passport should have at least two blank pages that the immigration in India will use for stamping. You will take a scanned copy of this passport and upload it as you fill the online form and should be a maximum of 4MB.
You are required to have a sufficient amount of money to spend while in India during your stay and an onward or return ticket.
Something to note is that the e-tourist visa is unavailable for Diplomatic / Official Passport Holders.
The validity of Indian e-Tourist Visa
The Indian electronic travel visa validity is now 365 days from the previous one of 60 days. You can only stay for 90 consecutive days once you qualify for the e-tourist visa if you do not reside in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States of America or Japan. For nationals of Japan, US, UK and Canada, the allowable continuous stay is 180 days. Within these days, you do not need to register.
You are also entitled to several entries throughout the calendar year once you get the eTV.
Entry Points
Once you have applied for the e-tourist visa, there are 5 designated seaports and 28 designated airports that can serve as your entry points. The list of those points is available.
Find complete list of Authorized Immigration Check Posts.
An e-Tourist Visa (eTV) for India is an electronic travel authorization that allows foreign citizens to enter India for tourism, visiting friends and relatives, or other short-term purposes. The e-Tourist Visa is issued for a maximum of 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years, depending on the type of visa applied for. The e-Tourist Visa is issued electronically, and applicants do not need to submit their physical passport to the Indian Embassy or Consulate. The entire visa application process, including payment of fees, is completed online.
To be eligible for an e-Tourist Visa (eTV) for India, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
The applicant must hold a valid passport from an eligible country.
The purpose of the visit must be for tourism, short-term visits, casual visits, or visiting friends and relatives.
The applicant's passport must have a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of arrival in India.
The applicant must have sufficient funds to support their stay in India.
The applicant must not have a history of criminal offenses or any involvement in any subversive activities.
The applicant must not have been rejected for a visa or deported from India before.
The applicant must apply for the e-Tourist Visa at least four days before the intended date of arrival in India.
The applicant must provide accurate and complete information during the application process.
The duration of stay in India with an e-Tourist Visa (eTV) depends on the type of visa obtained. Currently, there are three types of India e-Tourist Visa available:
A 30-day visa that allows a stay of up to 30 days from the date of arrival in India.
A 1-year visa that allows multiple entries and a cumulative stay of up to 180 days in a year from the date of first arrival in India.
A 5-year visa that allows multiple entries and a cumulative stay of up to 180 days in a year from the date of first arrival in India.
It's important to note that the duration of stay is counted from the date of arrival in India, and overstaying can result in penalties and legal consequences. Additionally, the e-Tourist Visa does not permit the holder to work or engage in business activities in India, and any such activities may result in visa cancellation and deportation.
No, it is not possible to extend your stay in India on an e-Tourist Visa (eTV). The e-Tourist Visa is issued for a specific duration, depending on the type of visa obtained, and cannot be extended beyond that period. If you overstay your visa duration, you may face penalties, deportation, and future difficulties in obtaining an Indian visa.
If you need to stay in India for a longer period, you may apply for a regular visa at the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate. Regular visas may offer longer durations of stay and more flexibility in terms of purpose of visit and activities allowed in India.
No, it is not possible to apply for an e-Tourist Visa (eTV) if you are already in India. The eTV can only be applied for outside of India, at least four days before the intended date of travel to India.
The cost of an e-Tourist Visa for India are vary depending on the type of visa applied for, the processing time, and your country of origin. To get a more accurate estimate of the visa cost, you can use the online India visa fee calculator tool. Simply input the relevant details, and the tool will give you an estimate of the visa cost.
The duration for processing an e-Tourist Visa for India is subject to several variables, including the volume of applications received, the thoroughness and accuracy of the application, and the applicant's specific circumstances. Generally, the processing time ranges between 3 to 5 business days. However, expedited processing can be requested by the applicant, which can lead to a processing time of 1 to 3 business days. To avoid any unforeseen delays, it is advisable to apply for the visa well in advance of the planned travel dates, particularly if it is for a conference or other time-sensitive event.
To apply for an e-Tourist Visa for India, you will need the following documents:
A valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity from the date of arrival in India and at least two blank pages.
A digital photograph of yourself.
Details of your travel plans, including flight tickets and hotel reservations.
A valid email address.
A valid debit or credit card to pay the visa fee.
In addition, you may be required to provide additional documents or information, depending on your specific circumstances. For instance, if you are visiting friends or family in India, you may need to provide an invitation letter from them along with their address and contact information.
Yes, an e-Tourist Visa application can be rejected. There are several reasons why an application may be rejected, including:
Incomplete or inaccurate information on the application form
Failure to meet the eligibility requirements for the e-Tourist Visa
The applicant has a criminal record or has been blacklisted by the Indian authorities
The applicant's passport is not valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in India
The applicant has previously overstayed their visa in India
The applicant is on the list of persons deemed to be a threat to national security
If your application is rejected, you will be notified via email and will be provided with a reason for the rejection. If you wish to reapply, you may do so, but you will need to address the issue that led to the rejection of your previous application. It is advisable to ensure that you provide accurate and complete information when applying for an e-Tourist Visa to avoid any potential issues with your application.
Yes, it is possible to apply for an Emergency Tourist Visa (ETV) to India. The ETV is intended for individuals who need to travel to India urgently due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical emergency, death of a family member, or a business emergency.
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