Do you have any planning to go for a trip to India this season? While you plan for the packing, you should also opt for a Visa for India for the purpose. A number of visas are there when if comes to travelling in India. These visas are offered by the Government of India. Different types and kinds of tourists can opt for these visas. So in case you are going to travel to India, the following details about India Is essential for you to know. This guide will talk in detail about Indian tourist visa.
Who needs Indian Visa?
Not everyone out of India would need a visa to visit the country. Tourists from Bhutan and Nepal don’t require a visa to enter the country. Maldives citizens enter India without passport and are there for a stay of 90 days. But if they were visiting from Mainland China, then they would need proper visa.
Transit visas are required for a stay of less than seventy two hours in India. Transit visas can be applied for with a airline ticket confirmed for leaving India within the stipulated time. In case one does not have a confirmed ticket, he would be asked to take an Indian tourist visa. So if you wish to travel to India for a luxurious trip or a sedentary retreat to a Gurukul Yogashala, you will need to know it all about getting the Indian Visa.
What kind of visa do you need to explore India?
There are quite a few types of visa applications like student visa, intern visa, employment visa, journalist visa etc. In case you are opting for tourism visits, opt for tourist visa. This tourist visa can be taken for any time varying from 60 days to 10 years. But no matter how long duration the tourist visa runs, you are restricted to stay for 90 days and more in India in a go. There should be two months gap at least between two visits on a tourist visa, even if you are visiting two different regions in India.
Cost of Indian tourist visa
Visa application fee varies based on the country of your citizenship. From 2017, US citizens pay $100 for 10 years tourist visa. Mongolia and Japan citizens pay much less for the visa compared to other countries. Tourists from Maldives, South Africa, Bangladesh, Jamaica, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Afghanistan, Mauritius, Uruguay, Seychelles and others don’t have to pay fee to get a tourist visa to India. However, the visa processing fee will be appropriate for all those countries.
Process for applying for Indian Visa
The application process for an Indian visa is outsourced to private agencies in most countries. License of many foreign country agencies have been reclaimed by the Indian government, and it has replaced them with Indian companies. Therefore, ask for the license number ensuring that you are then dealing with a proper educated person. The Indian visa application begins with the online form. Added to the cost of the visa and a processing fee, you need to send in a few documents.
Apply Online for Indian Visa
All the documents you would need to get the Indian Tourist Visa
i) You should have the original passport that should have 6 months of validity at least. The passport should also have 2 blank pages at least)
ii) Along with that you will also need a passport size photograph or your present self.
iii) You should have all the tour details. This is also an essential part.
iv) You should show your flight ticket copies as well. This is important for certain countries.
v) Your residential proof should also be presented here. (you can should your own residence or your relative residential proof there.)
Now, submit these documents to visa processing agencies. You need to submit your original passport and copies of other documents. The visa stamping then gets mailed to the address mentioned in your passport.
How long will it take for visa stamping?
How long can one wait to receive one’s passport with visa stamping? Normally, the agencies will ask you to wait for 15 working days with a weekend and government holidays excluded to receive the visa. But the actual time varies from country to country. Indian Mission will take at least 3 days to process your visa in general.
What is the process for PAP apply in India?
The permit can be applied for through the Indian missions in the respective countries you live in. Each of the regions has its own limitations and fee for providing PAP. Normally, tourists are allowed only in a group of at least four. For applying PAP, you need to travel with a travel agent registered with the government. Normally, the PAP is provided for 10 days and can be extended for 7 days.
Citizens of Pakistan, China, Myanmar or Bangladesh are eligible to apply for a PAP, subject to prior clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Citizens of Indian origin who hold a foreign passport must also apply for a PAP.
What is e-Visa of India?
In a number of countries, the e-Visa is replacing the conventional forms of Visa for India. One can easily apply for ‘Electronic Travel Authorization’ on the online site. You will get an approval mail or you would have a PDF with required details. Take its copy and you can then get the visa stamping post entry, at the Indian airport. This stamping stays valid for sixty days and gets approved for a total of three entries. It is also available to applicants who travel to India on a cruise ship. The e-Visa costs 102.50USD (It can vary with time and in different countries).
What is the Eligibility for the Indian e-Visa
i) These e-visas are offered to those tourists who about to visit India on the purpose of tour or any medical requirement or any short business or family visits. The individual should clearly mention the purpose.
ii) Their passports must have 6 months validity along with 2 blank pages.
iii) Also you should show the return ticket copies that will clear out your complete duration, from arrival to departure. All of these details should be mentioned.
iv) You should file for separate
Essential Documents Required for the e-visa filing
i) You should produce the scan copy of the passport (specially the first and the last page)
ii) Also you need to produce a passport size photograph
Post India arrival documents
i) You should show the printed e-visa copy.
ii) Also you need to show the passport. Also your passport size photograph should be there.
iii) For your entire stay you need to have medical insurance. This you need to show as well.
What is the Process for the US Citizen to take Indian Visa?
To begin, you would need a valid passport. Make a photocopy of the first and last page of the passport. Passport shall be valid for at least six months with two blank pages. Download the Indian visa application and fill the details in it. The signature in the Visa for India application should match with the passport. This online application is there in the site of the Indian government.
You will require one passport size photo. It should have a white background. Also the applicant should not be wearing glasses in the face in the photo. Staple the photo to the form. Take the form to the visa service agencies. You need to submit the form and your original passport. You will get your passport with a visa stamping to the address in the passport via post.
Can I get on-arrival Indian visa?
You can even get visa stamping post India visit, if you are a certain country citizen. You only need your passport, flight tickets, photo, and any special documents. Those who plan to choose Visa on Arrival have to make an online application at least four days before the travel date. You will then upload required documents and pay the fee, which is non-refundable. Post arrival at India, all your biometric details mentioned in the passport about the passport holder shall be captured and Visa for India approved.
VOA facility is available only at Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad international airports. VOA can be availed only for 30 days. However, for S. Korea citizens, VOA will be given for 60 days.
Indian tourist visa Rejection Issues
There are a number of reasons why your visa can be rejected by the immigration authorities
i) If you have any information missing or not found or wrong then the visa gets rejected.
ii) If you fail to produce any document then also you can face issues of visa rejection.
iii) If the number of pages in the passport is lower than 2 then also visa can be rejected.
Travel tips for Indian Vacation
a) You can always choose iconic attractions if you’re visiting India for the first time. It’s always safer to choose all the reputed destinations, along with high-class hotels, and pre-booked transport options. Iconic tour packages make your first visit to India memorable, and experience the luxury train tour in India.
b) A box of tissue papers and water bottles with hand sanitizers are musts for you when you travel to India.
c) You should mention your food choices to the waiter when you don’t prefer spicy food.
d) Haggling is important when it comes to shopping in India
e) Even if you are an atheist, visit the temple to enjoy the architectural beauty; never speak ill or disturb the sanctum. Be polite.
f) At once taking public transportation is important in India is important for your experience.