If you are an Icelandic or Finnish citizen, you can apply online to visit India with an Indian eVisa (Electronic Travel Authorization). The eVisa enables you to stay in India for up to 30 days without applying for a visa at the Indian embassy in your home country. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you will have to submit your passport and your application in person at the Indian embassy. Here’s how to apply!
Tips for applying for an India visa
Citizens of Finland and Iceland can apply for e-visas to India. Citizens from other countries should apply in person at their nearest Indian embassy, but they may also choose to apply online. The e-visas are usually valid for 60 days and multiple entries into India during that time. However, some citizens may not be eligible to apply through either method. This is especially true if you have been denied entry into India before or were arrested while in that country previously. To find out if you are eligible, contact your local Indian embassy ahead of time. If you are unsure about anything else pertaining to traveling with your Indian visa, it is best to call them well in advance of your departure date as well. Indian Visa for Iceland Citizens
Finnish passport holders can get visas on arrival
If you’re a citizen of Finland, getting a visa on arrival in India is easy. You can apply for your tourist visa at select airports in India without going through any prior formalities (other than booking your flights and hotels). You don’t need to pay any extra fees, but you will need to hand over your passport and application form while applying at one of these airports. Make sure you give yourself enough time to complete your application because it takes two working days. If you are traveling by air to Goa, Chennai, Kochi, or Thiruvananthapuram airports and intend to stay less than 30 days, then no medical certificate is required.
Icelandic passport holders must apply in advance.
Indian visa holders from Iceland must submit an online application and get their passport stamped before traveling to India. A pre-approved e-visa will be issued within 72 hours, which will act as a visa on arrival in India. This can be printed out and used upon arrival in India when entering through any of Delhi’s airports. Indian visas for Finland citizens are usually granted on arrival at any one of 26 airports across India, including Mumbai and Delhi. Finnish citizens do not need to apply online before traveling to India. When arriving at one of these airports, Indian passport holders from Finland should fill out two copies of the ‘Indian Arrival Declaration’ form available on each flight. Indian Visa for Finland Citizens
Basic requirements to apply
To apply for an Indian visa, you need to provide: 1. A recent passport photo (size should be 35 X 45 mm, with a white background) 2. A passport that is valid at least 6 months beyond the intended stay in India 3. An invitation letter issued by Indian authorities and/or hotel booking confirmations 4. Return/onward travel ticket (if applicable) 5. Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in India 6. In some cases, applicants might have to undergo a medical exam 7. For minors: Proof of both parents’ passports and copies of their birth certificates 8.
Before you begin your application process
As with any visa application, you must have all your documents in order before you begin. The Indian embassy won’t accept applications that are missing required documents and will return them to you unprocessed. In addition to your passport, be sure to bring: Proof of residence in India (your plane ticket showing a round-trip flight is sufficient); and A letter explaining why you want to travel to India, describing where and how long you intend to stay and explaining whether you’ll be using a rental car while there. If so, include information about your auto insurance; it might be possible for you to buy temporary insurance through the Indian embassy itself.
Some tips while completing the application form
Indian visa application form has to be filled up online. It requires you to provide some personal information such as your name, date of birth, nationality, and passport number. The applicant must select whether he/she is applying for a single entry or multiple entry visa and then fill up specific fields which are applicable to him/her. It also requires some basic information about your stay in India like address, duration of stay and purpose of visit, etc. If you have any particular requirements regarding your Indian visa like a No objection certificate from the employer etc., you can include that information here too. You need to take a printout of it and sign at specified places with blue ink only otherwise the application will not be accepted by the embassy.
After your application is complete
Indian visa application procedure can take anywhere from 7 to 30 days, depending on which Indian Embassy you are applying at. If your passport and documents are in order, you can submit your application and receive your visa within seven days. If there is any problem with your documents, you may have to wait longer. Once you receive your visa, you will be able to enter India without any delays. Remember that if you overstay in India after 90 days – even by one day – then your visa will become void. On average, there is a fine of ₹2000/- per day levied on individuals staying beyond their allowed time period.