The Indian Tourist Visa Online Form also called the E-Tourist Visa (ETV), allows you to apply online for an Indian tourist visa. You can learn more about the Indian Tourist Visa Online Form here, including the process of submitting your application and what information you need to include in it. Here are ten frequently asked questions about the Indian Tourist Visa Online Form.
1) Where do I apply?
The application should be filled out online, and once it’s submitted, you will receive an email confirming your submission. You will then have to wait for an email from the Indian Embassy or Consulate that contains your appointment information; usually these are scheduled within one to two weeks of submitting your application. It is important to note that if you would like someone else to submit your form on your behalf (e.g., a travel agent), they must also pay a non-refundable fee ($25) and fill out an authorization form. Lastly, if you are planning on staying in India longer than 180 days, you may need special visas or permits; make sure you check before applying!
2) How do I apply?
If you’re a resident of Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Singapore or United Kingdom and if you plan to visit India for less than 180 days then there’s no need to apply for a visa before you travel. Simply present your passport at an Indian port of entry and confirm that it is valid for at least six months after your intended date of departure from India. After completing immigration formalities at any port of entry in India (there are many), make sure to keep all of your documents—such as boarding passes—with you. The Immigration officer will usually stamp a long-stay stamp in your passport but not always; ensure that whatever document they do provide has sufficient space for future stamps or annotations by immigration officials.
3) Is it free?
No, it’s not free. But you may be eligible for a fee waiver. See Who is exempt from paying? below for more information.
4) Does it expire?
Yes, it does. As of April 2015, there is a $60 fee for a new Indian tourist visa that is valid for 15 days. You cannot enter India with an expired tourist visa and you are required to leave within 30 days of when your visa expires or else you will be fined. This can get expensive if you are traveling through India, so make sure to leave at least 2 weeks before your visa expires so that you have time to renew it. Indian Visa FAQ
5) What other documents do I need?
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry to India. If you’re traveling as part of a group, you should make sure everyone in your party has passports that are valid for at least six months. You will also need to show proof of return travel (such as a plane ticket or round-trip train or bus ticket). Indian visa regulations can change without notice; it’s always best to check with an embassy or consulate before starting your application process.
6) How long does it take to get my visa?
The Indian visa application process can take as little as 24 hours or up to several days. Normally, we encourage clients to apply at least two weeks before their trip; it’s easy to rush when you’re traveling, so we suggest you give yourself enough time to respond if there are any questions or issues with your paperwork. (In other words, don’t wait until 3 days before your flight.) After you pay for your visa and upload a photo and all of your documents, follow these steps: Log in using your personal username and password.
7) Can I renew my visa in India?
Yes, tourists can renew their visas in India. If you are a foreign tourist and want to stay longer than six months in India, you need to go through a process of visa extension. For more information on how to extend your visa in India, read our detailed guide. The easiest and most efficient way to apply for an Indian visa is online. In case you don’t have access to a computer or internet, then it’s best that you contact your local VFS Visa Application Centre or consulate directly for information on applying for an Indian visa by mail.
8) Can I get a multiple entry visa in case I want to visit India more than once?
The Indian tourist visa is a single entry visa, but you can apply for an extension in case you want to stay longer. However, an extension of 30 days will cost 200 rupees (US$3) and an extension of 60 days costs 400 rupees (US$6). This can be done at Indian Embassy or any branch of VFS Global. You must have a valid tourist visa from India in order to be eligible for getting a multiple entry visa. Even if your passport is still valid, if your previous visa has expired, you cannot get a multiple entry visa until it is renewed.
9) Can my child’s name be included on my passport so that he/she can travel with me too (family dependent visa)?
Yes. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), It is permissible for NRIs/PIOs to apply for their first Indian visa when they have not yet received their registration certificate and / or identity card. In such cases, their travel document and supporting documents should bear clear indication that they are NRI/PIOs. As long as you meet all other visa requirements, you’ll be fine. Note: Only US citizens may apply with an unexpired green card. Canadian citizens can only use an unexpired Canadian passport as proof of citizenship.
10) Are you eligible for this type of visa if you have submitted your NRI registration form but not received your NRI / OCI card yet (NRIs only)?
Yes. NRIs who have not received their NRI / OCI card yet can submit a tourist visa application in order to apply for a tourist visa online, if they fulfill all other criteria for obtaining such a visa. In fact, there is no requirement for an Indian citizen to hold a valid NRI / OCI card in order to apply for Indian visas online and obtain them abroad from an Indian Mission/Post abroad. The NRI / OCI registration form is just one of several documents that is required while applying for an Indian visa (the other documents being PAN card etc.)