Do I Need a Visa for India?
If you are planning on traveling to India in the near future, then you may be wondering if you need a visa, and if so, what kind of visa – tourist, business, eVisa? Worry not, I wrote this article to help answer all of your questions!
I’ve traveled to India three times and on one of my visits I stayed for six months, much of which was spent working there. So I’m quite familiar with the whole process of obtaining an Indian visa.
However, the last time I was in India was in January 2016, and at the time, the e-Visa was a brand new option – meaning tourists no longer had to endure hours of waiting at the visa application centre like I did.
Below I’ll discuss the different types of visas that are available for travelers visiting India, as well as the requirements for each one. I will also provide tips on how to apply for each visa. So don’t wait any longer – read on to find out everything you need to know about Indian visas!
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Table of Contents
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What is a visa and what does it do?
A visa is an official document that allows a non-citizen to enter, leave, or stay in a country for a specific period of time.
There are many different types of visas, and each one has its own requirements. For example, some visas may require you to have a certain level of income or insurance, while others may require you to have a specific type of job.
So, to answer the question: do I need a visa for India? Yes – all foreigners need to obtain a visa before they can enter the country. The process of getting a visa for India can be fairly complicated, however by following the advice in this article, the application process will be a straightforward one with peace of mind.
How can I apply for an Indian visa, and what are the requirements?
You can apply for Indian visa at the nearest Indian embassy or consulate. The requirements for an Indian visa vary depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit.
Apply for an Indian tourist e-Visa
The best way to apply for an Indian e-Visa is through the iVisa website – it’s much quicker and easier than doing it via the official Indian visa website, as iVisa deals with all the embassy stuff on your behalf, saving you valuable time and effort. Plus, the Indian eVisa is free on iVisa too.
There are a few requirements that you will need to meet in order to qualify for an Indian visa, including having a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, a recent passport-style photograph, and proof of onward travel out of India. You will also need to have a credit or debit card in order to pay the visa fee. Once you have all of the required documents and information, you can begin the visa application process online.
Visa for India from the US:
How does a US citizen get a visa for India? US passport holders can apply for an Indian tourist e-visa quickly and easily using the iVisa application portal here. Send off your documents and receive them back in a matter of days, then you’re ready to go.
US citizens looking to apply for a different type of Indian visa (such as a business, student or work visa) must use the online form here. Next, submit your application with the required documents at an Indian Visa Application Center or at Indian Mission. Finally, collect your passport and visa from the Indian Mission/Visa Application Center. Now you are ready to go to India!
Visa for India from UK:
UK citizens can apply for an Indian tourist e-Visa quickly and easily using the iVisa application portal here. Send off your documents and receive them back in a matter of days, then you’re ready to depart to India.
For other types of Indian visas, UK passport holders can submit an application via the online application form here. Filling in the form usually takes around 15 minutes. Upon completion of the form, you pay a visa fee from £49.95 per person (depending on visa type).
Does a UK citizen need a visa for India? Yes – UK passport holders must obtain an Indian tourist visa UK before traveling to India.
What are the different types of visas available for India, and which one should I choose?
There are several types of visas available for India, each with its own purpose and requirements. The most common type of visa for India is the tourist visa, which allows travelers to visit the country for up to six months. Other types of visas include business visas, student visas, and work visas. To determine which visa is right for you, consult the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country.
How long will it take to get my Indian visa, and how much will it cost me?
It usually takes around four to eight weeks to get an Indian visa, and the cost will depend on the type of visa you need. For example, a Tourist e-Visa doesn’t cost anything. A business visa for India will cost you more than a regular tourist visa. You can find out more about the different types of visas on the Indian government’s website.
When applying for a visa, you will need to provide some basic information about yourself, as well as your travel plans. You will also need to submit a passport-sized photo, and may need to provide additional documents depending on the type of visa you are applying for.
Once your application is processed, you will be able to pick up your visa from the Indian embassy or consulate in your country. Make sure to apply for your visa well in advance of your planned travel date, as processing times can vary depending on the time of year and the embassy’s workload.
What should I do if my visa application is denied or if my passport is stolen while in India?
If your visa application is denied, you may appeal the decision to the Indian High Commission. If your passport is stolen while in India, you should report the theft to the local police and obtain a police report. You will also need to contact your home country’s embassy or consulate to get a replacement passport.
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Indian Visa Fees: What are the costs involved in obtaining a visa for India?
There are a few different types of visas for India, and the cost will depend on which type you need, and varies country to country. A tourist visa for India, for example, costs about $60 USD, while a business visa will cost around $265 USD. There are also other types of visas available, such as student and work visas. The cost of these visas will vary depending on your country of citizenship and the length of time you plan to stay in India. For more information on visa fees, visit the website of the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country.
As mentioned before, the Indian travel e-Visa is quicker and more convenient for those traveling to India for up to 90 days (and in some cases 180 days), what’s more – it’s completely free of charge.
What are the documents required to obtain a visa for India?
To obtain a visa for India, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application form
- Two passport-size photographs
- A Letter of Invitation from a company or organization in India (for a business visa)
- A copy of your flight itinerary
- A copy of your hotel reservation
- A fee payment receipt
If you are applying for a business visa, you will also need to submit the following additional documents:
- A Letter of Introduction from your employer
- A business letter from your company in India
- An Invitation letter from a company or organization in India
If you are applying for a student visa, you will also need to submit the following additional documents:
- A Letter of Admission from an educational institution in India
- A letter from your school or university in your home country
- Financial documentation proving that you have the means to support yourself during your studies in India
Don’t forget to book travel insurance
It kinda goes without saying really that when you travel in Asia and beyond, travel insurance is super important.
I never always bothered though. For years I travelled without insurance as I thought, “what could happen?”
Well, I once got my bag stolen in Vietnam and I had an electric shock in a hostel bathroom in Mexico. What if you’re hiking up a mountain and your appendix suddenly bursts, leaving you in excruciating pain and requiring emergency treatment? Anything could happen.
I use World Nomads for comprehensive cover and convenience at great prices on all my travels, and I never set out without it.
Wrapping up
As you can see from this article, obtaining an Indian visa is much more straightforward than you realise. The e-Visa is a popular choice for those visiting up to 90 days (3 months), and since it’s introduction in November 2015, it has made life much easier for applicants by cutting out so much paperwork and removing the hours-long waiting process at Indian visa centers.
FAQs:
How much is India visa from UK?
UK passport holders can easily submit an application for an Indian visa via the online application form here. Filling in the form usually takes around 15 minutes. Upon completion of the form, you pay a visa fee of £49.95 per person.
How does a US citizen get a visa for India?
US passport holders can apply for an Indian tourist visa using the online form here. Next, submit your application with the required documents at an Indian Visa Application Center or at Indian Mission. Finally, collect your passport and visa from the Indian Mission/Visa Application Center. Now you are ready to go to India!
Does a UK citizen need a visa for India?
Yes – UK passport holders must obtain an Indian tourist visa UK before traveling to India.
How much does it cost to get a visa to India?
There are a few different types of visas for India, and the cost will depend on which type you need. A tourist visa for India, for example, costs about $60 USD, while a business visa will cost around $265 USD. There are also other types of visas available, such as student and work visas. The cost of these visas will vary depending on your country of citizenship and the length of time you plan to stay in India. For more information on visa fees, visit the website of the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country.
Can you go to India without a visa?
No, all foreign citizens – whether from the US, UK, EU or anywhere else outside of India – must have a valid passport and a valid Indian visa to enter and exit India for any purpose. You must ensure you have the correct visa type for your planned activity in India. You may be refused entry to India if you an incorrect visa.
Book Your Trip to India: Budget Tips & Tricks
Flights: As always, I source the cheapest flights on the web from Skyscanner and Kiwi.com. They are considered the top flight search engines for the best deals.
Accommodation: I use Booking for the best hotel deals and HostelWorld for the cheapest stays. If you’re considering Airbnb, be sure to check Vrbo to find cheaper vacation stays.
SIM cards: DrimSim is a universal SIM card that isn’t tied to an operator and works in any country/region.
Travel Insurance: Stay protected from theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. A safety net in case anything goes wrong, I never leave without it. World Nomads is my favourite agent for total peace of mind.
Tours & Excursions: I book all my fave activities and guided tours on Get Your Guide & Viator – they do superb deals whilst offering excellent customer support.
Renting a car? I always use DiscoverCars, make sure you book your car hire in advance. For airport transfers, I use KiwiTaxi for the best deals.
Need to store your luggage in a locker? Use Radical Storage to store your stuff in a locker in any city for just $5 per day.
Head over to my Travel Tools page for all my best travel tips & advice and everything you need for your trip.
I hope you found my article: Do I need a visa for India? useful and informative.Let me know what you thought in the comments, thank you!
Further Reading: India travel
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