Are you planning to discover the enchanting world of India? Then here’s your guide to applying for a visa to India.
Mysore Palace, the Golden Temple, Lake Chilika, the beaches of Goa and, of course, the Taj Mahal: every year, India attracts millions of visitors eager to discover a country with a unique charm. Before visiting this beautiful country, there are a few things you need to do, not least apply for a visa. In this guide, we’ll show you how to make sure you get through the border, so you can make the most of your stay in one of Asia’s great countries.
Do I need a visa to travel to India?
Yes, if you plan to travel to the country, a tourist visa for India is compulsory, whatever the length of your stay and whatever the purpose.
Since 2019, it is normally compulsory to take a fingerprint (as for a Chinese visa) at one of the 5 Indian visa centers, namely Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Strasbourg. However, in 2021, people applying for a tourist visa for India are exempt.
What type of visa should I choose for India?
To enter India, you need to apply for a standard visa or a tourist e-Visa.
The first is a visa affixed to the passport. The e-Visa, on the other hand, is a flying document received by e-mail and to be printed in A4 format. Only when you arrive in India and present this e-Visa for tourism in India is a stamp affixed to your passport.
What is the validity of a visa for India?
Validity depends on the type of visa you have applied for.
The classic visa is valid for 6 months and allows multiple entries during this period. However, stays in India may not exceed 90 consecutive days.
The e-Visa, on the other hand, is valid for only 4 months and allows only 2 entries into the country. From the first entry, the duration of stay cannot exceed 60 days. You can also obtain a multiple-entry e-Visa, valid for one year and allowing a 90-day stay in India.
Good to know: if the length of stay and validity vary, note that the nature of the visa for India also has an impact on the places accessible. Indeed, with an e-Visa, it is not possible to enter the following territories: Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Sikkim.
What’s more, while there are around 100 airports in India, the e-Visa only allows you to arrive in the country via 28 airports (Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Blair, Tiruchira, Tiruchira), Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi and Vishakhapatnam) and 5 ports (Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Mangalore and Mumbai).
How much does a visa for India cost?
The price of a visa for India depends on its type:
- Classic tourist visa: 107 € ;
- E-Tourist visa: €24 for a 30-day stay or €37 for a multiple-entry visa valid for one year and a 90-day stay.
What documents do I need to obtain a tourist visa for India?
Various documents are required to enter India. While some countries only require a passport, here you’ll need to bring proof of your travel.
A passport
The passport must be valid for 7 months from the date you apply for your visa to India. On this passport, you must be able to show three blank pages, two of them facing each other. A copy of the identity page of your passport is also required.
A form
A form must be duly completed to obtain your visa for India. Please note that the site is in English, so be careful when filling it in, and bring along a friend or family member who speaks English well, or a visa application specialist.
Passport photo
To obtain your Indian visa, you’ll need to provide two passport-size photos that meet Indian standards. These must be 5 cm x 5 cm, without margins, and taken by a photographer. They must be stapled, not glued.
Special requirements for visas valid for more than 6 months
For visas valid for more than 180 days, you must also provide a letter in English, written on a computer and addressed to the Embassy of India in Paris. This letter must specify the date of arrival and departure from India. Stamped and signed, this letter must be an original. You must also enclose a photocopy of your return tickets.
How do I fill in the visa application form for India?
You need to visit the official government website to apply for an Indian visa. Remember that the application is in English.
You’ll need to enter your personal details, i.e. your surname and first name(s), exactly as they appear on your passport. You’ll also be asked to state your parents’ and spouse’s first and last names, as well as your employment status (profession, employer’s name and contact details, etc.). You will also be asked what type of visa you require (tourist, business, etc.).
Part of this form is dedicated to your stay. Indicate the cities and regions you plan to visit, the duration of the visa requested and the number of entries.
Finally, it is necessary to indicate the countries visited in the last ten years.
Good to know: you must submit your form to an India visa center within 20 days of its issue.
When should you apply for an India visa?
The classic visa is issued within 5 days, the e-Visa within 2 to 5 days. The validity of this document is quite long in relation to the actual duration of your stay, so you can apply 15 to 30 days before your departure. It’s best to get in early if there are any delays, especially around public holidays and school vacations.
Do I need insurance to travel in India?
At present, travel insurance for India is not compulsory. However, we invite you to find out more, as the rules are changing fast. At the beginning of 2020, only 4 countries required travel insurance. By the end of the year, there were around 20.
Although it is not compulsory, we recommend that you take out travel insurance. Why should you? Simply because medical costs are higher than in France. So, in the event of hospitalization or urgent care, it’s best to be prepared and protected. Likewise, if you need to be repatriated, the cost can be considerable, and only travel insurance for India will cover you financially. We invite you to compare travel insurances in order to find the best value for money and cover adapted to the prices charged in this country.
e-Visa in India: how does it work?
To obtain your e-Tourist Visa for India, you need to fill in an online form (as for the classic visa) and attach a copy of your passport and a passport photo. Payment is made online. You’ll receive your e-Visa by e-mail within a few days.
Do I need a visa for India for a stopover?
For a stopover or transit in India, you need to apply for a transit visa. This allows you to leave the transit zone. This double-entry visa is valid for 15 days, but only allows you to stay in the country for 72 hours. It costs €19, and the procedure is the same as for a tourist visa.
Where can I get a visa for India?
To obtain a visa for India, you have a choice. First, you can go to the Indian embassy.
Another solution is to use a specialized visa agency like RapideVisa, which will take care of all your visa formalities without you having to travel.