Tourism is an indispensable feature of India and has increased manifold over the years with each region of the country contributing to its grandeur and enthusiasm. India’s contacts with other civilizations are reflected in the rich cultural diversity of the people through its language, food, traditions, customs, music, dance, religious practices and festivals, its holistic healing traditions, arts and crafts.
India’s troubled journey free and foreign tourists as possible to make up for the Government of India has nine designated Indian airports from November 27 to 43 countries in 2014 e-tourist visa plan is launched. The government expanded the scheme to citizens of Guyana and Sri Lanka in January 2015 and April 2015 respectively. The e-Tourist Visa – External website that opens in a new window facility was extended to citizens of 31 countries in May 2015. At present the total number of countries under this scheme is 76. The scheme will be extended to more countries in a phased manner. To promote and encourage tourism in India, the government aims to expand the scheme to 150 countries.
The facility is available to passport holders from the following countries; Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France , Georgia, Germany, Granada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Macedonia, Russia, St. Christopher and Nevis, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Republic of Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United States of America, Vanuatu,
Eligibility for scheme
- International travelers whose sole purpose of visiting India is entertainment, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short term medical treatment or casual business trip.
- The validity of the passport must be at least six months from the date of arrival in India. There should be at least two blank pages for stamping by the passport immigration officer.
- International traveler should have a return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his / her stay in India.
- Pakistani passports or international travelers of Pakistani origin can apply for regular visas on Indian missions.
- This scheme is not available for holders of government / diplomatic passports.
- Supported on the passport of the parent / husband is not available to the persons i.e. each person should have a separate passport.
- International travel is not available to document holders.
Instructions for e-tourist visa
- Applicants from eligible countries can apply online at least 4 days before the arrival date, with a time limit of 30 days. Example: If you are applying on 1 September, the applicant can choose the arrival date between 5 Septembers to 4 October.
- Recently the photo taken in white background and photo page of the passport containing the personal information like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc. are to be uploaded by the applicant. Application can be rejected if the uploaded documents and photographs are not conforming / clear to the specification.
- E-Tourist Visa (ETV) – External website that opens in a new window is$ 60 / per passenger excluding the interchange charge for the credit / debit card. Fees must be paid at least 4 days before the travel date otherwise the application will not be processed.
- ETV once submitted – External website that opens in a new window Fees are non-refundable as this fee is for processing the application and rejection of grant or visa is not dependent on anyone.
- Applicant should bring a copy of window while traveling.
- The biometric details of the applicant will be compulsorily maintained on immigration on arrival in India.
- The validity of the visa will be 30 days from the date of arrival in India.
- ETV – External website that opens in a new window9 is designated for entry through designated airports i.e. Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. However, foreign authorized immigration checkpoints can be moved out of India by anyone.
- This facility is in addition to existing visa services.
- ETV – External website that opens in a new window is allowed for a maximum of two visits in a calendar year.
- Window once on arrival only for single entry, cannot be unchanged and extended and is not protected / restricted and valid for visiting the cantonment areas.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR E-TOURIST VISA (ETV) ARE
Passport first page scan
- Format – PDF
- Size: Minimum 10 KB, Maximum 300 KB
The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the visa application must meet the following requirements:
- Format – JPEG
- Size: at least 10 KB, maximum 1 MB
- The height and width of the photo should be equal.
- The photo should present the entire face, with the front and eyes open.
- Place the head in the center of the frame and present the entire head from the top of the hair to the chin.
- The background should be light colored or white.
- There should be no shadow on the face or the background.
- Without border
- Applicants can check the status of their online application by clicking on the visa status.
- ETV – External website that opens in a new window Please be careful while paying the fee. If the number of unsuccessful attempts is more than three (03), the application ID will be blocked and the applicant will have to fill a fresh application form and obtain a new application ID to apply again.
- Before re-applying, applicants are requested to wait for 4 hours to update the status of payment, after submission of the final application form and payment of fee. Payment status can take up to 4 hours to update.
- Citizens of yellow fever affected countries should carry yellow fever vaccination card at the time of arrival in India otherwise they can be kept under observation for 6 days upon arrival in India. Visit the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the latest guidelines regarding yellow fever countries .
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
