Are you planning a trip to India and would like a hitch-free adventure? The first question you should answer is, do you need a visa for India? You will only move forward once you can resolve the issue surrounding whether you need a visa or not. Fortunately for travelers, the internet provides a treasure trove of information they can access with a few clicks. We have helped many people with the information and support they need, and this arrival is written to do just that.
Below we answer all your questions regarding India’s visa policy, who needs a visa, and the types of visas they need. Keep reading to know more.
India’s Visa Policy
A vast majority of foreign nationals who enter India each year do so with visas. Only a few nationals can enter India without visas, and they are as follows.
Bhutan: Bhutan has a treaty of peace with India signed in 1949, which allows Bhutanese to enter India without needed visas. They only need visas if they arrive in India through Mainland China, Macau, Pakistan, Maldives, or Hong Kong.
Nepal: Nepalese only need visas to enter India if they arrive through Hong Kong, Macau, Maldives, Pakistan, or Mainland China. This is because of the Peace treaty signed by both countries in 1950.
Maldives: Citizens of Maldives can enter India visa-free, provided they don’t arrive from Mainland China. They can stay in India for up to 90 days maximum, but they will need a visa for longer.
By virtue of the agreements with Bhutan and Nepalese, citizens of India are also free to visit these countries without visas.
Do You Need Visa For India?
Unless you are from Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, and a few other countries on the visa-free list, you will need a visa to enter India.
Types of Visas
There are two types of visas for Indians: the consular visa and the electronic visa.
Electronic Visa
The electronic e tourist visa or e-visa is available online and allows the holder to stay in India for 90 days solely for the purpose of tourism. E visas are available in single, double, or multiple entry forms with 180 days of validity. This visa is not available to all nationalities but only selected ones. Those who don’t qualify for this one may still apply for a consular visa in their countries.
How To Apply For A e Visa Online?
The application process for an e visa is very easy since you don’t have to visit the embassy in your country. Simply log unto the internet and do the following to visit India.
Visit VisaHQ
Choose India as the destination
Choose your citizenship
Select the e-visa you want
Correctly fill out the application form
Scan and attach the required documents
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
The process will take only a few minutes, and you will be done. After 2-5 days, the visa will be forwarded to your email address. Please print it out and travel with it to India; on arrival, present it to the immigration officers.
Consular Visa
A consular visa is a visa issued by the Indian embassy in foreign countries to interested travelers to India. This visa is for nationals who are either ineligible for e-visas or wish to stay for more than the 90 days acceptable under the e-visa regime. Consular visas take longer because detailed background checks must be performed, and visa interviews are part of the process.
Persons interested in applying for consular visas must submit physical copies of their application to the embassy directly or through a visa application center. The embassy in your country determines the application process; in most cases, applications are accepted through licensed visa application centers, which will schedule an interview with the embassy on your behalf.
Since every embassy operates in a different way, one would have to study and follow the procedure set out by the embassy in their country. Common types of visas issued by Indian embassies and foreign missions include.
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Study Visa
Work visa
Investment Visa
Temporary Resident Visa
Permanent Resident Visa
There are a host of other visas, but these are the most common ones.
Documents Required For Indian Visas
The documentary requirements will depend on the type of visa you want, but here are some basic documents the embassy will demand from you.
Valid passport
Completed application form
Two photographs
Proof of funds
Travel itinerary
Flight Ticket reservation
Proof of accommodation
Visa-free receipt
Only original and valid documents will be accepted by the embassy, but you must bring photocopies of them in case they request extra copies. Do you need a visa for India? You do if you are not from a visa-exempt country.