Did you know that there is an Indian visa for US green card holders? Contrary to the belief held by many, permanent residents of the US must apply for an Indian visa unless they have an Overseas Citizen of India Card or are from visa-exempt countries.
India has several entry visa laws and documents issued to foreigners and travelers that may need clarification, but if you are well-informed about their differences, you should be able to decide which one is the right fit for you. We provide all the information you need in this article.
Overseas Citizen of India
Before applying for an Indian visa as a US green card holder, you need t know whether you qualify for an OCI first. This document is not a visa but a free pass of a lifetime. It is issued to persons of Indian ancestry who can prove their link to India. This document was introduced to give Indians in the Diaspora a sense of belonging and to encourage them t visit their Homeland. It is often called a lifetime visa because once issued under certain conditions, and it is active for life. Holders of OCI don’t need a visa to enter India, so if you are eligible, apply for it instead of a visa.
Indian E Visa
If you don’t qualify for an OCI, you will likely qualify for an e-visa. This document is an electronic visa that you can get online. The visa is issued online, and you can submit your application online without visiting the Indian embassy in the US or your home country. With a green card, you can apply for a visa in the US if you don’t want to make a long trip to your country.
E visas are easy to apply for, and you can choose from many options. Here are the different e-visa types.
Tourist e Visa: The tourist e visa is a special tourist visa. You can use it for sightseeing, vacation, family holidays, etc. The visa has three different forms which is the 30-day tourist visa which is a double entry visa you can use twice; the one-year visa, which is a multiple entry visa and can be used multiple times and the five-year visa, which is open to only citizens of Canada, US, Japan, and the UK. This version allows them to stay for up to 180 days, so if you are not from the US but hold a green card, you don’t qualify for this one.
Business e-Visas: A business e-visa is for trade and other business purposes. It is valid for one year and allows the holder to stay up to 180 days per visit. You can avail of this visa to attend meetings, buy and sell products in India, conduct tours, recruit workers, participate in trade, exhibitions, and tours, execute a commercial project, etc. This business e-visa is not the same as a work visa.
Medical e-Visa: The Medical e-visa is for patients seeking medical treatment at an Indian hospital.
It is valid for just 60 days; they can stay for 30 days to get their treatment and recuperate. This one so issued as a triple entry visa.
Medical Attendant Visa: The Medical attendant visa is for relatives of nurses accompanying patients to India for treatment. They are meant to provide physical and moral support throughout the medical procedure. The maximum number of attendant visas for one patient is two, with the same validity.
These are the different types of e-visas issued by the authorities.
E Visa Documentary Requirements
The documentary requirements for Indian e-visa for international travelers and green card holders are easy to obtain. Unlike conventional visas, you don’t need too many documents and paperwork filing. You can complete the application online from the comfort of your home and with a smartphone in hand. Here is what you will need.
Valid passport for at least 6 months
Flight Itinerary
Hotel reservation
Email Address
Bank card
Health and Travel Insurance
Proof of financial sufficiency
How To Apply For an Indian E-Visa?
Visit VisaHQ
Select India as your destination
Select your citizenship
Choose the e-visa you want
Fill out the application form
Attach the documents
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
The approved e-visa will be sent to your email; please print it out and bring it for the trip, as the immigration officer will request.
Important Details About The E Visa
Here are some important details about the Indian e-visa you should know.
This visa is available to citizens from up to 164 countries (if your country is not on the list, visit the embassy for a normal visa)
The e-visa is for leisure, business, and medical treatment only
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the departure date
The details on the visa application form must match the information on your passport, and travel with the same passport
You can only enter India through 28 approved airports and 5 seaports
These are the requirements for an Indian visa for Green Card Holders.