CLEAR YOUR VISA DOUBTS

 

Getting a tourist visa to India is not as scary as the whole procedure seems. Just a little care and organization is required to make the task simpler for you. Following are some country-specific details on how to obtain a visa to India.

 

UNITED STATES CITIZENS:

Your passport should be valid for six months from day of application with at least two blank visa pages for Indian visa stamps. Only online visa applications are accepted which have been printed and signed. Two recent 2 x 2 passport type colour photographs are required. They should have the front view with a plain/light background. As per Chicago, San Francisco and Washington DC jurisdictions, no glasses may be worn in these photos. Photos should not be stapled to the application.

 

A clear copy of applicant’s driver’s license, utility bill or phone bill can work as a proof of residence for US citizens. A photocopy of the applicant’s birth certificate showing parents’ names, date of birth and nationality is also required. Please do not send the original birth certificate.

 

In case of minors, the visa application should be signed by both parents and a copy of both parents’ signed passports must be submitted. A copy of a parent’s driver’s license or utility bill can be used for proof of residential address in the US.

 

Although Indian visas allow multiple entries into the country, there must be a gap of at least two months between two visits to the country on a Tourist Visa. No Permit is needed if the visa holder is travelling to multiple countries on the same itinerary and the trip follows the itinerary exactly. The visa holder must carry a copy of the itinerary to show the Immigration Officer. All other applicants seeking permission to enter India multiple times within two months must submit the following:

 

Letter of Request: A letter addressed to the appropriate Indian Consulate seeking permission and highlighting the urgency of the visit. The letter should also provide a detailed explanation of the reason for visiting more than once within two months and the expected dates of travel. The specific purpose of visit must be clearly indicated, for example: for recreation/sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives/others (to be specified), and not for engagement in business activities, employment or pursuing studies, research, etc.

 

Re-Entry Exemption Form: It should be completed and signed by the applicant.

 

Fee: The Indian Consulate charges an additional fee of $25 with all re-entry requests. This fee is non-refundable even when re-entry permission is not granted.

 

Please note that re-entry permission is granted on only very rare, urgent cases.

 

Please contact Travasia to apply for and submit your visa applications to India. The Travisa Outsourcing Inc address is:

1010 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Suite #100,

Washington, DC 20007

Phone: (202) 333-7460

Fax: (202) 333-7467

 

UNITED KINGDOM CITIZENS:

A tourist visa may be issued normally for three months to six months with single or multiple entries and is non-extendable and non-convertible.

 

United Kingdom citizens can apply for visa online and offline as well. To apply for it online, please visit the VFS Global website which is the official agency to submit your documents in. Documents required to apply for a visa include an original, signed United Kingdom passport with at least six months of remaining validity and two passport-size photographs. If multiple entries are desired, then submit a Multiple Entry Letter explaining precisely why you need to enter India more than once within two months. The decision to grant or deny the Multiple entry visa to India lays entirely with the India Embassy.

 

VFS Global offices are located in London, Hayes, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester.

 

AUSTRALIA CITIZENS:

Most of the re-entry rules remain the same as for US and UK. Some foreign nationals holding tourist visas, after initial entry into India, plan to visit another country largely on account of neighborhood tourism and need to re-enter India within 60 days, before finally exiting. Such persons may be permitted up to three entries (need based) subject to submission of a detailed itinerary. Once such a foreign national exits the country after availing the facility of three entries (within the visa validity period or stay stipulation period of 180 days) there shall be a gap of two months from the date of final exit before re-entry into India again on a tourist visa.

 

Complete the application form online at the VFS Global website. Once completed online, download all forms, print and sign where applicable. Attach one recent photograph. The current original passport should have a minimum validity of six months from the date of application and must have at least two blank pages. If you plan to re-enter India immediately after visiting a neighbour country, you must provide a detailed itinerary.

 

The photographs should be in colour taken against a light coloured (white/offwhite preferred) background so that features are distinguishable and in contrast against the background. The full face should be visible clearly with a front view. Eyes should be open. The photographs should be recent (not more than 6 months old). Ensure that there are no distracting shadows on the face or background.

 

If a minor (less than 15 years old), a copy of birth certificate of minor is also required. In case of the minor’s father status being unknown, a Statutory Declaration is required from the mother stating the same. Parent/s passport copies (page with photo/signature and address page) and a no objection letter (letter of consent) signed by both parents is required. Or signature of  both parent/s on the visa application form is required. In the case of single parent/guardian, submit additional documentary proof copies such as custody papers/death certificate of the deceased parent/proof of single parent status

 

VFS Global has offices in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.