All You Need to Know About Indian Visa on Arrival
Know about Indian visa on arrival and apply without making any mistake. Meet the eligibility criteria and obtain an Indian VoA easily. So if you are planning to visit India and want to find out about the information on obtaining a visa, then we got you covered. Now the visa-procuring process can be lengthy and tedious, but there’s good news.
India encompasses a diverse range of landscapes, from serene coastlines to towering mountains. Here people can experience, from the gigantic mountain range, the Himalayas to the Sunderbans, the world's largest mangrove forest. Not only that, but the 17th largest desert in the world, Thar, and the iconic tropical Kerala Backwaters are also in India.
Along with natural beauty, India’s past is rich with historical significance. The country is known for its most beautiful wonder, which is a marble mausoleum, called the Taj Mahal. You can also visit the unique ancient rock-cut architecture of The Ajanta and Ellora caves, which were built in the 2nd century.
India is the 7th largest country in the world with the highest population, which makes the Indian culture diverse across regions. Therefore, tourists will not face monotony due to the variations in natural beauty, rich history, and culture.
The GoI has introduced an option for a visa on arrival. However, you must know whether you are eligible to apply for an Indian visa on arrival or not.
In this blog, we will discuss who is eligible and how people can apply for and obtain an Indian visa on arrival. Additionally, we will also provide some travel tips so that you get the best experience.
What Is the Indian Visa on Arrival?
With Visa on Arrival (VoA), foreign travelers can get their visa when they arrive at the destination country. To obtain this, they must produce all relevant documentation at the designated entry port upon arrival. As the name suggests, you don't have to apply for a Visa on Arrival in advance at the Embassy or Consulate; you will get it upon arrival at the airport. This type of visa has been introduced to enhance the convenience of arriving in a foreign country.
When it comes to convenience, some travellers also prefer applying for a visa online. If you want to apply for a visa online, then you should look for an Indian e-Visa. A usual visa on arrival can be applied for and obtained physically at the airport upon arrival, but e-visa travellers have to apply online before travelling. If you are looking to get an Indian e-visa then you will be able to check out your Indian e-visa status online. People who are planning a short-term trip to India can apply for a tourist visa on arrival.
Who is eligible for a Visa on Arrival in India?
Only the citizens of a few countries can avail the Indian visa-on-arrival. These include:
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Finland
- Luxembourg
- Singapore
- Vietnam
- Philippines
- Indonesia
- Myanmar
- Cambodia
- Laos
The sole objective of visiting India with a VoA should be none other than tourism, casual visits, short-duration medical treatment, and business purposes.
Remember, holders of diplomatic/official passports cannot avail of the Indian Visa-on-Arrival facility. Travellers with a residency or occupation in India cannot be eligible to get a Visa-on-Arrival. Citizens of Pakistan cannot apply for a visa on arrival, they can visit India only with a regular/paper visa.
Entry Points for Visa on Arrival
As we have already mentioned, a VoA can only be obtained at the time of arrival in a country, so it is important to note down the designated venues. So, the airports where visa-on-arrival is available are mentioned below:
- Bengaluru (Kempegowda International Airport)
- Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport)
- Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport)
- Kochi (Cochin International Airport)
- Kolkata (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport)
- Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport)
- Thiruvananthapuram (Thiruvananthapuram International Airport)
- Chennai (Chennai International Airport)
Requirements for Visa on Arrival
Some documents are necessary to present as proof of evidence to get an Indian visa on arrival. These are mentioned below:
- A passport with a validity of 6 months minimum remaining beyond your date of departure.
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Confirmed return tickets
- Proof of sufficient capital to fund the trip to India
- Visa fee payment
Application Process for Visa on Arrival
Some people get worried about too many uncertainties during the arrival process of a visa. We suggest you be punctual and don’t rush to avoid making any mistakes. Follow the steps mentioned below:
Arrive at the destination: Arrive at the correct international airport and locate the visa on Arrival counter.
Documentation: Keep all documents handy to save time.
Application: After approaching the visa on arrival counter and submitting the documents, fill out any necessary application forms as instructed.
Payment: Pay the visa fee in Indian currency if the foreign currency is not acceptable.
Visa issuance: This is subject to the scrutiny and subsequent approval of the immigration officer. If your visa gets approved, then it will be issued and stamped on your valid passport.
Validity & Extension of Visa on Arrival
Before applying for a visa on arrival, you must know about its validity and extension options. As per the visa regulations of India, a double visa on arrival remains valid for up to 60 days, which is the maximum time period. Indian visa on arrival is not extendable or convertible.
What if You’re Not Eligible for the Indian VoA?
In this case, you can get an eVisa (if eligible) after making plans for your trip. This should be done at least two weeks before the trip date. We have explained how you can apply for an Indian e-visa, which could be a convenient option for you.
- Visit a reputed website that has high authority from where you will apply for an Indian e-Visa.
- Provide accurate information and do not skip any section.
- Upload your photograph and passport page.
- Pay the Indian e-visa fee using the online payment option.
- Check your Indian e-visa status online to get a timeline.
- Receive your Electronic Travel Authorization on your registered email ID.
- Print your Electronic Travel Authorization and produce it at the immigration office upon your arrival in India.
Common Issues and How to Avoid Them
We have pointed out 5 major issues faced by travellers when they apply for an Indian visa on arrival.
Incomplete application form: Do not leave any section in the application form as it may get rejected.
Inaccurate information: Double-check all the information that you have provided
Missing documents: Make sure to arrange all the required documents.
Insufficient proof of funds: First of all, enough capital to fund your trip to India. Secondly, provide all the proof of funds, and don’t keep any lack of consistency in financial documentation.
Suspicious travel purpose: Your purpose of visiting India should be clear to yourself so that you can convey it to the officials with clarity.
Failing to meet the eligibility criteria: Check if you have met all the eligibility criteria before applying for any type of visa.
Travel Tips After Arriving in India
Once you land in India, your trip begins, and for that, we have given some useful tips that you should follow to have a memorable experience.
If you are travelling on a budget, then you can avail of buses or trains to reach your destinations because it would be a cheaper option. Tourists who are on a trip with sufficient funds can either book online cabs or rent 4-wheeler vehicles.
You have three currency exchange options in India. These are banks, currency exchange counters, and ATMs. You can purchase a SIM card from airport kiosks, SIM card counters, or retail stores.
Apply for a Visa and Travel to India
You can travel to India with an Indian visa on arrival, but for that, you need to meet the eligibility criteria and apply for the visa category without making any mistakes. Choose to arrive at an international airport from where you can apply for the visa on the spot and fill out the visa application form properly. Start planning to explore incredible India today.
Ensure you have checked your eligibility for Indian e-Visa. Citizens of most countries including Belgian citizens, French citizens, Irish citizens, Danish citizens and Cambodian citizens are eligible for Indian e-Visa.