e-Visa for Indians

Purpose for issuing e-Visa 

1. Tourism purposes: This visa is not for people visiting for work or to conduct any business. It is made for travelers that are visiting for leisure, sightseeing, recreation, or exploring local attractions and landmarks. 

1. Visit of relatives/friends: Like the name suggests, this covers the travelers that intend to meet family members or friends that are residents of the country. It allows the traveler to stay with their family members or friends or attend functions/ gatherings. 

1. Short-term business stay: This type of visa is for professionals that intend to attend meetings, conferences, negotiations, or training sessions. It doesn't allow paid employment within that country as the stay is brief. 

1. Sports activities: This visa is for athletes, support staff, or officials traveling to participate in specific sporting events, competitions, or tournaments on a temporary basis. 
2. Cultural, scientific or humanitarian activities: This visa is for travelers that are participating in cultural exchange programs, conducting scientific research, or engaging in non-profit humanitarian aid work or conferences. 

Types of e-Visas available

Given below are the several types of e- Visas available for Indian citizens travelling to foreign countries.   1. e-Tourist Visa: 

1. e-Tourist Visa: 

1. It is the most common type of E-visa available that doesn't cover employment or long-term study. 

1. It covers sightseeing, holidays, and visiting friends or relatives. 

2.  e-Business Visa 

1. e-Business allows you to attend meetings, conferences and trade fairs. 

1. Under this visa, the applicant must not be employed under a local company but can conduct business with them.

3. e-Transit Visa / ETA 

1. This visa is designed for travelers which pass through a country to reach a third destination.  

4. e-Conference Visa 

1. This type of visa is rare to be found as an ‘online-only’ category. 

1. Some nations club this under their e-business visa. 

Note: Student Visas, Employment or Work Visas and Medical Visas do not have e-Visas for Indians and almost always require a physical embassy visit. 

E-Visa Application Process

Step 1: Visit the official government website of the country you wish to visit  

Step 2: Next, check if they offer an E-visa option and what the requirements and qualifying conditions are  

Step 3: After that, you must complete an online application and send it with the required documents including a scan of your passport, a passport-size photo, and any additional documents relevant to the country you are traveling to  

Step 4: The E-visa fee must be paid once your application has been submitted.   

Step 5: Depending on the country and the kind of E-visa you are looking for, the cost may differ  

Step 6: An electronic copy of your visa will be sent to you after your application has been examined and accepted. You may then save a copy to your phone or print it off  

E-Visa Eligibility

The following eligibility conditions apply when you opt for an E-Visa: 

1. Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your travel dates. 

1. A clean criminal history  

1. Clear Criminal Records: You should not have any criminal history to pass the background check. 

1. Financial Capacity: You should have enough funds to cover your expenses during travel and have documented proof of it. 

1. A letter of invitation from a host or sponsor in the country that you are visiting (if necessary)  

1. Proof of Sponsorship: A letter of invitation is a formal document written by a resident or organization in the destination country stating and confirming that they will provide accommodation and take responsibility for you during the period of your travel. This document is to be submitted only if required. 

1. Evidence of trip plans, such as a reservation for a hotel or a flight schedule (if required)  

1. Travel Itinerary: A documented proof of your travel plans such as flight schedules, hotel reservations or a letter of invitation if required. 

1. A specific level of health insurance (if necessary)  
2. Medical insurance: You may be required to get necessary health insurance coverage and submit related documents if needed.
3. Record of vaccination: You must get your yellow fever vaccination records if applicable to your destination.  

Documents Required to Apply for E-Visa

You need to submit the following documents to apply for an e-visa: 

1. A valid passport with a minimum validity for 6 months.
2. Passport size photographs.

You may be required to produce the following documents on your arrival:

1. A printed copy of your E-Visa.
2. Passport which is valid for a minimum period of 6 months.
3. Invitation letter (if any)
4. Medical insurance cover for the period of stay.

These are some of the common documents that the immigration authority at the airport may ask you to produce on arrival. However, some countries may ask for additional documents as well.

E-Visa Fees 

Here is the fee structure for e-visa to travel the country such as: 

The cost is one of the factors you should consider when applying for an E-visa as an Indian citizen. Depending on the type of E-visa you are applying for and the country to which you are traveling, different costs may apply. For example, a single-entry tourist E-visa for Bhutan may cost about Rs.2,000, whereas a business E-visa for the US that allows multiple entries might cost more like Rs.14,500. 

You must pay for the E-visa using a credit or debit card through the safe online payment. When making travel plans, it is critical to plan for the E-visa fee and ensure that you have the money on hand before applying. Your application may be denied if you do not pay the fee. 

Benefits of E-Visa

An e-visa comes with the following benefits:

1. Convenience: Compared to the conventional visa application procedure, applying for an E-visa is far more convenient. There is no need for you to wait in line at the consulate or mail in your passport. From the convenience of your home or workplace, you can apply for an E-visa 

1. Speed: Compared to traditional visa applications, e-visa applications are usually handled substantially more quickly. This implies that there will be less confusion and greater flexibility in your vacation planning 

1. Validity: You have more choice to arrange your travel and stay in the country because e-visas frequently have longer validity periods than traditional visas. 

1. Cost-effective: Since e-visa costs are frequently less than those for traditional visas, they are an affordable choice for tourists 

1. Easy to access: The application forms for an e-visa are readily available and can be completed online, which simplifies and speeds up the procedure 

1. No hard copies of papers are required: Since it is an electronic visa, no hard copies of documents are required. As a result, the procedure is more effective and simplified 

1. Saves time: You can apply for an E-visa online in a few minutes rather than scheduling an appointment, standing in line, and traveling to the consulate or embassy. 

E-Visa Rejection

Sometimes, the immigration authority of a particular country may reject your E-Visa Application. Mentioned below are some of the key reasons why your E-Visa may be denied:

1. Complete all fields that are required: Make sure that no mandatory sections are left blank as missing important information from the application can result in immediate denial.
2. Verify passport validity: Ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your intended travel date.
3. Ensuring Data Accuracy: Make sure the details you have entered in the application are exactly the same as in your documents to avoid providing inaccurate information in your application.
4. Selecting the correct visa type: Double check that you have chosen a visa type that matches your actual purpose of visit.
5. Provide clear intent of return: Provide clear evidence that you intend to leave the country after visiting, rather than staying indefinitely.

Who Can Avail an E‑Visa in India?

Foreign visitors to India for a variety of reasons, such as tourism, a quick business trip, visiting family and friends, etc., are granted an e-visa. They apply for a tourist visa to India without mailing the embassy their passport. Applicants must apply online, pay the costs online, and provide scanned copies of their passports, photos, and other pertinent papers to the embassy.  

You will receive the e-visa in your inbox as soon as you pay and submit the completed application. When you visit India, print a copy of it and bring it with you. 

List of Countries Offering e-Visa to Indian Citizens

Here is the list of countries that offer e-visa entry permit to Indian citizens: 

1. Bahrain

1. Djibouti

1. East Timor (Timor-Leste)

1. Gabon

1. Georgia (lying at the intersection of Europe and Asia)

1. Ivory Coast

1. Madagascar (landing authorisation)

1. Malaysia (eNTRI Note)

1. Moldova

1. Myanmar

1. Sao Tome and Principe

1. Sri Lanka

1. Tanzania

1. Turkey (at the border of Europe and Asia)

1. Uganda

1. Vietnam

1. Zambia

1. Zimbabwe 

1. Singapore 

1. Cambodia 

1. UAE-Dubai 

1. Ethiopia 

1. Armenia 

1. Oman 

1. Laos 

1. Sierra Leone 

1. Botswana 

1. Thailand 

1. Kenya 

Tips for e- visas application process 

Some of the tips to apply for an e-visa are as follows: 

1. Check validity of your passport: Make sure your passport is valid till at least 6 months beyond your intended travel dates 

1. Verify the data: Make sure to triple check all the data you entered, like names, numbers, and it matches your passport to avoid rejection. 

1. Choose the right visa category: Select the right visa sub-type that matches your travel purpose.
2.  Provide correct information: Fill all the mandatory fields carefully as incomplete or wrong information may lead to visa rejection.

1. Provide proof of your return: Show proofs that clearly states that you intend to leave the country after your travel (e.g., return ticket or travel itinerary) 

Also check : Philippines e-Visa for Indians