The Ultimate Guide to Applying for an Indian Visa On Arrival

Indian Visa On Arrival (VOA) refers to visas that can be obtained at the port of entry in India, typically at one of the following airports: Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. If you’re traveling to India on business or leisure, it’s important to get your visa approved before you travel so you don’t have any complications with entering the country when you arrive. This guide will help you with every step of applying for an Indian Visa On Arrival, from gathering the necessary documents to submitting your application online or at the airport.

What do I need to apply?

To apply for a visa on arrival, you need A passport that’s valid through Dec. 31, 2020 — and at least six months of remaining validity from your travel date; a completed Indian Visa Application form with a black-and-white passport photo attached; your original roundtrip ticket or itinerary; proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in India (usually in cash, travelers’ checks or credit card). You’ll also need medical insurance. If you’re planning on staying in India longer than 180 days and don’t have a spouse who’s an Indian citizen or permanent resident, you will also need proof of employment. In general, Indians use their national ID cards as official forms of ID but they’re not accepted when applying for a visa on arrival.

Checklist of Documents Required

* Original Passport * Recent Photographs (One size-6×4 inches) * Indian Visa Application form * Travel History if less than 15 days * Flight Booking Itinerary (Copy of PNR) * Hotel Booking Confirmation Itinerary (Copy of Reservation) * Proof of Address (Utility Bill/ Bank Statement/Passport Copy/Ration Card) * Letter from Applicant’s Employer on company letterhead and signed by a senior official. If a self-employed applicant, bank statements will be required indicating that there is no debt outstanding and showing proof of funds, or at least three months’ income tax returns. The original letter must be submitted along with photocopies.

Where Can I Apply?

You can apply at most of India’s international airports, as well as at some major seaports. For domestic travel within India, you can apply at a few select airport in-person terminals or by sending an Indian visa application form via courier. You will also be able to complete your Indian visa application process online—at least in theory. Be warned that not all government websites are secure and you should only enter sensitive information (like credit card details) on verified sites. If in doubt, send your payment by postal mail with a paper form and send your application via email with details pre-filled out. Or fill it out yourself before going online and print out copies just in case something goes wrong.

How much does it cost?

The Indian Visa On Arrival (VOA) costs $60 USD, however, if you are traveling with a tour group then you will have no need to pay anything extra. The VOA is valid for up to 30 days and allows you to enter India at any of its international airports. Please note that your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months before you can apply. This is because if your passport expires whilst in India, then it will be terminated and invalidated by Indian immigration, meaning that they would refuse your re-entry back into their country.

What are the Best Time Frames To Apply?

In order to be eligible, you must arrive in India on or after January 1, 2016. The new visa rules currently do not apply if you are applying from within India or if you are visiting only the state of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. You can still visit other parts of India without a prior visa but must have a valid passport and proof of return tickets before entering these areas. For example, as long as you have a valid passport from your country of origin with at least 6 months remaining validity and proof that your flight departs within 15 days from arrival, you will be eligible for a visa-on-arrival. If your passport is missing any of these two things (validity or ticket confirmation), then you will need to apply for your visa prior to traveling outside India.

Other Considerations

You will need a passport that is valid for at least six months, with two blank pages and at least one blank visa page (or two if you are applying at a land border). You’ll also need sufficient funds to cover your stay in India. They will hold you accountable if you overstay your visa, so be honest! It’s better to play it safe than get into trouble while traveling. Lastly, be aware of local holidays when making plans as they may affect arrival times at various points throughout India. It can definitely pay off to research these before planning your trip!