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India's strategic location makes it a popular layover destination for international flights, and with many people transiting through the country, it's important to understand the requirements for obtaining a temporary visa. An Indian transit visa is a temporary permit that allows foreign nationals to stay in the country for a short period while on their way to their final destination. This type of visa is typically required if travellers need to exit the transit area, go through customs, or spend the night near the airport before their connecting flight. Nationals of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE are eligible for a Visa on Arrival, while citizens of other countries must apply for an e-Visa in advance. The Indian transit visa is valid for a limited time and permits a short stay of up to 72 hours or 3 days, with double-entry allowed within 15 days of issuance. The cost of the transit visa varies depending on nationality and the duration of the stay, with fees typically amounting to USD 80 for a double-entry visa with a three-day stay per entry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival | Only available for nationals of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE |
| e-Visa application | Must be filled out online and applicants must wait for confirmation before travelling |
| e-Visa fee | Non-refundable |
| e-Visa validity | Depends on type: e-Conference Visa is 30 days, e-Medical Visa is 60 days, and e-Medical Attendant Visa is 60 days |
| e-Visa entry | Only through 31 or 32 designated international airports |
| Passport validity | At least six months from the date of arrival in India |
| Passport blank pages | At least two for stamping by the Immigration Officer |
| e-Visa extension | Not possible |
| e-Visa conversion | Not possible |
| e-Visa and customs | May need to carry a Yellow Fever Vaccination Card depending on the country of origin |
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What You'll Learn
- Nationals of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE can get a visa on arrival at selected airports
- e-Visa holders can only enter through 31 or 32 designated airports
- e-Visa fees are non-refundable and non-extendable
- e-Conference Visa holders can club their activities with those permitted under the e-Tourist Visa
- Transit visas are required for foreign nationals transiting through India and are valid for 15 days
Nationals of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE can get a visa on arrival at selected airports
India has introduced a visa-on-arrival facility for nationals of Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This provision aims to streamline travel for tourists, business professionals, medical visitors, and conference attendees.
The visa-on-arrival facility is available at six designated Indian airports: Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. UAE nationals who are eligible for the visa-on-arrival scheme are those who have previously obtained an e-Visa or a regular/paper visa for India. Nationals of these countries who are visiting India for the first time are advised to apply for an e-Visa or regular/paper visa.
The visa-on-arrival is valid for 60 days, allowing travellers to visit India up to two times during that period. Japanese, South Korean, and UAE nationals are required to carry a duly filled 'VoA Application Form' along with a disembarkation card. They also have the option to fill the form on arrival. The form can be downloaded and printed, and it must be presented to the 'Visa Officer' at the visa counter on arrival.
It is important to note that the Visa-on-Arrival facility is not available to certain individuals, including those with Diplomatic/Official passports and those with parents or grandparents who were born in or are permanent residents of Pakistan.
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e-Visa holders can only enter through 31 or 32 designated airports
India offers e-Visas for international travellers whose sole objective for visiting the country is recreation, sightseeing, a casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short-term yoga programme, short-term courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine, etc. The e-Visa is also available for those visiting India for voluntary work of a short duration (for a maximum period of one month, without any monetary exchange), medical treatment, business, as an attendant to an e-Medical visa holder, or to attend a conference/seminar/workshop organised by a ministry or department of the Government of India, among other reasons.
The e-Visa has 9 sub-categories: e-Tourist Visa (for 30 days/1 year/5 years), e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa, e-Conference Visa, e-Ayush Visa, e-Ayush Attendant Visa, e-Student Visa, and e-Student Dependent Visa. However, it is important to note that e-Visa holders can only enter India through 31 or 32 designated airports and 5 designated seaports. The list of designated airports includes Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa (Dabolim), Goa (Mopa), Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kannur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam. The 5 designated seaports are Cochin, Goa, Mangalore, Chennai, and Mumbai.
While the e-Visa allows for entry through these designated airports and seaports, it is important to note that departure can be made from any of the Indian Immigration Check Posts (ICPs). Additionally, e-Visa holders cannot enter India through a land border, even if they have a valid e-Visa for an airport or seaport that is not listed for the e-Visa. The Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility is also limited to the nationals of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE (only for UAE nationals who had earlier obtained an e-Visa or regular/paper visa for India). For nationals of all other countries eligible for e-Visa, the application must be filled out online, and the applicant must wait for confirmation before travelling.
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e-Visa fees are non-refundable and non-extendable
India offers e-Visas to citizens of all countries except Japan, South Korea, and the UAE, whose nationals are required to have obtained an e-Visa or regular/paper visa for India prior to arrival. Nationals of the aforementioned exceptions are the only ones eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VoA) facility.
The e-Visa application must be filled out online, and the applicant must wait for confirmation before travelling to India. The e-Visa fee is non-refundable, even if the proposed visit to India is cancelled or the application is rejected. The fee is for the processing of the application and is, therefore, not dependent on either the grant or rejection of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). The Indian government makes no provision for charging any emergency fees or additional fees for the grant of any emergency/express e-visa.
The e-Visa fee payment status update may take up to two hours due to technical reasons or network delays. Before re-applying, applicants are requested to wait for two hours for payment status updates after the final submission of the application form. Applicants are advised to verify their payment status by clicking on the 'Verify Payment/Pay Visa Fee' tab or by clicking on the 'Verify Payment' link.
The e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible. It is valid for a limited period and cannot be used to visit Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas. If you intend to visit these areas, you will require prior permission from the Civil Authority. Additionally, persons holding e-Visas will only be allowed to enter India through 32 designated international airports.
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e-Conference Visa holders can club their activities with those permitted under the e-Tourist Visa
India offers e-Visas to applicants from eligible countries/territories. These include e-Tourist visas, e-Business visas, e-Medical visas, e-Medical Attendant visas, and e-Conference visas. The e-Visa application must be submitted online at least four days in advance of the date of arrival, and can be submitted up to 120 days in advance. The e-Visa processing fee is non-refundable, and applicants are advised to beware of fraudulent websites claiming to provide e-Visas.
The e-Conference Visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival in India and permits a single entry. It is intended for foreigners whose purpose for visiting India is to attend a conference, seminar, or workshop. Applicants must upload a recent front-facing photograph, the photo page of their passport, and one additional document depending on the type of e-Visa. For the e-Conference Visa, this additional document could be a business card or an invitation letter from the company in India.
The e-Tourist Visa is available for either 30 days or 1 year/5 years. The 30-day visa is valid for 30 days from the date of first arrival in India and permits double entries. The 1-year/5-year visa is valid for 365 days from the date of grant of ETA and permits multiple entries with continuous stays of up to 180 days. The e-Tourist Visa is intended for foreigners whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation and sightseeing, casual visits to meet friends and relatives, attending short-term courses, voluntary work of up to one month, medical treatment, business purposes, or attending a conference/seminar/workshop.
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Transit visas are required for foreign nationals transiting through India and are valid for 15 days
India has specific requirements for foreign nationals transiting through the country, and it's important to understand these rules to ensure a smooth journey. Obtaining a transit visa is essential for foreign nationals intending to transit through India, and this visa is typically valid for a period of 15 days.
The need for a transit visa depends on several factors, including the duration of the layover and whether one needs to exit the airport. If your layover is less than 24 hours and you do not need to leave the designated transit area, you may not require a transit visa. However, if your connecting flight is on a separate ticket, you may need to reclaim your luggage and go through customs, which would necessitate a transit visa.
The Indian government has implemented an online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), known as the "e-Visa," making it more accessible for foreign nationals to obtain visas for tourism, business, and medical purposes. The e-Visa is available to citizens from over 160 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. For international transit passengers, the e-Tourist visa is a suitable option with fewer required documents.
It is recommended to apply for the e-Visa in advance, as it may take up to 2 hours for payment status updation due to technical reasons or network delays. Additionally, the e-Visa fee is non-refundable, and the visa itself is non-extendable and non-convertible. To enter India, you must travel on the passport that was used to apply for the e-Visa, and you should carry a copy of your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) with you during your travel.
In summary, foreign nationals transiting through India are typically required to obtain a transit visa, which is valid for 15 days. The e-Visa option offers a convenient and hassle-free way to meet this requirement, allowing for a seamless journey through India.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot get a visa on arrival at Indian airports. The Visa on Arrival facility is only for the nationals of Japan, South Korea and the UAE. However, you can apply for an e-Visa online before your trip.
You will need a passport with at least six months' validity from the date of arrival in India and at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer. You will also need to fill out an online application form and pay a processing fee.
No, you do not need to pay any additional fees at the airport. The processing fee you pay online is the only required fee.
