e-Tourist Visa Facility - Indian Embassy

In pursuance of the announcement made on March 14, 2015 by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the Embassy of India is pleased to inform that the e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme is extended to nationals of 45 countries with effect from Tuesday, April 15, 2015.  e-Tourist Visa Facility is available for holders of passport of following countries: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Guyana, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru,  New Zealand, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu & Vietnam.  Kuwaiti nationals are not included in eTV facility.

2.      The new scheme will be in addition to the existing visa services.  Foreign nationals of above 45 countries holding Diplomatic / Official passports cannot avail of the eTV scheme. International Travellers having Pakistani passports or of Pakistani origin are not eligible for this facility.

 

3.      The eTV can be utilized by all foreign Nationals holding ordinary passports whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit. The applicant should not have a residence or occupation in India. The applicant should hold a passport with at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India.

 

4.      It may be noted that visa will not be issued on arrival without ETA. Applicants have to apply and obtain ETA online prior to undertaking travel to India. This process will take a minimum of 4 working days.

 

5.      The eTV will be for single-entry, and valid for only 30 days stay from the date of arrival in India. The eTV will be non-extendable, non-convertible and not valid for visiting Protected /Restricted and Cantonment Areas. Entry into India must be through any of the following 9 designated airports only - Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. However, exit can be through any authorized Immigration Check Post (ICP) in India. Entry into India must be undertaken within 30 days from the date of approval of ETA. The eTV facility cannot be availed of more than twice in a calendar year.

 

6.      The applicant should carry a printed copy of ETA along with him / her at the time of travel. He / she should have a return / onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.

 

7.      Biometric details of the applicant will be captured at Immigration on arrival in India.

 

8.      There is a special fee of US$ 60 per person (plus an interchange charge of US$ 2 for credit / debit cards) for the new scheme. This fee must be paid before the application can be processed, and once paid, the fee is non-refundable.

 

 

How to apply for ETA

 

9.       Applicants should apply online at:

 https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

 Each applicant must have a separate passport (international travel documents shall not be accepted). Applications by individuals endorsed on parent’s/ spouse’s passport shall not be accepted.

 

10.    The application process requires uploading the scanned page of the passport containing the photo and personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date, etc., in PDF format (10 KB to 300 KB).

 

11.    The application process also requires the uploading of a recent front-facing digital photograph with plain white background, in JPEG format (10 KB to 1 MB). The head should be centred within the frame and present the full head, from top of hair to bottom of chin. The photograph should not have any shadow on the face or on the background, and should not have any border. The height and width of the photograph must be equal.

 

12.    The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded document and photograph are not clear and as per specification.

 

13.    The fee can be paid through Credit or Debit card. If there are more than three unsuccessful payment attempts, the application ID would be blocked & the application has to be made afresh, with a new application ID.

 

14.    A decision on the application will be conveyed by email. Applicants are advised to ensure that correct e-mail address is provided. Applicants can track the status of their application online by clicking visa status.

 

15.    For any assistance call 24 x 7 visa support center at +91-11-24300666 or send email to indiatvoa@gov.in

 

16.    The process of ETA issuance is completely online, and the Embassy of India will be unable to assist in expediting the issuance of ETAs. However, in case the eTV application is rejected, the applicant may apply afresh for issue of a regular visa.