Since 2019, India has changed the rules of its e-Visas, raising many questions from travelers. Whether it concerns lengths of stay, validity periods or even information on obtaining different types of e-Visas, numerous updates have been made. Would you like to know if it is possible in India to obtain another type of e-Visa when the first one expires once there? This article explains everything to you!
What are the different types of e-Visas for India?
An e-Visa also called Electronic Visa is an official travel authorization issued by the government of a country, allowing a person to enter a territory for a specific period, as well as for a specific reason for travel. Tourism, business and transit are the best known. It was designed as an alternative to the classic visa which involves many constraints. In particular the loss of time and the obligation to go to the embassy. The e-Visa is a digital document that can be obtained easily, quickly and entirely online.
India offers two types of e-Visas to people wishing to travel to its territory. There are in particular:
- the double-entries e-Visa, for a maximum stay of 30 days. It is valid for 30 days with no possibility of extension;
- The e-Visa with unlimited entry concerns the 1 or 5-year Tourist e-Visa (valid for 90 days per stay) and the Business e-Visa (valid for 180 days per stay). In both cases, the visa is valid for 365 days and it is possible to enter the country several times, provided, of course, that the number of days per stay is respected.
The e-Visa for India is available to nationals of over 160 countries, arriving by air or sea only. Consular fees range from (Tourism) to (Business, Medical).
How to obtain an e-Visa for India?
An e-Visa for India can be obtained either through the authorities' website or through the services of an agency. To apply for an e-Visa, you must ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival for each stay in India. You can only apply for an e-Visa if your trip starts in more than 5 days.
The e-Visa application for India involves filling in information in a dedicated form. This includes, among other things, the declarant (surname, first name, address, etc.), details of the visit (purpose, arrival, departure, port or airport of arrival, etc.) and contacts (to be attached in the event of 'emergency). Also remember to prepare an ID photo in Indian e-Visa format that you will need to upload. You will also need to scan your passport and then download it.
Be sure to respect the rules indicated for the files (file format, color, dimensions, weight), because your e-Visa application may be rejected in the event of non-compliance. Once the form is completed and validated, you will receive a confirmation by email.
Is it possible to obtain another type of e-Visa when the 1st one expires?
If you wish to make a new e-Visa application once the previous one has expired, you will have to start the e-Visa application procedure from scratch but you will have to leave the territory to make a new request.
An agency service 