Are you currently planning to visit India? Is this going to be your first visit ever? Then, you are definitely set to experience a journey filled with vibrant colors, rich history, art, and culture. However, there are also a few things that you should remember before you take the trip. This is more than just about applying for a visa and checking the tourist visa India processing time. There is more to it.
This is why, knowing all sides of this trip becomes important for all travelers, especially for the ones who are traveling for the first time. This way you will be assured of having a good trip without encountering any issues.
What Do You Need to Enter India?
Like most other countries, the Indian Government has a few requirements for foreigners to enter the country. These should be met by all foreigners otherwise, they will not be granted a visit.
1. Passport:
Your passport sits at the most important point when it comes to the entry requirements of India. This is the most important form of identity proof and helps in proving your ties to your home country. On top of all, one will also be denied from booking a flight ticket without the use of a passport. All of these things give an important place to your passport.
This passport should be valid and should at least come with a validity of 6 months from the day of your arrival. Plus, it should also have a minimum of 2 blank pages for it to get stamped during entry and exit. On top of all, your passport should be machine-readable and not be damaged to any extent.
2. Visa:
A visa is necessary for most nationals. This works like a travel permit that helps you in exploring this beautiful South Asian Country. This is why, everyone is required to get this and check the eVisa processing time India while waiting for it to get approved. There are a few different kinds of visas offered by India:
| Visa Types | Purpose | Validity |
| Tourist Visa | For individuals who are traveling solely to explore India for tourism purposes. | 1 month, 1 year, 5 years |
| Business Visa | For individuals who are coming to set up a new business or buy or sell something. | 1 year |
| Medical/attendant Visa | For foreigners who want to get treated in India. | 60 days from entering the country |
| Transit Visa | For anyone who is passing through India to reach their final destination. | Duration of the stop |
| Ayush/attendant Visa | For people who want to be treated by the Ayush systems | 60 days from arriving in India |
| Conference Visa | For foreign nationals who want to attend a conference/seminar in India | 30 days from arriving in India |
If you are coming to the country solely to travel to the different states and explore its beauty then you will need a tourist visa.
Getting this visa is pretty easy and it is broken down into a few steps. This can be done in two ways;
1. Through the online portal:
The steps for getting an eVisa for India are;
- Visit the Immigration website of India or some other reputed one that deals with providing genuine visas.
- Choose the correct type of visa, in this case, you should be opting for a tourist eVisa.
- Fill out the application form without making any potential mistakes.
- Attach scanned copies of all the documents required by the Immigration Department. This includes copies of your photograph (following the requirements), passport (following the set requirements), bank statements, and other documents that support your purpose of visiting the country.
- Pay the application fee through your preferred payment method, in most cases, this is either a debit or credit card.
- Wait during the eVisa processing time for India. On average, this takes somewhere around a few hours to 4 days.
- Receive the approval letter in the email that you provided on your application form and get it printed.
- Bring the printed copies with you to the airport to simplify the boarding process.
Countries like the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, and a few others are eligible for an e-tourist visa. Make sure you check the eligibility before you start the application process.
2. Through the embassy:
This is the traditional method for getting an Indian Visa. This is mainly applicable to nationalists like Pakistanis and Afghanistanis as they are not eligible for an eVisa. The steps for this
- Visit the Indian embassy located in your country. For instance, if you are coming from America then some of the embassies are located in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Virginia, and others.
- Reach to the right counter assigned for visa application.
- Get the application form from the officials and fill it in with your accurate information.
- Attach printed copies of your documents, like three copies of your photograph, passport, bank statements, and other supporting documents.
- Pay the fee for the visa application.
- Wait through the period of your tourist visa india processing time.
- Receive the approval at your current residential address and bring it with you to the airport.
Irrespective of which method you choose, this will get you a visa that has a ranging validity of 3 months to 5 years. This depends on the kind and entry specifications that you choose. So, make sure you choose one that fits best with your travel plans.
3. Additional documents
Sometimes the government might require you to match a few other requirements other than a visa and a passport. For instance, some individuals share their bank statements to prove their capability to afford the expenses while they stay in India. Another requirement is to share your return flight tickets to prove that you will leave the country after your stay period is over.
Things That You Should Remember While Visiting India
Well, exploring India as a first-timer might be a little intimidating. This is why it becomes important for you to know a few things before you set out on your journey. Some of these things are;
1. Learn to haggle:
Just like most other countries, Indians also have a tendency to charge more from foreigners. This is why, it is important for you to learn how to haggle. Otherwise, you will be left to pay more than the residents, sometimes even twice or thrice the original price. However, there are some places like the historic or adventure places where the prices are set by the government. There you will be left to pay the original amount.
2. Have a plan:
Having a proper plan is a must for visiting any country. This helps you in exploring in all the places and avoid making possible mistakes. So, make sure you create a proper travel plan while you wait during the tourist visa india processing time. This plan should include all the places and cities that you want to visit and the things that you should try.
3. Beware of scammers:
Scamming tourists is a common issue in most countries. And when we say scam, we do not mean just getting charged more than others. Rather, there is also a high possibility of someone stealing your belongings or causing serious harm. This is why, you should stay away from trusting everyone. And in case you find yourself in any issue then you must contact the Police on 100 or 112.
4. Try the local food:
You might have Indian cuisine at your local restaurant, but trust us India is way more than just Butter Chicken and Chole Bhatura. From chai to kheer and from gol gappa to authentic dishes from each state, there is a lot that you can try. Make sure you do not shy away from exploring the magic of Indian spices. However, you should consider your spice tolerance and drink a lot of water (packaged mineral drinking water) during your stay to keep your digestive system functional.
5. Learn some Hindi:
India has over 121 spoken languages and 22 out of them are major. However, Hindi is widely spoken in most parts of India. This is why, you should learn some Hindi while you wait during the eVisa processing time for India. Some of the basic Hindi words that will make your stay in India easy are;
- “Namaste” is Hello, commonly used for greeting.
- “Dhanyavaad” is Thank you.
- “Nahi” is No.
- “Haan” is Yes.
- “Accha” or “Thik hain” is Okay.
Moreover, you can also use Google Translate to learn other words and understand some signs and directions.
Ready to Take Your First Trip to India?
Exploring India has been a refreshing experience for most people. However, it can only be successful when you know the basic things about this journey. From applying for the visa to waiting during the eVisa processing time for India, everything should be done with proper knowledge and patience.
So, make sure you remember all the things that we talked about. In case you find yourself in the middle of an issue with your visa then you should contact the HelpDesk. On the other hand, contact the emergency helpline on 112 for anything during your stay.
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