An e-Visa for India is an electronic visa that allows foreigners to visit India for certain purposes.
There are three sub-categories of e-Visa:
(a) e-Tourist Visa: For recreation, sightseeing, casual visits to meet friends or relatives, and attending short-term yoga programs.
(b) e-Business Visa: For all activities allowed under a regular Business Visa.
(c) e-Medical Visa: For medical treatment, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine.
BUSINESS E-VISA FOR INDIA:
WHAT IS IT GRANTED FOR?
1. A business visa is granted for:
- Establishing industrial and business ventures in India.
- Purchasing or selling industrial or commercial products.
- Technical meetings, board meetings, or general meetings for business services support.
- Recruitment of manpower.
- Partners or directors of the company.
- Consultations, participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, or business-related events.
- Foreign buyers transact business with suppliers in India.
- Experts or specialists monitor ongoing projects or provide technical guidance.
- Pre-sales or post-sales activities without executing contracts.
- Trainees of multinational companies for in-house training in India.
- Tour conductors, travel agents, or those conducting business tours.
- Academicians or experts under GIAN.
- Crew members of scheduled, non-scheduled, and special flights.
- Participation in cultural events or activities with remuneration.
- Engagement in commercial sports events in India with remuneration (B-Sports Visa).
WHAT IS THE ELIGIBILITY?
- Passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making the e-Visa application, with two blank pages for Immigration Officer Stamps.
- The foreigner must possess a return ticket or onward journey ticket, along with sufficient funds for the duration of their stay in India.
- E-Visa is not available for individuals of Pakistani origin or holding a Pakistani Passport. Also not available for those whose parents or grandparents were born in, or permanently resident in Pakistan. They should apply for a regular Visa at an Indian Mission.
- Not applicable to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer/international travel document holders.
- Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent’s/Spouse’s Passport; each person must have a separate passport.
WHAT ARE THE POINTS TO NOTE?
- e-Visa fee is non-refundable, regardless of application outcome (Grant or Rejection of ETA).
- Carry a copy of the granted Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) during travel. Verify ‘GRANTED’ status on the website before the journey.
- Mandatory biometric capture at Immigration on arrival in India.
- e-Visa is non-extendable, non-convertible, and not valid for Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas. Seek prior permission for such areas through Civil Authority.
ENTRY POINTS:
Persons holding an e-Visa are permitted to enter India through designated international airports, which include:
Additionally, the e-visa facility is extended to entry at five major Indian seaports for cruise tourists:
1. Mumbai
2. Cochin
3. Mormugao
4. Chennai
5. New Mangalore
IMPORTANT INFO ON VALIDITY:
- e-Business Visa validity: 365 days from ETA grant date.
- Multiple entries allowed, with a continuous stay per visit not exceeding 180 days.
- No registration required for stays less than 180 days.
- If the intention is to stay over 180 days, registration with FRRO/FRO is mandatory.
HOW DO I APPLY?
- Visit the official website for e-Visa applications and fill out the required form online.
- Attach a recent passport-size photo and a clear image of the passport information page.
- Use a credit or debit card or payment wallet to make the online payment for the e-Visa processing fee.
- Once the application is processed, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will be sent to the email address provided during the application. Check your email for the ETA confirmation.
- Print a copy of the ETA confirmation and bring it with you.
- Present the ETA at the immigration checkpoint upon arrival in India.
- The e-Visa will be stamped on your passport at the immigration checkpoint.
WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED?
For e-Business Visa:
- Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details
- Copy of self-Business Card
- Any letter of invitation if applicable from Indian parties which wish you conduct the business. This is a mandatory requirement.
For e-Business Visa visiting “To deliver lecture/s under Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN)”:
- Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details
- Invitation of the host institute to the foreign faculty
- Copy of the sanction order under GIAN issued by the National Coordinating Institute viz. IIT Kharagpur
- Copy of the synopsis of the courses to be taken up by the faculty.
WHAT IS THE FEES?
The fees for most countries typically range between $80 and $100 only.
You may Refer: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/images/eTV_revised_fee_final.pdf
United Kingdom:
Up to 1 year/Single or Multiple Entry: £79
United States:
Up to a year/Single or Multiple entries: $100.00
In conclusion, the application process doesn’t have to be a puzzle. With our interactive guide, we’ve tried to simplify steps to ensure a seamless process for you. You can follow it for a complete Do-It-Yourself experience.
But if you want to have a hassle-free experience of application, Choose Documitra! We will take care of your application needs and our expert team will guide you through it, ensuring a higher chance of success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. What is an e-Visa for India?
Answer: An e-Visa for India is an electronic visa system that allows foreigners to visit the country for specific purposes such as tourism, business, or medical treatment.
2. What are the eligibility criteria for a Business Visa?
Answer: Business visas are granted for various business-related activities, including establishing ventures, purchasing or selling products, and attending meetings. Check the specific eligibility criteria outlined in the official guidelines.
3. How long is the validity of an e-Business Visa?
Answer: An e-Business Visa is valid for 365 days from the date of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) grant, allowing multiple entries with a continuous stay per visit not exceeding 180 days.
4. Can I extend or convert my e-Visa?
Answer: No, e-Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible but for some cases it can be converted to another visa.
5. What is the process for applying for an e-Visa?
Answer: The application process involves visiting the official e-Visa website, filling out the online form, uploading necessary documents, making an online payment, receiving the ETA confirmation via email, printing the ETA, and presenting it at the immigration checkpoint upon arrival in India.
6. Is the e-Visa fee refundable?
Answer: No, the e-Visa fee is non-refundable, irrespective of the application outcome (grant or rejection of ETA).
7. What documents are required for an e-Business Visa?
Answer: Required documents include the scanned bio page of the passport, a business card, and an optional letter of invitation from Indian parties involved in the business.
8. Are there any restrictions on visiting certain areas with an e-Visa?
Answer: Yes, e-Visas are not valid for travel to protected, restricted, or cantonment areas. Prior permission is required for such locations from the civil authority.
9. How do I check the status of my e-Visa application?
Answer: You can check the status of your e-Visa application online by visiting the official website and clicking on the “Visa Status” link.
10. How do I contact Documitra to start my Business visa application?
You can reach us at https://linktr.ee/documitra.
11. Are my documents secured with Documitra?
Yes, Documitra prioritizes the security of information and documents. We ensure that documents are deleted from our database within 45 days of application submission, ensuring the safety of our clients’ data.
12. Do you offer different payment options?
Yes, we offer various payment options, including PayPal, Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. For applicants from India, we accept Net Banking, UPI, Credit Cards, and Debit Cards.
