Planning a trip to India means that you’ll need to obtain the proper travel documentation. When traveling internationally, you probably know that you have to get a passport, but some countries also require you to apply for a visa, too. India is a country that in which most travelers will need to get a visa or e-Visa beforehand, which is why it’s important to apply for one before your trip. Ready to learn more? Here’s everything we think you should know about applying for a visa for India, including the types of visas available, how to get a visa, and more.
Types of Visas for India
There are numerous visa options for India, so depending on your circumstances and how long you need to stay in India, you can make the choice that’s best for you. You will also want to take into consideration if an e-Visa or traditional visa is the better option. E-visas are usually more cost effective and the application process typically takes less time, so in most cases, if you can get an electronic visa rather than a traditional visa, this is usually the better option. You can also get an ETA visa for India, but it’s recommended that you try to obtain a visa ahead of time to avoid running into any problems.
How to Get a Traditional Visa for India
If you prefer or need a traditional work or tourist visa for India, the process for obtaining one is a bit different than the ETA visa or electronic visa. A major difference is that although you can still head online to fill out the paperwork, you must also mail in your documents for processing.
Swift makes it easy to obtain an Indian visa with step-by-step instructions. Head to the India visa service page, where you’ll see the documents you’ll need to mail in for processing. Some of the documents that you may need to send in include:
- Valid Passport
- India Visa Application
- Copy of valid ID
- Passport photo
- Swift letter of authorization to allow Swift to submit materials on your behalf
Business visas for India additionally require:
- Letter of invitation from your host company in India
- Articles of Incorporation from your host company in India
- U.S. company letter of intent
- Additional particulars form
All the required forms are accessible online through the Swift website, allowing you to simply move down the checklist, gather your materials, and pay the fees. You’ll then mail your documents to Swift, and we’ll handle all subsequent details from there.
How to Get an E-Visa for India
Getting an e-Visa is a quick and simple process, and one of the best ways to get a visa for India. Swift has been helping customers procure India e-Visas for years, and we would love to assist you in getting an electronic visa for your upcoming trip. To begin the application process, visit our website. Here, you can fill out your e-Visa application, upload the required documentation, and complete the checkout process. Then, once your Indian eVisa has been processed, we will email it to you. Further, if you have any questions along the way, please feel free to contact our team of travel professionals. We’d be happy to help!
How to Get an ETA Visa for India
An ETA visa is also known as an on-arrival visa. Rather than obtaining a hard copy of the visa in advance, the ETA visa is processed electronically and requires you to go through a special line for ETA visa holders upon arrival to India.
At that point, you will have to show your return ticket to the U.S. or to another destination out of India, prove you have enough money to spend while in India, and submit biometric details to the immigration officer.
Multiple designated airports in India accept the on-arrival ETA visa option. Although your ETA visa will indicate that it does not guarantee entry into India, travelers rarely, if ever, encounter problems.
Obtaining an on-arrival ETA visa involves filling out an online application and paying the fees electronically. Once processed, you should receive an electronic confirmation that your on-arrival ETA visa is ready for you to travel.
Now that you know the answer to the question “Do you need a visa for India?” as well as how to go about getting one, you may be set to move forward with your travel planning. Contact us if you have any questions – we’re here to help!
