Obtaining an Indian Tourist Visa

Those who travel to India will discover a diverse land bursting at the seams with kinetic energy. From the crowded street markets of Mumbai to the snow-capped peaks of Manali, there is no shortage of astonishing sights and soul—stirring experiences to be had on this sub—continent. But every journey begins with a single step, and the first step any traveler must take on their way to an Indian adventure is to acquire a visa.

Most visitors to India will be traveling on a standard tourist visa. Other than residents of Finland, Luxembourg, Japan, Singapore and New Zealand, tourist visas are not offered on arrival to India. All visa applications must be processed through the consulate prior to arrival.

Here are the requirements necessary for obtaining a tourist visa to India:


A Valid Passport –

Travelers must possess a valid U.S. Passport valid for at least six months after the arrival date in order to be issued a tourist visa for India.

A Completed Application Form –

A completed application form must be processed by the Indian consulate before a tourist visa is issued. Applications can either be submitted in person at the consulate or by mail. Appointment times for personal submission at the consulate can be selected at the bottom of the online application form. Those applicants who submit the form in person can expect their visa to be processed within 24-48 hours. Travelers can be considered for same-day visa approval if they submit their completed application form between the hours of 9:00am and 11:00am. Those same-day applicants whose visas are granted can pick them up between 5:30pm and 6:00pm. The consulate makes no guarantees that same-day visas will be granted, even if the applicant submits the form at the required time.

Those who submit applications by mail can expect the processing time to take 7-9 business days from the date the application is received.

The online Indian tourist visa form can be found here -- http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/

Payment for Consular Fees –

Those applying for a tourist visa to India will be required to include a money order for the appropriate consular fee with their visa application. U.S. citizens can expect to pay a 63.00 consular fee for a standard six-month multiple-entry visa. However, visa fees may vary depending on the type of tourist visa issued as well as the nationality of the applicant.

A full list of visa fees can be found here -- https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/consular-fees?id=1


These are the three main requirements to obtaining a standard six-month tourist visa (of which all U.S. residents are allowed) to India. A two-month gap is required for those who wish to reenter India after their initial visit. Those who travel to neighboring countries while on the same itinerary as their India trip are exempt from this rule. Those who do travel outside of India’s neighboring countries and who wish to return to India within the two-month timeframe are required to apply for a reentry permit at the immigration office.


More information on traveling to India can be found by visiting the U.S. State Department’s India page here -- http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1139.html
Ken Ripoll is the owner of Allstarpassports.com. Allstarpassports can help you with tourist visas of any kind. They also specialize in Los Angeles passport renewals and expedited passport services.