Visa requirements for India

[Rono]

Folks,

I am going to India and have just checked out the visa requirements.
Seems there are three categories of visa applicable;

Business - visa fee $514
Conference - visa fee $ 252
Tourist - visa fee $166

My simple question which should be obvious from the fees listed above - how rigorously are the visas applications checked?
Would like to hear from anyone with experiences good, bad or otherwise with Indian visas.

regards

Paul​

 

[rtyuiop]

India seems to take their visa paperwork pretty seriously, and their security guys carry assault rifles - I would apply for whatever category you are actually in.

Earlier this year I had to write a letter (myself, on site, in pen) to go along with my visa application to explain why I was submitting a scanned copy of a letter from my employer instead of the original. I'm not sure why a letter from myself was enough to make a difference, given I was the one submitting the copy!

Danny

 

[Rono]

India seems to take their visa paperwork pretty seriously, and their security guys carry assault rifles - I would apply for whatever category you are actually in.

Earlier this year I had to write a letter (myself, on site, in pen) to go along with my visa application to explain why I was submitting a scanned copy of a letter from my employer instead of the original. I'm not sure why a letter from myself was enough to make a difference, given I was the one submitting the copy!

Danny

Ok Danny, thanks for your feedback, appreciated.

regards

Paul R

 

[nlagalle]

What are you planning on doing there? If it is business, then a business visa might be safer.

I have had 2 tourist visas in the last 12 months. No questions though on what I was doing. Although the last trip was comm games related.

 

[Zippy7]

I think there is a restriction on how soon you can re-enter India once you leave. That might just be for the tourist visa though. I got a business visa earlier this year - there was quite a bit of paperwork to be done (supporting documentation). Don't go for that one unless you need it.

 

[nlagalle]

I think there is a restriction on how soon you can re-enter India once you leave. That might just be for the tourist visa though. I got a business visa earlier this year - there was quite a bit of paperwork to be done (supporting documentation). Don't go for that one unless you need it.

2 months if it is a tourist Visa..

 

[Rono]

What are you planning on doing there? If it is business, then a business visa might be safer.

I have had 2 tourist visas in the last 12 months. No questions though on what I was doing. Although the last trip was comm games related.

You raise a good question...
My client is from the UK and I am meeting them in India, all up for 7 days.
My son will have finished uni and I am thinking of taking him with me.

So is my trip business?
Is my son a tourist?

regards

Paul R

 

[nlagalle]

You raise a good question...
My client is from the UK and I am meeting them in India, all up for 7 days.
My son will have finished uni and I am thinking of taking him with me.

So is my trip business?
Is my son a tourist?

regards

Paul R

Unless you are dealing business directly with someone from India, I'd be going down the tourist route. I did it on my first trip as even though i went for work, i wasn't conducting business there, if that makes sense.

 

[Rono]

Unless you are dealing business directly with someone from India, I'd be going down the tourist route. I did it on my first trip as even though i went for work, i wasn't conducting business there, if that makes sense.

Ok thanks for your thoughts, appreciated.

regards

Paul R

 

[Travel Guru]

Based on what you've said, i'd go for the tourist option, which is what i'd recommend if a client gave me the same information.

Bear in mind the turnaround on the Visa is up to 3 weeks currently so don't leave it too late.

TG

 

[Rono]

Based on what you've said, i'd go for the tourist option, which is what i'd recommend if a client gave me the same information.

Bear in mind the turnaround on the Visa is up to 3 weeks currently so don't leave it too late.

TG

TG - thanks for your feedback.
Note yr comments re the turnaround time - I think that there is a visa service company that does 7 day turnarounds as well. Obviously this comes at an additionla cost.

regards

Paul R

 

[Travel Guru]

TG - thanks for your feedback.
Note yr comments re the turnaround time - I think that there is a visa service company that does 7 day turnarounds as well. Obviously this comes at an additionla cost.

regards

Paul R

Yes, Travcour are able to organise an urgent Visa for India; I believe it's around $88 extra.

TG

 

[simongr]

Certainly worth $88. Just cancelled a trip for one of my team at a cost of $300+ Also waiting on a visa to clear for another of the team - they depart on Saturday and there has been no movement on the Visa since it was submitted 3 weeks ago...

 

[browski]

Applying for any type of India visa is a painful process.

So, if there is any chance that you are visiting India more than once, then choose the Business Visa option. Two extra trips to the India Visa office is not worth anywhere near the cost saving.

For an Aussie, the Tourist Visa allows 6 month's validity and you cannot re-enter India until 60 days after first visit.
The Business visa is valid for 1 year, it is multi-entry and it has no restriction on the re-entry.

I have 10 old Tourist visas that I used to use for Business trips, nobody cares; however the re-entry rule is enforced. So now I choose the BV.