To travel in India, you’ll need to apply for an Indian visa before you leave your home country (or country of residence). This can be a time-consuming process, especially if you aren’t sure what you are doing. If you are planning on traveling to India as an Ireland citizen or as a Hong Kong citizen, here’s what you need to know about getting your visa before leaving home. This guide will walk you through everything from how to book your flight to how to apply for your Indian visa from the U.S., Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Who needs an Indian visa?
There are two groups of people who need Indian visas: those who live in a country that has diplomatic relations with India, and those who don’t. If you live in one of these countries, you can apply online or get your visa from a consulate or embassy. If you’re from another country, or if you just happen to be traveling through another country when your Indian visa expires, applying for a new visa can get confusing.
How long does it take to get my visa?
While each applicant’s case is different, you can usually get a long-term visa (LTV) within two weeks. Short-term visas are usually processed within a week or two. If you have any urgent deadlines, just tell your visa agent; in that case, they’ll try their best to expedite your application. You’ll be able to track your application online so you can keep tabs on where it stands at all times. When it comes time to pay fees (see below), expect everything—including government processing fees and courier charges—to cost somewhere between INR 8,000–20,000 ($127–307). Additionally, there might be additional charges from banks if you need money wired during the application process. Indian Visa for Hong Kong Citizens
Which documents do I need?
Apart from your passport, you will need proof of your address in India, two passport-sized photographs, a photocopy of each page of your passport (including blank pages), copies of any previous visas, and bank statements. Your Indian visa application form is available on our website here. You will need to print it out and sign it before sending it by post or courier. The Indian Embassy recommends applying four weeks before you travel – but don’t be fooled into thinking that processing takes that long. With normal service (which is what they always offer) applications can take anywhere between a week and 10 days – so there’s no harm in giving yourself some extra time just in case you need it. Indian Visa for Ireland Citizens
When should I apply?
Visas can take anywhere from a week to several months. For Indian visas, it’s best to apply three months in advance of your intended date of travel. But keep in mind that timing isn’t everything; if you don’t supply all the required information, you may not receive your visa on time or at all. So make sure you have everything ready before making a submission.
What if my visa is rejected?
Your first application may be rejected, but that’s nothing to be afraid of. If you apply for a tourist visa at your nearest Indian embassy, you can expect to wait up to eight weeks or more before hearing back. If your application is rejected, don’t worry; there are other types of visas available – such as student visas or business visas – which might suit your plans better. Once you have made your decision on which type of visa best suits your needs, do some research online on how best to prepare documents that will stand up in front of immigration officers on arrival in India. When all else fails, take a course with us – we’ll help you get past those tricky immigration desk officials!
What happens at the airport?
When you arrive at the airport, there are three or four counters that you need to go through: immigration, customs, your bags will be checked again, and then finally you’ll be taken by car or boat (if you’re getting off on a smaller island) to your resort. If everything goes smoothly, it can take between six and eight hours to get from point A (arriving at Heathrow) to point B (getting into your room). If your bag has been sent in advance of your arrival date, then it should already be waiting for you when you land in India. There’s no time zone difference when arriving so it won’t feel like late at night.
My trip was delayed, can I extend my visa?
Depending on how much of a hurry you’re in, you might be able to extend your visa. Indians can extend their visas in India for a further 30 days at ₹4,000 (approximately USD$50) if there are special circumstances. But keep in mind that it can take several weeks before your application is approved—and remember that extensions don’t change or replace your original visa stamp; they just give you more time. If you’re planning another trip to India before your current visa expires, apply for a new visa rather than asking for an extension.
Can my spouse come with me on the same visa?
Yes, your spouse can accompany you on a spouse visa. There is no upper age limit on applying for a spouse visa, but you must have proof of your relationship (including a marriage certificate, and photos together) with your partner. Additionally, if you are both under 18 years old, you need parental consent to apply for a spouse visa. If only one of you is between 18-25 years old and not married, you will still need parental consent as well as be able to prove that marriage with your partner is likely. Your family members also qualify as dependents and must also provide evidence of their relationship with yourself or your partner: parents, siblings under 25 years old, and children over 21 months old who are financially dependent on you all qualify for dependents visas.
What happens if my passport expires during my trip?
You’ll need to renew your passport, of course. And you’ll have a limited time in which to do so. The U.S. Department of State notes that countries may refuse entry if your passport is set to expire within six months or less after your trip begins—and they usually require that you apply for a visa in plenty of time so as not to run into trouble at customs when you enter their country, particularly if you are on a tourist visa with limited validity (as opposed to a longer-term business or study visa). So, if possible, start planning well before your trip begins so that you have time to complete all procedures; also bear in mind that appointments at embassies can take some time, especially during peak periods such as holidays.
