You may have heard of the Visa On Arrival program (VOA) introduced by the Government of India in 2012, which allows citizens of selected countries to travel to India without the need for an Indian visa if they plan to stay in the country for less than 30 days. The countries currently covered by this program are Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, and Vietnam. Norway was also included in this list at the time of writing this article.
What are the requirements?
Citizens of both countries need a visa to visit India. Visas are granted by Indian missions in their respective countries or by online e-visas that can be obtained online. Norway does not have its own Indian mission, so Norwegians must apply for visas through one of Sweden’s Indian missions or one of Finland’s Indian missions. NZ citizens do not need a visa if they are traveling on a US passport; a US tourist visa is valid in India until December 31st.
What documents do I need?
To apply for a business visa, you need to have a letter of invitation from your Indian business partner or employer. This can be obtained from their office in India. You will also need all documents pertaining to your identity and your residential status in Norway or New Zealand. If you are married, then you must also present proof of marriage (certificate issued by a Registrar) along with divorce decrees, death certificates of any deceased spouse, etc., as applicable. Indian Visa for Norwegian Citizens
Do I need an appointment?
While many embassies have specific days of the week that people can visit, it is not always necessary to make an appointment in advance. Some Embassies do require appointments, but you will almost never be turned away if you arrive without one. You may need to wait a few hours before your visa interview, but if your paperwork is in order, chances are good you’ll be allowed inside. If anything seems suspicious or incorrect on your documents, it’s possible that you could be denied entry; however, most countries don’t base their decisions on appearances alone. The ability to explain why certain mistakes have been made or certain documents have not been provided can make all of the difference between being let in or turned away at a checkpoint abroad.
Can I apply in person at the Embassy or Consulate General?
If you are in a hurry, it is better to apply in person at one of our visa application centers. If you would like more information or need help with your application, we recommend that you visit your nearest Indian embassy or consulate general. Please note that most embassies require an appointment before you can meet with a consular officer. To schedule an appointment click here. If your nearest embassy/consulate general is not accepting visa applications at any given time, please check out our list of Temporary Visa Application Centres (TVACs) which do accept applications on behalf of Indian missions abroad. TVACs are usually located within hotels/tourist establishments or major business hubs depending on where they are located. Indian Visa for New Zealand Citizens
Where do I need to apply?
You’ll need to apply at your nearest Indian embassy. You can check a full list of embassies here. Most countries will require you to apply in person so it may be worth double-checking that with your country’s consulate before traveling. Once you have located your local Indian embassy, you’ll need to make an appointment by calling them on their hotline (details on their website). We also recommend contacting them via email at least a week before your planned date of travel just in case there are any problems arranging your appointment time.
What should I expect at the Embassy / Consulate General?
An Indian visa is required by all nationals referred to in List A, and also by all other nationals who are subject to bilateral agreements between India and their countries. Applications should be submitted at least four weeks before travel is due to commence. The main steps involved in applying for a visa are Passport validity: Applicable only if you have already obtained your passport. If your passport has less than six months remaining validity, you need a new one before applying for a visa. Applicant’s photo: An applicant’s photograph must be uploaded during the online application process, or it must be submitted on CD/DVD along with a printout of the online application form.
Can someone else submit my application if I am unable to attend personally?
The Embassy will require you to physically attend in person on your scheduled appointment date. However, if you are unable or unable to personally appear for biometrics, a proxy can attend on your behalf as long as he/she has your permission. Proxy applications must be accompanied by a letter from you authorizing them, listing their personal information (name and relationship) as well as their passport number. The application needs to be submitted in person at least two working days prior to your visa interview date at VFS Global support center.
