by
Diya Ayu
This visa on arrival scheme has been replaced by an
online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, effective from November
27, 2014. The system is being implemented in phases and
has initially been made available to citizens of 43 countries, including the 12
countries previously eligible for a tourist visa on arrival.
Who
is Eligible for an ETA and Tourist Visa on Arrival?
In the first phase, passport holders of
the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia,
Cook Islands, Djibouti, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, Germany,
Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kingdom of Tongo, Laos, Luxembourg,
Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Oman,
Palestine, Papua & New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Kiribati, Republic
of Korea (i.e. South Korea), Republic of Marshall Islands, Republic of Nauru,
Republic of Palau, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tuvalu,
United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam and Vanuatu.
However, do note that if your
parents or grandparents were born in or lived in Pakistan, you will be
ineligible to get an ETA even if you're a citizen of the above
countries. You will have to apply for a normal tourist visa.
What
is the Procedure for Obtaining an ETA?
Applications must be made online
at this website,
no less than five days and no more than 30 days before the date of travel.
As
well as entering you travel details, you will need to upload a photograph of
yourself with a white background that meets the specifications listed on the
website, and the photo page of your passport that shows your personal details.
Your passport will need to be valid for at least six months.
Following this, pay the fee online with
your debit or credit card. You will receive an Application ID and the ETA will
be sent to you via email within three to five days. The status of your
application can be checked here.
The ETA will remain valid for 30 days from the date of approval.
You will need to carry a copy of the ETA
with you when traveling to India and present it at the immigration counter at
the airport. An immigration officer will stamp your
passport with your tourist visa on arrival for entry into India.
You should have a return ticket and enough money to spend during your
stay in India.
How
Much Does it Cost?
US
$60. The fee must be paid at least four days before your expected date of
travel. It is non-refundable.
How
Long is the Visa Valid For?
It's
a single entry visa that's valid for 30 days, from the time of entry. The visa
is non-extendable and non-convertible.
Which
Indian Airports Accept ETAs?
Your
ETA will be valid for entry at the following nine airports: Bangalore,
Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Trivandrum.
How
Often Can You Get an ETA and Visa on Arrival?
Twice
in a calendar year.
Need
Help with Your Application?
Instructions
for Tourist Visa on Arrival (Enabled by ETA)
1. Applicants of the eligible countries may
apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of
30 days. Example : If you are applying on 1st Sept then applicant can select
arrival date from 5th Sept to 4th Oct.
2. Recent front facing photograph with
white background and photo page of Passport containing personal details like
name,date of birth, nationality , expiry date etc. to be uploaded by the
applicant. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded document
and photograph are not clear and as per specification.
3. Tourist visa on arrival (TVoA) fee is
US$ 60/- per passenger excluding interchange charge for credit/debit cards.The
fee must be paid 4 days before the expected date of travel filled by you
otherwise application will not be processed.
4. TVoA fee once submitted is non
refundable.
5. Applicant should carry a copy of ETA
along with him/her at the time of travel.
6. Biometric details of the applicant will
be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India.
7. The validity of visa will be 30 days
from the date of arrival in India.
8. Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is
valid for entry through 9 designated Airports i.e.
Bengaluru,Chennai,Cochin,Delhi ,Goa, Hyderabad,Kolkata,Mumbai & Trivandrum
.
9. This facility is in addition to the
existing Visa services.
10. Tourist Visa On Arrival (TVoA) is
allowed for a maximum of two visits in a calendar year.
11. Tourist Visa On Arrival (TVoA) once
issued on arrival is Only single entry ,
non-extendable , non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and
Cantonment Areas.
12. Applicants can track the status of their
application online by clicking visa status.
13. Please be careful while making payment of
the TVoA fee. If the number of unsuccessful attempts is more than three (03),
then the application id would be blocked and the applicant would be required to
apply afresh by filling the application form again and regenerating a new
application id.
14. Nationals of Yellow Fever affected
countries must carry YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CARD at the time of arrival in
India, otherwise they may be quarantined for 6 days upon arrival in India.
Please visit our Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare latest guidelines
regarding yellow fever countries here.
15. For any assistance call 24 x 7 Visa
support center at +91-11-24300666 or send email to indiatvoa@gov.in
The
documents required for Tourist Visa On Arrival are :
1. Scanned
First Page of Passport.
i. Format
-PDF
Size
: Minimum 10 KB ,Maximum 300 KB
The digital photograph to
be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following
requirements:
1. Format
– JPEG
2. Size
i. Minimum
10 KB
ii. Maximum
1 MB
3. The
height and width of the Photo must be equal.
4. Photo
should present Full face, front view, eyes open.
5. Center
head within frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin.
6. Background
should be plain light colored or white background.
7. No
shadows on the face or on the background.
8. Without
borders.
Where To Apply
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/info1.jsp
Sources:
http://goindia.about.com/od/visas/qt/Indian-Tourist-Visa-On-Arrival.htm
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
