As I’ve written about in the past, one of the biggest barriers to travel for me are visa requirements. I simply don’t like filling out a dozen pages of information and parting ways with my passport for extended periods of time. No, it’s not a hurdle that can’t be overcome, and I’ve gotten many visas before for destinations I really want to visit. But I hate the process.
In February I wrote about how India was planning on loosening up visa requirements as well. Within five to six months they planned on introducing electronic travel authorizations and visas on arrival for nationals of many countries.
While the process of getting an India visa was a pain, at least it was valid for multiple entries over 10 years, which made the process slightly less frustrating.
While India isn’t yet allowing visas on arrival, they are now allowing electronic visa applications.
The applications must be made online at least four days prior to arrival, and the authorization isn’t instant (it takes a few days to process). You also have to include a photograph and a scan of your passport’s photo page, along with paying a $60 fee. So it’s not quite as straightforward as an Australia electronic travel authorization, for example.
Here are the basic details:
The TVoA enabled with ETA Scheme will facilitate nationals of 43 countries to travel to India for tourism for a short stay of 30 days. The countries are 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, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam and Vanuatu.
This facility is available to Foreigners whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, short duration medical treatment, casual business visit, casual visit to meet friends or relatives etc. and not valid for any other purpose/activities. This will allow entry into India within 30 days from the date of approval of ETA and will be valid for 30 days stay in India from the date of arrival in India. The TVoA enabled with ETA cannot be availed more than twice in a calendar year. The facility will be available at nine International airports in the country namely Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Goa.
This is great news for those looking to visit India!
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