Entry formalities
Passports:
A passport valid for at least 180 days and with at least two blank pages is required by all Australian, British, USA, Canadian and other EU nationals.
Visas:
Visas for India are required by all nationals referred to above.
Nationals not referred to are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for India.
Visa note:
A Tourist Visa on Arrival scheme currently exists for the following countries: Cambodia, Finland, Indonesia, Japan , Laos, Luxembourg, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam. The visa is valid for up to 30 days and for tourism only. It costs US$60. From late 2014, this scheme is being extended to nationals of 180 countries, whereby tourists will be able to apply for the visa online and pick it up on arrival at an airport within three days; check with the consulate before you travel, as the exact date of this change has not been confirmed yet.
Certain parts of the country have been designated protected or restricted areas that require special permits and in some cases prior government authorisation. You should indicate your intent to visit a specific restricted region when applying for a visa and a permit will be granted to visit that region only. It is advised that you apply for the special permit for restricted areas when you enter India by visiting the FRRO (Foreign Regional Registration Office) which has offices in all major Indian airports and cities. You must complete an additional form, but there is no fee for a restricted area permit.
Passengers are advised to check with the consulate for up-to-date information before departure. You must fill in application forms completely, and with as much detail as possible, otherwise the application may be rejected and a new application only allowed after three months have passed.
Types and cost:
For UK nationals: tourist visa: £82 (up to six months), £277 (up to two years).
For other nationals listed above: tourist visa: £32 (up to six months), £52 (up to one year).
All visa applications are subject to a non-refundable £10.20 VFS service charge.
Validity:
Visas are valid from the date of issue not your date of departure.
Time required
All visa applications in the UK now have to be filed online at http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk. After the mandatory electronic filing of visa applications, applicants are asked to submit printed copies of their applications, photos, passports and fees to respective Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs). Processing times vary at the sole discretion of the High Commission of India and its consulates in the UK, and some applications may take longer than others to get processed. You should confirm your travel plans only after obtaining the visa.
Postal applications take a minimum of 10 working days (not including transit). In addition, if the High Commission or the Consulate General requires an applicant to attend an interview, the India Visa Application Centre will contact the applicant and inform them of the date and time of the interview accordingly.
Addresses of consulates
- Ambassade de l'Inde
15, rue Alfred-Dehodencq
75016 PARIS
Tél. : 01 40 50 70 70
Fax : 01 40 50 09 96 - British High Commission in India
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
110021 New Delhi
Tél. : +91(11)24192492
Fax :
web.newdehli@fco.gov.uk - Ambassade de France en Inde
2/50-E Shantipath Chanakyapuri
110021 NEW DELHI
Tél. : +91 (11) 2419 6100
Fax : +91 (11) 2419 6169 - Ambassade d'Inde
217 Chaussee De Vleurgat
1050 Bruxelles
Tél. : +32 (0)2 6409140
Fax : +32 (0)2 6489638
consular@indembassy.be - Ambassade de l'Inde
ChancellerieCase postale 406
Kirchenfeldstrasse 28
3000 Berne 6
Tél. : 031/351 11 10
Fax : 031/351 15 57
ndia@spectraweb.ch