How to Apply for an Indian Tourist Visa - A Complete Guide

India cannot be avoided. Millions of tourists are drawn to this enormous subcontinent each year by its magnificent variety of festivals, customs, colours, and foods. Nothing will prepare you for the beautiful experience of Indian culture, but if you're planning a journey to India and are reading this guide, you likely already have a list of sites you want to visit. In this guide, we'll focus on one subject at a time. First, we'll review the prerequisites for entering India and all the information you need to apply for an India visa. 

Who requires an Indian visa?
Only some people outside India would require a visa to enter the nation. No visa is required for travellers from Bhutan or Nepal to enter India. Citizens of the Maldives may enter India without a passport and remain there for 90 days. However, they would require a valid visa if they were travelling from Mainland China.

You require a transit visa if your stay in India is less than 72 hours. If you have a confirmed flight out of India, you can apply for a Transit Visa. If your flight is not confirmed, you must apply for a tourist visa for India. 

What kind of Visa do you need to explore India?
There are many other types of visa applications, such as those for students, workers, interns, journalists, etc. Choose a tourist visa if you want to go on vacation. This tourist visa is valid for 60 days to 10 years. No matter how long your tourist visa is valid, you are not permitted to stay in India continuously for over 90 days. Even if you travel to two different parts of India on separate tourist visas, there should be a minimum of two months between each trip.

Process for applying for Indian Visa 
The majority of nations outsource the visa application procedure to private companies. The Indian government has taken back the licences of numerous international agencies and replaced them with Indian businesses. Therefore, ask for their licence number to ensure you work with a legible individual. An online form is the first step in applying for an Indian visa. You must submit a few documents with the processing fee and visa cost.

Documents needed for a tourist visa for India

-  A valid original passport 

-  one passport-size photo

-  Tour specifics

-  Copies of airline tickets (for some nations)

-  Evidence of living arrangements (such as documentation of one's own home, that of family members, or hotel reservations).

Send these records to organisations that handle visas. You must submit copies of additional documents in addition to your original passport. Your passport will be mailed to the address listed in your passport, together with the visa stamp.

How much time will it take to stamp the Visa?
How long does it take to acquire a passport stamped with a visa? Typically, the agencies would ask you to wait 15 working days ( excluding weekends and official holidays ) to get the Visa. The precise time varies, nevertheless, from nation to nation. The Indian Mission will typically process your Visa in at least three days. 

What is an Indian e-Visa?
E-visas are replacing traditional visas in several nations. Applying for an "Electronic Travel Authorization" through an online website is simple. You will get a confirmation email or a PDF with the necessary information. Duplicate it so you can get your Visa stamped at the Indian airport once you arrive. This stamping is authorised for three entries and is good for 60 days. You can still obtain an E-visa if you travel aboard a cruise liner to India. 

Eligibility for an Indian e-visa

-  Only given to foreigners travelling to India for leisure, medical care, short-term business trips, and family visits.

-  The passport must have two blank pages and a validity of at least six months.

-  You need copies of your return ticket consistent with the time period specified on the form.

-  Infants and children should have their e-visas.

E-visa documentation requirements
The first and last pages of the passport are scanned, along with a passport-size photo.

Documents needed before arriving in India

-  Printed e-visa copy 

-  Passport with a passport-size photo b)

-  Coverage for ongoing medical expenses during the stay.