Understanding The Indian Visa Application Process
Every visitor to India must have a visa in order to travel to the region. The only exceptions are citizens from Bhutan and Nepal. You must obtain your visa before entering India. There is no way to obtain one after you have entered India, and the government does not allow for any exceptions. The type of visa you will need to be able to visit India will be dependent on the country you are entering from and the reason you are visiting the area.
Outsourcing India’s Visa Processing
One of the most important changes that have been made to the Indian visa process is how the applications are handled. The Indian High Commission has started outsourcing the processing of visa applications to private companies. The Commission has stated that the reason for the outsourcing is to help make the application process more streamlined for both the applicant and the government. The goal is to make the process more efficient and to allow applicants to pay online via their credit card.
The Outsourcing Agencies
The Kuoni Travel Group (VFS Global), a Zurich based company, has the authority to process Indian visa applications for the following Indian Embassy’s:
- China
- France
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Australia
- Sri Lanka
- The United Kingdom
Travisa Outsourcing is a company that has been granted approval to process Indian visa applications in the United States.
However, it is important to know that these agencies are only involved in the documentation process and the selection process. The actual issuing of visas is at The Indian High Commission’s discretion. And for e-Tourist visas, we recommend you use the services of an online agency for convenient processing.
How The Application Process Works
If you are in one of the countries where these services have been implemented, you will no longer be able to apply for a visa directly through The Indian High Commission. The only exceptions to this rule are those who are applying for official passports or diplomatic passports.
How To Apply
The easiest and most convenient way to apply for an Indian visa is to complete the application online. You will also have the opportunity to pay for the visa application at the same time. Applicants can also choose to print the application and submit it with other required paperwork through the postal service. Be aware that it can take over two weeks for mailed in applications to be processed.
It is a good idea to become familiar with the visa application process if you plan to visit India. This way, your application will be processed more efficiently and you can start planning your travels.