The landscape of traveling will never be the same again because of COVID-19. There are travel restrictions, bans, and the rules keep on changing faster than ever. India was one of the first countries to ban all commercial flights, and this still stays true.
That is because India has an incredibly high number of cases, and the deaths are not slowing down. If you plan on travel to India soon, it may not be the best time right now. Here is everything you need to know about Tourist Visa in India.
Can Tourists Visit India?
India is not allowing any tourists to enter the country right now. The virus cases are at an all-time high, and the delta variant is only making things worse in the country. There is a complete ban on commercial till at least 30th August 2010, but this will likely increase even further due to the delta variant.
If you plan on visiting India as a tourist right now, there is no chance that you can enter the country. It is best that you wait it out and see how the situation plays out before you decide to visit. India is issuing visas on a limited scale to diplomats, Indian citizens, and business travelers.
The Business eVisa
While you can’t visit India as a tourist, you can visit if you have important business in the country. The process of eVisa has made obtaining the visa incredibly straightforward. The validity of an Indian business eVisa is one year, and you can stay for 180 days with multiple entries.
Keep in mind that you have to fill a health declaration form before you visit the country. A negative RT-PCR test will need to be uploaded on the online health declaration form. If you have any symptoms when you arrive in India, the authorities will take you to a medical facility for isolation.
On the other hand, if you are fine and healthy, you can enter the country without any issues. You will also have to prove what business you are on with relevant documents. Cases are at an all-time high, and there are strict checks everywhere.
The Medical eVisa
Apart from business travelers, people seeking medical treatment can also travel to India on the Medical eVisa. It is valid for one year, and you can stay for sixty days with triple entry allowed. You will also have to fill the health declaration form and upload the negative RT-PCR test before entering the country.
You don’t have to visit the embassy for the visa as you can fill the forms and documents online. Once you do and have all your information in order, you can easily visit the country in no time. Keep in mind to print your eVisa and keep it with you while traveling.
It is best to print many copies in case you lose one while traveling. The backups will give you peace of mind as you enter India for medical purposes.
Evisa Process Steps
Thanks to technology, all you need to do is fill in all the details from your laptop to get the India eVisa. The process will not take more than five minutes. Here are the three steps you need to take when filling visa online application:
- Fill The Form
The first thing you need to do is fill the visa form at natvisa.com. Be sure to keep all documents with you before starting, and it will not take you more than a few minutes to fill in all details. For example, you should have your passport, employment details (for business eVisa), health details (for medical eVisa), itinerary, and other important things next to you.
Once you have all your documents, you can fill the form. Keep in mind to follow the appropriate guidelines when uploading a picture on the form. If your picture is not right and doesn’t meet all requirements, you will have to fill the form again.
Double-check the details, pay the fee, and you can submit the form. The fee of each eVisa is different, which is why you will get to know what it is once you start filling the form.
- Receive Approved Visa
After submission, your eVisa form will be forwarded to the relevant Indian authorities that will review your application. If all the details are correct and your application doesn’t have any issues, your visa will be approved in no time. Keep in mind that this will take two to three business days for the Indian officials to approve your visa.
Once the authorities approve, you will receive your visa via email. That is why you should always provide an email you are using, as that is how the authorities will contact you. If you don’t give the right email address, you will not receive your eVisa.
- Print It Out
Once you have your approved eVisa in the email, you must print it out and keep it with you. When you enter India, the authorities will ask you to show your eVisa. Keep in mind to make multiple copies in case you lose one on the way.
Backup copies will save you time, effort, and hassle if you lose your eVisa. Once you arrive in India and present the document, it will be checked by the authorities. If everything is in order, you will be allowed to enter without any issues.
That was your complete guide to understanding if India is open for tourists. Unfortunately, the pandemic is situation is not good, and no tourists can enter India right now. However, if you have some business in India or you need medical care, you can opt for the other eVisas.
Once you have followed all the guidelines, you can easily enter India without any issues. If you are a tourist, you need to wait and see what happens to the situation soon. Keeping a check will allow you to know when India opens its borders for tourists again.