Introduction
Indian Visa On Arrival (VoA) is a facility introduced by India to facilitate the visa process for citizens of several countries. It has made it easier for many non-resident Indians or other travelers to visit the country. The visa-on-arrival service is available to citizens of certain countries who are visiting India for business, leisure or medical reasons.
The first step in applying for an Indian visa is to complete the online application form
The process of obtaining a visa on arrival is simple and straightforward. All applicants from select countries must fill out an online application form and submit documents such as passports and other identification documents. When the application is approved, a reference number will be generated. NRIs should show their reference number to the immigration officer at the time of entering India. The total processing time for visa on arrival is usually within 72 hours. For an uninterrupted stay in India, an applicant must have a valid passport and other supporting documents such as a return ticket, proof of a valid address, and proof of a prior visa.
The VoA was introduced to attract tourism, encourage business activities, and facilitate the entry of medical tourists to India. It allows travel to India without prior visa-issuance procedures and no longer requires citizens to apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate of India. Additionally, travel to India is made easier as applicants do not need to submit any bank statement as proof of financial stability. The government of India also implemented the ‘e-Visa’ facility which facilitates multiple-entry visas with longer validity and shortens the processing time.
The next step is to submit the required documents, including a passport-sized photograph, a copy of your passport, and a copy of your travel itinerary.
Due to its convenient process, the VoA has seen a tremendous increase in the number of visas issued over the years. In 2019, around 22,000 visas were issued for the VoA, with about 75% of these going to visitors from Japan, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. The Indian economy is benefitting from the revenues generated from visitor stays, and the VoA has helped lower India’s unemployment rates and stimulated economic growth.Â
In conclusion, the Visa Arrival facility is an excellent service provided by the Indian government to facilitate travel to India. The VA has made a great impact on the country’s economy and contributed to growth, creating jobs, and generating revenue. It continues to be a popular option for travelers looking to visit India.
Once your application has been approved, you will be issued a visa which will be valid for a specific period of time
The Indian Visa Application Process requires individuals from other countries to complete a few simple steps and requirements before they are allowed to enter the country. As an applicant, you should be aware of all the necessary information you will need to provide to complete your application.
When applying for an Indian visa, the first thing you must do is gather all the required documents, such as your passport, proof of travel, and a signed application form. Your passport must be valid at least 6 months after you enter India, with at least two or three blank pages. You will also need 2 recent passport-sized color photographs, which must adhere to the standardized dimensions. Moreover, you will need to submit a copy of proof of travel, such as a flight ticket or an itinerary. Once you have gathered these documents, you will need to fill out the Indian visa application form, with all the necessary information.
Conclusion
Once you receive the application confirmation, you will be able to move on to the next step of the process. This involves submitting your application and additional documents to an Indian Mission/Post or an Indian Visa Facilitation Centre (VFS). For those traveling from countries that do not have an Indian mission or VFS, you will need to attain an Authorization Letter supporting your Indian visa application. After submitting these documents, you must pay a fee to the VFS or the mission. Depending on whether you need a single entry or a multiple entry visa, the fees will vary.
