‘It’s Visa Online with ETA, not Visa-on-Arrival’
In the wake of the recent confusion relating to the Indian Government’s Visa- on- Arrival, subject to Electronic Travel Authorisation policy, the ministry clarified that it will now be called Visa Online ( with ETA).
Dr Lalit Panwar, Tourism Secretary clarified, “We have taken up the issue with the Home Ministry and now we will call it Visa Online. Then there will be no confusion because it means that you will get your visa online in your inbox.
So, it is Visa Online, with Electronic Travel Authorisation.”
VoA, as we understand it, is landing in a country and then getting your visa without having to apply for it in advance. However, what the Indian government has granted citizens of 43 countries is Tourist Visa-on-Arrival enabled by Electronic Authorisation, or Visa Online.
Applicants of the eligible countries may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 30 days.
Recent front facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport with personal details to be uploaded by the applicant. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded document and photograph are not clear as per specification.
The visa fee is US$ 60 per passenger excluding interchange charge for cred- it/debit cards. The fee must be paid 4 days before the expected date of travel filled by you otherwise application will not be processed.
The visa fee once submitted is nonrefundable. Applicant should carry a copy of ETA along with him/her at the time of travel.
Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at
Immigration on arrival in India.
The validity of visa will be 30 days from the date of arrival in India.
The visa is allowed for a maximum of two visits in a calendar year.
The visa once issued on arrival is only single entry, non-extendable, non-convertible and not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas.
Applicants can track the status of their application online by clicking visa status.
Please be careful while making payment of the visa fee. If the number of unsuccessful attempts is more than three, then the Application ID would be blocked and the applicant would be required to apply afresh.
Before re-applying, the applicants are requested to wait for 4 hours for payment status updating, after final submission of the application form and payment of the fee.