Hi everyone – question
on business visa for India. In the past,
I have used the VFS Global process to obtain a Business Visa. However, looking at the Australia Smart
Traveler website this morning, this has pointed me to a website for a e Visa (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html ) .
Has anyone used this? It
looks more appealing then going through VFS for a single visit visa.
I used it in September (eBusiness visa), works fine, as long as you can get past the usual annoying form you have to fill in and attach the right size picture, etc! Just note when you arrive in India to go to the special line for eVisa. Unlike having a normal visa you have to go into a special line for an eVisa upon arrival (at least in Mumbai). We didn't do this and wasted a good 40 mins or so in extra waiting time...
Be careful with the E-Visa - make sure you use the official site and double check, there are lots of fake sites - a colleague used a dodgy site (but they look identical) and was denied entry and technically deported - also E-Visa is only good for 2 entries within 60 days - after that you need to get a full business Visa
I go to India every month, Business Visa is the best to get through the queues asap......
Sometimes the “special” line may say “Visa on arrival”, this is where you want to line up compared to the rest of the Indians. I think the online visa is far more quicker, make sure you have the photos with the right size for upload, then it is pretty straight forward. Much better than the old days where you had to wait for 14 days.
I’ve just used it, it’s nice and easy, but you have to get into the separate “Evisa” queue, which (in Delhi at least) means you don’t get to use the business class fast lane. But the the e-visa queue is usually shorter than the main queue anyway.
Just note that the e-visa is only an option if you are flying in to major Indian ports. I often fly into Coimbatore (smaller city) and there is no option for this visa type there.
Personally I like having the hard copy visa in my passport. I'm sure the e-visa works fine but I'd rather not run the risk of having to run up against Indian bureaucracy if something did go wrong. Also from memory the e-visa queue was pretty substantial the last couple of times I arrived in BOM.
Used e-visa 3 weeks ago entering Mumbai, no issue at all. There is a separate line at the far enfd of the immigration hall for e-visas but processed with no issue.
Works well - but be aware - when I completed my online application it asked my expected arrival date in India - which I provided. But when the visa was issued the date I had given for arrival was on the visa as the "Last permitted date of entry"!!! This was going to be a problem as my flight was scheduled to arrive at 23:50.
All approaches (phone and email) failed to have the arrival date changed and I was required to apply (and pay) again with a later "arrival" date nominated.
Just note that the e-visa is only an option if you are flying in to major Indian ports. I often fly into Coimbatore (smaller city) and there is no option for this visa type there.
I have a business e-visa to Coimbatore i a week's time. Hope this works.
Neil R
Neil R
Member since 28 Feb 2014
Total posts 55
Hi everyone – question on business visa for India. In the past, I have used the VFS Global process to obtain a Business Visa. However, looking at the Australia Smart Traveler website this morning, this has pointed me to a website for a e Visa (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html ) . Has anyone used this? It looks more appealing then going through VFS for a single visit visa.
Cheers
jaseeee
jaseeee
Member since 01 Nov 2017
Total posts 13
I used it in September (eBusiness visa), works fine, as long as you can get past the usual annoying form you have to fill in and attach the right size picture, etc! Just note when you arrive in India to go to the special line for eVisa. Unlike having a normal visa you have to go into a special line for an eVisa upon arrival (at least in Mumbai). We didn't do this and wasted a good 40 mins or so in extra waiting time...
daniesut
daniesut
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 Sep 2016
Total posts 43
mspcooper
mspcooper
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 May 2013
Total posts 456
Sometimes the “special” line may say “Visa on arrival”, this is where you want to line up compared to the rest of the Indians. I think the online visa is far more quicker, make sure you have the photos with the right size for upload, then it is pretty straight forward. Much better than the old days where you had to wait for 14 days.
Dredgy
Dredgy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Apr 2017
Total posts 182
I’ve just used it, it’s nice and easy, but you have to get into the separate “Evisa” queue, which (in Delhi at least) means you don’t get to use the business class fast lane. But the the e-visa queue is usually shorter than the main queue anyway.
spacecadet
spacecadet
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 25 Jul 2013
Total posts 35
Just note that the e-visa is only an option if you are flying in to major Indian ports. I often fly into Coimbatore (smaller city) and there is no option for this visa type there.
rob01
rob01
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 10 Nov 2011
Total posts 110
Personally I like having the hard copy visa in my passport. I'm sure the e-visa works fine but I'd rather not run the risk of having to run up against Indian bureaucracy if something did go wrong. Also from memory the e-visa queue was pretty substantial the last couple of times I arrived in BOM.
Neil R
Neil R
Member since 28 Feb 2014
Total posts 55
Thanks Everyone for your input - greatly appricated
crwilkins
crwilkins
Qantas
Member since 02 May 2016
Total posts 29
Used e-visa 3 weeks ago entering Mumbai, no issue at all. There is a separate line at the far enfd of the immigration hall for e-visas but processed with no issue.
Pjmonline
Pjmonline
Member since 01 Apr 2013
Total posts 2
Works well - but be aware - when I completed my online application it asked my expected arrival date in India - which I provided. But when the visa was issued the date I had given for arrival was on the visa as the "Last permitted date of entry"!!! This was going to be a problem as my flight was scheduled to arrive at 23:50.
MikeAir
MikeAir
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 14 Jul 2017
Total posts 5
If you have a Kiwi passport (or US) you can get a 10 year multi entry visa. Just need a letter 'inviting' you from company in India.
R Lim
R Lim
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 03 Nov 2017
Total posts 2
I have a business e-visa to Coimbatore i a week's time. Hope this works.