Tourist visa for India???

Question

Do I need to get a visa before I enter the country, or is it visa upon arrival like Thailand???

I'm a Canadian citizen...

Answer 1

Yes you need one before entering India. All other useful information for Visa you can find here:

http://www.tsiindia.com/visa.html

Answer 2

Yes you need it...

Here is an article which will help

It is desirable to finalize travel plans only after securing visa.

Applications complete in all respects are accepted at the counter from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays at High Commission of India in Ottawa and from 9.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon at Consulate General of India, Toronto. In straightforward cases, applications received until 12.30 p.m. at the High Commission of India, Ottawa are processed and visas delivered by 4.30 p.m. the same day.



Applications received until 11.00 a.m. at Consulate General of India, Toronto, are processed and visas delivered by 4.00 p.m. the same day and the applications received between 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon visas are delivered the next working day between 3.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. This does not apply to non-Canadian passports where the processing time is more.

Applications may also be sent by courier/mail at the High Commission of India, Ottawa and Consulate General of India in Toronto. These can also be dropped at Consulate in Toronto. In straightforward cases, visas would be processed and dispatched between 3-5 working days from receipt.

Persons of Indian origin who are applying for visa for the first time must submit their previous Indian passport for cancellation. Applicant may be required to appear for an interview at his/her own expense. Acceptances of visa application along with fee does not necessarily mean grant of visa. In case of rejection of the visa request, no reason shall be given for the rejection and no discussion, whether on phone or in writing, shall be entertained. Such requests will receive no response.

Applicants are advised that they are at liberty to withdraw their passports if informed that processing of their applications is likely to take some time.

A receipt shall be issued for each application form received.

The High Commission/Consulate shall remain closed on certain Indian and other holidays. Please call for information on closed holidays. The list of holidays is also available at the web site.

Types of Visa, documents required and fee for Canadian passport holders: (Fee is subject to change without notice)

Transit Visa: For stay in India to catch next available flight for onward journey. Confirmed airlines ticket to exit India is required to be submitted with the application. Fee: C $ 16/- (Visa valid for 15 days only)

Tourist Visa (T): for sight-seeing/holiday (Non-extendable), multiple entry.

Change of purpose not allowed. Fee: Up to 6 months - C $ 62/-

Entry Visa (X): for other categories and visiting relatives in India, multiple

Entry, change of purpose not allowed. Fee: for six months visa - C $ 62/-, one year visa - $ 100/-

Student Visa (S): for bonafide students to pursue studies in recognized educational institutions in India. A letter from a recognized educational institution in India confirming admission of the applicant, duration of course and evidence of financial arrangements made for maintenance in India. The High Commission of India/Consulate General of India reserves the right of rejection of such visas depending on individual cases. No grounds of rejection shall be assigned. Fee: C $ 62/- for six months visa, $ 100/- for one year and $ 115/- for up to 5 years.

Business Visa (B): for business/trade/project/scheme/conference... etc. A letter from the sponsoring firm/organization indicating the nature of applicant's business, probable duration of stay, the places and firms in India he/she intends to visit incorporating therein guarantees to meet maintenance expenses of the applicant in India and his/her journey out of India. In case long-term visa is required, evidence of business in India may also be submitted. The High Commission of India/Consulate General of India reserves the right of rejection of such visas depending on individual cases. No grounds of rejection shall be assigned. Multiple entry, visa fee: C $ 62/- for six months and $ 100/- for one year.

Employment Visa (E): for employment in India. Proof of contract/employment/engagement of foreign nationals by the Company, etc. and proof of registration of the company under relevant provisions of the Government of India are required to be submitted with the application. The High Commission/Consulate General of India reserves the right of rejection of such visas depending on individual cases. No grounds of rejection shall be assigned. Fee: C $ 100/- up to one year.

Long Term Visa: for stay up to five years - This visa is granted to persons of Indian origin for the purpose of regular visits to India, holiday, permanent settlement, studies or to set up any business. It is also granted to travel agents of foreign travel agencies as well as foreign tourists visiting India frequently. Letter detailing reasons for long-term visa and financial guarantee may also be required to be submitted. Long-term visa holders are also required to comply with the regulations regarding Registration (at Foreigners Regional Registration Offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai and District Superintendent of Police at all other districts), Income Tax Clearance, AIDS Test, etc. Multiple Entry.

Fee: C $ 200/- up to five years.

NOTE:

(1) The grant of five-year visa shall be decided by the High Commission of India/Consulate General of India and no discussion on telephone or in writing shall be entertained in case of refusal of this visa.

(2) Foreigners going to India on visas for more than 180 days will be required to register themselves within two weeks of their arrival in India.

(3) Foreigners of Indian origin holding long-term visas and wishing to stay for more than 180 days will be required to register with the FRRO.

Mailing Charges: High Commission of India, Ottawa: For returning the passport

by Priority Mail C $ 12/- and by Fed Ex C $ 15/- for the areas covered normally

by the Courier companies. Consulate General of India, Toronto: For return by Security Mail C $ 7/- (up to 3 Passports) plus $ 1/- for each additional passport in the same cover. For return by Priority Post C $ 15/- within Ontario and $ 25/- outside Ontario. For Security Mail/Priority Post, either a prepaid envelope may be enclosed or requisite fee deposited. Applicants may send prepaid courier envelopes but courier pick ups must be arranged by the applicants themselves during the pick up timings.

An additional processing fee of $ 30/- is to be paid for visa applicants holding non-Canadian passports. For American passport $ 31/- levy is payable in addition to the processing fee and normal visa fees.

Exact visa and mailing charges should be paid in cash (at the counter) or money order/bank draft/certified bank cheque drawn in favour of High Commission of India or Consulate General of India for applications dropped or sent by courier/mail. If payment falls short of the prescribed fees, service may be delayed/refused. Personal or company cheques are not accepted. Fee once paid shall not be refunded even if visa is refused or application withdrawn.

In visa reference cases like Research, visit to Restricted and Protected Areas, Missionary work, journalist, film shooting, visa for Pakistan, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Afghani and Chinese nationals, separate rules apply and may be obtained from Visa officer. Pakistani nationals having dual nationality need to follow the procedures prescribed for Pakistani nationals.

Visa fees are in the nature of Processing Fees and any subsequent rejection of the request for visa shall not entitle the applicant for any refund.

Visas for restricted/protected areas: An applicant who desires to visit a restricted or protected area in India is required to submit an application, in the prescribed form for the issue of special permit, in addition to the visa application, Processing of such applications take approximately 2 to 10 weeks. For information on Restricted/Protected areas, in addition to the High Commission/Consulate, Government of India Tourist Office at 60, Bloor Street West, No.1003, Toronto (Tel.No.416 062 3787) may be contacted.

Handicapped and Senior Citizens: Handicapped and senior citizens may please inform in advance if they intend to visit personally the High Commission/ Consulate so that special care and services may be provided to them.

For administrative convenience, there is jurisdictional division for rendering Consular services in Canada. Areas covered by the three offices in Canada are:

HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA: 10, Springfield Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1C9 (Tel.No.613 744 3751/52/53, Fax No.613 744 0913). National Capital Region of Ottawa-Hull, Kingston, Cornwall, Hawks bury, Arnprior, Renfrew, Perth, Prescott, Brockville, Carleton Place, Smith Falls, Morrisburg (Ontario), Montreal (Quebec).

(b) CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA, TORONTO: 1835, Yonge Street, 4th floor, Toronto, Ontario M4S 1X8 (Tel.No.416 960 0751/52, Fax No.416 960 9812). Ontario and Quebec (except places falling under the jurisdiction of High Commission in Ottawa), Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

(C) CONSULATE GNERAL OF INDIA, VANCOUVER: 325, Howe Street, 2nd floor, Vancouver, BC V6C 1Z7 (Tel.No.604 662 8811, Fax [phone]. Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon Territory and Northwest Territories.

Applicants who normally reside in these jurisdictional areas should apply to the concerned office only. Applicants applying from outside the jurisdictional area will be charged service charges of C $ 30/- and processing time will be one week.

Visitors visiting India from or through yellow fever infected areas are required to be in possession of a valid certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. No other vaccinations are required for entering India. AIDS test is required for persons aged 18 to 70 years who stay in India for

Answer 3

It is always better to get a Visa befpore your arrival.

Answer 4

Thru INDIAN Embassy u hv take VISA to visit INDIA.