India: Electronic Travel Visa Categories Expanded to Transit, Mountaineering, Film and Entry

The situation

The Indian government has expanded the electronic visa (“e-visa”) categories to include the following: transit, mountaineering, film, and entry.

A closer look 

• Application process. Individuals from eligible countries can complete the entire e-visa process online (after obtaining clearance from the required ministry, if required) and must also have an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to travel to India. Foreign nationals must complete biometrics upon arrival in India, and they will have the e-visa stamped in their passport.

•  Eligibility and validity. Nationals from countries listed under the eligibility criteria can apply for the newly introduced electronic visa categories. 

• • • e-Mountaineering visa. Eligible applicants must first obtain a clearance document from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. The e-Mountaineering visa is a single-entry e-visa which grants individuals stays of up to six months from the date the ETA is issued.  

• • • e-Film visa. Eligible applicants must first obtain a clearance document from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The e-Film visa is a multiple-entry e-visa which grants individuals stays of up to one year from the date the ETA is issued. 

• • • e-Transit visa. This e-visa is intended for individuals transiting through India who have a confirmed onward journey ticket. The e-Transit visa allows two entries into India and is granted for 30 days from the date the ETA is issued. 

• • • e-Entry visa. This e-visa is intended for individuals who are either of Indian origin, who are spouses of Indian nationals or spouses and children of foreign nationals holding certain types of visas. The e-Entry visa is a multiple-entry visa with a duration of three months from the date of first entry into India. 

Impact 

The online application system streamlines the visa process for foreign nationals traveling for eligible purposes under the transit, film, mountaineering or entry e-visas by removing the need for a consular visit. 

The processing times for e-visa applications is expected to range between 24 and 78 hours, like other electronic visa categories in India. This is significantly faster than the usual processing time taken for regular consular processing. 

Background 

This initiative aligns with the Indian government’s ongoing efforts to streamline and accelerate immigration processes. By expanding access to electronic visas to further categories, the government aims to promote international travel and make visiting and staying in India more convenient. 

Looking ahead 

The Indian government is likely to continue to implement more technology in its immigration processes to make the country more attractive to foreign nationals, and to improve the tracking of foreign nationals. We will report on related developments. 

Fragomen in India is Fragomen Immigration Services India (Pvt) Ltd., operating exclusively as an immigration consultancy and not as a law firm in India. This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.