Most travellers can use an e-visa for their trip to India. You can apply for an e-visa online and receive it by e-mail. Travellers who are not eligible for an e-visa will need to apply for a physical visa that will be attached to the passport. Find out which variant you need and how to apply for it on this page.

Choose the right visa for your trip to India

Are you travelling to India soon? Choose the right visa for your trip well before departure. You can determine the right type of visa based on your nationality, the purpose of your trip and your travel plans. Another factor that may determine which visa you need is your profession.

The e-visa for India

If you are travelling to India for business or a holiday, you can apply for an e-visa India online. Once you meet all the e-visa requirements, you can start the online application procedure. This online procedure is faster and cheaper than the application procedure for a physical visa.
Apply for an e-visa India now

The physical visa for India

If you are not eligible for an electronic visa, for instance because you want to work or study in India, you will need to obtain a physical visa. Physical visas are available in different variants. Each variant is suitable for a different travel purpose. You can only apply for a physical visa through VFS Global. This organisation has been designated by the Indian government to process all applications for physical visas. The overview below shows all the variants of physical visa for India.

Apply for an India visa

Unlike the physical visa, which has to be applied for through VFS Global, the electronic visa for India can be easily applied for online through this website. For more information, read our detailed explanation about the online e-visa application procedure.

Physical visa application procedure

Applying for a physical visa is more complicated than applying for an e-visa. To apply for a physical visa, you need to make an appointment at VFS Global and provide the required documents in person. After you have chosen which visa you want to apply for, you need to follow the steps below.

1. Prepare for your visa application

Before you start your India visa application procedure, it is very important to check carefully which documents you need depending on the type of visa you are applying for. Once you have gathered all the documents, make sure that they are all valid. Keep in mind that it may sometimes be necessary to have a sworn translator convert into English documents that are issued in other languages.

2. Fill in the application form

Once you have gathered all the required documents, you can fill in the application form. Each visa type has its own application form, so make sure that you fill in the right form for the visa that suits your travel plans. You should then print a copy of the completed application form and deliver it to VFS Global.

3. Make an appointment

Applying for a physical visa always requires making an appointment at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre. Make sure that you do this sufficiently in advance. Available dates and times may be limited, so it may take some time before you can make an appointment.

4. Go to the appointment

You are advised to arrive at the appointment location sufficiently in advance. You must always attend the appointment in person, as you will have to give your fingerprints and have your photograph taken. During the appointment, you must hand over the completed application form and all other required documents. Please note that your passport will be withheld until your visa application is processed. The processing may take up to several weeks. Finally, you will be asked to pay the cost of the visa.

5. Collect your passport and visa

Once your visa application has been processed, you can collect your passport from the Visa Application Centre. For an additional fee, you can also have your passport delivered to your home by post. If your application is approved, you will receive your passport with your visa attached. The visa shows both the validity period and the travel purpose for which the visa can be used.

How long is the India visa valid?
Before submitting a visa application, check how long you want your visa to be valid. You can choose between an e-visa with a validity of 30 days or 1 year. Physical visas can be valid for up to 5 years. Sometimes the validity period partly depends on the travel purpose for which the visa is applied. For example, if you apply for a study visa, the visa will be valid until you graduate. Generally, visas with longer validity periods are more expensive, so think carefully about your desired validity period before applying.

Most travellers can use an e-visa

If you are travelling to India for business or a holiday and have a European passport, you can probably apply for an e-visa instead of a physical visa. The e-visa can be easily applied for online by filling in a digital form and then submitting some documents. You do not need to make an appointment in person or hand over your passport. However, always check beforehand that you meet all the requirements of the e-visa India.
Apply for your e-visa now