Travel To India: What Are The Formalities?
If you're planning a trip to India, you'll need a visa to enter the country and you'll need to comply with health measures decided by the local authorities. We suggest you find out what formalities you need to complete before traveling to India and how to simplify these procedures.
What are the health measures in India?
As of November 22, 2022, India has lifted its health restrictions (vaccination certificate, PCR test or quarantine period) for international travelers.
Until November 21, foreign tourists should present a Covid-19 vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to departure.
Now, vaccination against the coronavirus is simply recommended. Currently, Covid vaccination or PCR test for non-vaccinated travelers is no longer mandatory.
Good to know.
Other Asian countries like Vietnam are now fully open to international travelers. If a trip to Vietnam appeals to you, be aware that your vaccination status will not be checked upon arrival. In addition, tourists no longer have to declare their health status on an anti-Covid application since April 27, 2022. Only a medical and repatriation insurance certificate in English may be required upon arrival in this country.
Of course, the sanitary measures in force in India or Vietnam are likely to change according to the evolution of the pandemic in your country of origin. We therefore advise you to check the health requirements of your destination before your departure.
Do you need a visa to travel to India?
International commercial flights to India have resumed since March 27, 2022. You will, however, need a passport or e-visa to enter this country, regardless of your nationality (with the exception of Nepal and Bhutan) and whether your destination is North or South India.
Tourist visas for travel to India (whether e-visa or sticker) that were issued before October 15, 2021 are usable if they are still valid.
In addition, all types of passport or online visas are being issued again by the Indian authorities.
How long does it take to get a visa?
For a trip to India, you need a visa or an e-visa (electronic visa).
The e-visa is preferable for a tourist or business stay as well as for cruises. Indeed, it is easier to obtain, faster and cheaper. This visa is issued by email in 48 hours.
To note: other countries, such as Vietnam, also offer this type of formalities online. For a stay of up to 30 days in Vietnam, it is advisable to apply for an e-visa online: it is easier and faster.
By using an agency specialized in visa applications, you can get an e-visa for in 5 days or even 24 hours (compared to 7 days for obtaining a visa on passport).
How to simplify these steps?
All travelers applying for a passport visa to India must accurately complete an online application form on the Indian government's website.
If you find this process too complicated or burdensome, you can simplify your life by going through a site that specializes in visa applications. For an additional fee of about €50, the specialized agency will fill out this form for you.
It can also take care of bringing your photo up to standard, so that you get your tourist visa for a stay of up to 90 days in India with ease!
Using this type of service has two main advantages:
- the guarantee of not making any mistakes during the process
- the possibility to shorten the time needed to obtain your visa.
Of course, obtaining the visa costs a little more in the end, but the price of this service is justified for all tourists who wish to organize their trip to India with peace of mind.
