Anand Thapa
GUIDELINES FOR TOURIST VISA ON ARRIVAL ENABLED BY ETA FOR INDIA
(ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION)
The government of India has introduced TVoA, enabled by ETA, to facilitate foreign travellers visiting India. This new TVoA enabled by ETA is based on the Mission Mode Project IVFRT which has the objective of facilitating legitimate travellers while strengthening security.
PURPOSE AND VALIDITY OF TVoA ENABLED BY ETA
Foreigners whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, short-duration medical treatment, casual business visit, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, etc. Not valid for any other purpose/activities. Entry into India within 30 days from the date of approval of ETA. Valid for 30 30-day stay in India from the date of arrival in India. Allowed to enter and depart from any of the 9 Airports, viz Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai & Thiruvananthapuram. Cannot be availed more than twice in a calendar year.
WHO ALL ARE ELIGIBLE
Nationals of following countries: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kingdom of Tongo, Laos, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Papua and New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea (i.e South Korea), Republic of Marshall Islands, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam, Vanuatu. A list of more countries eligible for TVoA may be notified by the Government from time to time.
Foreigners of the above countries who hold an ordinary Passport with a minimum of six months’ validity.
Foreigners travelling on passports other than ordinary Passports, such as Diplomatic, Official, Special, and Service passports, are not eligible for the TVoA service.
Should not have a residence or occupation in India.
Travelers should have a return ticket or an onward journey ticket with sufficient money to spend during his / her stay.
International travellers having Pakistani Passports or Pakistani origin may apply for a regular visa at the Indian Mission.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TOURIST VISA ON ARRIVAL (ENABLED BY ETA)
Applicants may apply online
At https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
TVoA links may also be found in the website of the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs & the Bureau of Immigration. The online application should be submitted a minimum 4 days in advance and maximum 30 days of proposed date of travel.Recent front facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport to be uploaded while applying.A fee of US$ 60/- (+ bank transaction charges) per passenger to be paid online for the grant of ETA for Tourist Visa-on-Arrival.Fee once paid is not refundable under any circumstance.Online application will be processed only after fee is paid online.Decision on TVoA Application will be conveyed by e-mail. Therefore, applicants are advised to ensure that correct e-mail address is provided.
Applicant can also track the status of their application online on the TVoA website by selecting the link “VISA STATUSâ€, and entering their Application ID Number and Passport Number.Applicant should carry a copy of ETA along with him / her at the time of travel.Tourist Visa on Arrival once issued is non-extendable, non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected / Restricted and Cantonment Areas.Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at the TVoA Counter at the Airport on arrival in India.This facility is in addition to the existing Visa Services.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED ONLINE ALONG WITH APPLICATION
Scanned Page of Passport containing photo and personal details.
The digital photograph to be uploaded. The photograph must be saved as JPEG in a RGB FORMAT and should be 350 x 350 pixels.
Photo should present full face, front view, eyes open
Background should be plain light colored or white background.
No shadows on the face or on the background.
VERIFICATION BY AIRLINES WHILE ISSUING BOARDING PASS TO ETA HOLDER
Traveller holding ETA arrives at Airline Counter.
Carrier / Airline checks the genuineness / validity of ETA in the TVoA website (specific instructions will be issued separately to Carriers / Airlines)
Once ETA is verified, the carrier / Airline will issue Boarding Pass to the ETA holder.
4 STEPS
Apply Online Upload photo and passport page
Pay Visa fee online using Credit / Debit Card
Receive ETA online ETA will be sent to registered email
Fly to India Print ETA and carry at the time of travel before flying
TVoA Help Desk Contact Details : 24×7 assistance is
Available on phone at : +91-11-24300666
Or E.mail : indiatvoa@gov.in
