Indian connection of Singaporeans

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Information on Indian Visas

India with its close proximity to Singapore is a popular tourist destination for many Singaporeans. There are perhaps a number of Singaporeans who may have a close association with India based on family or business connections in India. Even though citizens of Singapore require a visa to visit India, the process of getting an Indian tourist visa for Singaporeans has become easier with the Indian governments recently announced online ‘Electronic Travel Authorization’ scheme. Furthermore, many second/third generation Indians who are now citizens of Singapore, may qualify for the status of being persons of Indian origin and have other avenues available to them to visit and invest in India without the requirement of applying for a visa, every time they wish to visit India. Schemes such as the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) provide the benefit of a lifelong visa as well as several other benefits in India. Benefits that foreigners cannot avail unless they are of Indian origin! In this article, let’s look at the new visa on arrival scheme announced by the government of India as it applies to all Singaporean citizens regardless of such citizens being of Indian origin or not. We will discuss the PIO card and OCI lifelong visas in a separate article.

Easy Indian Tourist Visa for Singaporeans

Citizens of Singapore can now easily apply for a tourist visa to visit India from the comfort of their homes and do not have to visit the Indian consulate offices in order to make tourist visa applications. India’s tourist visa on arrival scheme allows all citizens of Singapore to apply and pay for their visa online. Once visa is approved, an email is sent to the applicant which can be printed and presented to Indian immigration authorities on arrival as proof of visa. The Immigration officers then stamp the entry on the visitor’s passport.

Indian Visa on Arrival – Overview

Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) was initially introduced by the India government in January 2010. The purpose for this scheme being to increase tourism to India. Initially the TVOA scheme was announced for five countries, namely: 1. Finland 2. Japan 3. Luxembourg 4. New Zealand 5. Singapore In January, 2011 six more countries were added to the list of countries allowed to take advantage of the Indian Tourist Visa Arrival Scheme. These countries were: Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Indonesia and Myanmar. As of 27 November, 2014 Visa on Arrival Facility which provides an online ‘Electronic Travel Authorization’ (ETA) is now available for holders of passport of following forty three countries listed below: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam. Kindly Note: Applicants, whose parents or grandparents were born in or at any time lived in Pakistan, are not eligible to apply under the Visa on arrival ETA scheme. Such applicants will have to apply for a normal tourist visa and obtain a visa prior to arrival in India.

How Visa online works

Applicants should visit the Indian government website and apply online. On successful submission of online application and payment of the appropriate visa fee, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is sent the applicants by email. This travel authorization must be printed by the applicant and presented on arrival to the immigration authorities. Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) holders visiting India must enter India from one of the designated airports listed below: 1. Bengaluru 2. Chennai 3. Cochin 4. Delhi 5. Goa

Applying for Indian Tourist Visa Online

1. Applications can be made a minimum of 4 days in advance of your date of arrival. 2. The process for using the visa online facility is fairly simple. o Fill in the online application and submit the form. o Upload the required documents such as photo page of your current passport showing details of your name, date of birth, nationality etc. o Pay the required fee 3. Once your visa application is approved, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is emailed to the applicant. This ETA should be printed and presented to the immigration officer on arrival in India. 4. Your passport should have at least six months validity and you should have a return ticket as well as sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay in India. 5. Validity of your tourist visa will be 30 days from the date of arrival in India. 6. Tourist Visa on Arrival scheme use is allowed for a maximum of two visits in a calendar year. 7. Visas issued under the Tourist Visa on Arrival scheme are for only a single entry. Such visas are generally non- expendable, non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas. 8. Visa on arrival facility of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is only for those travelers whose purpose of visiting India is recreation , sightseeing , casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit.

Categories of Indian Visas

While visas issued through the Visa on Arrival scheme are tourist visas, there are many other categories of visas for various other purposes. Here is a brief list of Indian visas:

Tourist Visa

Tourist Visa is granted to those who visit India for tourism purposes such as, sightseeing, visiting family and friends etc. No other activity is allowed on a tourist visa. Tourist visas are normally valid for 6 months to 1 year with single or multiple entries. Irrespective of the duration of validity of visa, on each visit maximum period of stay in India is limited to 6 months (180 days) only. Kindly note that tourist visas issued through the visa on arrival scheme have a validity of only 30 days and are for a single entry only.

Business Visa

Those who plan to conduct business in India should apply for a business visa. A 'Business Visa' is granted to those who do business in India such as, making sales or establishing contacts, on behalf of a company outside of India. Business Visa is not for employment purposes. Business visas may be valid for 6 months to one year or more, with single or multiple entries, depending on your requirements. Irrespective of the duration of validity of visa, on each visit the maximum period of stay in India is limited to 6 months (180 days) only. Those who are applying to work for an Indian company should apply for an Employment Visa.

Employment Visa

An Employment Visa is granted to those who are an employee of an Indian company, or preform honorary work (without salary) with registered NGOs in India. Indian Consulates may grant 'Employment visa' valid for a limited validity irrespective of the duration of the contract. Further extension up to 5 years could be obtained from MHA/FRRO in the concerned state in India. To be considered for 'Employment Visa' all foreign workers must earn the equivalent of $25,000 per annum or more.

Student Visa

Student visa is granted to students, to pursue regular studies at recognized institutions in India. Visa is valid for the period of study as approved by the educational institution in India, for multiple entries.

Entry Visa

An Entry Visa is granted for a specific purpose (short term courses and unpaid internships) or other non-business related purposes. An Invitation letter is required from concerned organization/authorities in India. Members of the family of a person employed in India are also eligible for Entry visa. In the latter case, documents establishing the employment of the spouse, along with a copy of his/her Employment visa must be attached. As of June 16, 2011, foreign nationals who own property in India can apply for a one year Entry Visa. This type of visa can be extended later, by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer in India, on a yearly basis up to a maximum period of 5 years.

Long Term Entry Visa

Long term, 5 years entry visa is normally issued to people of Indian origin only. Five and ten year tourist visas are available only to US citizens under a bilateral arrangement. Persons of Indian origin may find it more prudent, to simply get a PIO card or OCI.

Conference Visa

A Conference visa is granted for people who wish to attend international conferences in India. Those seeking conference visas, should apply in a timely manner. Indian consulates normally issue this type of visa, only after clearance for the conference is received, from the Government of India.

Journalist Visa

A Journalist Visa is granted to professional journalists and photographers. Journalist visas generally have a validity of three months with single entry. Those who intend to make a documentary in India are required to contact the Press and Information wing in the Indian Embassy.

Research Visa

A Research Visas is granted to Research Professors or Scholars who wish to conduct research work in India. Applicants need to obtain prior permission from the concerned authorities, to conduct research projects in India. Validity of a Research visa usually coincides with the research period.

Transit Visa

A transit visa is granted to enable the holder to travel through India to reach their ultimate destination. Change of purpose is not allowed. Transit visa is valid for direct transit only within 15 days of date of issue, for a maximum period of 3 days with single or double entry.

Medical Visa

A Medical visa is granted to those who need to travel to India for medical treatment. Visa is valid for up to three months with single entry. Documents explaining details of the treatment from the concerned hospitals/doctors are normally required.

Medical Escort Visa

A Medical Escort visa is granted to a person who has to accompany a patient traveling to India, for a medical treatment. This visa can be given to a close relative/family member or a friend of the patient. This type of visa is valid for up to three months for a single entry. The patient in such cases would need a medical visa, and the escort would apply for a medical escort visa. (Note: As rules & regulations change do check with the appropriate Indian consulates for current information.)