India Visa Processing Time | eVisa vs Standard

India is a popular tourist destination because of its rich cultural heritage, delicious food, and beautiful monuments. But before exploring the wonders of this colorful country, one needs to get a visa to enter. A lot of tourists who are considering traveling wonder how long it takes to process Indian visas.

In reality, the processing time for an Indian visa varies depending on the type of visa and the country of application. Generally, the India e visa is processed faster than the standard Indian visa. Read on to learn about the India visa processing time for both the e-visa and regular embassy visa and more.

Typical Processing Times for Indian Visa

The processing time for an Indian visa varies depending on the type of visa and the country of application. Generally, it takes:

• India e-Visa: 2-7 business days
• Regular embassy visa: 10-15 business days

What Affects Processing Time

Factors that can affect Indian visa processing time are as follows:

Type of Indian Visa Applied for

Some types of Indian visas, such as the e visa, are generally processed faster than the regular paper visa. For instance, a standard Business visa to India will take fifteen working days following the Consulate’s receipt of the application.

On the other hand, an India Business e-Visa can be processed within 2-7 working days.

Nationality of the Applicant

Citizens of over 170 countries are eligible for an Indian Tourist eVisa, while others are not. For instance, Indian tourist visas are not available to citizens of Pakistan. Instead, they can submit an application for a visitor’s visa.

Typically, a visitor visa is valid for three months, and applicants need to list the locations they plan to visit. India Embassy visa applications from people of Pakistani descent may take up to 7-8 weeks to process.

Time of the Year

During the peak travel season, such as the summer months, the workload of Indian embassies and consulates increases. This can lead to longer processing times for Indian visas.

October to February is considered the tourist season in India because the weather is mild and ideal for outdoor activities. As a result, many tourists apply for visas during this time. The processing time may be shorter if an applicant applies for an India visa during the summer (March to September).

The Workload of the Indian Embassy or Consulate

Generally, the processing time for Indian visas varies depending on the workload of the consular wing. At the Indian Consulate, each visa application is reviewed individually. Visa applications for India received by courier or mail may take longer to process than applications submitted in person.

For example, the processing time for US nationals’ standard India visa application forms, provided they have submitted all required documents, is typically five business days at the embassy. On the other hand, India e visa processing time is just 2-7 business days. This will depend on level of service selected.

India e Visa Levels of Service

Natvisa offers different tiers of processing to match the travelers needs. The Indian e visa processing time depends on the level selected.

Embassy Visa Processing Time

Indian visa processing times for traditional embassy paper visas (standard visa) vary depending on the type of visa applied. It also depends on the nationality of the applicant.

However, here is a general timeline:

• Employment visa: 7-15 business days (if India visa documents are in order)
• Medical visa: 15 business days
• Student visa: it can take up to 3 to 8 weeks (no standard visa processing time, it can vary)
• Tourist visa: 5 days to 30 business days
• Entry visa: 3-5 business days

Please note India offers many other types of visas than the ones mentioned above. Again, the processing time of all other Indian visas will vary.

India eVisa vs. Embassy Visa

The India e-Visa through Natvisa can take 2-7 business days to process, while a regular visa can take 10-15 business days to process. EVisas are generally processed faster than regular visas because the application process is more streamlined and efficient.

There are also a few advantages and disadvantages to each type of visa. E-Visas to India are more convenient to apply for because they can be applied online. They are also less expensive than regular visas. Overall, the best type of visa to choose depends on the individual circumstances

Making the Right Visa Choice

For those eligible for an India e-visa and if it aligns with their needs, the e-visa stands out as the preferable option. This is due to its speed, convenience, and cost. The Indian government advises printing and carrying a copy of the India e visa when traveling to India.

On the other hand, those who aren’t eligible for the India e visa or require a visa type not available as an eVisa should consider the regular Indian visa.

Getting the Indian Visa Quickly

Those planning to travel to India and need a visa. Here are some additional tips for getting an Indian visa quickly:

• Apply for the visa (both e visa or embassy visa) at least two weeks before the travel date.
• Select fast processing for the e Visa.
• Make sure to have all required documents, including a passport-size photo and a scan of the passport.
• Review the India visa application carefully before submitting it.

Conclusion

To ensure a smooth journey to India, travelers should check the processing time of their India visa. Whether they have obtained a standard India visa or are carrying an e visa, they must check it before their travel date.

Travelers must ensure they have a valid India visa before starting their journey.