Visa FAQ

INDIAN VISA FAQs

Q- How to apply for an Indian Visa through the Indian Embassy?

i) Fill up the form online https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/. (visit check lists before filling up application )

ii) Take printout of the online filled in application form. The form should be duly signed, photographs and necessary documents (please visit check list)

iii) Book an appointment (link)

iv) Book prepaid airway bill with courier/post (link) for receiving processed documents.

v) Submit application for Passport alongwith necessary documents and prepaid courier/post envelope at Embassy of India in The Hague (Buitenrustweg 2, 2517KD, The Hague).

Q: What are the eligibility conditions for grant of an e-Visa?

A: Please check the following link for details: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html E-Visa can be applied for tourist, business, medical and conference purpose, for a maximum period of 60 days with double entries. It may be noted that for e-Visa, the applicant need not come to the Embassy, in person.

Note- Indian e-visa service has been restored for nationals of 156 eligible countries.

e -Visa is admissible only under the following categories:

e-Tourist Visa
e-Business Visa
e-Conference Visa
e-Medical Visa
e-Medical Attendant Visa
e-Emergency X-Misc Visa

For more information please visit the website of E Visa.

Please Note: When submitting an application for a visa, please ensure that passport has a minimum of 6 months of validity and two blank pages.

E Visas are not issued by Embassy of India, The Hague. It is directly issued by Bureau of Immigration. For all the queries related to E Visa please contact the following number or email. (Add number and email)

Q- How to apply Indian Diplomatic/Official/UN Visa?

Applications for Diplomatic/ Official/ UN visas for official purpose are accepted directly at the Embassy of India, Buitenrustweg 2, 2517KD The Hague on all working days from 0930 hrs to 1230 hrs with prior email.

Q.My old passport with ‘valid Indian visa’ is lost. How can I get fresh visa on new passport?

A.Same category visa can not be re-issued, even on different passport, to an applicant during the validity of existing visa. Fresh visa will be issued only when first visa has either expired or is lost (Police report of lost passport is required).

Q. What is eligible criteria to get Indian Tourist Visa ?

A. Indian Tourist visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, short duration medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine etc. and no other purpose/ activity (Short term yoga programme means a yoga programme not exceeding six months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc.)

Q What is the processing time for Indian Visa

In routine cases, it takes around 10 to 15 days, however in few cases clearance from competent authorities is required which may take around 90 days.

Q. My Passport will be expiring soon/running out of pages which has valid Indian visa in it (and I already applied for my new Passport), Can I travel on valid visa on my old Passport ?

A: Yes, your Visa is valid until its expiry date, but while traveling you have to carry this old Passport with valid visa along with your new Passport.

Q. I am holding dual nationality (i.e. Pakistan & Dutch) & also holding two Passports (i.e Pakistan & Dutch), on which Passport I need to apply for Visa ?

A. Pakistani nationals holding dual nationality must apply only on their Pakistani Passports.

Q. I am holding dual nationality (i.e. Pakistan & Dutch), but holding only one Passport (i.e. Dutch), which documents are required to apply for a Visa ?

A. Dutch passport holders of Pakistani origin must submit their visa application form along with:

a. Certificate of Renunciation of Pakistani Citizenship.

b. Dutch passport with valid Pakistani visa OR Copy of the Pakistan Overseas Card

Q. I am Pakistani Passport holder, Can I choose my entry port in India & book the flight tickets accordingly?

A. No, you cannot choose your entry Ports in India & book tickets until a visa decision has been made.

Q. What is authentic website of E-Visa ?

A. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

Q. Can I book my Air Ticket before getting the visa?

A. No bookings or travel arrangements should be confirmed until a visa decision has been made. Consulate will not be responsible for any loss of bookings made in anticipation of obtaining a visa.

Q. If my visa is issued, from when does the validity begin?

A. The validity of the visa begins from the date it is issued and not from the date of your departure mentioned on the application form.

Q. Can I send my visa application directly to the Embassy?

A. Yes, prior appointment (link).

Q. I have only one blank page left in my passport, can I apply for visa?

A. No, for visa minimum two blank pages in passport is required.

Q. I want to visit Sikkim/Arunachal Pradesh in India, how to get a Restricted/Protected Area Permission ?

Q. How to get Restricted/Protected Area Permission ?

A. Foreign nationals intending to visit a place falling in the Protected/ Restricted Area in India, may submit an application for the grant of Protected/Restricted Area Permit to Concerned offices in particular Indian states OR nearest Indian Mission/Post. This requirement is in addition to getting an Indian visa. It will take a shorter time, if the traveler applies for RAP from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) /Resident Commissioners of the concerned State Govt. through nearest metropolitan City OR through travel/tour operators in India. If a traveler applies for an Indian Mission/Post abroad, it will take around 5-6 weeks to process.

For more details please visit: https://mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/AnnexVII_01022018.pdf

Q. Is there any restrictions on Indian Tourist Visa holder to re-enter

India within 2 months?

A. With effect from January 24, 2013, the gap of two months required between visits to India of a foreign national on a Tourist Visa would be applicable only in the case of nationals of Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistan origin and Stateless persons.

Q. I am traveling to Nepal via Delhi, do I need Indian transit Visa ?

A. Transit visa is not required by a foreigner passing through, in direct transit by air, and traveling onward through India, provided he/she does not leave the specified precincts of the airport. A transit visa is not required by a foreigner who does not leave the ship while it halts at an Indian port.

Q. I am an artist visiting India to participate in painting exhibitions or music shows on a charitable basis (not paid performance), which visa should I apply for?

Entry Visa : Those going to India for charitable performances e.g an artist going for painting exhibition, musician for musical shows etc on charitable basis have to apply for Entry Visa.

Business Visa : Those going to India for short term paid performances e.g an artist going for painting exhibition, musician for musical shows etc have to apply for Business Visa.

Employment Visa : Those going to India for long term paid performances e.g an artist going for painting exhibition, musician for musical shows etc have to apply for Employment Visa.

Q How to apply for Emergency Visa?

Emergency Entry visa is issued for only 6 months validity, in case of extreme emergency (death of a family member). Applications will be received in-person at the Embassy on all working days between 1000 to 1300. Applicants are advised to bring a filled-in visa application form (Click here for visa form).

Please Note: When submitting an application for visa, please ensure that the passport has minimum six months validity and two blank pages.

Q How to apply Visa for stateless persons?

Stateless persons or persons traveling on a document other than the national passport are advised to apply well in time as processing of visa may take longer than normal cases, particularly in case of persons of Afghan, Chinese, Iranian, Pakistani, Somalia origin, etc. Such applicants must be eligible for return to the Netherlands (copy of re-entry permit for the Netherlands should be attached). Visa will not be issued for more than one month. A Visa Application Form duly filled in and signed with prior appointment.

Please Note: When submitting application for visa, please ensure that the passport has minimum six months validity and two blank pages.

Q: If I fill out a visa application form for a minor; who has to sign the application?

A: Either of the parents can sign a visa application form for a minor if the minor cannot sign.

Note- FAQs RELATING TO WORK RELATED VISAS ISSUED BY INDIA (please visit the link https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/work_visa_faq.pdf)

General Guidelines for Applying Visa at the Embassy:

All applicants for Indian visa are required to fill in the online visa application form through the website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in
When filling in the application form online please select “Netherlands” in the drop-down menu “Indian Mission”
While filling in the online application form, applicant is also required to upload his / her recent photograph.
After submitting the online application take out the printout of the application; affix (not to staple) a colour photograph (5 cm x 5 cm, white background) in the prescribed box. (Photograph should be identical to the one uploaded online). Book appointment (link)
Book prepaid airway bill with POST/Courier service in the Netherlands for receiving processed documents. This should be submitted along with a self-addressed envelope for receiving processed documents.
Duly signed application has to be submitted to the Embassy along with the requisite documents, admissible fees by card or by cash (Exceptional Case) and the passport containing at least two blank pages and valid for a minimum of six months beyond the period of visa required. Application submission time at the Embassy is between 1000 and 1300 hrs on any working day. Prior appointment is required for submission of visa application (appointment link).

Hand-written applications are no longer accepted by the Embassy. Also, visa applications are not accepted by post.
All visa applicants are required to be present at the Embassy’s counter for providing their biometric data viz. fingerprints and photographs.
Categories of visas and required documentation may be seen here (minor changes required).

In routine cases, it takes around 10 to 15 days, however in few cases clearance from competent authorities is required which may take around 90 days

Visa Fee Chart