If you are planning a cruise trip to India, you will want to know more about getting the proper visa for your trip. There are several important factors to consider before you apply for your visa. This article outlines the steps you need to take in order to obtain an Indian Tourist Visa for Cruise Ship. Also, read on to learn about biometric enrolment and exemptions. Once you have all of the information you need, you’ll be ready to apply for your visa to India!
Application for Indian Tourist Visa for Cruise Ship
Before embarking on a cruise to India, you must apply for a conventional tourist visa for India. This can be a paper visa or a standard visa. You can submit your documents by mail, or you can visit the Indian High Commission or Embassy. Depending on the travel agent you choose, you may be eligible to apply for an electronic visa instead. However, note that the electronic visa is non-refundable, so you may want to consider a paper visa if you want to visit India on a cruise.
The Indian Government has made the process easier for cruise ship passengers by making the visa system more accessible. The process may seem complicated, but it is actually quite simple. The first step is to apply for an Indian tourist visa online. This is also known as eVisa India. If you plan on making multiple stops on your cruise, you will need a multi-entry 1 Year Tourist Visa. If you’re unsure, you should consult your travel agent or cruise line company to determine which ports are approved for eVisa. It will be worth it to learn where your cruise ship will stop in India before you embark.
Obtaining an eVisa for India
Obtaining an eVisa is the easiest way to get a visa for India while on a cruise. An eVisa is an electronic approval that is approved for travel to India, so you don’t have to worry about friends and family having to fill out forms. This process can be completed online, and you can even obtain the visa on your own. The only thing to remember is that you cannot disembark from your cruise ship without a valid visa for India. The good news is that a multiple entry India tourist visa is valid for 90 days, so you’ll have plenty of time to plan your hotel stays and book excursions.
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If you’re a US citizen, you’ll have to apply for an eVisa to visit India. The eVisa will allow you to stay in India for 60 days without the hassle of applying for a visa. This visa will also give you the opportunity to explore the country on your own. The eVisa is valid for all types of travel, including air, sea, and medical.
Cost of an eVisa for India
A valid visa to visit India is essential for a cruise ship passenger. Most major ports have lowered tariffs for cruise ships to make it more attractive for them to visit. There is a single uniform rate of USD 0.35 per GRT, or gross register tonnage. Cruise passengers can apply for this visa online if they know their itinerary and the ports of embarkation and anchorage. Refugees and diplomatic passport holders cannot obtain a visa on arrival. A visa on arrival is valid for sixty days.
The eVisa for India is available for United States, Canadian, French and United Kingdom citizens. You must have a valid passport and be traveling for at least one month. An e-visa can cost as little as $5 and take three to five business days to process. You must also provide proof of departure for your trip. The cost of an eVisa for India for cruise ship depends on your country of citizenship.
Exemptions from biometric enrolment
The Home Affairs Ministry has extended biometric enrolment exemptions for cruise tourists with e-visas till December 31, 2020. The government’s intention behind the new policy is to increase cruise tourism in India. The policy is expected to make immigration clearance faster and enable more time on shore. Moreover, the new e-visas will help cruise passengers clear immigration without wasting their precious time.
A thirty-day Indian Tourist e-visa for a cruise ship can only be used for one visit to India. Moreover, it is not valid for multiple entries as cruise ships carry two or four thousand passengers. Moreover, the existing facilities in the cruise terminals delayed immigration clearance time. However, the international norm is 90 minutes for the entire process. The mega cruise ships carry more than 2000 passengers each. Biometric enrolment would slow down immigration clearance time even further.
Validity of eVisa for India on a cruise ship
If you plan to visit India on a cruise ship, you should Apply for Indian Business Visa prior to your departure. Alternatively, you can apply for your visa online and submit it at the time of booking your cruise. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 190 days and contains two blank pages. If you are traveling with a family member or a child, you must have a sponsor or refugee passport.
You can apply for an e-Tourist Visa for India for the same period of time that you would have needed to apply for your regular visa. The application process is simple and fast. Once you have submitted your application, you should wait at least four to seven days before you leave for India. In some cases, you may need to come to the Indian Embassy or Consulate in order to obtain a valid visa.