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eVisas complete guide: Definition, process, requirements & more

So, you're excited about traveling the world, but the idea of dealing with visa paperwork has you feeling a bit frazzled? Good news! Many countries are moving towards digitizing their visa processes with eVisas , which means less hassle and more time for you to plan your trip.

Whether you're an avid adventurer or a frequent business traveler, getting to your destination just got a whole lot easier!

What is an eVisa? A simple definition

It’s all in the name! An eVisa , short for electronic visa , is almost exactly the same as a standard visa, except the application process is completed 100% online.

Instead of a passport stamp or sticker, your eVisa is linked to your passport via a digital system. Sometimes you’ll have to show a printed or digital copy of your eVisa on arrival, depending on where you’re going.

Say goodbye to endless visits to embassies or consulates. Just apply online, get the thumbs-up, and enjoy your stay. Simple as that!

The benefits of using eVisas for travel

Discover the ease of travel with an eVisa:

Leave paper troubles behind: Say goodbye to paper application forms - it's all online.

Effortless and easy: Apply from your couch on your mobile device. No more embassy visits!

Speedy processing: Save time and get approved faster, so you can travel sooner.

Stay in the loop: Get real-time updates about your application status and get notified when you’re good to go.

Convenience at your fingertips: Show it on your smartphone at the border.

How do eVisas work? A step-by-step process

Now that you know what an eVisa is, how do you apply for an eVisa, and what do you do when it’s approved? Here's a basic rundown of how eVisas work.

Online application

Getting an eVisa is pretty much the same as booking a hotel or flight online. Just fill out your personal details and travel plans - all online.

Document submission

No hassle with paper forms, printing documents, and losing important files. Simply upload all the required documents in one convenient spot.

Choose from a range of safe and convenient payment options , such as a debit or credit card, PayPal, Venmo, and more.

Receive the eVisa confirmation

Once you hit the submit button, the government will review it and let you know when it's approved. The eVisa is linked to your passport digitally , without the need for a stamp or sticker.

Print and travel

Depending on your destination, your eVisa status will be known to immigration on arrival. Show a printed copy or present it on your mobile device . It's that easy!

Top countries that offer eVisas

Many countries are now offering eVisas, which is transforming the way we travel. Here are some popular destinations that have embraced the eVisa system!

India offers eVisas for tourists, business travelers, and medical visitors for travelers from all over the world. Find out more about the India Tourist eVisa .

Turkey's all about convenience with its online eVisa system for tourists. Simply apply for the Turkey eVisa with us.

The Land Down Under offers eVisitor visas for tourists and business travelers from certain countries. Get your Australia eVisitor Visa from the comfort of your own home.

Thailand’s on board with eVisas too, making it easier for tourists to visit the country. Complete the Thailand Tourist eVisa application without visiting an embassy or consulate!

eVisas vs. traditional visas: Key differences

Let's break down the main differences between eVisas and traditional visas.

Essential eVisa requirements and documents

The requirements for eVisas can differ from country to country, but in most cases, they're way simpler than traditional visas. You’ll generally need:

A copy of your passport: There’s no need to send in your original passport. As a rule of thumb, make sure it has at least six months of validity and two blank pages left.

Personal details: They want to know who is coming! You’ll fill out your personal details online, such as your name, date of birth, travel dates, and contact info.

Proof of onward travel: Most countries require you to have a return ticket or proof of booked transport to another destination.

Photo: Sometimes you’ll need to upload a recent passport photo.

Other eVisa requirements

Every country's got its own rules. Some other things you might need are supporting documents related to your travel purpose, such as booked tours, planned business events, or medical certificates.

Common myths and misconceptions about eVisas

While eVisas have gained popularity in recent years for their convenience and efficiency in simplifying the visa application process. Let's address some common myths and misconceptions:

Not safe: False! eVisas often come with robust encryption and security measures to protect your personal information and payment details.

They’re expensive: Nope! While most eVisas have processing fees, they usually save you money compared to traditional visa applications, which often involve travel to embassies or consulates.

Take long to process: On the contrary! eVisas are known for their quick processing times. In many cases, you can receive your visa within a few weeks or even hours.

Have limited validity: Not necessarily! eVisas typically give enough time to explore the country, and most can be easily extended or renewed online, allowing for flexible travel plans.

Made for tourists: Misconception! Most countries offer eVisas for various purposes, including holidays, business trips, medical visits, and family reunions.

Are complicated: Myth! eVisas are designed to be extra user-friendly and accessible. However, we understand that the process can get confusing, and that’s why we make it even simpler.

Why choose iVisa for your eVisa needs?

While eVisas are designed to simplify things, we get that applying through a government website can still be a bit tricky. That’s where we come in.

Choosing iVisa for your eVisa needs is a smart move, and here's why:

We keep it simple: Even if you're a first-time traveler, you'll breeze through the visa application process with our simplified processes.

Apply from anywhere: Forget embassy visits – get your eVisa online from anywhere with our user-friendly iVisa app .

We know our stuff: With over a decade of experience, we're your all-in-one solution for visa processing and passport renewals .

Help when you need it: We’ve got your back with top-notch customer support, guiding you through every step.

Your data is safe: We take your personal info seriously, with strong encryption and data protection.

Stay updated: We provide real-time updates and notifications, ensuring you’re always in the know about your visa order.

No surprises: You'll love our clear pricing and simple instructions, so no hidden fees during the application process.

In a nutshell, iVisa is your ticket to stress-free eVisa services, making your travel plans a whole lot easier!

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eVisa Guide - Destinations, Requirements and Fees

Home » Passports » How to Obtain a U.S. Passport

Electronic visas (eVisas) are being offered by a growing number of countries to help travelers get their visas faster. These countries (listed below), have moved the visa application process online. In most cases, this results in a quicker, smoother, and more user-friendly process for international travelers.

Visas traditionally take longer to process and issue than passports. It is possible to expedite a visa (much the same way you can expedite a passport ), but you are inevitably at the mercy of the consulate or embassy processing your request.

The advent of eVisas is speeding up this process. The streamlined process not only helps travelers to get their visas quicker, the cost is usually much less than a traditional visa stamp. Check out our guide below for more detailed information about the destinations, requirements and fees associated with this travel document.

eVisa Guide Content

1 What is an eVisa?

2 Countries That Accept e-Visas

3 Key Tips for Applying for an eVisa

4 Popular Destinations That Accept eVisas

    4.1 India

    4.2 Vietnam

    4.3 Kenya

    4.4 Turkey

    4.5 Cambodia

    4.6 Myanmar (Burma)

5 Other Countries That Offer eVisas

6 The Future of e-Visas

What is an eVisa?

An eVisa is an electronic visa (sometimes referred to as an e-Visa) that serves as a digital alternative to a stamp or document physically attached to a traveler's passport.

Prior to departure, travelers complete an online application and submit copies of their passports and other required supporting materials for approval. An email is then sent from the destination country accepting or denying the application request. Travelers typically print this email out and bring it with them to prove they have completed the eVisa process (although some ports of entry allow travelers to present their eVisa digitally).

Currently only a few dozen nations allow American travelers to use an eVisa in place of a physical visa. However, if you are traveling to one of these countries, an eVisa can save you time and effort compared to the traditional visa application process.

Countries That Accept e-Visas

There are over 25 countries that currently accept eVisas as acceptable travel credentials. This number continues to grow. For now, most of these countries are located in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Note: US travelers will no longer need to have visa to travel to Brazil for tourism or business effective June 17, 2019

Several countries with eVisa programs also allow travelers to get a visa on arrival (VOA). This may seem like a great option, but it often involves lengthy waits at the destination airport. Furthermore, if there are problems with a VOA, you are unlikely to have access to the same documents and supports that would be at arm's-length at home. In some cases, relying on a VOA can lead to potentially challenging, expensive, and/or trip-ending issues. On the other hand, completing the eVisa process can ensure you have peace of mind about your travel documentation before you travel, rather than once you land on foreign soil.

Key Tips for Applying for an eVisa

Just like applying for a passport, applying for an eVisa requires you to follow specific guidelines, complete an application, produce specific identifying documents, and wait for your application to be processed.

Some of the key factors to pay attention to are:

Reason for travel restrictions

Some countries only allow eVisa applications for specific travel purposes ( tourism , business , work , study , transit , medical, or permanent residence). Even though a country may offer eVisas as an option, be sure it is an acceptable choice for your specific reason for travel.

Be prepared to be asked for documentation of your travel plans as part of the application process. If you are traveling as a tourist, an itinerary or hotel confirmation is usually good enough. However, some nations require you to book a hotel stay or tour through their eVisa portal in order to qualify for eVisa processing. Others require a sponsoring host like a business or local citizen.

The number of times you plan to enter the country

Just like traditional visas, eVisas are only good for a specified number of entries. Many are single-entry, but it is becoming more common to find double-entry or multiple-entry eVisa options. Know that the fewer entries you are seeking, the faster you will likely get your eVisa approved. Therefore, plan to get an eVisa that most closely matches your travel plans.

Not all ports of entry accept eVisas

Just because a country has an eVisa program does not guarantee that an eVisa can get you through every border crossing point. Some countries are very specific about the airports, roads, and seaports that are equipped to accept eVisas in place of traditional visas. Before applying for an eVisa, be sure to check to see that your travel plans include eVisa-friendly locations.

Passport validity requirements

When it comes to visas (eVisas or otherwise), some countries are very specific about how much validity must be remaining on your passport before the expiration date. Before beginning an eVisa application, double-check this and other foreign entry requirements for every country you plan to visit.

It is a good idea to follow the six-month validity rule anytime you plan on traveling abroad. If your passport expiration date is coming up, be sure to complete the renewal process prior to applying for an eVisa. Know that you can get a passport renewed in as few as 24 hours by hiring a registered passport expediting service. If you can afford to wait at least 3 weeks, there are other passport expediting options available as well.

Processing time

Know that even though eVisa applications are completed online, most eVisas are not processed instantly. The time it takes for an eVisa to be issued will vary by country. Be sure to leave yourself enough time before your departure date to receive your eVisa authorization.

If you are short on time, there are reputable visa expediting services that can help facilitate a faster turnaround time for your travel visa. That said, while passport expeditors can get a passport into your hands in as little as 24 hours , visas (even expedited ones) tend to take longer because they involve coordination with a foreign nation.

Choosing the right e-mail address

While the application for an eVisa may be entirely online, most countries will still expect you to produce a physical copy of your eVisa authorization. In most cases, this means you will be sent an e-mail that you will need to print out. When completing your application, be sure to select an e-mail that is secure, that you can access easily, and that you check often.

Know your bank's anti-fraud protocols

Many eVisa applicants are surprised when they click submit to send their applications only to then have their payment denied. Many US banks reject charges from foreign countries (especially those you have never visited) as a safety precaution. Before applying for an eVisa, notify the bank or credit card company you plan to use for making your online payment.

Keep copies of EVERYTHING

Throughout the eVisa application process, you will be giving and receiving a lot of information. Take notes and/or screenshots of each step so that you have the information you need when and if you need it.

This includes:

• login/password combinations
• verification and/or registration codes
• the email address you choose
• your payment method and amount
• any invoices or receipts
• a list of any documents you uploaded

Once your eVisa is issued, print multiple copies. Many countries require you to show your eVisa upon both entry and departure.

The Most Popular Destinations for American Travelers That Accept eVisas

Below are several of the most popular American travel destinations where you can apply for and use an eVisa.

India has very strict visa rules for entry into the country. As such, India's visa application process is notoriously thorough. The eVisa program, started in 2010, was designed, in part, to help make the visa application process simpler for some travelers. There have been some bumps in the road throughout India's implementation of their eVisa program. However, for those that qualify, an eVisa is still likely to be the easiest path to securing their entry documents.

How to apply India is one of the only eVisa-issuing countries that has outsourced much of their application infrastructure. The Cox & Kings Global Services website (shown above) has been officially contracted to handle Indian eVisa applications for American travelers.

Once you have navigated to the application page, check that an eVisa is appropriate for both your reason for and duration of travel. The site conducts a series of checks to help make sure your trip qualifies. If you are eligible, the website will then walk you through the entire application process.

Be aware, you will have to upload a photo as well as scans of your passport's bio/data page. Depending on your reason for travel, other supporting documents may be requested as well.

A sample form is provided on India's official eVisa website so you know what to expect as part of the application process. It may not look exactly the same as what you will see on the Cox & Kings portal, but the required information is the same.

Types of travel - Indian eVisas are available for the following types of travel:

• medical attendant

Length of stay - Indian visas are valid from the date of issue (not the date of arrival). Thankfully, most eVisas are issued for 1, 5, or 10 years, which should allow ample coverage for most trips.

However, India is very strict about how long foreigners stay in the country. For example, tourist visas only allow for a 180-day stay, regardless of how much validity remains on the visas themselves.

Cost - $160 for either 5- or 10-year visas; $100 for 1-year visas ( Note : costs are for the eVisa alone and do not include additional fees such as the processing fee by Cox & King or any registered visa expediting service .)

How long does it take - Completing the application can take 2 hours or more. Once submitted, a typical application will be processed within five to ten business days. This is an estimate, not a guarantee. Certain factors pertaining to the specific application, the time of year, and the volume of applications could cause delays.

Accepted Ports of Entry - While you can exit from any Indian port, eVisa entry is limited to 28 airports and 5 seaports:

• Bhubaneshwar
• Tiruchirapalli
• Vishakhapatnam

For more information, consult the official Indian government's eVisa instruction page or contract an experienced India eVisa courier

Vietnam launched their eVisa pilot program in February of 2017. The program is still quite new, but many US travelers report a much simpler and faster application process than the traditional visa application alternatives. Not only that, an eVisa allows travelers to bypass the often-lengthy lines for obtaining a Visa on Arrival (VOA) and go directly to the immigration checkpoint.

How to apply - Visit Vietnam's eVisa application website and complete the steps outlined on the “For Foreigners” page. You will need to upload a passport photo as well as a scan of your passport's data page. From there, complete a short form and submit the application. You will be given a registration code that you must record. After 3 business days, visit the E-visa search menu page , enter your registration code, and check your approval status. If approved, print your eVisa as your official visa documentation.

Note : It is recommended that you print an extra copy of your eVisa as you will need to be sure to have one on hand when you exit Vietnam.

Types of travel - Vietnam's eVisa program is only valid for tourism visas. Travel for other purposes still requires a traditional visa application .

Length of stay - A Vietnamese eVisa is valid for a maximum of 30 days (which starts upon arrival) and only allows a single entry into the country. Extensions are available, but they must be obtained from within Vietnam.

Cost - $25 USD (nonrefundable)

How long does it take - Most applications are processed in 3 business days.

Accepted Ports of Entry - Currently, Vietnam accepts eVisa entries at 8 airports, 9 seaports, and 12 roadway checkpoints (which are officially referred to as “landports”):

• Cat Bi International Airport
• Cam Ranh International Airport
• Can Tho International Airport
• Da Nang International Airport
• Noi Bai International Airport
• Phu Bai International Airport
• Phu Quoc International Airport
• Tan Son International Airport
• Ho Chi Minh City

For more information, visit Vietnam's National Web Portal on Immigration eVisa FAQ page or contract an experienced Vietnam eVisa service.

In a hurry? Apply online for expedited visa service

While Kenya offers a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at most international airports, the country strongly recommends that visitors acquire a visa ahead of time. For most travelers, this can be done quickly, efficiently, and entirely online.

One thing to note is that, along with a visa and passport, you will need proof of yellow fever immunizations to enter Kenya.

How to apply - Visit Kenya's eVisa website , register for an account, and follow the application instructions for a Kenyan Visa. All eVisa applicants must upload images of their passport data page and a clear photograph. In addition, there are specific requirements depending on the reason for travel:

• Business travelers must upload relevant invitation letters from their company and/or the hosting company. Copies of the company's registration documents are required as well.
• Tourists must upload a travel itinerary as well as copies of their hotel bookings.
• Those visiting family in Kenya must upload invitation letters from their family member(s) as well as identifying documents from the host(s).

Once the application is completed, relevant documentation is uploaded, and the application fee is paid, you must wait for your eVisa to be emailed to you. If approved, print out the document (multiple copies are recommended). Be prepared to present your eVisa at the immigration counter of your Kenyan port of entry.

Types of travel - Single-entry eVisas are available for business, tourism, and medical travelers. Transit visas are also available as eVisas.

Most diplomatic, official, and service travel qualifies for a free courtesy visa that Kenya issues electronically and free of charge.

Length of stay - A Kenyan single-entry eVisa must be used within 3 months from the date of issue. The eVisa remains valid 90 days from the date of entry. 90-day extensions are available from immigration headquarters in Nairobi.

Transit visas are only valid for 72 hours.

Cost - $51 USD for a single-entry visa; $21 USB for a transit visa. All eVisa fees are nonrefundable.

How long does it take - Most applications are processed in 2 business days.

Accepted Ports of Entry - Kenya accepts eVisas at all international points of entry.

For more information, visit Kenya's official eVisa page .

An eVisa is a faster, cheaper, more efficient way for Americans to obtain entry to Turkey than the traditional paper-based process. That said, pay attention to the news and US Department of State website . In 2017, Turkey temporarily suspended American access to the eVisa program over a dispute with the United States government. The issue has been resolved, but there is always the potential for future interruptions.

How to apply - Americans can apply for a Turkish eVisa via the Republic of Turkey Electronic Visa Application System . The website walks you through the entire application process along with extremely precise requirements that you must read and check off before advancing. Read everything VERY carefully as Turkey is very strict with their policies.

You will be asked to supply a lot of personal information. Be sure to do so carefully so that everything matches the information on your passport. If you have a middle name, include it in the same text input box as your first name. You will be asked to verify both your information and your email address before approving the final submission and making your payment.

Users report that the final submission step can take minutes to complete; keep your browser tab open until you are given a screen verifying your completed submission. Soon thereafter, you should receive an email with your eVisa in PDF format.

Upon arrival in Turkey, you are allowed to present your eVisa electronically, but it is advised that you have a printed paper backup (or two) just in case there are technical issues.

Types of travel - Turkey only issues eVisas for tourism or trade. All other visitors must complete the traditional visa process through a Turkish Embassy or Consulate .

Length of stay - A Turkish eVisa allows visitors to remain in Turkey for a maximum of 90 days over a 180-day span (starting from your first entry date). If you have a multiple-entry visa that expires prior to using your allotted 90 days, you may reapply for an eVisa as long as you adhere to the 90-day maximum rule.

Note : Cruise ship travelers can enter turkey for a maximum of 72 hours without a visa.

No matter what documents you use to enter Turkey, it is critically important that you get an exit stamp in your passport when leaving Turkey to avoid fines and potential issues should you choose to ever return to the country.

Cost - $20 plus fees (nonrefundable)

How long does it take - It is recommended that you allow a minimum of 48-hours to process a Turkish eVisa. Some travelers receive their approval as quickly as the same day.

Accepted Ports of Entry - Turkey accepts eVisas at all international points of entry.

Note : to fly into Turkey, you must do so on a flight from one of the following approved by the Turkish Foreign Ministry:

• Turkish Airlines
• Pegasus Airlines
• Atlasglobal Airlines

For more information, visit Turkey's official eVisa FAQ page .

As long as you plan on arriving in Cambodia at one of the nation's international gateways (see below), an eVisa is the simplest way to enter the Southeast Asian nation. That said, travelers often report that flying into Cambodia is smoother than entering overland or by boat.

How to apply - The Cambodian eVisa application process is one of the shortest and most straightforward in the world. Visit the official Cambodian eVisa website , complete the digital application, upload your passport data page, upload a valid photo, pay your processing fee, and you're done!

Shortly thereafter, you will be emailed your eVisa as a PDF file. Print out (at least) two copies so that you can present one upon entry to Cambodia and one when you depart.

Types of travel - Cambodia currently only offers eVisas for tourist travel. Other reasons for travel require visitors to complete the standard Cambodian visa application process .

Length of stay - An eVisa allows you a single entry into Cambodia for a stay lasting no longer than 30 days. The Document is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. A Cambodian eVisa can be extended one time only.

Cost - $37 USD (includes fees)

How long does it take - A Cambodian eVisa is reported to take 3 business days to process. That said, it is usually issued within 24 hours or less.

Accepted Ports of Entry - There are only 3 airports, and 4 land border crossings where eVisas can be used for entry into Cambodia.

• Phom Penh International Airport
• Siem Reap International Airport
• Sihanoukville Airport

Border crossings

• Tropaeng Kreal (Stung Treng), Laos
• Cham Yeam (Koh Kong), Thailand
• Poi Pet, Thailand
• Bavet (Moc Bai), Vietnam

Note : there are no restrictions on using an eVisa to leave Cambodia.

For more information, visit Cambodia's official eVisa FAQ page

Myanmar (Burma)

Myanmar's eVisa program is quick, efficient, and inexpensive. If you are traveling for business or tourism, an eVisa is definitely the best option.

It should be noted that Myanmar has strict rules about where foreigners are allowed to stay and visit while in the country. Be sure to check the homepage of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar for the most up-to-date list of these restricted locations . Similarly, be sure to have your travel plans and itinerary in hand before beginning the application process.

How to apply - Applying for an eVisa for entry to Myanmar is relatively simple. You visit the official Myanmar eVisa website , complete the simple online application, pay your fee, and wait to receive your eVisa confirmation via email.

Once your eVisa is delivered to your inbox, print out a pair of copies to take with you.

Types of travel - Myanmar offers both tourist and business eVisas.

Length of stay - An eVisa allows for a maximum stay of 28-days (calculated from the date of arrival). The eVisa itself is valid up to 90 days from its date of issue.

Cost - $50 USD (nonrefundable)

How long does it take - Processing time is up to 3 business days.

Accepted Ports of Entry - There are 3 airports and 5 land border crossings where an eVisa can be used to enter Myanmar:

• Mandalay International Airport
• Nay Pyi Taw International Airport
• Yangon International Airport

Land Border Checkpoints

• Rih Khaw Dar

Note : There are currently no seaports in Myanmar that allow eVisa entry (this applies to cruise ship travelers as well).

For more information, visit Myanmar's Ministry of Labour, Immigration, and Population website .

Other Countries That Offer eVisas

Americans can apply for eVisas for the countries listed below. Most official eVisa application pages include links to frequently asked question (FAQ) pages that can help address basic concerns.

As always, be sure consult with the US Department of State's travel advisory website before planning any international travel. In addition, check the status of your passport status to ensure you have enough validity remaining for entry into your desired international destination(s). If on your arrival date you will have less than six months left before your passport expires, be sure to renew your passport before attempting to procure an eVisa. Otherwise, you may risk having your application denied and forfeiting your payment.

The Future of e-Visas

As of now, eVisas are still relatively new. Less than 20% of the world's nations allow Americans to enter their respective countries with an eVisa.

Many nations are still reluctant to adopt electronic visa programs, but in time, the convenience will likely overcome the concern. In addition, there are notable similarities between the online gateways used by current eVisa programs. As eVisas become more ubiquitous, it is likely that eVisa application websites will begin to further conform to similar standards and protocols making the application process even easier for travelers.

Preparing for international travel can be a daunting experience; but simplifying and digitizing the visa application experience creates a more streamlined approval process, ease wait times at border crossings, and help promote both tourism and international business. If you have the opportunity to take advantage of an eVisa instead of a standard application, it would certainly be in your interest to do so!

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Applying for an E-Visa

Your Essential Guide to Getting an E-Visa for India

Understanding India's New Electronic Visa Scheme (Updated)

All visitors to India require a visa , except for citizens of neighboring Nepal and Bhutan. Visitors must either apply for a regular visa or an e-Visa (citizens of Japan and South Korea can also get a visa on arrival at six major airports in India). The e-Visa is hassle-free to obtain, and will be suitable for most tourists. Here's what you need to know about it.

Latest News as of September 2019

Three types of e-Tourist visas are now available with validity of one-month, one-year and five-years. The one-month e-Tourist Visa permits two entries. The one-year and five-year e-Tourist visas allow multiple entries but are subject to limitations on length of continuous stay. The fee for the one-year e-Tourist Visa has been reduced, while the fee for the new one-month e-Tourist Visa is discounted during the off-peak summer season from April to September.

The Indian government introduced a tourist visa on arrival scheme on January 1, 2010. It was initially trialed for citizens of five countries. Subsequently, a year later, it was extended to include a total of 11 countries. And, from April 15, 2014 it was extended to include South Korea.

Effective November 27, 2014, this visa on arrival scheme was replaced by an online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme. It has been implemented in phases and progressively made available to more countries.

In April 2015, the scheme was renamed "e-Tourist Visa" by the Indian government, to remove confusion over the previous ability to get a visa on arrival without applying in advance.

In April 2017, the scheme was further extended to passport holders of 158 countries (up from 150 countries).

The Indian government has also widened the scope of the visa scheme to include short duration medical treatment and yoga courses, and casual business visits and conferences. Previously, these required separate medical/student/business visas.

The aim is to make getting an Indian visa easier, and to bring more business people and medical tourists into the country.

To facilitate this change, in April 2017, the "e-Tourist Visa" scheme became known as "e-Visa". Furthermore, it was divided into three categories:

• e-Tourist Visa
• e-Business Visa
• e-Medical Visa

Two additional categories—e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa—have since been added. Up to two e-Medical Attendant visas will be granted against one e-Medical Visa.

The visa categories can be clubbed together. However, e-Conference visas are only permitted to be clubbed with e-Tourist visas.

Be sure to research the different types of Indian visas .

Who is Eligible for an E-Visa?

Passport holders of the following 165 countries: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Island, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D'lvoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger Republic, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Island, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

However, do note that if your parents or grandparents were born in or lived in Pakistan, you will be ineligible to get an e-Visa even if you're a citizen of the above countries. You will have to apply for a normal visa.

What is the Procedure for Obtaining an E-Visa?

Applications must be made online at this website, no less than four days and no more than 30 days before the date of travel (for a 30-day tourist e-visa). A sample form with screen shots can be downloaded here .

As well as entering you travel details, you will need to upload a photograph of yourself with a white background that meets the specifications listed on the website, and the photo page of your passport that shows your personal details. Your passport will need to be valid for at least six months. Additional documents may be required depending on the type of e-Visa required.

Following this, pay the fee online with your debit or credit card. You will receive an Application ID and the ETA will be sent to you via email within three to five days (often earlier). The status of your application can be checked here . Make sure it shows "GRANTED" before you travel.

You will need to have a copy of the ETA with you when you arrive in India, and present it at the immigration counter at the airport. An immigration officer will stamp your passport with your e-Visa for entry into India. Your biometric data will also be captured at this time.

You should have a return ticket and enough money to spend during your stay in India.

What are the Fees?

The visa fees depend on the nature of the reciprocal relationship between India and each country. Citizens of some countries can get visas free of cost. There are also differing fees for e-Tourists visas and other types of e-Visas. The details can be found in this e-Tourist Visa Fee Chart and Fee Chart for Other E-Visa Types .

Citizens of the following countries are entitled to free visas:

• Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay and Vanuatu.

Citizens of all other countries, except Japan, now pay the same fees for e-Tourist visas. These are as follows:

• One-month e-Tourist Visa (April to June): $10.
• One-month e-Tourist Visa (remainder of the year) : $25
• One-year e-Tourist Visa : $40.
• Five-year e-Tourist Visa : $80.

Japanese citizens only pay $25 for one-year and five-year e-Tourist visas.

The fees for other types of e-Visas are as follows:

• $100 Citizens of US, UK, Russia, Ukraine and Mozambique.
• $80 : Citizens of the majority of countries including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• $25: Citizens of Japan, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

In addition to the visa fee, a bank charge of 2.5% of the fee must be paid.

How Long is the Visa Valid For?

The one-month e-Tourist Visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival in India, with two entries permitted. One-year and five-year e-Tourist visas are valid for 365 days from the date the ETA is granted, with multiple entries permitted.

E-Business visas are valid for one year from the date the ETA is granted, with multiple entries permitted.

E-Medical and e-Medical Attendant visas are valid for 60 days from the date of arrival in India. E-Conference visas are only valid for 30 days from the date of arrival. Three entries are permitted on e-Medical visas and e-Medical Attendant visas. Only one entry is permitted on e-Conference visas. The visas are non-extendable and non-convertible.

How Long Can You Stay in India?

It's important to note that although your e-Tourist Visa may be valid for one year or five years, this doesn't mean you can stay in India continuously for the whole time. The length of continuous stay must not be longer than 90 days—except for citizens of US, UK, Japan and Canada. Citizens of these countries can stay for up to 180 days at a time.

Citizens of all countries can stay in India for up to 180 days continuously on an e-Business visa.

Which Indian Entry Points Accept E-Visas?

You can now enter at the following 28 international airports in India : Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kochi, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi, and Vishakhapatnam.

You can also enter at the following five designated seaports: Kochi, Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai, Chennai.

In addition, separate immigration desks and help counters have been set up to assist medical tourists at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad airports.

Once you have the e-Visa, you can leave India (and return) through any immigration point.

How Often Can You Get an E-Visa?

You can apply as often as you want. The limit on the number of times in a calendar year has been removed.

Visiting Protected/Restricted Areas with Your E-Visa

The e-Visa is not valid for entry into areas such as Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India, by itself. You'll need to obtain a separate Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Inner Line Permit (ILP), depending on the requirements of the particular area. This can be done in India after you arrive, using your e-Visa. You don't need to hold a regular tourist visa to be able to apply for a PAP. Your travel or tour agent can take care of the arrangements for you. If you're planning on visiting Northeast India, you can read more about permit requirements here.

Need Help with Your Application?

Call +91-11-24300666 or email [email protected]

Important: Scams to be Aware of

When applying for your e-Visa, do be aware that a number of commercial websites have been created to look similar to the government of India's official website, and they claim to provide online visa services to tourists. These websites include but are not limited to:

• e-visaindia.com
• e-touristvisaindia.com
• indianvisaonline.org.in

The websites do not belong to the government of India and they will charge you hefty service fees.

Expediting Your E-Visa

If you do need to get your e-Visa in a hurry, iVisa.com offers 24-hour and 2-day processing times. However, this comes at a price— $100 for 24-hours, and $65 for 2-days. Their standard fee for a 4-day processing time is $35. These fees are all additional to the e-Visa fee. The company is legitimate and reliable though.

Visa Requirements for India

Visa Requirements for Australia

Visa Requirements For Thailand

Visa Requirements for the Netherlands

Visa Requirements for Cambodia

Visa Requirements for Vietnam

Visa Requirements for Canada

Visa Requirements for Macao

Required Documents for Travel to China

Visa Requirements for Italy

Permits for North East India and What You Need to Know

How to Get a Shenzhen Visa in Hong Kong

Visa Requirements for Myanmar

Visa Requirements for Sweden

Visa Requirements for Norway

Visa Requirements for France

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Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• For International Visitors
• Electronic System For Travel Authorization

Electronic System for Travel Authorization

ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) . Authorization via ESTA does not determine whether a traveler is admissible to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers determine admissibility upon travelers’ arrival. The ESTA application collects biographic information and answers to VWP eligibility questions. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, though it is recommended that travelers apply as soon as they begin preparing travel plans or prior to purchasing airline tickets.

Apply for an ESTA  

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How Do Electronic Visas Work?

· each country has its own entry rules, and many require visitors to have an e-visa. how do electronic visas work ·.

Travel can be complicated. Between booking flights and accommodation, finding the best things to do at your destination, and coordinating everything logistically for your trip, the process might seem daunting. The last thing you want is to have to worry about visas, right?

Luckily, we live in a time when securing visas to enter a foreign country is easier than ever. There are many different kinds of visas out there, and if you read my post on visa application tips , you know that electronic visas are one of them.

Electronic visas, or e-visas, are the perfect compromise between travelers and countries. Countries have a better handle on who is going to enter and exit their borders, while visitors get to skip the not-so-fun process of waiting in line at the consulate with stacks of important papers.

This post will answer three questions that you may have: What is an electronic visa, how do you get an electronic visa, and are electronic visas better than traditional visas in a passport?

What Is an Electronic Visa?

An electronic visa, or e-visa, is a digital document that grants a traveler access to a country. All countries require visas for all travelers, but we often don’t realize it. This is because most countries have bilateral agreements that allow your passport to suffice as your visa.

Where these agreements exist, you have nothing to worry about other than having a safe and comfortable flight. However, depending on where you are going or where you are from, you may need to secure a visa document before boarding your flight.

Electronic visas are a modern alternative to traditional visas. Traditional visas are stickers that are glued into a passport, and they provide a traveler written permission to enter a specific country for a specific amount of time until a specific date.

Some visas last up to ten years, while others last just a month. Some allow unlimited entries, while others allow just a single entry. Each country has its own restrictions and offers its own set of visas.

Electronic visas are easier and less expensive than traditional visas.

Traditional visas are a hassle. While the sticker looks cool in your passport , the fees are usually well over $100, the exchange of paperwork and emails can take weeks, and the wait times at the consulate are usually not very fun.

Electronic visas offer a scenario where travelers get to skip all of the hassles of consular processes while still securing a visa and receiving entry permission from their destination country. Instead of a sticker in your passport, your electronic visa will be a PDF document that is sent to you via email or simply stored in the country’s immigration database.

How Do You Get an Electronic Visa?

Electronic visas are significantly easier to get than traditional visas, as travelers can pretty much skip the entire consular visa application process. Electronic visas can be acquired by going to the destination country’s immigration control website and providing all of the information that they request.

This information will include your passport details, details about your trip itinerary, and sometimes proof of certain aspects of your trip, including your flight itinerary, hotel booking, vaccination status, and financial solvency.

This will not be the case for every country and will vary, but most countries want to see proof that you have booked an exit flight, as they do not want to have to worry about illegal immigration or people overstaying their visas. Many countries have vaccination requirements for diseases like Yellow Fever and Covid-19, which are often more documentation requirements for electronic visas.

Electronic visas can be acquired by going to the destination country’s immigration control website and providing all of the information that they request.

When you have all of your documentation ready, you simply fill out the online application form , upload digital copies of each document, pay the corresponding fee with a credit or debit card, and wait for the visa to be processed. Some visas are processed in minutes, while others can take a couple of weeks. You can usually expect to have your digital visa document in your email inbox within a few days.

The fees for electronic visas can range anywhere from $30 to $150 depending on where you are going.

Are Electronic Visas Better than Traditional Visas?

In most ways, I would be inclined to say that electronic visas are better than traditional visas. While traditional visas make for a great keepsake and are impossible to lose as long as you don’t lose your passport, the implementation of the electronic visa is the inevitable next step in international travel. They require much less effort on the behalf of the destination country and the traveler, they take a lot less time to issue, and they are easily accessible on your phone.

Being able to apply online for a visa a couple of weeks before your trip is an undeniable advantage over the traditional consular process, too. As long as your phone is charged when it’s time to go through immigration (or you have printed a copy of the electronic visa), there are really no drawbacks to electronic visas. Even if you lose your phone, the visa will still be in your email inbox to be accessed on another device!

Hopefully this post answered the question any questions you have about how electronic visas work. I really love the stickers in my passport, but the ease of electronic visas is undeniable. If you have any questions about electronic visas, let us know by dropping a comment below!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

You do not explain what is the actual way in which you present yourself to an airline for int travel, do you take a print of the email? How do they know you have a visa, because the sticker will be only put at the port of entry destination. Thank you

Hi Eduardo,

This is great feedback! I appreciate it. Generally, you will need to show the e-visa at check-in or before boarding. This can either be in the form of an email PDF, a printed out e-visa form, or sometimes just a visa number. Some countries don’t actually send a document, and in these cases, the confirmation email with a visa number is usually sufficient.

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• Nationality
• Document Required
• Technical Info for e-Visa
• Payment Related
• Authorized Immigration checkposts through which eVisa holders can travel.

Payment Helpdesk

SBI ePay: +91-22-2753-5773 (24 x 7)                Axis Bank : +91 1800-419-0073 (24 x 7)

Toll free Numbers from:

• USA : 1855 205 5577
• Uk : 0808 178 5040
• Singapore : 800 1206 355
• Australia : 1800 153 861
• UAE : 8000 3570 3218
• Saudi Arabia : 800 850 0000
• Qatar : 00 800 100 348
• Bahrain : 800 11 300

Select option no. 6 on IVR to connect to agents.

From rest of the countries none toll free number to India + 91-40-6717-4100 (Paid Number).

• eVisa Helpdesk (Due to maintenance activity IVRS services are unavailable.)
• eVisa Helpdesk

E-VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

Apply online

Upload Photo and Passport Page

Pay eVisa fee online

Using Credit / Debit card / Payment Wallet

Receive ETA Online

Electronic Travel Authorization/ETA Will be sent to your e-mail

Fly To India

Print ETA and present at Immigration Check Post where eVisa will be stamped on passport.

Government of India makes no provision of charging of any emergency fees or additional fees for grant of any emergency / express e-visa. Those travelling to India are also advised to go through instructions available on the website of Bureau of Immigration at https://boi.gov.in .

eVisa is admissable only under the following categories:

E-tourist visa, e-business visa, e-conference visa, e-medical visa, e-medical attendent visa, e-ayush visa, e-ayush attendent visa.

• e-Emergency X-Misc Visa

1. One Month e-Tourist Visa

One Month (30 Days).

Double Entry, non-extendable and non-convertible

2. One year e-Tourist Visa

One year (365 Days) from the date of grant of ETA.

3. Five years e-Tourist Visa

Five years from the date of grant of ETA.

Maximum stay in India during one Calender Year should not exceed 180 days for 1 year and 5 year Tourist Visa.

One year (365 days) from the date of grant of ETA.

Continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days. If the intension is to stay for more then 180 days, shall get registered with FRRO/FRO concerned within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days.

Thirty days (30 days) from the date of arrival into India.

Organizers to upload all details & documentation on the MHA website (conference.mha.gov.in)

Sixty days (60 days) from the date of arrival into India.

If the applicant is unable to complete his e-visa application form, he may save the application and may return to complete the application form by clicking the tab at the bottom of page: After your eVisa applications is submitted, the same shall be scrutinized and if any Document/Image is not appropriate, you may be advised on your given e-mail to re-upload the same. To re-upload use the tab at the bottom of the page. Applicant should normally receive this mail within 24 hours.

• Useful Web Links
• Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. Of India.
• Ministry of External Affairs, Govt Of India
• Ministry of Tourism, Govt Of India
• Bureau of Immigration, Govt Of India
• Incredible India, Govt Of India

Eligibility

• International travellers whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation, sight seeing,casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme,Short term courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/programme (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc),Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return), medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, business purpose, as attendant to e-Medical visa holder, attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations etc. & their subordinate/ attached organizations & PSUs and private conferences organized by private persons/companies/organizations.
• Applicant's passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making application for grant of e-Visa.
• International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket,with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.
• International Travellers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.
• Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders.
• Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
• Not available to International Travel Document Holders other than Passport.

If you are a national of any following countries, you are eligible for eVisa.

• Afghanistan
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Cameroon Union Republic
• Cayman Island
• Cook Islands
• Cote d'lvoire
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Isle of Man
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Niger Republic
• Niue Island
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Republic of Korea
• Saint Christopher and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turks & Caicos Island
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City-Holy See
• Zambia and Zimbabwe

Documents Requirement & Visa Categories

• General Instructions
• Advisory for Canadian Nationals
• e-Visa has 5 sub-categories viz. e-Tourist Visa(for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years) ,e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa. A foreigner (other than those applying for e-Conference Visa) will be allowed to club activities permitted under these categories. Foreigners applying for e-Conference visa will be permitted to club the activities permitted under e-Tourist visa only (validity co-terminus with e-Conference Visa only i.e. 30 days). Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e- Medical Visa.
• For e-Tourist and e-Business visa, Applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival.
• For e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, Applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 120 days. Example: If you are applying on 1st Sept then applicant can select arrival date from 5th Sept to 2nd Jan
• Sample eVisa application form is available on the tab near the bottom of eVisa main page.
• Recent front facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport containing personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc are to be uploaded mandatorily by the applicant. Additionally one more document depending upon the e-Visa type would also be required to be uploaded. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded documents and photograph are not clear / as per specification.
• e-Visa fee is country/Territory specific. Bank transaction charges of 2.5% will be charged additionally on applicable e-Visa fees. The fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel otherwise application will not be processed. To know the fee applicable on your Country/Territory please Click here (for e-Tourist Visa) and for other e-Visa Click here .
• e-Visa fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
• Applicant should carry a copy of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) along with him/her at the time of travel. Please confirm that your ETA status is shown as 'GRANTED' on this website prior to commencement of your journey. Applicants can track the status of their application online by clicking VisaStatus
• Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India.
• e-Visa is non-extendable, non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas. If you intend to visit Protected/Restricted/Cantonment areas, you would require prior permission from the Civil Authority please visit here.
• The e-Visa fee payment status updation may take up to 2 hours due to technical reasons/network delays. Before re-applying, the applicants are requested to wait for 2 hours for payment status updating, after final submission of the application form and payment of the fee. In cases, where e-Visa fee has been deducted but status is not updated, the applicants are advised to verify their payment status by clicking on 'Verify Payment/Pay Visa Fee' tab or by clicking on the link Verify Payment.
• Nationals of Yellow Fever affected countries or travellers arriving from these countries must carry YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CARD at the time of arrival in India, otherwise they may be quarantined for 6 days upon arrival in India. Please visit our Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare latest guidelines regarding yellow fever countries here.
• You must travel on the Passport which you have applied for eVisa. Entry will be allowed into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport, however in such cases a traveler must carry the old passport on which ETA was issued

The documents required for completing the eVisa application is indicated against each type of eVisa. Please keep all these documents ready at hand before beginning to fill your eVisa application. All documents including Business cards, Invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which the application would be liable for rejection. The entire process may take 10 to 15 minutes to complete the application and make the payment.

Applicants must be fill eVisa application himself/herself and give correct information in each column and take responsibility for the correctness of information provided.

Documents Required: All documents uploaded by the applicant including business cards, invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which e-Visa application would be liable for rejection.

The documents required for e-visa are :.

• Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details *
• For short term courses, copy of letter from the institute/organization/hospital etc. concerned on its letter-head *
• For voluntary work of short duration, copy of letter from the organization concerned on its letter-head *
• Copy of Letter from the Hospital concerned in India on its letterhead which including the date / tentative date which admission have been suggested .
• Copy of Business Card
• Any letter of invitation if applicable from indian parties which wish you conduct the business (optional).
• Copy of Passport page containing personal particulars *
• Approval of the Government of India in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Sports)
• Invitation Letter to foreign sports teams and sports persons to visit India by the concerned Sports Federation/Association in India.
• If the applicant had participated in any commercial sports event during his/her previous visit to India, then documents regarding Tax compliance for the said visit are to be furnished
• If the sports event entails visit to Restricted or Protected Areas in India, below mentioned additional documents are also to be submitted (a) Clearance for holding the event from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. (b) Political Clearance for holding the event from the Ministry of external Affairs, Government of India. (c) Requisite clearance from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
• Invitation of the host institute to the foreign faculty
• Copy of the sanction order under GIAN issued by the National Coordinating Institute viz. IIT Kharagpur
• Copy of the synopsis of the courses to be taken up by the faculty
• Invitation from organizer, which applicant may seek from this organiser.
• Political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs
• Event clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs

The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following requirements:

• Format - JPEG
• Minimum 10 KB
• Maximum 1 MB
• The height and width of the Photo must be equal.
• Photo should present full face, front view, eyes open and without spectacles
• Center head within frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin
• Background should be plain light colored or white background.
• No shadows on the face or on the background.
• Without borders.
• Format -PDF
• Size : Minimum 10 KB ,Maximum 300 KB

The applicant has choice of using two option for payment.

• SBI-FAQS-Payment Related
• AXIS-FAQS-Payment Related

SBIePay is the Payment Aggregator service of State Bank of India – India’s Largest Bank and amongst top 50 Banks in the world, which provides bouquet of multiple payment options on a single page for the convenience of the customers.

SBIePay has facilitated the following channels on e-Visa platform:

• Payment Gateway: It seamlessly processes Credit card and Debit Card transactions for all the cards issued internationally by Visa & MasterCard. SBIePay Payment gateway is enabled with BIN identifier which recognises the BIN online when a customer enters the no., which drastically improves the success percentage and reduces customer friction.
• Paypal: SBIePay also facilitates e-Visa customers to make payment through widely popular and accepted Paypal channel.

SBIePay is certified with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) ver 3.2, which is the latest version, and which further reinforces our promise of security and safety. The payment system fully supports 3DSecure - Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code, wherever it is applicable. Further, SBIePay is secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption which ensures that payment information that travels over the Internet is always encrypted and cannot be viewed by unauthorised individuals.

Yes, SBIePay has enabled international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D Secure authentication.

The applicant enters necessary details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ , and clicks on 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to SBIePay payment page and is presented with payment options of either entering Card details (Payment Gateway) or Paypal .Applicant enters his card details and clicks ‘Proceed’. Now, either of the below mentioned 2 scenarios will occur:

• 3 D Secure page of the Card Issuerwill be displayed, where applicant must enter 3D Secure Password/OTP.
• Transaction is processed without 3D Secure page. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.

If an applicant is presented with a 3D Secure page prompting to enter a password/OTP, this means the Card issuing Bank participates in 3D Secure transaction. If the applicant’s transaction is processed without directing to 3D secure page, he/she should contact the card issuing Bank for support.

In an ideal scenario, once the transaction is processed, the applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with a reference number.

In some rare scenarios it may happen where the application is not shown Payment successful page post completion of transaction, which may be due to a drop in connectivity leading to non-receipt of success response. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund shall be initiated after due reconciliation process to the applicants’ card account.

In rare case of transaction status unknown to the applicant, which is when the applicant has not received success response due to time out or connectivity issue and the account has been debited, we advise the customer not to attempt another transaction immediately and rather provide their Order no. on the e-Visa site after 30 minutes to check the status of the transaction. If the transaction status is showing ‘failed’, then customer may attempt another transaction. Also, the debited amount shall be refunded to the applicants’ card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction.

The banking charges for:

• Payment Gateway Card transactions (both Debit or Credit Card): 2.5%* of the applicable e-Visa fee.
• Paypal: 3.5%* of the applicable e-Visa fee.

*The charges are inclusive of any applicable taxes.

The breakup of transaction charges will be displayed on the Payment page for applicants’ knowledge and to maintain transparency.

At State Bank of India, we are committed to provide best customer services to our customers. Customers can email us at sbiepay[at]sbi[dot]co[dot]in for any queries related to their transaction. Alternatively, SBIePay provides 24*7*365 customer support to all the e-Visa applicants. Applicants can also call us on the below mentioned number(s):

Contact No: +91-22-2753-5773

An applicant can perform multiple times transactions for a single application ID, with a gap of minimum 25 minutes between each transaction. It is advisable that applicant may check the status of the transaction at e-Visa portal before attempting another transaction.

An applicant shall be charged for only once for any successful transaction against an application ID. Any further debits shall be refunded back to the customer after due reconciliation, within seven (7) days of transactions.

Axis Bank is an Internet Payment Gateway Solution allows you to make payments on a 24 X 7 basis from around the world. It accepts all Visa, MasterCard and Maestro cards.

Axis Bank Payment Gateway services facilitates online payments w.r.t. all Credit and Debit Cards issued by MasterCard and VISA.

Axis Bank Payment gateway services is compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) standards. All transactions initiated at Axis Bank Payment Gateway services come with 128 bit security and two factor authentication via MasterCard Secure Code and Verified-by-Visa authentication is enabled.

Axis Bank Payment gateway accepts all international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D secure authentication.

The applicant after filling details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ clicks 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to Axis Bank payment gateway page and is presented with payment options like MasterCard and VISA. Cardholder enters his card number, expiry date, Name and CVV value and clicks 'Pay Now'. Incase cardholder Bank is enabled for 3D secure, then a page will appear for the cardholder to entire either his/her OTP/3D secure password. Else transaction would be processed. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.

Incase Bank is participating for 3D Secure transaction during transaction a 3D secure page would appear and cardholders have to enter his/her password /OTP.

The applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with reference number. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund will have to be initiated after due reconciliation to the applicant's card account.

If a transaction has failed but the applicants card account is debited more than once, the amount will have to be refunded to the applicant's card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction. In some cases, If the fund still lies with the card issuing Bank, kindly get in touch with your Bank for such case.

The banking charges are subject to maximum of 2.5% plus applicable taxes on the applicable e-Visa fees. These charges are charged to the applicant at the time of making online e visa fee payment.

Axis Bank provides technical support for all payment related transactions at ecom[at]axisbank[dot]com

Our endeavour is to provide you with a seamless experience on our platform. Please ensure following, before initiating the card payment.

• Using a non-expired card
• Have sufficient balance in your account
• Have sufficient credit card limit on the card being used
• Card is not reported as “lost or stolen”
• Entering the correct OTP. Have access to device for accessing OTP or Static password
• Card supports transactions in INR and USD
• Amount has not exceeded the daily maximum allowed amount by your issuer
• Number of transactions have not exceeded the daily maximum allowed count by your issuer
• Issuer and card not enrolled for 3DS
• Timeout occurred while receiving the OTP from issuer or while entering OTP on the payment page

SBI e-Pay Payment Gateway :-

• SBIePay is the Payment Aggregator service of State Bank of India which provides multiple payment options on a single payment page for the convenience of applicants. SBIePay has enabled Debit and Credit issued by MasterCard and VISA.
• SBIePay facilitates online payments all Credit and Debit Cards issued by MasterCard and VISA.
• SBIePay is certified with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) ver 2.0 certified, which reinforces our promise of security. The payment system fully supports 3DSecure - Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code, wherever it is applicable. Further SBIePay is secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption which ensures that payment information never sent over the Internet unencrypted and cannot be viewed by unauthorised individuals.
• SBIePay has enabled international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D Secure authentication.
• The applicant after filling details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ and clicks 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to SBIePay payment page and is presented with payment options like MasterCard and VISA. Applicant enters his card details and clicks “Proceed”. Then the applicant may see one of the two options: i. 3 D Secure page of the Card issuing page for inputing 3D Secure password/OTP ii. Transaction is processed without 3D Secure page. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.
• The applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with reference number. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund shall be initiated after due reconciliation to the applicants card account.
• If a transaction has failed but the applicants card account is debited more than once, the amount shall be refunded to the applicants card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction.
• The banking charges are 2.5% on the applicable e-Visa fees. These charges are charged to the applicant at the time of making online e-visa fee payment.
• SBIePay provides technical support for all payment related transactions at +91-22-2753-5773 is (24 x 7).
• An applicant can perform maximum of three transactions for a single application ID.
• If the applicant cannot succeed in three attempts, a new application is required to be filled and transaction has to be carried out with new application ID.
• An applicant shall be charged for only once against an application ID. Any double/triple debit shall be refunded after due reconciliation within seven (7) days of transactions.

Ans- The following are the eligibility conditions for availing e-Visa services-   i. Nationals of countries listed on the e-Visa website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ are eligible to apply for e-Visa Services.   ii. Foreigners whose sole objective for visiting India is     (a) Recreation and sightseeing     (b) Casual visit to meet friends and relatives     (c) Attending short term yoga programme or short term courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/programme      (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issuing a qualifying certificate/diploma etc. to the participants)     (d) Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return)     (e) Medical treatment, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine     (f) As attendant to e-Medical visa holder     (g) Business purpose     (h) Attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop.   iii. Passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making application for grant of e-Visa and a re-entry permit, if that is required under the law of the country of nationality of the applicant.    The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.   iv. The foreigner should have return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.   v. Foreigners of Pakistani origin or having Pakistani Passport are not eligible for e-Visa. Foreigners who are not Pakistani nationals, but whose parents or grandparents (either paternal or maternal) was born    in, or was permanently resident in Pakistan, are also not eligible for e-Visa. They may apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.   vi. Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer/ international travel document holders.   vii. Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.

Ans- For details regarding procedure for applying, please visit our website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/

Ans- No, https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ is only the official website to apply for the e-Visa Services.    Note - Services of e-Visa are completely online and no facilitation is required by any intermediary / travel agents etc. It is advised not to believe or fall in trap of any such unscrupulous elements who claim    speedy/express grant of e-Visa and charge money for it.    Do not share your personal information with any unauthorized website as it may lead to leakage of your personal data. Only visit the official website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ for e-Visa    service.    For any clarification, you may write us on our email id ' indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in ' or contact us on +91 11 24300666 .

Ans- No, there is no fee other than the processing fee for e-Visa application and it is non-refundable. Please visit our website to know the fee applicable for your country as it is country-specific.

Ans- (i) For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years), e-Business Visa, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance    of the date of arrival. Such application can be made 120 days in advance from proposed date of travel.    (ii) For e-Tourist Visa (30 days) , applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival. Such application can be made 30 days in advance from    proposed date of travel.

Ans- Yes. Immediately after you submit your e-Visa application and make the payment, you will receive a confirmation of submission of your application on the email id provided by you while filling up your    application form.

Ans- Your e-Visa application may take 72 hours or more for processing. You will be intimated about your Visa status (Granted or Rejected) on your email id provided by you in the e-Visa application.

Ans- Yes, you may check the status of your e-Visa application by visiting our website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ and clicking on 'Check your Visa Status' Tab provided on the website.

Ans- The validity of e-Visa would be according to the e-Visa service you have requested in the application form as -    For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years) , the validity would be 365 days / 05 years from the date of grant of ETA with Multiple entries and Maximum stay in India during one Calender Year should not exceed 180 days.    For e-Tourist Visa (30 days) , the validity would be 30 days from the date of your first arrival in India. Double entries will be granted within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport. Your first    arrival must be between the date of issue and expiry of ETA.    For e-Business Visa , the validity would be 365 days from the date of grant of ETA with Multiple entries and continuous stay during each visit which shall not exceed 180 days and no registration would be    required if stay is for a period of less than 180 days. However, if the intention is to stay for more than 180 days, then the foreigner shall get himself/herself registered with the FRRO/FRO concerned     (https://indianfrro.gov.in) within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days of his/her arrival in India.    For e-Conference Visa , the validity would be 30 days from the date of arrival in India with Single entry.    For e-Medical Visa , the validity would be 60 days from the date of first arrival in India and triple entry will be allowed within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport.    For e-Medical Attendant Visa , the validity would be 60 days from the date of first arrival in India and triple entry will be allowed within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport.

Ans- No, e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.

Ans- You may arrive at 31 designated Airports i.e. Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa(Dabolim), Goa(Mopa), Guwahati, Hyderabad,Indore    Jaipur,Kannur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi & Visakhapatnam, and 5 designated seaports (i.e. Cochin, Goa, Mangalore,    Chennai and Mumbai seaports). You may depart from any of the Indian Immigration Check Posts (ICPs).

Ans- Your e-Visa application may take upto 72 hours for processing. For more enquiries on your e-Visa application, you can contact us at +91 11 24300666 or e-mail at indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in    The applicants are advised to beware of unscrupulous elements/ travel agents/ intermediaries in this regard. In cases where applicants have been asked for correct details or additional information    where application is incomplete, the same must be sent immediately. If such information is not provided within 72 hours, the application is liable to be rejected.

Ans- Yes, ensure that your child’s passport is valid at-least for next 06 (six) months from the date of arrival in India.

Ans- e-Visa processing fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

Ans- No. You have already paid the required processing fee online. The applicants are advised to beware of unscrupulous elements/ travel agents/ intermediaries demanding extra payment.

Ans- This pertains to customs department.

Ans- Make sure you delete the browser history and cookies before trying to make payment. Also try to change the browser if the problem persists.    In case you have already tried more than thrice, then you may have to re-submit the entire application form once again.    Payment Support helpline :-     Axis Bank Technical support. Email address: ecom[at]axisbank[dot]com    Contact No Toll free Numbers from:    USA : 18552055577 UK : 0808178 5040 Singapore : 8001206355 Australia : 1800153861 UAE : 8000 3570 3218 Saudi Arabia : 8008500000 Qatar : 00800 100348 Bahrain : 80011300    For rest of the countries: + 91-40-6717-4100     SBI ePay payment support provides technical support for all payment related transactions at +91-22-2753-5773 (24 x 7).

Ans- Please visit our website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ and click on 'Verify Payment/ Pay e-Visa fee'.

Ans - You have to upload the business card along with the details of Indian Firm/Company (which you intend to associate yourself with) for business activities. For Sports Related Activity under e-Business Visa, please refer Instructions for applicant page for the list of documents required.

Ans- Business card means 'a card provided to you by the company you are working for' OR you can also upload 'an invitation letter from the company in India including company's information, address and    phone number in India'.

Ans - A Copy of Letter from the Hospital concerned in India on its letterhead which includes the tentative date of admission/treatment in the hospital mentioning the name, nationality and Passport number of    the patient/ e-Medical Visa applicant.

Ans- For e-Conference Visa, following are the required documents:    (i) Invitation from organizer (mandatory)    (ii) Political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India (mandatory)    (iii) Event clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India (optional)

Ans- You may be allowed entry into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport with the condition that you must carry the new Passport and old passport on which ETA was    issued.

Ans- No, You can only enter through the designated airports/seaports which are listed on the e-Visa website.

Ans- You have to put the Previous visa details in the application form as it is mandatory. You can write NA or Not Available or Not Applicable or any other suitable phrase according to you in the application    form if you do not remember your earlier Visa number/details.

Ans- The Visa on Arrival facility is only for the nationals of Japan, South Korea and UAE (only for such UAE nationals who had earlier obtained e-Visa or regular/paper visa for India). For the nationals of all other    countries eligible for e-Visa, the e-visa application have to be filled online and the applicant must wait till the confirmation/Grant of ETA for travelling to India.

Ans- e-Visa processing fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either grant or Rejection of the Application.

Ans- Entry by cruise ship is allowed with the ETA through 5 designated seaports namely Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Goa and Mangalore seaports.

Ans- 'Visible identification mark' generally means moles, birthmarks, permanent scars etc. which are visible and can be shown if askd for by the Indian Immigration Authority.

Ans- All the foreigners arriving in India within 6 days of departure from any yellow fever endemic country are required to possess (in original) a valid yellow fever certificate of vaccination.    List of Yellow fever vaccination countries-     https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Updated%20List%20of%20Yellow%20Fever%20Endemic%20Countries%20by%20WHO_0.pdf

Ans- The applicant must check all the details including Name, Nationality, Passport Number and Date of Birth, photograph/self image etc before final submission of e-Visa application. The applicant would be    responsible for any discrepancy irrespective of grant/rejection of e-Visa application. However, if any discrepancy found on ETA, e-Visa Support Centre may be contacted at indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in or     +91 11 24300666 for assistance at least 24 hours before the journey date.

Ans- e-Visa is not allowed for employment. You may apply for a Regular Visa.

Ans- e-Visa is not allowed for NGO activities and journalism purposes. However, Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or    consideration of any kind in return) are allowed.

Ans- Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e-Medical Visa (patient).

Authorized Immigration Checkposts

Entry points.

Persons holding eVisa will be allowed to enter into India only through the designated international airports (31) namely :

• Thiruvananthapuram
• Goa(Dabolim)
• Visakhapatnam
• Bhubaneswar

eVisa facility is also been provided for entry at 5 major Indian seaport for cruise tourists:

• New Mangalore

Exit Points

• Bhubaneshwar
• Tiruchirapalli
• Vishakhapatnam
• Attari Road
• Changrabandha
• Gauriphanta
• Kailashahar
• Lalgolaghat
• Srimantapur
• Kawarpuchia
• Bedi Bunder
• Mormagoa Harbour
• Mumbai Seaport
• Nagapattinum
• Nhava Sheva
• Vishakapatnam
• Agati and Minicoy Island Lakshdwip UT
• Vallarpadam
• Krishnapatnam
• Munabao Rail Check Post
• Attari Rail Check Post
• Gede Rail and Road Check Post
• Haridaspur Rail Check Post
• Chitpur Rail Checkpost

Technical information for e-visa: This site is best viewed in Mozilla Firefox,Google Chrome,Internet Explorer (Windows) version 9.0 and above.The applicant must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 7.0 or higher installed on your PC in order to download and print the completed application form. This website is compatible with Android and IOS devices.

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Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA)

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Most travellers need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport.

Before you apply , find out what you need to travel to Canada.

What is an Electronic Travel Authorization?

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. An eTA is electronically linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.  If you get a new passport, you need to get a new eTA.

With a valid eTA, you can travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays (normally for up to six months at a time). You do not need an eTA for travel within Canada.

An eTA doesn’t guarantee entry to Canada. When you arrive, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and other documents. You must convince the officer that you are eligible for entry into Canada .

Who needs an eTA to travel to Canada?

There are 4 types of travellers:

• Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. These travellers do not need an eTA when arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship).
• Citizens from select visa-required countries may be eligible to apply for an eTA, instead of a visa, to travel to Canada by air . However, these travellers need a visitor visa when arriving by car, bus, train, or boat, including a cruise ship.
• Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, need a valid Canadian passport . American-Canadians can travel with a valid Canadian or U.S. passport.
• Important – former residents of Canada: Permanent resident (PR) status does not expire. If you once lived in Canada many years ago , you could still have PR status . Learn more to avoid travel delays .
• Visa-required including alien’s passport holders and stateless individuals.
• U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport.
• They must carry official proof of status (or an equivalent status document) and a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent travel document).
• See the complete list of documents for lawful permanent residents of the U.S.

You need an official proof of status as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., such as one of the following:

• valid permanent resident card (Form I-551)
• foreign passport with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (also known as an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication [ADIT] stamp)
• foreign passport with a temporary I-551 printed notation (“Upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year”) on a machine-readable immigrant visa upon endorsement with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection admission stamp
• expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) or Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status)
• expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card [Green Card])
• valid re-entry permit (Form I-327)
• Form I-94 with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (ADIT stamp) and a passport-style photo

See the complete list of eTA exceptions .

How do I apply for an eTA for travel to Canada?

Only apply for an eTA on this official Government of Canada website.

Applying for an eTA is a simple online process that takes just a few minutes to complete. Most applicants get their eTA approval (via an email) within minutes. However, some requests can take several days to process if you're asked to submit supporting documents. It is best to get an eTA before you book your flight to Canada.

An eTA costs CAD $7. You can only apply and pay for one person at a time.

To complete the form, you will need your passport, a credit card, and an email address. You must also answer a few questions.

Avoid this common mistake when you apply

If you enter the wrong passport number on the eTA form, you will have problems flying to Canada.

Use the eTA help guide ( PDF , 1.62 MB ) and follow the instructions to enter your passport number correctly.

Use the number that is at the top of your passport information page – the page with your photo.

What to bring to the airport

When we approve your eTA, it will be linked to the passport you used to apply . You need to present this passport when you check-in to your flight to Canada.

The airline staff will scan your passport to confirm that you have a valid eTA. If you do not have one, you won’t be able to board your flight.

Apply for an eTA

Confirm passport number is correct

Avoid hassles at the airport: Once your eTA is approved , check that the passport number included in your eTA approval email matches the number in your passport. If they don’t match, you need to apply for a new eTA .

Page details

An official website of the United States government

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Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Visa Waiver Program and ESTA application

The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa.

Find out the requirements for ESTA

If you are a citizen of a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must meet the eligibility requirements to travel to the U.S. under the program. You will also need authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before beginning your trip. Learn about the VWP and ESTA and if your country participates in the program.

How to request a travel authorization to the U.S. through ESTA

If you find out your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program:

Confirm that your passport meets the program requirements. You must have an  electronic passport or “e-Passport”  to participate in the VWP. This type of passport includes a chip.

Complete the  ESTA application  online.

Pay the fees: The total cost is $21. When you apply, you will pay a $4 processing fee. If you are approved to travel to the U.S., you must pay an additional $17 authorization fee.  Learn about the payment options available to pay ESTA fees.

When you complete and submit the form and processing fee, you will get an ESTA application number. Use that number to  check the status of your application . It may take up to 72 hours to find out if you are authorized to travel to the U.S. under the VWP.

Each approved ESTA application is generally valid for two years and allows multiple visits to the U.S. within that period without having to apply for another travel approval. If your passport expires in less than two years, you will receive an ESTA approval valid until the passport's expiration date.

When you travel to the U.S. for tourism or business under the VWP, you may stay up to 90 days per visit.

If you have questions about the ESTA and VWP application process, visit the  U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) FAQ page .

Other travel documents you will need to enter the U.S.

Even if you qualify for the VWP, you will need to bring a passport from your country of citizenship to enter the U.S. Generally, a visitor’s passport must not expire less than six months from the date they plan to exit the U.S. But some countries extend the validity of their passports for an additional six months after expiration. They are known as being part of the “Six Month Club.” Learn which countries are exempt from the six-month passport rule.

When you enter the U.S., officials at your port of entry will issue you a Form I-94W, an electronic record of your entry date. Learn more about I-94W and how to apply.

LAST UPDATED: May 20, 2024

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What is an E-Visa?

• Business Travel , Expedited Visas , Swift Services
• By Laurie Lee

We’ve discovered that a lot of our clients are confused about e-visas. There is a sense that an e-visa isn’t a real visa, or that you might not actually need one in order to visit certain countries. Let’s take a moment to clear up the confusion surrounding e-visas right now.

What is e-visa?

E-visa is short for electronic visa. It is simply a visa that you can apply for on your own through a country’s visa website. They are no different than other types of travel visas. The only difference is that you can complete the application online.

Do I need an e-visa?

Countries that currently require e-visas include Australia, Turkey, India, and Sri Lanka. In order to enter these countries, you will need an e-visa. Some people try to go to these countries without first obtaining an e-visa, but that’s never a good idea. If you don’t have an e-visa when you arrive in one of these countries, you may be subject to a fine or not be allowed to enter at all.

How early do I need to apply for an e-visa?

In most cases, your e-visa will be approved instantaneously. That means that you can apply for an e-visa any time before your upcoming trip. Just keep in mind that your visa may expire within 60 days, so you don’t want to get it too far in advance. Contact Swift to determine logistics.

You should also keep in mind that e-visa websites can sometimes be finicky. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you need to obtain an e-visa within a matter of hours, because you might run out of luck.

I need help getting started. What can I do?

The team here at Swift is always happy to help you apply for e-visas. Just  contact our team  and let us know where you’re trying to go.

8 thoughts on “What is an E-Visa?”

Hi is e visa valid for 1 year ?

Which e-visa are you referring to? They vary in validity from country to country

Hi I am from Ethiopia and I want to visit Australia. Is e visa support from Ethiopia to Australia?

HI i am from RWANDA and i want to visit georgia i just need your help

Hello! Are you currently living in Rwanda?

Hi. anyone help me to how to apply E Visa from Pakistan, Thanks

Greetings… where are you trying to travel to?

I need E Visa of Singapore how can I get it

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What is the Difference Between an eTA and an eVisa?

An eTA and eVisa are 2 different types of travel document . They act in similar ways, but they have some differences.

Many countries and territories have a visa policy which requires certain visitors to be in possession of one of these documents.

Without one of these required travel permits, visitors could be refused entry into their destination.

What is an eVisa?

An eVisa is a type of visa which is applied for and processed entirely online .

It acts in the same way as any other visa , by permitting the holder to enter and spend time in the issuing country.

What Are the Benefits of an eVisa?

An eVisa has numerous benefits that make it a popular choice for many travelers.

An eVisa Means an Easy Application

It is more straightforward to apply for than other visas, as it uses a simple online system.

Electronic Visas Have a Faster Turnaround

The online system processes the application quickly, and the approved visa is usually received within a matter of days .

eVisas Are Stress Free

As an e-Visa is completed fully online , there’s no need for the applicant to apply in person.

It is not necessary to visit an embassy or consulate, you can complete the application from the comfort of your home .

How Do I Apply for an eVisa?

The application process for an eVisa is very simple .

First, it is necessary to check if your destination offers this service for visitors. If they do, you can then proceed to their online application form.

To apply, simply complete the fields with the relevant information. Once the eVisa has been approved, it is usually sent to your email address .

What Is an eTA?

An eTA is an electronic Travel Authorization. It allows the bearer access into the issuing country, without the need for a visa at all.

Travelers who are from a visa-exempt country can travel using this document, instead of a visa.

What Are the Benefits of an eTA?

An eTA shares many of the same benefits as an eVisa.

Simple Process to Obtain an eTA

It is very easy to apply for an eTA, as it is all completed online.

An eTA Saves You Time

Applying for an eTA is much quicker than applying for a visa or other typer of travel document.

You Can Apply Online for an Electronic Travel Authorization

The application process does not require you to go in person to an official government office .

How Do I Apply for an eTA?

Like an eVisa, the eTA is very simple to apply for.

Some countries, like Australia, have an eTA app that allows you to easily apply using a mobile device.

Once you have confirmed that you are included in your destination country’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP) , then you can start the process.

Complete the online application form with your details and then wait for your eTA to be sent to you shortly thereafter.

Differences Between eVisa and eTA

As you’ve just read, each of these travel documents permit the bearer entry into the issuing country. However, despite their similarities, there are some differences.

An eTA Is Not a Visa

An electronic travel authorization is not the same as a visa.

An eTA can only be obtained by travelers who are nationals of a country that falls under the destination’s Visa Waiver Program .

In contrast, eVisas are usually available to citizens of most countries and territories.

Limit and Validity

The 2 documents also differ in how long they are valid for and what travel limits they have.

An eVisa is typically valid for 30 to 60 days, whereas an eTA is often valid for a long period of time.

An eTA also permits the holder multiple entries into their destination, but an eVisa is usually single-entry.

Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

How to apply for India e-Visa: A step-by-step guide (with screenshots)

Updated: July 26, 2023

India e-Visa application is quite simple and easy to navigate. It only takes about 15 minutes to apply for India e-Visa online. Keep the necessary documents ready before you start the application. If you are missing something, it’s not a big deal as you can save the application and come back later to complete it.

There can be occasional hiccups with the visa fee payment. But nothing major. These payment issues can be fixed easily. I have provided all the details you need to know in this article.

If you haven’t already, check out the complete guide to India e-Visa for details on different tourist e-Visa types, eligible nationalities, fees, processing time, application status, etc.

Table of Contents

Documents needed to apply for india e-visa.

Before starting your India e-Visa online application, have these documents ready.

• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your anticipated date of arrival in India
• Photo must be in JPG/JPEG format only
• Photo must be 2inch x 2inch in dimensions
• Photo must be less than 1MB in size
• Head must be centered with light background and no glasses
• Scan must be in PDF format only
• Scan must be larger than 10KB and smaller than 300KB
• Your credit or debit card must support international transactions in non-home currency

Steps for filling out the India e-Visa application

• Go to India e-Visa Portal
• Click on the Apply here for e-Visa button

You will be taken to the e-Visa application page.

02. e-Visa application

Enter the following details on the e-Visa application page.

• Nationality/Region [ Comment : Enter your country of passport ]
• Passport Type [ Comment : Select “ORDINARY PASSPORT” from the options ]
• Port of Arrival [ Comment : Select the airport where you will be arriving ]
• Date of Birth [ Comment : Enter your date of birth as it appears in your passport in DD/MM/YYYY format ]
• Email ID [ Comment : Enter your email ID where you would like to receive your approved e-Visa ]
• Re-enter Email ID [ Comment : Re-enter your email ID ]
• Visa Service [ Comment : Select “e-TOURIST VISA”. If there is a 5-year option, select the 5-year option and then select “RECREATION/SIGHT-SEEING”. If you are not a tourist and applying for the e-Visa for some other purpose, select the appropriate purpose ]
• Expected Date of Arrival  [ Comment : Enter your anticipated date of arrival in India in DD/MM/YYYY format ]
• Please enter above text  [ Comment : Enter the captcha ]

Check the box for “I have read the instructions I have all the required documents in scanned pdf format and photograph in jpg/jpeg format”.

Click on the orange Continue button.

A small popup appears prompting you to make sure you have a colored digital photo and a scan of your passport ID page. 

Click on the Ok button on the popup. 

You will be taken to the Applicant Details Form .

03. Applicant Details Form (part 1)

Enter the following information in the Applicant Details section.

• Surname (exactly as in your passport) [ Comment : Enter your surname as it appears in your passport ]
• Given Name/s (exactly as in your passport) [ Comment : Enter your given name as it appears in your passport. If you have a middle name, enter your middle name followed by your first name in this field ]
• Have your ever changed your name? [ Comment : If you have legally changed your name in the past, check this box and enter the details. Ex: changed your surname after marriage ]
• Gender [ Comment : Select your gender from the options ]
• Date of birth [ Comment : Nothing to enter here as your date of birth is populated automatically from the previous screen ]
• Town/City of birth [ Comment : Enter your place of birth as it appears in your passport ]
• Country/Region of birth [ Comment : Enter your country of birth ]
• Citizenship/National Id No. [ Comment : If you have a national Id, enter here. But do not enter SSN or something similar that’s confidential. In that case, just enter NA ]
• ZOROASTRIAN
• Visible identification marks [ Comment : Enter any visible identification marks such as permanent moles or scars preferably on the face ]
• BELOW MATRICULATION
• HIGHER SECONDARY
• MATRICULATION
• NA BEING MINOR
• POSTGRADUATE
• PROFESSIONAL
• Nationality/Region [ Comment : Nothing to enter here as your nationality is populated automatically from the previous screen ]
• Naturalization
• Have you lived for at least two years in the country where you are applying visa? [ Comment: Select “Yes”. If you haven’t lived more than two years in the country you are applying from, select “No” ]

Enter the following information in the Passport Details section.

• Passport Number [ Comment : Enter your current passport number that you will use for entering India ]
• Place of Issue [ Comment : Enter the place of issue as it appears in your passport ]
• Date of Issue [ Comment : Enter the date of issue as it appears in your passport ]
• Date of Expiry [ Comment : Enter the expiry date as it appears in your passport. Passport must have at least 6 months of validity from the anticipated date of entry ]
• Any other valid Passport/Identity Certificate(IC) held [ Comment : Select No. If you also hold a passport from another country, select Yes and enter the details ]

Click on the orange Save and Continue button. 

You will be taken to the Applicant Details Form second part.

How to save the application and come back later to complete

If you plan to continue filling out the application later, you can click on Save and Temporarily Exit button.

This will save your progress and exit the application. You will be asked to make a note of your application ID. 

You will also receive an email with your application ID. You will have 7 days to complete the application. Otherwise, the application will be deleted from the system and you will have to start over again.

Follow these steps to complete the partially saved application.

• Click on the Complete Partially Filled Application Form button

You will be taken to the Complete Partially Filled Form .

Enter the following information in the Complete Partially Filled Form .

• Temporary Application ID [ Comment : Enter your saved application ID. If you don’t remember, look in your email inbox ]
• Please enter above text [ Comment : Enter the captcha ]

Click on the orange Complete Partially Filled button.

You will be taken to the last saved point of your e-Visa application. You can continue filling in from there.

04. Applicant Details Form (part 2)

Enter the following information in the Applicant Address Details section.

Present Address

• House No./Street [ Comment : Enter your house number or street address where you live ]
• Village/Town/City [ Comment : Enter the city where you live ]
• Country [ Comment : Enter the country where you live ]
• State/Province/District [ Comment : Enter the state or province where you live ]
• Postal/Zip Code [ Comment : Enter your current address postal or zip code ]
• Phone No. [ Comment : Enter your current fixed-line phone number ]
• Mobile No. [ Comment : Enter your current mobile or cellphone number ]
• Email Address [ Comment : Nothing to enter here as your email is populated automatically from the previous pages ]
• Click here for same address [ Comment : Check this box if your permanent address is the same as your current address. If not, enter your permanent address below ]

NOTE Enter your permanent address below if it’s different from your present address.

Permanent Address

• House No./Street [ Comment : Enter your permanent address house number ]
• Village/Town/City [ Comment : Enter your permanent address city ]
• State/Province/District [ Comment : Enter your permanent address state or province ]

Enter the following information in the Family Details section.

Father’s Details

• Name [ Comment : Enter your father’s full name including first, middle and last names ]
• Nationality/Region [ Comment : Enter your father’s nationality ]
• Previous Nationality/Region [ Comment : This is not a mandatory field, so leave it unselected. But if your father held any previous nationality, select the country from the list ]
• Place of birth [ Comment : Enter your father’s place of birth ]
• Country/Region of birth [ Comment : Select your father’s country of birth from the list ] 

Mother’s Details

• Name [ Comment : Enter your mother’s full name including first, middle and last names ]
• Nationality/Region [ Comment : Enter your mother’s nationality ]
• Previous Nationality/Region [ Comment : This is not a mandatory field, so leave it unselected. But if your mother held any previous nationality, select the country from the list ]
• Place of birth [ Comment : Enter your mother’s place of birth ]
• Country/Region of birth [ Comment : Select your mother’s country of birth from the list ] 

Enter the following information in the next (Marital Status) section.

Spouse’s Details

• Name [ Comment : Enter your spouse’s full name including first, middle and last names ]
• Nationality/Region [ Comment : Enter your spouse’s nationality ]
• Previous Nationality/Region [ Comment : This is not a mandatory field, so leave it unselected. But if your spouse held any previous nationality, select the country from the list ]
• Place of birth [ Comment : Enter your spouse’s place of birth ]
• Country/Region of birth [ Comment : Select your spouse’s country of birth from the list ] 
• Were your Parents/Grandparents (paternal/maternal) Pakistan Nationals or Belong to Pakistan held area? [ Comment: Select No. If you select Yes for any reason, give the details on your ancestory ]

Enter the following information in the Profession/Occupation Details of Application section.

• Present Occupation [ Comment : Select your current occupation/profession from the list. If you can’t find your occupation/profession in the list, such as NURSE, select OTHERS and enter your occupation/profession in the box that appears below ]
• Employer Name/business [ Comment : Enter your current employer/business name ]
• Designation [ Comment : Enter your current designation or title ]
• Address [ Comment : Enter your current employer/business address ]
• Phone [ Comment : Enter your current employer/business phone number ]
• Past Occupation, if any [ Comment : If you had any other occupations or professions in the past, select from the list ]
• Are/were you in a Military/Semi-Military/Police/Security Organization? [ Comment : Select No. If you are/were in defense, select Yes and enter the details ]

Click on the orange Save and Continue button.

You will be taken to the Visa Details Form .

05. Visa Details Form

Enter the following information in the Details of the visa sought section.

• Type of visa [ Comment : Nothing to enter here as your visa type (e-Visa) will be automatically populated here ]
• Visa service [ Comment : Nothing to enter here too as the e-Tourist Visa option that you have selected earlier will be automatically populated ]
• Places to be visited [ Comment : List all the places that you will visit in India on this trip ]
• Places to be visited line 2 [ Comment : If the above text box is not enough, you can enter more places that you plan to visit in India here ]
• Have you booked any room in Hotel/Resort etc. through any Tour Operator? [ Comment : If you have already booked a hotel or tour, select Yes and enter the details here ]
• Duration of visa [ Comment : Nothing to enter here as the visa length that you have selected earlier will be automatically populated here ]
• No, of Entries [ Comment : This will also be auto-populated based on your selection in the previous pages ]
• Port of Arrival in India [ Comment : This will also be auto-populated based on your selection in the previous pages ]
• Expected Port of Exit from India [ Comment : Select the airport or seaport from which you plan to leave the country after your trip ]

IMPORTANT Your port of arrival and exit do not matter much. After your e-Visa is approved, you can enter from any airport/seaport and exit from any airport/seaport.

Enter the following information in the Previous Visa/Currently valid Visa Details section.

• Have you ever visited India before? [ Comment : If you have been to India before, select Yes and enter the details below. If this is your first time visiting India, select No and skip to the next section ]
• Address [ Comment : Enter the address of the house or hotel where you stayed during your last visit to India ]
• Cities previously visited in India [ Comment : List all the cities you have visited on your last visit to India ]
• Last Indian Visa No/Currently valid Indian Visa No. [ Comment : Enter your previous India visa number ]
• Type of Visa [ Comment : Select the type of your previous visa from the list ]
• Place of Issue [ Comment : Enter the place your previous India visa was issued. If it was e-Visa, then it would be your first port of entry in India. If it were a consular visa, then it would be the city abroad where it was issued ]
• Date of Issue [ Comment : Enter the date on which your previous India visa was issued ]
• Has permission to visit or to extend stay in India previously been refused? [ Comment : Select No. If you were denied entry into India before select Yes and enter the details ]

Enter the following in the Other Information section.

• Countries Visited in Last 10 years [ Comment : Enter the list of countries that you have visited in the last 10 years ]

Enter the following in the SAARC Country Visit Details section. 

• Have you visited SAARC countries (except your own country) during last 3 years?  [ Comment : If you have visited any SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries in the last 3 years, enter them here ]

SAARC Countries SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. If you have visited any of these countries in the last 3 years, you must enter them for the above question. 

Enter the following in the Reference section.

• Reference Name in India [ Comment : Enter the name of a contact person in India. This can be a family, relative or friend who lives in India. If you do not know anyone, you can enter the hotel where you plan to stay ]
• Address [ Comment : Enter your India contact person’s address or hotel address ]
• State [ Comment : Select the state where your India contact person resides or your hotel is ]
• District [ Comment : Select the district where your India contact person resides or your hotel is ]
• Phone [ Comment : Enter an Indian phone number of your India contact person or hotel ]
• Reference Name in <your country> [ Comment : Enter the name of someone from your country as an emergency contact. This can be a family, relative or friend who lives in your country ]
• Address [ Comment : Enter your emergency contact person’s address ]
• Phone [ Comment : Enter your emergency contact person’s phone number ]

06. Additional Question Details

Answer the following question on this page.

• Have you ever been arrested/ prosecuted/ convicted by Court of Law of any country? [ Comment : Select No unless you have been arrested or prosecuted ]
• Have you ever been refused entry / deported by any country including India? [ Comment : Select No unless you have been refused entry or deported from any country in the past ]
• Have you ever been engaged in Human trafficking/ Drug trafficking/ Child abuse/ Crime against women/ Economic offense / Financial fraud? [ Comment : Select No ]
• Have you ever been engaged in Cyber crime/ Terrorist activities/ Sabotage/ Espionage/ Genocide/ Political killing/ other act of violence? [ Comment : Select No ]
• Have you ever by any means or medium, expressed views that justify or glorify terrorist violence or that may encourage others to terrorist acts or other serious criminal acts? [ Comment : Select No ]
• Have you sought asylum (political or otherwise)in any country? [ Comment : Select No, unless you have sought asylum ]

Check the box for the self-declaration that all the above information is correct.

Then, click on the orange Save and Continue button.

You will be taken to the Upload Photograph page.

07. Upload Photograph

Click on the Choose File button to select the JPG/JPEG file of your photo.

After selecting the file, click on the orange Upload Photo button.

When the photo is uploaded, you will be asked to crop the photo. If necessary, you can crop the photo. If not, simply drag the outer edge of the crop highlight to select the entire photo.

Then, click on the orange Crop and Save button. 

Now, click on the orange Save and Continue button.

You will be taken to the Upload Document page.

08. Upload Document

Click on the Choose File button to select the PDF of your scanned passport ID page.

Once you select your PDF file, click on the orange Upload Document button.

Then, check the box for “I have verified that all the documents are uploaded as per the requirement”.

Click on the orange Confirm button.

You will be taken to the Confirm Details page.

09. Confirm Details

Review all the details you have entered so far. If you need to make any corrections, click on the Modify button.

If everything is looking good, click on the Verified and Continue button.

You will be taken to the Online VISA Fee Payment page.

10. Online VISA Fee Payment

On this page, your name and application ID are displayed along with the disclaimer and undertaking.

Select “Yes” for the undertaking and click on the Pay Now button. 

You will then be shown the below three available payment gateway options.

Select the payment gateway that you would like to use and click on the Continue button.

NOTE The Axis bank gateway is not reliable. Use Sbi e-pay when paying with a credit or debit card. 

You will be shown a popup notifying you that there may be some payment delays. Click on the Ok button on the popup to continue.

You will be taken to the payment gateway page to enter your credit or debit card details. 

On the Sbi e-pay gateway page, the Debit/Credit Card option will be selected by default. 

Enter the following information in the Debit/Credit Card form.

• Card number [ Comment : Enter your credit/debit card number ]
• Expiry date/valid thru [ Comment : Enter your credit/debit card expiry date ]
• CVV/CVC [ Comment : Enter your credit/debit card CVV number ]
• Name of the cardholder [ Comment : Enter your name as it appears on your credit/debit card ]
• Use your GSTIN for claiming input tax [ Comment : Leave this check box as is ]

Click on the Pay Now button.

On the Axis bank gateway page, enter the following information.

• CARD NUMBER [ Comment : Enter your credit/debit card number ]
• CARD NAME [ Comment : Enter your card issuer such as Visa, Master, etc. ]
• MONTH [ Comment : Enter the month of your credit/debit card expiry ]
• YEAR [ Comment : Enter the year of your credit/debit card expiry ]
• CVV CODE [ Comment : Enter your credit/debit card CVV number ]

Click on the Submit button.

You will be taken to the Your Final Payment page of Axis bank.

India e-Visa payment success

If the payment is successful, you will be taken to the Payment Success page.

On this page, your name, application ID and passport number are deployed along with contacts of the e-Visa department for any assistance.

Click on the orange Generate Fee Receipt button to download a copy of the fee receipt. 

You will also receive an email that your application has been successfully submitted. 

India e-Visa payment failed

If your payment is failed, you will be taken to the Payment Failed page. 

On this page, the reason for the payment failure, such as the card declined, etc. is displayed. You cannot retry the payment from this page. To retry the payment, follow the below steps.

• Click on the Verify Payment/Pay e-Visa Fee button

You will be taken to the Pay Visa Processing Fee page.

On the Pay Visa Processing Fee page, enter the following details.

• Application Id [ Comment : Enter your saved 12-digit application Id. If you don’t remember, check your email ]
• Date of Birth [ Comment : Enter your date of birth as it appears in your passport ]

Click on the orange Check Payment button.

You will be taken to the Payment Report page.

On the Payment Report page, you will see your last failed payment attempt and the reason for the failure. 

Click on the orange Pay Visa Processing Fee button. 

You will be taken back to the Online VISA Fee Payment page. From here simply follow the steps outlined in “ 10. Online VISA Fee Payment ” above to try the payment again. 

Check your India e-Visa application status

To check the status of your India e-Visa process, follow the below steps.

• Click on the Check your Visa Status button

You will be taken to the Visa Status Enquiry page.

Enter the following on the Visa Status Enquiry page.

• Passport No. [ Comment : Enter your passport number ]

Click on the orange Check Status button.

On the next page, your visa status will be displayed. 

If the application status says “successfully received”, then your application is still in process. If the application status says granted, then your e-Visa is approved. 

Receive your approved India e-Visa

When your Indian e-Visa is approved, you will receive an email notifying you that your e-Visa has been granted. 

You can use this email as proof of your e-Visa approval or you can download your approved e-Visa from the India e-Visa Portal. 

To download your approved e-Visa, first follow the steps to check the visa status as outlined above in “ Check your India e-Visa application status “.

On the Visa Status Enquiry page, you will see that your application status is now “Granted”. 

Click on the orange Print Status button to download your approved e-Visa. 

Print and carry your approved India e-Visa PDF when you travel. Or download it as a PDF on your phone and present it to the airline staff or India immigration officer on your arrival. 

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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What is an electronic visa (e-visa)?

Topics Covered:  India and its neighbourhood- relations.

India has decided to “invalidate” or cancel all visas issued to Afghan nationals, including about 2,000 issued in the last few months, as the Taliban began to make advances across the country.

• Now, all Afghans must enter India now only on special e-visas applied online.

The government was concerned that passports deposited by Afghan nationals for visas, which were being stored at the Indian Embassy and the Indian visa centre in Kabul, could get into the hands of anti-India terror groups. As a result, the Home Ministry decided to cancel them.

What is an e- visa?

The e-visa system is an innovation introduced by the government in 2014. The facility was expanded in 2017-2018.

• The process has its roots in the 2010 Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) scheme for Japan, Singapore, Finland, Luxembourg and New Zealand.
• The government merged the TVOA with Electronic Travel Authorisation, thereby creating the e-visa.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry that issues visas to foreigners.

Eligibility:

An e-visa also called Electronic Visa is provided in five categories—tourist, business, conference, medical, and medical attendant.

Exceptions:

• The facility is not available for the citizens of Pakistan and they are expected to apply for regular visas from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
• E-visas are not valid for foreign diplomats which are dealt separately.

Insta Curious:

Which foreign countries have Visa free Facility? Reference:

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

• What is e-visa?
• Eligibility.

Mains Link:

Write a note on e-visa scheme.

Sources: the Hindu.

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Visitor Visa

Visa Waiver Program

Travel Without a Visa

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to travel to the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1 visa), for tourism (B-2 visa), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2 visa).

Here are some examples of activities permitted with a visitor visa:

Business (B-1)

• Consult with business associates
• Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
• Settle an estate
• Negotiate a contract

Tourism (B-2)

• Vacation (holiday)
• Visit with friends or relatives
• Medical treatment
• Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
• Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
• Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)

Travel Purposes Not Permitted On Visitor Visas

These are some examples of activities that require different categories of visas and cannot be done while on a visitor visa:

• Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
• Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
• Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media
• Permanent residence in the United States

Birth tourism (travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for their child) is not permissible on a visitor visa.

How to Apply

There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate website .

Complete the Online Visa Application

• Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – Learn more about completing the DS-160 . You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must meet the Photograph Requirements .

Schedule an Interview

Interviews are generally required for visa applicants with certain limited exceptions below. Consular officers may require an interview of any visa applicant.

You should generally schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will be present but aware that in some cases it may be more difficult to demostrate your qualifications for a visa outside of the country where you live.

Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. Review the interview wait time for the location where you will apply: 

Appointment Wait Time

Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Note:  Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Prepare for your interview.

• Fees - Pay the non-refundable visa application fee , if you are required to pay it before your interview. If your visa is approved, you may also need to pay a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality. Fee information is provided below:

Select your nationality to see Issuance Fee

• Review the instructions available on the website of the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  where you will apply to learn more about fee payment.

Gather Required Documentation

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:

• Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements .

Additional Documentation May Be Required

Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:

• The purpose of your trip,
• Your intent to depart the United States after your trip, and/or
• Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.   

Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip.

Note:  Visa applicants must qualify based on their ties abroad/to their home country, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa.

Attend Your Visa Interview

A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a visitor visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa.  Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process. They are usually taken during your interview, but this varies based on location.

After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further  administrative processing .  The consular officer will inform you if this required.

After the visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee (if applicable to your nationality), and make arrangements for the return of the passport and visa to you.  Review the  visa processing times  to learn more.

Entering the United States

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website .

Extending Your Stay

See  Extend Your Stay  on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website to learn about requesting to extend your stay beyond the date indicated on your admission stamp or paper Form I-94. 

Failure to depart the United States on time will result in being  out of status . Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided ( Section 222(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ).  Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States. 

Failure to depart the United States on time may also result in you being ineligible for visas in the future. Review  Visa Denials  and  Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws  to learn more.

Change of Status

If your plans change while in the United States (for example, you marry a U.S. citizen or receive an offer of employment), you may be able to request a change in your nonimmigrant status to another category through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). See  Change My Nonimmigrant Status  on the USCIS website to learn more.

While you are in the United States, receiving a change of status from USCIS does not require you to apply for a new visa.  However, once you depart the United States you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the appropriate category for your travel.

Additional Information

• An individual on a visitor visa (B1/B2) is not permitted to accept employment or work in the United States.
• There is no guarantee you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
• A valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States. 

Travel for Medical Treatment

If you are seeking medical treatment in the United States, the consular officer may ask for further documents at your visa interview, which may include:

• Medical diagnosis from a local physician, explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason you need treatment in the United States.
• Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States, stating they are willing to treat your specific ailment and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
• Proof that your transportation, medical, and living expenses in the United States will be paid. This may be in the form of bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns (either yours or the person or organization paying for your treatment).

Visitor Visas for Personal or Domestic Employees (B-1)

You may apply for a B-1 visitor visa to work in the United States as a personal or domestic employee for your employer in limited situations. You may for a visitor visa as a domestic employee if, among other requirements, your employer is:

• A U.S. citizen who has a permanent home or is stationed in a foreign country, but is visiting or is assigned to the United States temporarily; or
• A foreign citizen who is in the United States on one of the following nonimmigrant visa categories:  B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q or TN.

Learn more about your rights in the United States and protection available to you by reading the Legal Rights and Protections pamphlet.

Visa Renewal

Whether you are applying for the first time or renewing your visa, you will use the same application process (please review How to Apply , above). Some applicants seeking to renew their visas in certain visa classes may be eligible for the Interview Waiver (IW) which allows qualified individuals to apply for visa renewals without being interviewed in person by a U.S. consular officer. Review the instructions on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply to determine if IW is available and if you qualify.

Do I need a visa if I have an ABTC?

Yes, you will still need a visa to travel to the United States, unless you qualify for the  Visa Waiver Program . Having an Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travelers Card (ABTC) does not change visa requirements, your visa status, or the visa process for travel to the United States.

How can I use my ABTC when I apply for my visa?

If you have an Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travelers Card (ABTC), you might be able to schedule an expedited visa interview appointment. Review the instructions for scheduling expedited appointments on the website of the  embassy or consulate  where you will apply. 

Visa Annotations for Certain Maritime Industry Workers

Certain foreign maritime workers are eligible to apply for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) once in the U.S. If you, as a maritime industry worker, will perform services in secure port areas, your visa must be annotated “TWIC Letter Received.” Workers whose visas are not annotated will not be permitted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to apply for a TWIC.

In order for your visa to be annotated, you must obtain a letter from your employer explaining the need for a TWIC and that you are a potential TWIC applicant. See a template example of this letter. You must present this letter when you apply for the B-1 visa. You must meet all other eligibility requirements for a B-1 visa. 

Complete information about the TWIC program is available on TSA’s website at  https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic .

Visa Denial and Ineligibility

Review  Visa Denials  for detailed information about visa ineligibilities, denials and waivers.

I was refused a visa, under Section 214(b). May I reapply?

Yes, if you feel circumstances have changed regarding your application. Review  Visa Denials  to learn more.

Misrepresentation or Fraud

Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States.

Review  Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws .

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not require visas to enter the United States, for visit, tourism and temporary business travel purposes. For more information see  U.S. Embassy Ottawa website ,  U.S. Consulate Hamilton website  and  CBP website .

Additional resources for Canadian visitors to the United States can be found on the U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites in Canada.

Citizens of China

In accordance with the agreement signed between the United States and China to extend visa validity, beginning on November 29, 2016, Chinese citizens with 10-year B1, B2 or B1/B2 visas in Peoples’ Republic of China passports will be required to update their biographical and other information from their visa application via a website every two years, or upon getting a new passport or B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa, whichever occurs first.  This mechanism is called EVUS - Electronic Visa Update System.

The EVUS website is now open to the public for enrollments at www.EVUS.gov .  CBP will not collect a fee for EVUS enrollment at this time. CBP anticipates the eventual implementation of an EVUS enrollment fee, but does not have a time frame. Until the implementation of a fee, travelers can enroll in EVUS without charge.  The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will keep visa holders informed of new information throughout the year. For further information, please visit  www.cbp.gov/EVUS .‎

根据美中双方签署的延长签证有效期的协议，自2016年11月29日起，凡持有10 年 期B1，B2 或 B1/B2签证的中华人民共和国护照持有人需要每两年或在获取新护照或最长有效期的B1、B2或B1/B2签证时时（以先到者为准），通过网站更新他们签证申请上的个人资料及其它信息。这个机制我们称之为EVUS –签证更新电子系统。

EVUS的登记网站 www.EVUS.gov 现已开放接受登记。美国海关和边境保护局（CBP）目前不会收取登记费用。美国海关和边境保护局预期EVUS登记收费最终会实施，但目前尚未落实执行时间。在收费实施前，旅客可以免费完成EVUS登记。美国国土安全部海关和边境保护局将在今年及时向签证持有人公布最新的信息。获取更多的信息，请访问 www.cbp.gov/EVUS 。

Citizens of Mexico

Citizens and permanent residents of Mexico generally must have a nonimmigrant visa or Border Crossing Card (also known as a "Laser Visa"). For ease of travel, the B-1/B-2 and the Border Crossing Card have been combined into one document (DSP-150). Select  Border Crossing Card  to learn more about this card.

Please visit  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  websites for more information regarding applying for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Mexico.

Further Questions

• Case-Specific Questions - Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling your visa application for status information. Select  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  for contact information.
• General Questions - review  Contact Us .

Visa Waiver Program  (VWP)

Tourist or business travelers who are citizens of participating countries may be eligible to visit the United States without a visa. Visits must be 90 days or less, and travelers must meet all requirements.

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not need visas for tourism and visits.

More Information

A-Z Index Legal Rights & Protections Lost/Stolen Travel Documents Denials Fraud Warning Visa Expiration Date Automatic Revalidation Nonimmigrants in the United States–Applying for Visas in Canada or Mexico Visa Applicants - State Sponsors of Terrorism Border Security/Safety Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate Customer Service Statement

External Link

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• Travel Guide

What Is A Tourist Visa?

Published: November 8, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Beryle Gamache

• Plan Your Trip

Introduction

A tourist visa is a travel document that allows individuals to visit and explore a foreign country for recreational, sightseeing, or leisure purposes. It is typically granted to individuals who do not have the intention to work or engage in any business activities during their stay. A tourist visa is a temporary authorization and is subject to certain limitations and conditions.

For travelers planning to venture abroad, understanding the concept of a tourist visa is crucial. It serves as the key to unlock the doors of various countries, granting access to their rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and memorable experiences. Whether you dream of exploring ancient ruins in Rome, basking in the sun-soaked beaches of Bali, or witnessing the marvels of wildlife in the African savannah, obtaining a tourist visa is often the first step.

In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the intricacies of a tourist visa, including its definition, purpose, application process, requirements, duration, and limitations. By familiarizing yourself with the ins and outs of a tourist visa, you will be better equipped to plan your travel adventures and make the most of your time in a foreign land.

Definition of a Tourist Visa

A tourist visa is a legal document issued by a foreign country’s government that allows individuals to enter their country for a temporary period of time for tourism-related activities. It is an endorsement or stamp placed in the traveler’s passport, indicating that they have permission to enter the country as a tourist.

The specific regulations and requirements for obtaining a tourist visa may vary from country to country. However, the common thread among all tourist visas is that they grant individuals the right to explore the country for a limited duration, typically ranging from a few days to several months.

Tourist visas are generally categorized as single-entry or multiple-entry visas. A single-entry visa allows the traveler to enter the country once and stay for the designated period. Once they leave the country, the visa becomes invalid. On the other hand, a multiple-entry visa permits the traveler to enter and exit the country multiple times within the specified validity period.

It’s important to note that a tourist visa does not confer the right to work, study, or engage in any business activities. If the individual wishes to engage in such activities, they must obtain the appropriate visa, such as a work visa or a student visa, respectively.

Each country has its own policies and requirements for issuing tourist visas. Some countries may have specific visa categories based on the purpose of travel, such as a tourist visa, business visa, or transit visa. It’s essential to understand the specific requirements and limitations of a tourist visa for your desired destination before applying.

Purpose of a Tourist Visa

The primary purpose of a tourist visa is to allow individuals to visit a foreign country for recreational, sightseeing, or leisure purposes. It enables travelers to explore new cultures, experience different landscapes, and indulge in the local traditions and attractions of the destination country.

Here are some key purposes and benefits of obtaining a tourist visa:

• Leisure Travel: A tourist visa allows individuals to take a break from their routine lives and enjoy a vacation in a foreign country. Whether it’s lounging on pristine beaches, exploring historical landmarks, or immersing oneself in vibrant city life, a tourist visa provides the opportunity to relax and have a memorable travel experience.
• Sightseeing and Cultural Exploration: Many travelers seek tourist visas to explore the rich cultural heritage of a country and witness its iconic landmarks, monuments, and attractions. It offers the chance to visit famous sites, museums, art galleries, and historical sites that are unique to the destination.
• Visiting Friends and Family: A tourist visa allows individuals to visit their friends or family members residing in another country. It provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships, spend quality time with loved ones, and experience the local customs and way of life.
• Attending Events and Festivals: Festivals and events are an integral part of a country’s culture and traditions. Tourist visas enable travelers to participate in various cultural festivals, religious celebrations, music concerts, or sports events that take place in the host country.
• Exploration of Natural Beauty: Many countries are known for their breathtaking landscapes, such as mountains, waterfalls, national parks, and wildlife reserves. A tourist visa allows nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the destination.

Overall, a tourist visa opens up a world of opportunities for travelers to satisfy their wanderlust, immerse themselves in new experiences, and create lasting memories. It is the gateway to discovering the wonders and diversities that the world has to offer.

Duration and Limitations of a Tourist Visa

The duration of a tourist visa varies depending on the country issuing the visa and the specific regulations in place. In general, tourist visas have a validity period ranging from a few days to several months. It’s important to note that the duration of stay allowed under a tourist visa is distinct from the validity period of the visa itself.

Typically, the duration of stay permitted with a tourist visa ranges from 30 days to 90 days. However, some countries may grant shorter or longer periods of stay based on their individual immigration policies. It is important to check the specific details and limitations of the tourist visa for the intended destination before planning your trip.

It’s crucial to adhere to the limitations and conditions of the tourist visa. Failure to comply with the visa regulations may result in penalties, deportation, or future difficulties in obtaining visas for other countries. Here are some common limitations to keep in mind:

• No Work Permitted: The primary restriction on a tourist visa is that it does not allow individuals to engage in any form of employment or work-related activities. This includes both paid and unpaid work. If you wish to work in a foreign country, you will need to obtain the appropriate work visa or permit.
• No Business Activities: Similarly, a tourist visa also prohibits individuals from conducting business-related activities, such as attending conferences, meetings, or negotiating business deals. If you have business intentions, you must obtain a business visa that suits your specific needs.
• No Study or Education: A tourist visa is not intended for individuals seeking to pursue educational opportunities in a foreign country. If you plan to study, attend a course, or engage in any form of education, you will need to apply for a student visa.
• No Public Benefits: Individuals holding a tourist visa are generally not entitled to receive any public benefits or support from the host country, such as healthcare services or social security benefits.
• Restrictions on Extensions or Renewals: Some tourist visas may have limitations on extensions or renewals. It’s important to confirm the rules regarding extensions or renewals of a tourist visa before your initial entry to avoid any legal issues or overstaying situations.

It is vital to familiarize yourself with the specific limitations of the tourist visa for your desired destination. By respecting the restrictions imposed on a tourist visa, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience while staying compliant with the laws and regulations of the host country.

Application Process for a Tourist Visa

The application process for a tourist visa may vary depending on the country you plan to visit. Each country has its own specific requirements and procedures. It is important to thoroughly research and understand the process before applying for a tourist visa. Here are the general steps involved in the application process:

• Research and Gather Information: Begin by researching the specific tourist visa requirements for your desired destination. Visit the official website of the country’s embassy or consulate to find detailed information about the application process, necessary documents, and any additional requirements.
• Complete the Application Form: Fill out the tourist visa application form accurately and legibly. Provide all the required information, such as personal details, travel plans, and purpose of visit.
• Compile Required Documents: Gather all the necessary documents as per the requirements specified by the embassy or consulate. Common documents include a valid passport with at least six months of validity from the date of entry, recent passport-sized photographs, proof of travel arrangements, proof of accommodation, travel itinerary, financial statements, and proof of health insurance coverage.
• Pay the Application Fee: Most tourist visa applications require payment of a non-refundable application fee. The fee amount and payment methods will be specified by the embassy or consulate. Ensure that you have the funds available to cover the fee before submitting your application.
• Schedule an Appointment: Some countries require applicants to schedule an appointment at the embassy or consulate to submit their visa application and supporting documents. Follow the instructions provided to schedule an appointment within the designated timeframe.
• Attend the Visa Interview: Depending on the country and visa requirements, you may be required to attend a visa interview. Prepare yourself by reviewing your application and supporting documents thoroughly, and be prepared to answer questions about your travel plans and intent.
• Submit Application and Supporting Documents: On the scheduled appointment day, visit the embassy or consulate to submit your completed visa application form and supporting documents. Ensure that you have all the required documents in the specified format, as per the instructions provided.
• Wait for Visa Processing: After submitting your application, you will need to wait for the visa processing period. The processing time can vary, depending on the country and other factors such as the time of year and current workload of the embassy or consulate. It is advisable to apply well in advance of your intended travel dates.
• Collect your Visa: Once the processing is complete, you will be notified to collect your passport with the visa attached. Follow the instructions provided by the embassy or consulate to retrieve your passport. Ensure that all the details on the visa are correct before leaving the embassy or consulate.

It is essential to follow the instructions carefully and submit all the required documents as per the guidelines to avoid any delays or issues with your tourist visa application. If you have any doubts or questions, seeking assistance from a visa agency or consulting with the embassy or consulate can be helpful.

Requirements for Obtaining a Tourist Visa

Obtaining a tourist visa requires fulfilling certain requirements set by the country you plan to visit. These requirements may vary depending on the destination and the specific policies and regulations in place. It is important to thoroughly research and prepare the necessary documents to meet these requirements. Here are some common requirements for obtaining a tourist visa:

• Valid Passport: A valid passport is a fundamental requirement for obtaining a tourist visa. Your passport should have a validity of at least six months beyond your intended stay in the country.
• Completed Application Form: Most countries require applicants to complete a specific tourist visa application form accurately and legibly. Make sure to provide all the required information and double-check for any errors or omissions.
• Passport-Sized Photographs: Prepare recent passport-sized photographs that meet the specifications of the country you are applying to. Typically, these photographs should have a white background and adhere to specific size and format guidelines.
• Proof of Travel Itinerary: Provide a detailed travel itinerary that showcases your planned activities, including information on accommodations, transportation, and sightseeing. This includes flight reservations, hotel bookings, and any organized tours or activities you plan to undertake.
• Proof of Sufficient Funds: Demonstrate that you have enough financial resources to cover your expenses during your stay. This may include bank statements, sponsorship letters, or any other evidence that shows you can afford your travel and accommodation costs.
• Proof of Health Insurance: Some countries require proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay. Make sure to have valid travel medical insurance that meets the requirements of the country you are visiting.
• Letter of Invitation (if applicable): If you are visiting friends or family, they may need to provide a formal invitation letter outlining your relationship and the purpose of your visit. This letter may need to be notarized or authenticated by relevant authorities.
• Travel History and Intent: In some cases, you may need to provide evidence of previous international travel, such as previous visa stamps or entry/exit records. It is important to demonstrate a genuine intent of visiting for tourism purposes only and not for any other activities like work or immigration.
• Additional Documentation: Depending on the country, there may be additional requirements specific to the destination or the applicant’s circumstances. These may include proof of employment, educational qualifications, marital status, or any other supporting documents deemed necessary by the embassy or consulate.

It is essential to carefully review the specific requirements for the tourist visa of your desired destination and ensure that you gather all the necessary documents before submitting your application. Failure to provide the required documents may result in delays or rejection of your visa application, so it is crucial to pay attention to detail and meet all the stipulated requirements.

Cost of a Tourist Visa

The cost of a tourist visa varies depending on the country you intend to visit and your nationality. Each country sets its own visa fees, which can range from a nominal amount to a significant sum, depending on factors such as visa type, duration of stay, and reciprocity agreements between countries.

When planning to apply for a tourist visa, it is important to consider the visa fees as part of your travel budget. The fees cover administrative costs associated with processing your application and are generally non-refundable, even if your visa application is rejected.

The cost of a tourist visa can vary greatly from country to country. Some countries offer different pricing tiers based on the duration of stay or the number of entries allowed. For example, a single-entry short-term tourist visa may have a lower fee than a multiple-entry long-term tourist visa.

In addition to the visa application fees, there may be additional costs involved in the visa application process, such as courier fees for returning your passport, visa processing fees, or fees for any required supporting documents such as health insurance or invitation letters.

The best way to determine the exact cost of a tourist visa is to refer to the official website of the embassy or consulate of the country you wish to visit. They will provide detailed information about the visa fees, payment methods, and any additional costs associated with the application process.

It is important to note that visa fees are subject to change, so it is advisable to check for any updates or changes in the fees before submitting your application. Additionally, some countries may offer expedited processing services for an additional fee if you need your visa quickly.

When planning your trip, make sure to account for the cost of the tourist visa to ensure that you have sufficient funds available to cover all travel expenses, including visa fees. By budgeting accordingly and being aware of the costs involved, you can smoothly navigate the visa application process and focus on enjoying your travel adventures.

Renewal and Extension of a Tourist Visa

The renewal and extension policies for tourist visas vary from country to country. While some countries allow for the renewal or extension of a tourist visa, others may require individuals to exit and reapply for a new visa after a certain period of time. It is important to familiarize yourself with the specific regulations of the country you are visiting to understand the options available for extending or renewing your tourist visa.

In countries that do allow for the renewal or extension of a tourist visa, the process typically involves submitting an application to the immigration authorities. Here are some key points to consider:

• Eligibility: Not all tourist visas are eligible for renewal or extension. Some countries may impose limitations on the number of times a tourist visa can be extended or the total duration of stay allowed as a tourist. It is crucial to check the eligibility criteria before applying for a renewal or extension.
• Application Process: Generally, the application process for renewal or extension involves completing the appropriate forms, providing the necessary supporting documents, and paying any applicable fees. The required documents may include a valid passport, proof of financial means, proof of travel itinerary or accommodations, and a letter explaining the purpose and need for the extension.
• Timing: It is advisable to start the renewal or extension process well in advance of the expiration date of your current visa. The processing time may vary, and it is important to ensure that you have a valid visa while your application is being reviewed.
• Fees: There may be fees associated with the renewal or extension of a tourist visa. These fees can vary depending on the country and the specific circumstances of the application. It is important to check the fee schedule and make necessary payments during the application process.
• Decision and Notification: Once you have submitted your renewal or extension application, it will be reviewed by the immigration authorities. The decision will be communicated to you through the appropriate channels. It is essential to regularly check your email or mail for updates and follow any instructions provided.

It is important to note that the renewal or extension of a tourist visa is not guaranteed. The immigration authorities have the discretion to accept or deny an application based on various factors, including the applicant’s compliance with visa regulations, the purpose of the extension, and the overall immigration policies of the country.

If your renewal or extension application is approved, you will typically receive a new visa or an extended validity period attached to your existing visa. On the other hand, if your application is denied, you may be required to leave the country before the expiration of your current visa.

It is highly recommended to consult the official website of the country’s embassy or consulate and seek guidance from immigration authorities or visa service providers for detailed and up-to-date information on the renewal or extension process for the specific tourist visa you hold.

Differences between a Tourist Visa and Other Types of Visas

While a tourist visa allows individuals to visit a foreign country for recreational or leisure purposes, there are other types of visas that cater to different purposes of travel. Understanding the differences between a tourist visa and other visa categories is crucial to ensure that you apply for the correct visa based on your intended activities and duration of stay. Here are some key distinctions:

• Work Visa: A work visa, also known as an employment visa, is issued to individuals who intend to work in a foreign country. Unlike a tourist visa, a work visa authorizes the holder to engage in specific employment activities, whether it’s temporary employment or long-term employment with a company or organization in the destination country. Work visas often have stricter requirements and may require sponsorship from an employer.
• Student Visa: A student visa is designed for individuals who wish to pursue their education in a foreign country. It allows students to enroll in educational programs, such as universities, colleges, or language schools. Student visas typically have specific conditions regarding the length of stay, enrollment in a recognized educational institution, and financial requirements to cover tuition and living expenses.
• Business Visa: A business visa is granted to individuals who need to travel for business-related activities, such as attending conferences, meetings, or establishing business connections in a foreign country. While a tourist visa prohibits engaging in business activities, a business visa allows individuals to participate in specified business-related activities for a limited duration. The requirements and restrictions for business visas may vary depending on the country.
• Transit Visa: A transit visa is intended for individuals passing through a country en route to their final destination. It allows for a short stay during a layover or when changing flights. Transit visas generally have a limited validity period and may require proof of onward travel or a valid ticket to the final destination.
• Residence Permit/Visa: A residence permit or visa is a long-term visa that allows individuals to reside in a foreign country for an extended period. It is typically granted for purposes such as employment, study, family reunification, or investment. Unlike a tourist visa, residence permits allow individuals to stay in the country for an extended period and often come with additional rights and privileges.

It’s important to note that the requirements, application processes, and limitations of these visa categories can vary significantly from country to country. It is crucial to thoroughly research and understand the specific regulations and requirements for each visa type based on your intended activities and duration of stay.

Applying for the correct visa type ensures that you comply with the immigration laws of the country and enables you to engage in the activities you plan during your time abroad. It is advisable to consult with the embassy or consulate of the country you wish to visit or seek assistance from a trusted visa agency to navigate through the visa application process smoothly.

Important Considerations for Tourists Holding a Tourist Visa

When traveling on a tourist visa, there are several important considerations that tourists should keep in mind to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here are some key points to consider:

• Adherence to Visa Regulations: It is essential to adhere to the regulations and conditions of your tourist visa. This includes respecting the permitted duration of stay, refraining from engaging in unauthorized work or business activities, and abiding by any other restrictions outlined by the immigration authorities. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties, deportation, or difficulties in future visa applications.
• Valid Passport and Visa: Always carry a valid passport and your tourist visa while traveling. Make copies of these documents and keep them in a separate place as a precaution. In the event of loss or theft, having copies will facilitate the replacement process.
• Health and Travel Insurance: Obtain suitable health and travel insurance coverage before your trip. It is essential to have insurance that covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, and any other unforeseen circumstances that may arise during your travels. Check the specific requirements and coverage needed for your destination.
• Respect Local Laws and Customs: Familiarize yourself with the local laws, customs, and cultural norms of the country you are visiting. Respect the local traditions, dress codes, and religious practices. It is important to conduct yourself in a manner that is considerate and appropriate to the local culture.
• Currency and Finances: Be aware of the local currency and familiarize yourself with the prevailing exchange rates. Carry a mix of cash and internationally accepted credit or debit cards for payments. Keep track of your expenses and be mindful of any currency exchange fees or transaction charges that may apply.
• Safety and Security: Prioritize your safety and take precautions while traveling. Research and be aware of any potential safety concerns, such as high-crime areas or health risks. Stay vigilant, secure your belongings, and follow any safety advice or warnings issued by local authorities or your embassy.
• Communication and Language: Learn a few basic phrases in the local language to facilitate communication. Carry a translation app or guidebook for assistance. Having a basic understanding of the local language can help you navigate more effectively, interact with locals, and enhance your overall travel experience.
• Travel Itinerary and Flexibility: Plan your travel itinerary in advance, but also allow for flexibility and spontaneity. Be prepared for unexpected changes or delays, and have contingency plans in place. Make sure to provide your contact details to a trusted family member or friend so they can reach you in case of emergencies.
• Responsible Tourism: Practice responsible tourism by respecting the environment, wildlife, and local communities. Observe and follow guidelines for sustainable tourism, such as avoiding littering, supporting local businesses, and being mindful of your environmental footprint.

By considering these important factors, tourists can make the most of their time on a tourist visa, ensuring a memorable and rewarding travel experience. It is always a good idea to stay informed, remain respectful, and embrace the opportunities for cultural exchange and exploration that come with international travel.

Obtaining a tourist visa is a crucial step for individuals who wish to explore the wonders of a foreign country for leisure, sightseeing, and recreational purposes. Understanding the definition, purpose, and limitations of a tourist visa is essential to ensure a hassle-free and enjoyable travel experience.

Throughout this guide, we have explored various aspects of a tourist visa, including its definition, the purpose it serves, the application process, requirements, and important considerations for tourists. We have also highlighted the differences between a tourist visa and other types of visas, and provided insights into the renewal and extension processes.

As a tourist visa holder, it is important to comply with the regulations and restrictions imposed by the issuing country. Respect the permitted duration of stay, refrain from engaging in unauthorized activities, and adhere to the local laws and customs. By doing so, you can avoid any legal complications and make the most of your travel experience.

Remember to carefully research the specific requirements and guidelines for obtaining a tourist visa for your desired destination. Each country has its own unique visa policies and procedures, and it is crucial to stay informed and prepare the necessary documents to ensure a successful visa application.

Finally, as you embark on your travels, embrace the adventure, immerse yourself in the local culture, and create lasting memories. Traveling provides an incredible opportunity for personal growth, cross-cultural understanding, and breathtaking experiences. Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, enjoying the beauty of nature, or indulging in culinary delights, a tourist visa enables you to embark on a journey of discovery and create cherished moments that will last a lifetime.

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• Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet: Presidential Proclamation to Suspend and Limit Entry and Joint DHS-DOJ Interim Final Rule to Restrict Asylum During High Encounters at the Southern Border

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration took decisive new action to strengthen border security, announcing a series of measures that restrict asylum eligibility, and significantly increase the consequences for those who enter without authorization across the southern border. These extraordinary steps, which will be in effect during times when high levels of encounters exceed our ability to deliver timely consequences, will make noncitizens who enter across the southern border ineligible for asylum with certain exceptions, raise the standard that is used to screen for certain protection claims, and speed up our ability to quickly remove those who do not qualify for protection.

These actions follow a series of steps that the Administration has taken over the past three years as it prepared for the end of the Title 42 public health Order, and since it was lifted last year, including surging personnel, infrastructure, and technology to the border, issuing the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Rule, and referring record numbers of noncitizens into expedited removal. Over the past year, we have removed or returned more than three quarters of a million people, more than in any fiscal year since 2010. Despite these efforts, our outdated and broken immigration and asylum system, coupled with a lack of sufficient funding, make it impossible to quickly impose consequences on all noncitizens who cross irregularly and without a legal basis to remain in the United States.

The Administration has repeatedly called on Congress to provide the resources and legal authorities needed to secure our border. The measures announced today will better enable the Department to quickly remove individuals without a legal basis to remain in the United States, strengthening enforcement and change the calculus for those considering crossing our border irregularly. However, they are no substitute for Congressional action. We continue to call on Congress to provide the new tools and resources we have asked for to support the men and women on the frontlines.

President Biden issued a Presidential Proclamation to temporarily suspend the entry of noncitizens across the southern border. The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General also jointly issued an interim final rule that, consistent with the Proclamation, generally restricts asylum eligibility for those who irregularly enter across the southern border – including the Southwest land and the southern coastal borders. The rule also limits fear screenings to those who manifest a fear or express a desire to file for protection and heightens the screening standard for statutory withholding and claims under the Convention Against Torture. Taken together, these measures will significantly increase the speed and scope of consequences for those who cross our borders irregularly or who attempt to present themselves at Ports of Entry without authorization, allowing the Departments to more quickly remove individuals who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States. The restriction on asylum eligibility will be discontinued when encounters fall below certain levels but will come back into effect if encounters rise again.

The rule makes three key changes to current processing under Title 8 immigration authorities during periods of high border encounters:

• First, noncitizens who cross the southern border unlawfully or without authorization will generally be ineligible for asylum, absent exceptionally compelling circumstances and unless they are excepted by the Proclamation.
• Second, noncitizens who cross the southern border and are processed for expedited removal while the limitation is in effect will only be referred for a credible fear screening with an Asylum Officer if they manifest or express a fear of return to their country or country of removal, a fear of persecution or torture, or an intention to apply for asylum.  
• Third, the U.S. will continue to adhere to its international obligations and commitments by screening individuals who manifest a fear as noted above and do not qualify for an exception to the Rule for withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture protections at a reasonable probability of persecution or torture standard – a new, substantially higher standard than is currently applied under the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule.  

Like the Proclamation, the rule provides for an end to these enhanced measures following a sustained reduction in southern border encounters. Specifically, these measures are in effect until 14 calendar days after there has been a 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of less than 1,500 encounters between the ports of entry. The measures would again go into effect, or continue, as appropriate, when there has been a 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of 2,500 encounters or more.

During periods of high encounters, the Proclamation will apply across the southern border. Lawful permanent residents, unaccompanied children, victims of a severe form of trafficking, and other noncitizens with a valid visa or other lawful permission to enter the United States are excepted from the Proclamation.

In addition, the suspension and limitation on entry and rule will not apply to noncitizens who use a Secretary-approved process—such as the CBP One mobile app—to enter the United States at a port of entry in a safe and orderly manner or pursue another lawful pathway.

Noncitizens who cross the southern border and who are not excepted from the Proclamation will be ineligible for asylum unless exceptionally compelling circumstances exist, including if the noncitizen demonstrates that they or a member of their family with whom they are traveling:

• faced an acute medical emergency;
• faced an imminent and extreme threat to life or safety, such as an imminent threat of rape, kidnapping, torture, or murder; or
• satisfied the definition of “victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons” currently provided in 8 CFR 214.11.

Consequences

Noncitizens who are subject to the rule’s limitation on asylum eligibility and who manifest or express a fear of return to their country or country of removal, express a fear of persecution or torture or an intention to apply for asylum, but do not establish a reasonable probability of persecution or torture in the country of removal will be promptly removed.

Those ordered removed will be subject to at least a five-year bar to reentry and potential criminal prosecution.

The Proclamation and rule will significantly enhance the security of our border by increasing the Departments’ ability to impose swift consequences for individuals who cross the southern border irregularly and do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States.  Together, the Proclamation and rule make critical changes to how the Departments operate during times when encounters are at historically high levels—levels that, in the absence of these changes, undermine the government’s ability to process individuals through the expedited removal process. These changes will enable the Departments to quickly return those without a lawful basis to stay in the United States and thereby free up the asylum system for those with legitimate claims.

These extraordinary measures are a stop gap. Even with these measures in place, the Departments continue to lack the authorities and resources needed to adequately support the men and women on the frontlines. The Administration again calls on Congress to take up and pass the bipartisan reforms proposed in the Senate, which provide the new authorities, personnel, and resources that are needed to address the historic global migration that is impacting countries throughout the world, including our own. Until Congress does its part, we will continue to take any actions needed under current law and within existing resources to secure the border.

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FACT SHEET: President   Biden Announces New Actions to Secure the   Border

New actions will bar migrants who cross our Southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum Biden taking action as Congressional Republicans put partisan politics ahead of national security, twice voting against toughest reforms in decades

Since his first day in office, President Biden has called on Congress to secure our border and address our broken immigration system. Over the past three years, while Congress has failed to act, the President has acted to secure our border. His Administration has deployed the most agents and officers ever to address the situation at the Southern border, seized record levels of illicit fentanyl at our ports of entry, and brought together world leaders on a framework to deal with changing migration patterns that are impacting the entire Western Hemisphere.  Earlier this year, the President and his team reached a historic bipartisan agreement with Senate Democrats and Republicans to deliver the most consequential reforms of America’s immigration laws in decades. This agreement would have added critical border and immigration personnel, invested in technology to catch illegal fentanyl, delivered sweeping reforms to the asylum system, and provided emergency authority for the President to shut down the border when the system is overwhelmed. But Republicans in Congress chose to put partisan politics ahead of our national security, twice voting against the toughest and fairest set of reforms in decades. President Biden believes we must secure our border. That is why today, he announced executive actions to bar migrants who cross our Southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum. These actions will be in effect when high levels of encounters at the Southern Border exceed our ability to deliver timely consequences, as is the case today. They will make it easier for immigration officers to remove those without a lawful basis to remain and reduce the burden on our Border Patrol agents. But we must be clear: this cannot achieve the same results as Congressional action, and it does not provide the critical personnel and funding needed to further secure our Southern border. Congress still must act. The Biden-Harris Administration’s executive actions will:   Bar Migrants Who Cross the Southern Border Unlawfully From Receiving Asylum

• President Biden issued a proclamation under Immigration and Nationality Act sections 212(f) and 215(a) suspending entry of noncitizens who cross the Southern border into the United States unlawfully. This proclamation is accompanied by an interim final rule from the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security that restricts asylum for those noncitizens.
• These actions will be in effect when the Southern border is overwhelmed, and they will make it easier for immigration officers to quickly remove individuals who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States.
• These actions are not permanent. They will be discontinued when the number of migrants who cross the border between ports of entry is low enough for America’s system to safely and effectively manage border operations. These actions also include similar humanitarian exceptions to those included in the bipartisan border agreement announced in the Senate, including those for unaccompanied children and victims of trafficking.

Recent Actions to secure our border and address our broken immigration system: Strengthening the Asylum Screening Process

• The Department of Homeland Security published a proposed rule to ensure that migrants who pose a public safety or national security risk are removed as quickly in the process as possible rather than remaining in prolonged, costly detention prior to removal. This proposed rule will enhance security and deliver more timely consequences for those who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States.

Announced new actions to more quickly resolve immigration cases

• The Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security launched a Recent Arrivals docket to more quickly resolve a portion of immigration cases for migrants who attempt to cross between ports of entry at the Southern border in violation of our immigration laws.
• Through this process, the Department of Justice will be able to hear these cases more quickly and the Department of Homeland Security will be able to more quickly remove individuals who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States and grant protection to those with valid claims.
• The bipartisan border agreement would have created and supported an even more efficient framework for issuing final decisions to all asylum seekers. This new process to reform our overwhelmed immigration system can only be created and funded by Congress.

Revoked visas of CEOs and government officials who profit from migrants coming to the U.S. unlawfully

• The Department of State imposed visa restrictions on executives of several Colombian transportation companies who profit from smuggling migrants by sea. This action cracks down on companies that help facilitate unlawful entry into the United States, and sends a clear message that no one should profit from the exploitation of vulnerable migrants.
• The State Department also imposed visa restrictions on over 250 members of the Nicaraguan government, non-governmental actors, and their immediate family members for their roles in supporting the Ortega-Murillo regime, which is selling transit visas to migrants from within and beyond the Western Hemisphere who ultimately make their way to the Southern border.
• Previously, the State Department revoked visas of executives of charter airlines for similar actions.

Expanded Efforts to Dismantle Human Smuggling and Support Immigration Prosecutions

• The Departments of State and Justice launched an “Anti-Smuggling Rewards” initiative designed to dismantle the leadership of human smuggling organizations that bring migrants through Central America and across the Southern U.S. border. The initiative will offer financial rewards for information leading to the identification, location, arrest, or conviction of those most responsible for significant human smuggling activities in the region.
• The Department of Justice will seek new and increased penalties against human smugglers to properly account for the severity of their criminal conduct and the human misery that it causes.
• The Department of Justice is also partnering with the Department of Homeland Security to direct additional prosecutors and support staff to increase immigration-related prosecutions in crucial border U.S. Attorney’s Offices. Efforts include deploying additional DHS Special Assistant United States Attorneys to different U.S. Attorneys’ offices, assigning support staff to critical U.S. Attorneys’ offices, including DOJ Attorneys to serve details in U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in several border districts, and partnering with federal agencies to identify additional resources to target these crimes.

Enhancing Immigration Enforcement

• The Department of Homeland Security has surged agents to the Southern border and is referring a record number of people into expedited removal.
• The Department of Homeland Security is operating more repatriation flights per week than ever before. Over the past year, DHS has removed or returned more than 750,000 people, more than in every fiscal year since 2010.
• Working closely with partners throughout the region, the Biden-Harris Administration is identifying and collaborating on enforcement efforts designed to stop irregular migration before migrants reach our Southern border, expand investment and integration opportunities in the region to support those who may otherwise seek to migrate, and increase lawful pathways for migrants as an alternative to irregular migration.

Seizing Fentanyl at our Border

• Border officials have seized more fentanyl at ports of entry in the last two years than the past five years combined, and the President has added 40 drug detection machines across points of entry to disrupt the fentanyl smuggling into the Homeland. The bipartisan border agreement would fund the installation of 100 additional cutting-edge inspection machines to help detect fentanyl at our Southern border ports of entry.
• In close partnership with the Government of Mexico, the Department of Justice has extradited Nestor Isidro Perez Salaz, known as “El Nini,” from Mexico to the United States to face prosecution for his role in illicit fentanyl trafficking and human rights abuses. This is one of many examples of joint efforts with Mexico to tackle the fentanyl and synthetic drug epidemic that is killing so many people in our countries and globally, and to hold the drug trafficking organizations to account.

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Trump Has Been Convicted. Here’s What Happens Next.

Donald J. Trump has promised to appeal, but he may face limits on his ability to travel and to vote as he campaigns for the White House.

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By Jesse McKinley and Maggie Astor

• May 30, 2024

The conviction of former President Donald J. Trump on Thursday is just the latest step in his legal odyssey in New York’s court system. The judge, Juan M. Merchan, set Mr. Trump’s sentencing for July 11, at which point he could be sentenced to as much as four years behind bars, or to probation.

It won’t stop him from running for president, though: There is no legal prohibition on felons doing that . No constitutional provision would stop him even from serving as president from a prison cell, though in practice that would trigger a crisis that courts would almost certainly have to resolve.

His ability to vote — for himself, presumably — depends on whether he is sentenced to prison. Florida, where he is registered, requires felons convicted there to complete their full sentence, including parole or probation, before regaining voting rights. But when Floridians are convicted in another state, Florida defers to the laws of that state, and New York disenfranchises felons only while they are in prison.

The Trump Manhattan Criminal Verdict, Count By Count

Former President Donald J. Trump faced 34 felony charges of falsifying business records, related to the reimbursement of hush money paid to the porn star Stormy Daniels in order to cover up a sex scandal around the 2016 presidential election.

“Because Florida recognizes voting rights restoration in the state of conviction, and because New York’s law states that those with a felony conviction do not lose their right to vote unless they are incarcerated during the election, then Trump will not lose his right to vote in this case unless he is in prison on Election Day,” said Blair Bowie, a lawyer at the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit watchdog group.

Mr. Trump will almost certainly appeal his conviction, after months of criticizing the case and attacking the Manhattan district attorney, who brought it, and Justice Merchan, who presided over his trial.

Long before that appeal is heard, however, Mr. Trump will be enmeshed in the gears of the criminal justice system.

A pre-sentencing report makes recommendations based on the defendant’s criminal record — Mr. Trump had none before this case — as well as his personal history and the crime itself. The former president was found guilty of falsifying business records in relation to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, a porn star who says she had a brief sexual tryst with Mr. Trump in 2006, in order to buy her silence.

At the pre-sentence interview, a psychologist or social worker working for the probation department may also talk to Mr. Trump, during which time the defendant can “try to make a good impression and explain why he or she deserves a lighter punishment,” according to the New York State Unified Court System.

The pre-sentencing report can also include submissions from the defense, and may describe whether “the defendant is in a counseling program or has a steady job.”

In Mr. Trump’s case, of course, he is applying — as it were — for a steady job as president of the United States, a campaign that may be complicated by his new status as a felon. Mr. Trump will likely be required to regularly report to a probation officer, and rules on travel could be imposed.

Mr. Trump was convicted of 34 Class E felonies, New York’s lowest level , each of which carry a potential penalty of up to four years in prison. Probation or home confinement are other possibilities that Justice Merchan can consider.

That said, Justice Merchan has indicated in the past that he takes white-collar crime seriously . If he did impose prison time, he would likely impose the punishment concurrently, meaning that Mr. Trump would serve time on each of the counts he was convicted of simultaneously.

If Mr. Trump were instead sentenced to probation, he could still be jailed if he were later found to have committed additional crimes. Mr. Trump, 77, currently faces three other criminal cases: two federal, dealing with his handling of classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election , and a state case in Georgia that concerns election interference.

Mr. Trump’s lawyers can file a notice of appeal after sentencing, scheduled for July 11 at 10 a.m. And the judge could stay any punishment during an appeal, something that could delay punishment beyond Election Day.

The proceedings will continue even if he wins: Because it’s a state case, not federal, Mr. Trump would have no power as president to pardon himself .

Jesse McKinley is a Times reporter covering upstate New York, courts and politics. More about Jesse McKinley

Maggie Astor covers politics for The New York Times, focusing on breaking news, policies, campaigns and how underrepresented or marginalized groups are affected by political systems. More about Maggie Astor

Our Coverage of the Trump Hush-Money Trial

Guilty Verdict : Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts  of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his bid for the White House in 2016, making him the first American president to be declared a felon .

What Happens Next: Trump’s sentencing hearing on July 11 will trigger a long and winding appeals process , though he has few ways to overturn the decision .

Reactions: Trump’s conviction reverberated quickly across the country  and around the world . Here’s what voters , New Yorkers , Republicans , Trump supporters  and President Biden  had to say.

The Presidential Race : The political fallout of Trump’s conviction is far from certain , but the verdict will test America’s traditions, legal institutions and ability to hold an election under historic partisan tension .

Making the Case: Over six weeks and the testimony of 20 witnesses, the Manhattan district attorney’s office wove a sprawling story  of election interference and falsified business records.

Legal Luck Runs Out: The four criminal cases that threatened Trump’s freedom had been stumbling along, pleasing his advisers. Then his good fortune expired .