Indian Visa For Canadian Citizens
India has long been a top travel spot for visitors worldwide. The beauty of this vast and varied country is renowned, and the infrastructure for tourism and business becomes more developed by the year.
That means that most Canadian citizens seeking to enter India for tourism, business, and medical treatment have more, and better, visa options than ever before.
Today, Canadians taking relatively short trips to India can take advantage of India’s eVisa program to obtain an official, government-issued, pre-approved eVisa. This means a visa application process with less waiting, less expense, and, simply, less hassle.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- What is an eVisa? How is it different from a traditional Embassy visa?
- What are the three types of Indian eVisa available to Canadian travelers?
- How can I apply for an eVisa?
1. What is an eVisa? How is it different from a traditional Embassy visa?
In the past, nearly all travelers were lumped into a single category, with only one visa option: the traditional Embassy visa, also known as a sticker visa or stamp visa. We’ve all heard stories about how difficult the application process for a traditional visa can be: visits to faraway Embassies, a stressful interview process, and the potential for high visa costs.
Today, though, international travel authorities recognize that not all travelers are the same. The vast majority of travelers seeking to enter India come on relatively short trips (under 90 days) in order to enjoy the beauty of the country, perform business functions, or to receive treatment at Indian medical facilities. That’s why the Indian government has made it easier for those types of travelers to enter India by introducing the eVisa program.
Some travelers do enter India for longer periods of time in order to pursue activities like employment, education, or residency. Those travelers are still encouraged to apply for traditional types of visas. For most Canadian citizens visiting India, however, the eVisa program is the way to go.
2. What are the three types of Indian eVisa available to Canadian travelers?
The three types of Indian eVisa available to Canadian travelers are the e-Tourist Visa, the e-Business visa, and the e-Medical visa. All three have different parameters and permissions, so make sure to read the following information carefully.
Option 1: e-Tourism Visa
- Must be used for purposes of tourism
- Must be used within 365 days of approval
- Maximum total time allowed in India: 90 days, whether consecutively or non-consecutively
- Multiple entries and exits to and from India are allowed within the validity period
Option 2: e-Business Visa
- Must be used for purposes of business (but NOT direct employment with an Indian company)
- Must be used within 365 days of approval
- Maximum total time allowed in India: 180 days, whether consecutively or non-consecutively
- Multiple entries and exits to and from India are allowed within the validity period
Option 3: e-Medical Visa
- Must be used for purposes of receiving medical treatment
- Must be used within 60 days of approval
- Maximum consecutive days in a single visit: 30 days
- Maximum total time allowed in India: 60 days
- A maximum of 3 entries and exits to and from India are allowed within the validity period
3. How can I apply for an eVisa?
Necessary documents
Applying for your official, pre-approved eVisa, issued by the government of India, is easy when you apply with Evisa Express. Our average processing time is 51 hours, from submission to approval. Individual times may vary. Our success rate for approved applications for Indian eVisas is 96%.
All you need in order to apply are the following documents and information:
- Your valid Canadian passport, and a scan or digital photo of the bio-data page
- A recent photograph that conforms to passport standards
- The basic details of your trip itinerary
- An online payment method
Additional documents are needed for the e-Business and e-Medical visas. For an e-Business visa, you are required to provide a letter of invitation or business card from the Indian company you’ll be cooperating with. For an e-Medical visa, you’ll need to provide proof of upcoming treatment from the medical institution from which you’ll be receiving care.
Filling out the application
When you’ve assembled those items, simply enter our online application system and fill in your application. Confirmation will be sent to your email once you’ve paid and submitted. After that, simply wait for your application to be approved. Your official eVisa to India will be sent to your email: print it out and have it with you when you enter India. Our trained team of eVisa experts is on hand 24/7 for all your questions and concerns.
Evisa Express: You take care of your trip; we take care of your visa.
