How to Apply for Tourist Visa on Arrival to India

In an unfortunate event last week, we were denied to board the plane by Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong to New Delhi, citing that effective December 2014, Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is now required for Indian Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA).  This means that even the visa will be issued upon arrival, application must be done online prior to entering India, an ETA is mandatory.

Looking at the website of http://www.blsindiavisa-ph.com and that of the Indian Embassy in Manila, http://www.indembassymanila.in  it clearly states that:

Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) for Philippine nationals

Philippine passport holders, travelling for the purpose of tourism only, can avail of the visa-on-arrival facility at Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata airports.  With effect from 15th August 2013, this facility has also been extended at Trivandrum, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kochi airports.  

For inquiries, you may email the embassy of India in Manila: cons@indembassymanila.in


There are two options, you may apply for tourist visa ahead or avail of ETA and get your visa upon arrival.

Option 1:
Apply for a visa through the embassy through www.blsindiavisa-ph.com ,  follow the instructions on the website, submit your passports and your visa will be issued in the Philippines.

902 A (9th Floor), One Corporate Plaza, Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City.

Tel: 0063-2-4789152, 5555060

Email: info@blsinternational.net

Website: www.blsindiavisa-ph.com 

Submission of applications:        0900 to 1200 hrs - Monday to Friday

Delivery of passports:          1630 to 1730 hrs - Monday to Friday

Option 2:

Avail of Tourist Visa upon Arrival by applying online https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

Step 1.  Apply online, upload photo and copy of passport on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

Step 1.  Apply online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html, upload a photo and copy of passport.

Step 2.  Pay Visa Fees of $60 online with credit card or debit card https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/TVOAOnlinePayment.jsp

Step 3. An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will be sent to your email (see sample ETA below) within 4 working days whether visa is granted or not.  We applied in the afternoon and got the ETA by 10am the next day.  One can check the status https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/VisaEnquiry.jsp?filetype=tvoa online and print the visa with the barcode from there.

Step 4. Print the ETA and present it upon check-in.  Upon arrival in India, the same will be presented to immigration in India (separate desk for Tourist Visa on Arrival), your biometrics will be taken and visa will be stamped in your passport.

Sample ETA:

INDIAN TOURIST VISA ON ARRIVAL (TVoA) 
Enabled by Electronic Travel Authorisation(ETA)

Dear xxx,

Your application for Tourist Visa on Arrival has been processed with following result.

Application ID :- 

I004V049Fxxx

Passport No :- 

EC208xxx

Application Status :- 

Granted 

Visa No :- 

904xxxF7F

You can arrive in India between 06/02/2015 to 12/03/2015. (Date format is dd/mm/yyyy).

Visa is valid for 30 days from the date of entry 

For any assistance contact TVoA support center at indiatvoa@gov.in.

For Tele enquiries(IVRS enquiry) call at +91-11-24300666.Please use 0041893515 as key 

Note:
- Please carry a copy of this ETA at the time of Travel.
- TVoA once issued on arrival is Only Single Entry, non-extendable , non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas.
- Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India.