Obtaining a Visa to India

Sample Visa from: http://www.culture-4-travel.com

Now I am no stranger to the process of getting a visa but I have to report getting a visa to India was more complicated than any previous visa's I have obtained. 

I am lucky because there is a Indian Consulate in Washington, DC but if there is not a Consulate near you be prepared to mail your passport to the closest consulate. Since may will be mailing in their passports you MUST plan in advance for your trip. The Indian embassy requests you NOT book your plane ticket until you obtain your visa. 

India only offers three Visa time lengths: 6 Months, 5 Years, 10 years and they offers single and multiple entry visa's. You are always going to want to get a multiple entry visa because even if you just went on a day trip outside India you will not be readmitted. Now a 5 to 10 year visa may be helpful for someone who will be visiting family that lives there permanently. Since my mom is there for only 2 years I would be eligible to apply for the 5 year then according to the consulate the Embassy issue me 2 of the 5 years if I was eligible  I decided to only get the 6 month visa when I was applying because when I filled out the application online I was not aware I was eligible to apply for the 5 year so I only brought enough cash for the 6 month visa. The embassy only accept money orders, cash, and checks and since almost no one uses checks anymore I had cash and not enough with me to apply for the 5 year visa.

These are the steps to obainting your visa to India

1. Go Here: Indian Visa
2. Click "Need an Indian Visa"
3. You will be routed here: BLS Visa Services
4. From here you decide if you will be applying in person or postal
5. Once you decide click the "Apply Here" button
6. Do a Document Check depending on the visa you need here:Document Check
7. Then just follow the steps listed and you will have everything you need 

The only document I did not know I needed and had to WALK to obtain was a photo copy of my State ID that was to be used as proof of address. I had to also bring a printed copy of my application, my passport, and a passport sized photos

Tip: If you have to get a new passport sized photo go to your local drug store and get the 2 passport photos for the $15 then ask for an extra page of them sometimes like 12-15 and they will only charge you .30 cents extra per picture for future use. 

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