How to Get an Indian e-Conference Visa: A Complete Guide
Is a trip to India for a meet or conference on the horizon? Then the first thing that you will be required to get is an e-conference visa for India. This is a permit that will help you enter the borders of India. That being said, there is a high chance that you might face some issues in applying for the visa if you are a first-timer.
Well, if you want to avoid such chances of something going wrong then you will have to make a few arrangements. One good solution is to know everything about the conference visa application process. This is possibly the only way in which you will be able to have a worry-free experience in applying for these visas.
Understanding the Indian e-Conference Visa
Getting an Indian e-conference will be a little tough if you do not know what it actually is. So, we will first tell you the basics of these visas before telling you how you can get them. This is the only way you will be to avoid all confusions while moving further.
What is an Indian e-Conference Visa?
An e-conference visa for India is a permit that is made for any foreigner who is coming to the country to attend a conference, workshop, or seminar. This visa stays valid for around a month or 30 days, counting from the day of your arrival. That being said, these ones only come with a single entry. So, in case you leave the country during this then you will have to again apply for a brand new one.
Situations for which you can get an e-conference visa for India are:
- Attending an international meeting.
- Discuss a particular subject at a seminar.
- Attending a workshop on a certain topic.
How is the e-conference visa different from the other ones?
This particular Indian visa is different from the other ones for a few reasons. Some of these reasons are:
- e-Conference visa stays valid for just 30 days. Whereas, there are other visas offered by India that come with much longer validity.
- This particular visa only has the option of a single entry. But, on the other hand, the business visa and tourist visa gives you the ability to enter and exit the country multiple times.
- The application window for an e-conference visa sits at 120 days. On the other, the application window for some of the other ones sits 4 days prior to your traveling date.
Eligibility Requirements for an Indian Conference Visa
This is generally given to most countries. You can easily apply for this if you are coming to the country to attend any academic, scientific, or business conference.
However, there can be a few who are not allowed to get these visas. If not, some can also face a few difficulties while getting the visa. So, this is the biggest reason why we think that you should know about the visa eligibility criteria before you start the application process.
Who is Eligible for the Visa?
India offers Conference Visas to most countries. Well, that is only if you have your documents right and ready. Nationalities from places like the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and others do not face any issues in getting a visa. Whereas, there are some who have come across many problems in getting the Indian e-conference visa. So, please check the complete list of eligible countries on the Internet before starting the form fill up. You can check that list for all the details.
You will need to have a valid passport, and produce a return ticket. Your financial statements should show that you will be able to support your stay in the country.
Who might face difficulties in getting the visa?
There are a few countries that often face some issues when they apply for an e-conference visa for India. Sometimes the nationals of these countries have to wait days for the visa to get accepted. On other occasions, it also gets rejected. Some of these countries are Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, and a few others. You will be able to find the names on the official home ministry website of India that is designated for foreign affairs.
You will not get the visa if you are a persona-non-grata* to the Indian government, or are deemed to be a security risk (suspected of being a part of illegal activities).
*An individual who is not allowed or welcomed in a certain place. In this case, this is decided due to political conflicts or some other political reason.
Documents that you need for the application
You will have to share some copies of a few documents when applying for the Indian Conference Visa. So, make sure you have these prepared beforehand to avoid issues during the application process. Some of these documents are:
Invitation Letter:
A formal invitation letter is one of the most important things in this entire process. This document helps in proving your cause and makes you eligible for the e-conference visa. Upload a copy of the invitation with your application. Plus, you should also make sure that the letter clearly states all the details of the seminar. Most important of all, your role in the seminar should be clearly written, in here.
Passport:
This is mandatory. Make sure that your passport has a remaining validity of at least six months; otherwise, it will not be considered valid.
Photograph:
Irrespective of whether you apply for the visa online or from the embassy, photographs are a must. So, keep a scanned copy of it or a few hard copies. The specifications of this photograph are specified by the Indian authorities.
Documents:
You will also need to have a few documents for this process. This varies a little depending on your nationality so, it is best to check on the embassy website.
How to apply for an e-conference visa to India?
Applying for the e-Conference Visa to India is easy. You can get this from the embassy or just apply for it online. The steps of the process more or less stay the same, so you will not face much difficulty. The steps of this process are:
Form fill up:
The first step in the process is to fill in the form and submit it properly. This stays the same for both online and offline applications. So, properly fill out the form, check your details, and add your photograph. Make sure you check this a few times before you submit it.
Adding Documents:
After you are done adding the details then you will have to move on to adding the documents. This includes adding the necessary ones like the invitation letter, passport, and anything else that supports your purpose.
Payment:
All applicants have to pay the fee amount. It surely varies a little depending on the country that you are from but overall it is constant. This is why it is best if you check this at the embassy to find out how much you will have to pay.
Interview:
Well, an interview is not a must for all individuals. This is why, all people do not appear for this. But even if you do, then you will just have to be honest and confident during this time. These interviews are taken at the Indian Embassy or consulate so reach there accordingly.
Important Considerations for the Indian Conference Visa
The e-Conference Visa for India is a useful permit. Here's what you should keep in mind.
Validity Period:
The total period of validity for this one is shorter than the other visas. This comes with a total validity of 30 days. The validity starts from the day you enter the country.
Extensions:
You cannot extend the validity of the Indian Conference Visas as they are non-extendable. But if you need to stay for a little longer then you will have to get another type of visa.
Activities Not Allowed:
There are a few restrictions to using e-conference visas for India. You cannot start working anywhere during this visa. You can only use this to attend the conference or seminar.
Feeling confident about your application for the e-conference visa to India?
Getting an e-conference visa is simple. Just remember to fill in your details correctly and that will be all. Plus, try to apply early. If you still face any issues in getting or applying for the visa then simply contact the HelpDesk for a solution.
Check your eligibility for Online Indian Visa and apply at least a week before your scheduled trip to India. Citizens of many countries including Austrian citizens, Croatian citizens, Korean citizens, Cuban citizens and US citizens are eligible for India e-Visa.