Tourist visa for India

[Gaccha]

There is deeply conflicting information on applying.

The Indian government recommends against buying an air ticket and hotel accommodation before the approval of the visa. (e.g. "booking a flight ticket before obtaining an Indian Visa is not advisable." www.indianembassy.in.th/pages.php?id=18)

And then-- in direct contradiction-- they require that there is an air ticket and proof of hotel accommodation in order to get approval for a visa. This is a required piece of information in the online form. It is also mentioned as required at the Indian embassy website: http://www.indianembassy.in.th/pages.php?id=34

Since the visa is around 6,000 baht (although this number is all over the place depending on where you look) it is a very costly issue if something goes wrong. Past applicants for the slightly outdated procedure of 2012 mention that their visa was denied because they left the hotel accommodation details blank.

Has anyone-- recently-- applied for a visa? The current requirements for UK passport holders resident in Thailand are a long online form followed by an application in person in Bangkok, followed by a 8-10 day wait before collection (although some FAQs put it at 6 days). Since this procedure is lengthy, tedious and expensive I'd like to get it right first time. And I definitely don't want this the reason for a denial of the visa.

The initial online applications are done here: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html

[Upnotover]

How long are you going for? You can get an e-visa easily online which is good for a single entry 30 day trip. I've had 2 of these in the past 6 months.

[Clamhua]

Just did my Indian visa online in Malaysia, took 2 days for approval...

[Gaccha]

All the information I read requires an online visa is filled out, then a biometric screening and a visit to the Sukhumvit visa branch (IVAC) is required.

The online website states:

"The duly signed physical copy of the application form completed in all respect and submitted successfully, is to be submitted at the concerned Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or directly to Indian Mission/ Post, on the scheduled date of interview along with the requisite supporting documents. The instructions for filling the form and scheduling the appointment can be seen at Instructions for Regular Visa Application. Important technical information for filling online Indian visa application can be referred at Technical Instructions." [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html]

There is no exemption to this process for British nationals.

Can I ask whether you are UK passport citizens with residence in Thailand? The procedure is very different from UK passport citizens that are tourists in Thailand.

This interests me as I noticed that the Wikipedia entry did speak of a "visa free entry" [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_India#e-Tourist_Visa]. But the Indian embassy in Thailand requires additional processing (this won't apply to applications in Malaysia).

After you did your online application, what did you do with the printed out application...?

[Clamhua]

Aussie passport live in Malaysia...

[Upnotover]

Yes, UK passport in Thailand. The 30 day e-visa is completely online. There is no printed application. You must upload a copy of passport and photo. Pay online. The visa approval is issued in a couple of days by email. Another advantage is that, at Mumbai at least, they have a dedicated e-visa line at immigration so no queue! The only limitation is the 30 day entry and you can only get 2 of these per calendar year.

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

[Gaccha]

Well, that's great. I'll do that then. Thanks!