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Saudi Arabia E-Visa for Indians: Online Visa Requirements & Fees

Last Updated : 03 May 2024

30-Seconds Summary

Indian nationals travelling to Saudi Arabia must apply for the Saudi Arabia e-visa, which allows Indians to visit for tourism.

A Saudi Arabia visa is an e-visa that allows you to apply online

It does not require you to submit your passport and visit any Embassy for interviews.

Apply on Atlys and get a full refund if your visa is rejected.

Important Information

— Visa type

— Saudi Arabia e-visa cost

— Saudi Arabia e-visa processing time

— Saudi Arabia e-visa validity

— Length of stay

Do Indians need a visa for Saudi Arabia?

Yes, Indian citizens require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabia e-visa is for tourism only; you can’t engage in work or business activities.

Saudi Arabia e-visa is a convenient option that allows applicants to complete the application online. Indian nationals can apply for an e-visa through Atlys or the government portal. 

Can Indians get a Saudi Arabia visa on arrival?

Indians are not eligible for a Visa On Arrival (VOA) in Saudi Arabia. While some nationalities can obtain visas upon arrival, India is not currently included in that list. 

 Indian nationals must apply for an e-visa before their travel. Applying for an e-visa is a straightforward online process that can be done through Atlys or the government website.

Saudi Arabia e-visa requirements for Indians

To apply for a Saudi Arabia e-visa, you need to meet certain requirements and submit specific documents, such as:

Valid passport :  ​A scanned copy of your valid passport information page showing your photo and personal details. Your current passport must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival and have at least 2 blank pages.

Valid photo : When applying for a Saudi visa, you must provide a recent digital passport-size photograph . These photographs must meet specific requirements, such as being in colour, with a plain white background, and showing your full face with no headwear (unless for religious purposes).

Use Atlys to apply easily and upload necessary documents with your smartphone or laptop camera.

Saudi Arabia e-visa fees for Indians

The Saudi Arabia visa price for Indians is ₹ 9,980.

* The Saudi Arabia visa cost for Indians will be charged as per the exchange rate on the day of the application.

Saudi Arabia visa application process for Indians

We always want to ensure that our readers know exactly how to apply and their options. For the Saudi Arabian tourist visa for Indians, you can apply through Atlys or handle the application yourself. We'll help you understand both processes to make it simpler for you.

How to apply through Atlys 

To get your visa on time, here's a quick overview of what to expect when applying online through Atlys.

Start application: Begin your Saudi Arabia e-visa application journey by visiting Atlys .

Upload or take your photo: You can upload or take a new photo directly through the portal using your smartphone or laptop.

Provide your details: F ill in the required personal and travel information accurately.

Finalise and pay: Review your application, checkout, and pay the applicable visa fees.

Receive your visa on time : Atlys will process your visa within 6 days of submitting your application.

Why Choose Atlys

Saudi Arabia visa approval times are uncertain and can take up to 7  business days. Atlys guarantees your visa in 2 days.

Atlys has tie-ups and public relations officers at Saudi Arabia Immigration to ensure that visas come on time.

You can apply for your entire family on Atlys in one go.

How to apply through the government website

To apply for a Saudi Arabia visa for Indians, you can follow these streamlined steps:

Start visa application: Start by visiting the KSAVISA portal and selecting the appropriate e-visa option based on your eligibility.

Fill in personal information: Provide your personal details as required by the application form.

Enter passport information : Input your passport details, ensuring all data is current and valid.

Provide residency information : Detail your residency status, especially if you are a US, UK, or Schengen visa holder, UK, US, and EU resident, or a GCC visa holder.

Agree to terms & conditions: Read and accept the terms and conditions of the e-visa application process.

Review application : Double-check the information you entered for accuracy before submission.

Confirm medical insurance : Purchase one of the medical insurance provided during this step, which is valid for your stay in Saudi Arabia.

Make application payment : Use the provided payment methods to pay the e-visa application fee. A 5% surcharge will apply for most international cards for USD transactions. You can avoid this by using Atlys .

Additional documents to be submitted:

For Indian nationals applying for a Saudi e-visa on the government website, you must meet one of the following criteria:

For US, UK, or Schengen visa holders: To qualify for the e-visa, you must have a business or tourist visa with at least one entry stamp from the issuing country (note that digital entry stamps are not accepted).

For UK, US, and EU residents: You must possess a permanent residence permit from the UK, US, or EU.

For GCC residents: You must hold a GCC residency visa with at least three months remaining validity after entering Saudi Arabia.

Tips To Apply

Double-check all the documents required for your e-visa application, including your passport and photograph.

Carefully fill out your application form with accurate information that matches your travel documents.

Submit your e-visa application well before your intended travel date to allow ample time to rectify any issues and ensure you receive your visa on time.

After submitting, regularly check your e-visa application's status online to address any follow-up requirements or corrections promptly.

Receive your approved Saudi Arabia visa for Indians

After submitting your application, processing your Saudi Arabia visa takes 7 business days through the government website.

Through Atlys:

After your visa is approved, Atlys will notify you. You can then download the visa in PDF from the app and print it to take with you when you travel to Saudi Arabia.

Through the government:

 You will receive an email notification regarding the e-visa approval. Once the e-visa is approved, you can download and print the visa.

How the approved Saudi Arabia visa looks:

Saudi Arabia e-visa sample

Saudi Arabia visa information for Indians

How to check my saudi arabia visa status.

Check your visa status on the government website:

After applying, you can check your e-visa result by following these steps on the Government website:

Select the “Track your application” option.

Enter the "Application/Visa number" and "ID number".

The current status of your visa application will be displayed.

Check your visa status on Atlys:

Atlys provides real-time status updates to keep you informed.

1. Download the Atlys app .

2.  Select “Profile” and then “My Documents”.

3. Inside "My Documents," find your Saudi Arabia visa.

4.  Click on the visa to access the status.

Processing time for Saudi Arabia visa

The Saudi Arabia e-visa processing through the government website is 7 business days. However, by using Atlys, you can receive your approved e-visa within 2 days.

Saudi Arabia visa validity & length of stay

The Saudi Arabia e-visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issue, which will be mentioned on your e-visa. This visa permits multiple entries into the country, with a total stay not exceeding 90 days.

Our Commitment To Visa Accuracy

At Atlys, our focus is on delivering current and precise visa application details, with information gathered from dependable government sources, such as: 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Visa Platform

KSAVISA Portal

Please note that Saudi Arabia visa fees and rules can vary over time. We recommend checking the official website for the most recent information before starting your application. This step will help you access the latest data for a hassle-free visa application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

After your visa has been approved, you will receive it via email. Then, you can print it and finally travel to Saudi Arabia within the validity period of your visa.

Yes. Indians can extend their Saudi Arabia visa by visiting the embassy.

When you make your online application, you may run into some issues like:

The website is not working.

The e-visa fee payment issues.

Documents are not uploading.

Yes, you must print out your e-visa before travelling to Saudi Arabia, as you must have a physical copy when you land at the airport.

Indian citizens must be at least 18 to apply for a visa independently. Travellers under 18 must have a parent apply for an e-visa first.

Applying for a Saudi visa from India can come with certain challenges. Here's what to keep in mind:

Verify your eligibility for the specific visa type you're applying for.

Finding a registered travel agent can be difficult; Atlys is a recommended alternative.

Ensure your passport photo meets the required specifications.

A criminal record in India could result in visa rejection.

Previous denial of entry into Saudi Arabia may affect your application.

Proof of sufficient funds for your stay is essential.

Complete and accurately fill in the visa application form.

Gather and submit all required documentation.

Be clear about the purpose of your visit when communicating with the Saudi embassy.

When travelling with a minor, ensure you have the appropriate documents.

Previous travel to Israel could complicate your application.

An Israeli stamp on your passport might also pose issues.

There are many reasons why your visa application might get rejected, like:

Not having all the right documents or having fake ones.

Filling out the visa application form incorrectly.

Not having enough money.

Having a criminal record.

Getting denied a visa before.

Having an Israeli stamp on your passport.

Not being clear about why you want to visit.

Your original passport should meet the following Saudi Arabia entry requirements when applying for a Saudi visit visa for Indians:

The passport must have 6 months validity from the time of visa application.

There are a minimum of two blank pages in your passport.

At Atlys , you will receive a 100% refund of your visa fees (up to ₹8,000) , excluding the service fees.

If your visa gets rejected, you will be notified of the reason for rejection. By fixing these rejection reasons, you can reapply for your visa. You will lose the funds when applying through the government or visa portals.

How we reviewed this article:

Our experts continually monitor the official sources for any changes, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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Saudi Arabia Visa for Indians: Types, Fees & Validity

tourist visa saudi for indian

Saudi Arabia, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has excellent infrastructure and offers all the amenities and facilities to its residents and visitors from around the world. All visitors to Saudi Arabia need to obtain a visa relevant to their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – such as tourism, business, work, residence and business. Applicants can apply for a Saudi Arabia visa online at www.mofa.gov.sa . Here we will discuss everything about a Saudi Arabia Visa for Indians.

Saudi Arabia Visa for Indians

Also Read: Dubai Visa for Indians: Types, Eligibility & Fees | Kuwait Work Visa & Permit for Indians: An Overview

Saudi Arabia visa types for Indians

Saudi Arabia issues different types of visas and permits based on the purpose and duration of stay of applicants. 

  • Business Visa
  • Commercial Visa
  • Employment Visa
  • Work Visit Visa
  • Family Visit Visa
  • Student Visa
  • Residence Visa
  • Government Visit Visa
  • Adding New-born-to-Saudi-Residence-Card
  • Diplomatic and Official Visa
  • Escort Visa
  • Extension of Exit/Re-Entry Visa
  • Personal Visit Visa
  • Supplemental Journalist Visa Application

Saudi Arabia business visa

Saudi Embassies issue visitors’ visas to business people with commercial and industrial interests in Saudi Arabia. A visa applicant’s firm or agent in Saudi Arabia applies for the visa on his/her behalf to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once the visa is approved, the embassy or consulate issues the required visa, following the instruction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, embassy and consular officers can directly grant a short-visit visa to foreign businessmen, if the applicant works for a large corporation already in Saudi Arabia.

Religious visa

Religious visas are issued to Muslims from all over the world who wish to visit Saudi Arabia to perform religious activities like Umrah or Hajj in the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

Tourist visa

Saudi Arabia tourist visa allows tourists from around the world to discover the rich heritage, the vibrant culture, diverse and breathtaking landscapes, and experience the warm hospitality of Saudi people. 

The Saudi Arabia e-visa is a one-year, multiple entry visa that allows tourists to spend up to 90 days in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia Work visa/ residence visa

Saudi employers are required to apply for work permits with the government bodies – Interior and Labor & Saudi Affairs Ministries – on behalf of the foreign workers. Individuals who wish to stay in the Kingdom for more than three months must obtain a residence permit (Iqama). Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iqama is valid for two years. 

Dependents of foreign employees can get a residence visa, which doesn’t allow them to seek employment in the Kingdom. Residence visa holders need to obtain an exit visa to leave the Kingdom. 

Saudi Arabia visa application 

You can get in touch with registered visa agents to apply for a visa to Saudi Arabia. Check the list of licensed agencies on http://embassies.mofa.gov.sa/ . Here is a list of Saudi Arabia visa requirements:

  • Name of the applicant
  • Mother’s name
  • Date and place of birth
  • Nationality
  • Present Nationality
  • Marital Status
  • Qualification
  • Home & office address and contact number
  • Passport details
  • Purpose of travel
  • Duration of stay
  • Mode of payment
  • Destination
  • Dependent’s details, etc.
  • A passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of application and has at least two blank pages for stamping.
  • Recent passport size photographs with white background. 

Based on the eligibility criteria and documents submitted, your visa application will be approved or rejected. If your application is approved, you are advised not to overstay the duration mentioned on the visa. 

Visitors are required to follow the Islamic laws and regulations of Saudi Arabia and respect the traditions and values of KSA. There is a severe restriction on possession of alcoholic beverages, pork products, firearms, explosives, edged weapons, prohibited drugs and narcotics, and pornographic materials.

Saudi Arabia visa fee

Visa fee will be charged based on the visa type as under:

  • VIP business visa: S.R.1,000
  • Business visa multiple entry: S.R.500
  • Business visa single entry: S.R.200
  • Work/residence/transit/student visa: S.R.50
  • No fees for the purpose of Government, Hajj, Umrah, and Extension of exit re-entry 

Also Read: Visa Status: Check Visa Status with Passport Number

Eligibility criteria

Business visit.

  • Visa fee: The visa fee needs to be paid online only. As per the current rule there is no provision for any kind of offline payment. 
  • Passport: A passport that is valid for at least 6 months with at least two blank pages. 
  • Photographs: Passport size photographs with a white background. 
  • Recommendation letter: A Recommendation letter from the Chamber of Commerce.
  • Covering letter: The covering letter must contain details of the business and contact addresses of the Business Associate in Saudi Arabia, with the company’s seal on it. The covering letter should also include details like the nature of the business, the designation of the applicant. 
  • Invitation letter: Invitation letter arranged by the sponsor in Saudi Arabia needs to be submitted through the Chamber of Commerce. 
  • Visa validity: The visa is issued for a maximum of 90 days from the date of issue. 

Temporary work permit visa

  • Visa fee: The visa fee needs to be paid online only. As per the current rule there is no provision for any kind of offline payments. 
  • Covering letter: You need to submit a cover letter from an Indian organization or an individual company that includes business details and contact information. The covering letter should also include details like the designation of the applicant, nature of the business with the company’s seal on it. 
  • Invitation letter: Invitation letter from the Indian Chamber of Commerce attested by Saudi Arabia Chamber of Commerce with the agreement from the company in the name of the applicant. 
  • Company registration: A copy of the company’s registration. 
  • Medical certificate: Medical certificate from an embassy approved doctor. 
  • Experience letter: Experience letter for the past two years. 
  • Education documents: Based on the type of work, you must submit your degree/diploma/ certificate attested by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of External Affairs, and the Embassy.
  • Air tickets: Copy of confirmed airline tickets.  
  • Visa fee: The receipt of visa fee payment of S.R. 2,000.
  • Visa processing: If you fulfill Saudi Arabia work visa requirements, The visa application is processed in 4-5 working days. 
  • Visa validity: The visa is issued for a maximum of 90 days from the date of issue and can be extended by the sponsor. 

Family Visit

  • Visa processing: The application is processed in 4-5 working days.
  • Visa validity: The visa is issued for a maximum of 90 days from the date of issue.
  • Dependents: Dependents of an applicant are required to provide a marriage certificate (for married applicants) and medical certificate and birth certificate for children to visit Saudi Arabia. 

Transit Visa

In order to travel through the territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to your destination, you need to get a transit visa if you spend more than 12 hours within the KSA territory. Here are the eligibility criteria to apply for a transit visa:

  • Visa fee: Visa fee: The visa fee needs to be paid online only. As per the current rule there is no provision for any kind of offline payments. 
  • Passport: Passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months. 
  • Visa validity: The visa is issued for a maximum of 72 hours and is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Transit visas can be extended to two weeks. 

Also Read: Indian Passport for NRI: Renewal vs Reissue

Saudi Arabia Embassies in India

You can contact the KSA Embassies in India for any further information about a Saudi Arabia visa for Indians:

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia No – 2, Paschimi Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi – 110057 Telephone: 4324 4444

Royal Consulate General of Saudi Arabia Maker Tower ‘F’, 4th Floor, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai – 400 005 Telephone:022- 2215 6001, 6002, 6003, 6004 Email: [email protected]

You can contact Saudi Embassy in India for more clarity on visa fees. If you’re looking for any assitance for NRI services such as NRI account opening, NRI Demat account, NRI investment or taxation, experts at SBNRI can help you out with everything. Download SBNRI App from the Google Play Store or App Store to ask any questions related to NRI services. Also visit our blog and Youtube Channel for more details.

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  • Saudi Arabia Visa
  • Saudi Arabia Visitor Visa

What is Saudi Arabia Family Visit Visa?

How to get a saudi arabia family visit visa, eligibility for saudi family visit visa, when you have this visa, documents required for saudi family visit visa, photo specification of saudi family visit visa, saudi family visit visa processing time, saudi family visit visa fee, how to check saudi family visit visa status, saudi arabia visit visa for indians - definitive guide.

With over 13 percent of the population in Saudi Arabia being Indians, Indians are bound to have family members living in the country. To visit your family living in the country, you will need a Family Visit Visa Saudi Arabia.

saudi arabia visit visa

For people other than those from the GCC countries, and from a few other visa-exempt nations, everyone requires a permit to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, if you are visiting a first-degree family member, you can apply for a Saudi Family Visit Visa . Valid for a maximum of 90 days, or as per approval by the Ministry of External Affairs in Saudi. This permit allows you to visit the country for the purpose of meeting family, and thereby can even take part in tourism activities. The visa comes in the form of a vignette in your passport. 

The process of applying for the family visit permit is quite different from other countries. The process although available online, for Indians, the mode is offline. Not just that, the Saudi embassy does not accept applications submitted directly. As a result, you will have to contact a travel agency to do it for you. Now before applying, ensure that you check the eligibility criteria for the visa. Once this is done, you may proceed to make the application as follows - 

  • The first step involves collecting all the necessary documents required. 
  • Once you have them, you can visit the MOFA Saudi website, and download the application form. 
  • Proceed to fill in the form. You can either type it and take a print, or print it and write it by hand. You should also keep in mind to affix your photographs, and sign wherever necessary.
  • Pay the visa fees online to the travel agency. You cannot make direct payments to the embassy. 
  • With the application form, attach the documents and send them to the Saudi Embassy via the travel agent.

Please ensure that you fill in the correct details and that you submit the original documents. Any wrong information or forged documents can lead to a visa rejection . A denied permit is considered as a black mark in your travel history.

To be able to apply for the visit permit, you will have to meet the following criteria - 

  • You must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure. 
  • The family member you are visiting must be of the first degree such as children, parents, siblings, or also, spouse, in-laws, etc. You cannot apply for a family visit permit if they are your uncles, aunts, etc. 
  • The person inviting you must hold a valid family visit visa invitation letter approved by the MOFA in Saudi Arabia. 
  • The person inviting you must hold a valid Iqama (residence permit) 
  • Your sole purpose of the visit must be to visit your family. 

When you receive your visit permit, keep in mind the following key points to ensure a hassle-free journey - 

  • Make a note of the vis expiry date. You will not be able to stay in the country beyond this period. If you do stay, it is considered a criminal offence, and you will be fined and deported.
  • You cannot engage in work activities while you are on a visit permit.
  • You must strictly abide by the rules and regulations of Saudi while you are in the country. You must also respect their culture and traditions. 

The list of documents as per the Saudi family visit visa requirements , that are necessary for the application are mentioned as follows - 

  • An original passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel. Any old passports need to be submitted as well
  • 2 photographs as per regulations.
  • Family Visit Visa Invitation letter approval from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, KSA
  • Copy of Iqama of the Sponsor
  • Passport copy of the sponsor 
  • Travel insurance issued by the Saudi embassy as per your application
  • Proof of relationship with the relative inviting you.

saudi arabia visit visa photo requirements

  • 2 identical passport size photos
  • Recently taken
  • Coloured, with a white background
  • Dimensions: 35mm X 45mm
  • Face should cover 80% of the photo
  • Facial expression - neutral
  • Head in a central location
  • Eyeglasses are not permitted
  • Headwear - permitted in case of religious reasons

Due to the lower volume of applications, the family visit permit is generally issued in about 4-5 working days. However, depending on a few factors such as the time taken to get the invitation approved, a higher volume of applications, season, etc, this may take longer to be approved. 

The total fees depend on several factors such as the number of entries, service charges by the travel agency, etc. Since the fees can change without prior notice, it is necessary to confirm the amount before you make the application. 

Once you have submitted your visa application, you will receive it back via your travel agent within the stipulated processing time. In the meanwhile, you can check your Saudi Family Visit Visa status by contacting the agency, or by emailing the embassy directly with your application number. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i renew my family visit visa in saudi.

You cannot renew it, but you can definitely extend your visa easily. Unlike a lot of the other nations, the Saudi government accepts a visa extension request. In most cases, you can get an extension up to the total duration of your current permit. If the visa is of 90 days, you can get up to another 90 days. However, keep in mind that you will have to apply for it at least a week before your current visa expires and that you can only stay in the country for a maximum of 180 days as a visitor.

Can I Get a Family Visit Visa Without Documents Such as a Birth Certificate of the Child, Marriage Certificate, etc?

No, you cannot apply for it. A vital part of the documents required for the family visit permit is proof of the relationship. A birth certificate or the marriage certificate can be used to prove this. Without these, there is no evidence that the person you are visiting is your relative.

Can I Work in Saudi Arabia if I am On a Family Visitor Visa?

No, you definitely cannot. While you are on a visitor permit, you are strictly prohibited from working or engaging in work-related activities. The primary condition for which the visa is issued is that your purpose of visit is only to visit your relatives. You can also take part in sight-seeing and tourist activities while you are on this. 

After Expiring My Saudi Arabia Family Visit Visa, How Long Can I Stay?

You cannot stay any longer after your visa is expired. You are expected to leave the country on or before the date of expiry. Staying back after the period is considered as an offence and you may face penal charges. However, you are free to apply for an extension if you want to stay in the country.

What is the Medical Test for Saudi Arabia Family Visit Visa?

Since it is a short term permit, there is no requirement of a mandatory medical test. However, for the long-stay permit such as the family visa, you require a medical check-up to be done. Either way, it is suggested that you get a health checkup done before travelling to any country for the sake of your own safety. 

Can I Convert My Saudi Arabia Family Visa into a Work Permit?

No, the short term visas cannot be converted into another type. Once your visa expires, you will have to leave the country. However, if you wish to get a work permit, you can apply for jobs in the KSA and find a sponsor. Then, once you return back to your home country after the visit permit expires, you can apply for a new work permit.

Do you want to check Visa Guide for other country?

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Applied for Dubai visa and received in 2 days flat. Thank you Navanath & Avinash for quick & reliable visa Service. No need of hard copy document & physical visits. It is also cheaper than many other travel agencies. Mr. Kapil Pailwan

Bhagyesh deo

Sarang, you got it done man! I had to get done my Taiwan visa. Sarang guided me very well. This visa might bring some complications in terms of medical documentation but trust me he will take you though this very well. 5 out of 5 for you, Sarang! Cheers, Warmly, BHAGYESH DEO Mr. Bhagyesh Deo

Sayali gujar

We would like to thank BTW visa services and especially Vineet and Shrushti for assisting us for our USA & Schengen visa. We got all possible assistance from the staff. Awesome services You just have to give them necessary documents and everything else is taken care of. Will surely come back to you guys for our next visa. Mrs. Sayali Gujar

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Embassy of India, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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tourist visa saudi for indian

Embassy of India Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

About Us

  • Home ›   Consular ›   Visa Services

Visa to visit India - General Information

1. E-Visas :

(i) With effect from 17.06.2019 E-Visa facility has been extended to Saudi nationals also.

(ii) E-Visas are admissible only for the following categories - eTourist Visa, eBusiness Visa, eConference Visa, eMedical Visa and eMedical Attendent Visa.

(iii) Applicants may go to the link https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html and apply in 4 easy steps -

(a) Apply online and Upload photo and passport page,

(b) Pay eVisa fees online using credit / debit card /payment wallet,

(c) Receive Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online (ETA will be sent to the Email).

(d) Fly to India - Print ETA and present at Immigration Check Post where eVisa will be stamped on Passport.

(iv) Application and payment of fees is required to be made a minimum of 4 days in advance from the date of travel and wait for approval.

(v) Contact 24X7 Helpdesk at +91 11 24300666 (Tel) and indiatvoa[at]gov.in (E-mail) for assistance on eVisa process.

2. Regular/Paper Visas : The present system of obtaining regular/Paper visa continues to be available.The Embassy of India, Riyadh has outsourced the visa services (submission of visa applications and delivery of serviced passports) to M/s VFS GCC LLC. The outsourcing of consular services covers areas of Central and Eastern regions falling under the jurisdiction of Embassy of India, Riyadh and areas of Western, Northern and Southern regions falling under the jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, Jeddah.

3. Click here for the Visa Application Centres of M/s VFS.

For Regular/Paper Visa Services

1. Those intending to visit India may visit the website at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/indianVisaReg.jsp to fill up the application form online. 2. A print out of the filled in application form duly signed is required to be submitted along with fee, two recent passport size photographs, photocopy of ID card/Iqama, proof of confirmation of hotel accommodation, airlines booking and passport-valid for at least six months beyond the applicable visa period- be submitted at any of the Visa application centre of M/s VFS GCC LLC between 08.30 hrs to 15.00 hrs on all working days. (i.e. Sunday to Thursday). 3. (i) Visas applied at Jeddah and Riyadh will normally be issued on the 3rd working day except in cases which require detailed procedural formalities and clearances.

(ii) Visas applied at other centres may take a little longer.

(iii) In case of any difficulty the visa applicants may contact Attache(Visa) at visa[dot]riyadh[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in or 011-4884144 Ext 205.

4. The details of different types of visas alongwith the Visa fees can be accessed here .

5. Capture of Biometrics is mandatory except for the following categories:

(i) Diplomatic and Official passport holders;

(ii) Senior citizens (above 70 years) and minors (below 12 years);

(iii) Those who have given their biometrics previously are exempted for 5 years. This is reflected in the online visa application form as exempted till dd/mm/yyyy.

[Note: In case of medical exigencies, Attache(Visa) may be contacted at visa[dot]riyadh[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in or 011-4884144 Ext 205 alongwith medical reports for exemption.]

Additional Information

1. Applicants visiting India are advised to abide by the law of the land and not to misuse status of their respective visa granted by the Mission. Indulgence in any unlawful or undesirable practice will be dealt with strictly.

2. Satellite telephones services are not permitted in India. Under the law, people including tourists found to be making unauthorised use of satellite telephone services will be prosecuted and all the sets found in possession of any individual will be seized.

3. Any person seeking a visa to India for purpose of entering into a surrogacy arrangement must ascertain beforehand whether the law of that country permits surrogacy and will provide appropriate travel documents to the child for accompanying the surrogate parents. Entering into surrogacy arrangement under any other visa not sought for surrogacy is punishable under the Indian law.

4. Foreign Nationals visiting India on a short visit or for tourist purposes are allowed to carry a maximum of Rs. 25000 in Indian currency of any denomination. It is also advised that such currency should be procured from authorized agents with receipt or other authorized sources only as instances of counterfeit currency have come to notice of the authorities. Travellers found in possession of such currencies may face prosecurition as per relevant provisions of the Indian law.

5.For foreigners who do not hold a valid resident permit for Saudi Arabia, a reference will be made to the Indian Mission in their country of residence and would require additional processing time and fee of SR.100 (Saudi Riyals One hundred).

6. For other closed holidays for the Embassy, please check List of Holidays .

7. Validity of the visa

(i) The period of valdity of visa begins from the date of issue of visa.

(ii) The Embassy reserves the right to refuse visa without assigning any reason.

(iii) Visa fee is charged regardless of whether visa is issued or not.

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Tourist Visa

For more information about the Tourist Visa and how to apply, please, Visit Saudi  website.

The only verifiable source for the tourist visa is the link provided on the Embassy’s website. Please do not use outside links as they cannot be verified and will not be accepted.

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  • Nationality
  • Document Required
  • Technical Info for e-Visa
  • Payment Related
  • Authorized Immigration checkposts through which eVisa holders can travel.

Payment Helpdesk

SBI ePay: +91-22-2753-5773 (24 x 7)                Axis Bank : +91 1800-419-0073 (24 x 7)

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Toll free Numbers from:

  • USA : 1855 205 5577
  • Uk : 0808 178 5040
  • Singapore : 800 1206 355
  • Australia : 1800 153 861
  • UAE : 8000 3570 3218
  • Saudi Arabia : 800 850 0000
  • Qatar : 00 800 100 348
  • Bahrain : 800 11 300

Select option no. 6 on IVR to connect to agents.

From rest of the countries none toll free number to India + 91-40-6717-4100 (Paid Number).

  • eVisa Helpdesk (Due to maintenance activity IVRS services are unavailable.)
  • eVisa Helpdesk

helpdesk

E-VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

evisa-step-1

Apply online

Upload Photo and Passport Page

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Pay eVisa fee online

Using Credit / Debit card / Payment Wallet

evisa-step-3

Receive ETA Online

Electronic Travel Authorization/ETA Will be sent to your e-mail

evisa-step-4

Fly To India

Print ETA and present at Immigration Check Post where eVisa will be stamped on passport.

Government of India makes no provision of charging of any emergency fees or additional fees for grant of any emergency / express e-visa. Those travelling to India are also advised to go through instructions available on the website of Bureau of Immigration at https://boi.gov.in .

eVisa is admissable only under the following categories:

E-tourist visa, e-business visa, e-conference visa, e-medical visa, e-medical attendent visa, e-ayush visa, e-ayush attendent visa.

  • e-Emergency X-Misc Visa

1. One Month e-Tourist Visa

One Month (30 Days).

Double Entry, non-extendable and non-convertible

2. One year e-Tourist Visa

One year (365 Days) from the date of grant of ETA.

3. Five years e-Tourist Visa

Five years from the date of grant of ETA.

Maximum stay in India during one Calender Year should not exceed 180 days for 1 year and 5 year Tourist Visa.

One year (365 days) from the date of grant of ETA.

Continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days. If the intension is to stay for more then 180 days, shall get registered with FRRO/FRO concerned within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days.

Thirty days (30 days) from the date of arrival into India.

Organizers to upload all details & documentation on the MHA website (conference.mha.gov.in)

Sixty days (60 days) from the date of arrival into India.

If the applicant is unable to complete his e-visa application form, he may save the application and may return to complete the application form by clicking the tab at the bottom of page: After your eVisa applications is submitted, the same shall be scrutinized and if any Document/Image is not appropriate, you may be advised on your given e-mail to re-upload the same. To re-upload use the tab at the bottom of the page. Applicant should normally receive this mail within 24 hours.

  • Useful Web Links
  • Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. Of India.
  • Ministry of External Affairs, Govt Of India
  • Ministry of Tourism, Govt Of India
  • Bureau of Immigration, Govt Of India
  • Incredible India, Govt Of India

Eligibility

  • International travellers whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation, sight seeing,casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme,Short term courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/programme (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc),Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return), medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, business purpose, as attendant to e-Medical visa holder, attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations etc. & their subordinate/ attached organizations & PSUs and private conferences organized by private persons/companies/organizations.
  • Applicant's passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making application for grant of e-Visa.
  • International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket,with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.
  • International Travellers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.
  • Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders.
  • Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
  • Not available to International Travel Document Holders other than Passport.

If you are a national of any following countries, you are eligible for eVisa.

  • Afghanistan
  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Cameroon Union Republic
  • Cayman Island
  • Cook Islands
  • Cote d'lvoire
  • Czech Republic
  • Dominican Republic
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Isle of Man
  • Liechtenstein
  • Marshall Islands
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Niger Republic
  • Niue Island
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Republic of Korea
  • Saint Christopher and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • Switzerland
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Turks & Caicos Island
  • United Kingdom
  • Vatican City-Holy See
  • Zambia and Zimbabwe

Documents Requirement & Visa Categories

  • General Instructions
  • Advisory for Canadian Nationals
  • e-Visa has 5 sub-categories viz. e-Tourist Visa(for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years) ,e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa. A foreigner (other than those applying for e-Conference Visa) will be allowed to club activities permitted under these categories. Foreigners applying for e-Conference visa will be permitted to club the activities permitted under e-Tourist visa only (validity co-terminus with e-Conference Visa only i.e. 30 days). Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e- Medical Visa.
  • For e-Tourist and e-Business visa, Applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival.
  • For e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, Applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 120 days. Example: If you are applying on 1st Sept then applicant can select arrival date from 5th Sept to 2nd Jan
  • Sample eVisa application form is available on the tab near the bottom of eVisa main page.
  • Recent front facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport containing personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc are to be uploaded mandatorily by the applicant. Additionally one more document depending upon the e-Visa type would also be required to be uploaded. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded documents and photograph are not clear / as per specification.
  • e-Visa fee is country/Territory specific. Bank transaction charges of 2.5% will be charged additionally on applicable e-Visa fees. The fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel otherwise application will not be processed. To know the fee applicable on your Country/Territory please Click here (for e-Tourist Visa) and for other e-Visa Click here .
  • e-Visa fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
  • Applicant should carry a copy of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) along with him/her at the time of travel. Please confirm that your ETA status is shown as 'GRANTED' on this website prior to commencement of your journey. Applicants can track the status of their application online by clicking VisaStatus
  • Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India.
  • e-Visa is non-extendable, non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas. If you intend to visit Protected/Restricted/Cantonment areas, you would require prior permission from the Civil Authority please visit here.
  • The e-Visa fee payment status updation may take up to 2 hours due to technical reasons/network delays. Before re-applying, the applicants are requested to wait for 2 hours for payment status updating, after final submission of the application form and payment of the fee. In cases, where e-Visa fee has been deducted but status is not updated, the applicants are advised to verify their payment status by clicking on 'Verify Payment/Pay Visa Fee' tab or by clicking on the link Verify Payment.
  • Nationals of Yellow Fever affected countries or travellers arriving from these countries must carry YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CARD at the time of arrival in India, otherwise they may be quarantined for 6 days upon arrival in India. Please visit our Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare latest guidelines regarding yellow fever countries here.
  • You must travel on the Passport which you have applied for eVisa. Entry will be allowed into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport, however in such cases a traveler must carry the old passport on which ETA was issued

The documents required for completing the eVisa application is indicated against each type of eVisa. Please keep all these documents ready at hand before beginning to fill your eVisa application. All documents including Business cards, Invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which the application would be liable for rejection. The entire process may take 10 to 15 minutes to complete the application and make the payment.

Applicants must be fill eVisa application himself/herself and give correct information in each column and take responsibility for the correctness of information provided.

Documents Required: All documents uploaded by the applicant including business cards, invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which e-Visa application would be liable for rejection.

The documents required for e-visa are :.

  • Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details *
  • For short term courses, copy of letter from the institute/organization/hospital etc. concerned on its letter-head *
  • For voluntary work of short duration, copy of letter from the organization concerned on its letter-head *
  • Copy of Letter from the Hospital concerned in India on its letterhead which including the date / tentative date which admission have been suggested .
  • Copy of Business Card
  • Any letter of invitation if applicable from indian parties which wish you conduct the business (optional).
  • Copy of Passport page containing personal particulars *
  • Approval of the Government of India in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Sports)
  • Invitation Letter to foreign sports teams and sports persons to visit India by the concerned Sports Federation/Association in India.
  • If the applicant had participated in any commercial sports event during his/her previous visit to India, then documents regarding Tax compliance for the said visit are to be furnished
  • If the sports event entails visit to Restricted or Protected Areas in India, below mentioned additional documents are also to be submitted (a) Clearance for holding the event from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. (b) Political Clearance for holding the event from the Ministry of external Affairs, Government of India. (c) Requisite clearance from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
  • Invitation of the host institute to the foreign faculty
  • Copy of the sanction order under GIAN issued by the National Coordinating Institute viz. IIT Kharagpur
  • Copy of the synopsis of the courses to be taken up by the faculty
  • Invitation from organizer, which applicant may seek from this organiser.
  • Political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs
  • Event clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs

The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following requirements:

  • Format - JPEG
  • Minimum 10 KB
  • Maximum 1 MB
  • The height and width of the Photo must be equal.
  • Photo should present full face, front view, eyes open and without spectacles
  • Center head within frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin
  • Background should be plain light colored or white background.
  • No shadows on the face or on the background.
  • Without borders.
  • Format -PDF
  • Size : Minimum 10 KB ,Maximum 300 KB

The applicant has choice of using two option for payment.

  • SBI-FAQS-Payment Related
  • AXIS-FAQS-Payment Related

SBIePay is the Payment Aggregator service of State Bank of India – India’s Largest Bank and amongst top 50 Banks in the world, which provides bouquet of multiple payment options on a single page for the convenience of the customers.

SBIePay has facilitated the following channels on e-Visa platform:

  • Payment Gateway: It seamlessly processes Credit card and Debit Card transactions for all the cards issued internationally by Visa & MasterCard. SBIePay Payment gateway is enabled with BIN identifier which recognises the BIN online when a customer enters the no., which drastically improves the success percentage and reduces customer friction.
  • Paypal: SBIePay also facilitates e-Visa customers to make payment through widely popular and accepted Paypal channel.

SBIePay is certified with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) ver 3.2, which is the latest version, and which further reinforces our promise of security and safety. The payment system fully supports 3DSecure - Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code, wherever it is applicable. Further, SBIePay is secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption which ensures that payment information that travels over the Internet is always encrypted and cannot be viewed by unauthorised individuals.

Yes, SBIePay has enabled international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D Secure authentication.

The applicant enters necessary details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ , and clicks on 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to SBIePay payment page and is presented with payment options of either entering Card details (Payment Gateway) or Paypal .Applicant enters his card details and clicks ‘Proceed’. Now, either of the below mentioned 2 scenarios will occur:

  • 3 D Secure page of the Card Issuerwill be displayed, where applicant must enter 3D Secure Password/OTP.
  • Transaction is processed without 3D Secure page. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.

If an applicant is presented with a 3D Secure page prompting to enter a password/OTP, this means the Card issuing Bank participates in 3D Secure transaction. If the applicant’s transaction is processed without directing to 3D secure page, he/she should contact the card issuing Bank for support.

In an ideal scenario, once the transaction is processed, the applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with a reference number.

In some rare scenarios it may happen where the application is not shown Payment successful page post completion of transaction, which may be due to a drop in connectivity leading to non-receipt of success response. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund shall be initiated after due reconciliation process to the applicants’ card account.

In rare case of transaction status unknown to the applicant, which is when the applicant has not received success response due to time out or connectivity issue and the account has been debited, we advise the customer not to attempt another transaction immediately and rather provide their Order no. on the e-Visa site after 30 minutes to check the status of the transaction. If the transaction status is showing ‘failed’, then customer may attempt another transaction. Also, the debited amount shall be refunded to the applicants’ card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction.

The banking charges for:

  • Payment Gateway Card transactions (both Debit or Credit Card): 2.5%* of the applicable e-Visa fee.
  • Paypal: 3.5%* of the applicable e-Visa fee.

*The charges are inclusive of any applicable taxes.

The breakup of transaction charges will be displayed on the Payment page for applicants’ knowledge and to maintain transparency.

At State Bank of India, we are committed to provide best customer services to our customers. Customers can email us at sbiepay[at]sbi[dot]co[dot]in for any queries related to their transaction. Alternatively, SBIePay provides 24*7*365 customer support to all the e-Visa applicants. Applicants can also call us on the below mentioned number(s):

Contact No: +91-22-2753-5773

An applicant can perform multiple times transactions for a single application ID, with a gap of minimum 25 minutes between each transaction. It is advisable that applicant may check the status of the transaction at e-Visa portal before attempting another transaction.

An applicant shall be charged for only once for any successful transaction against an application ID. Any further debits shall be refunded back to the customer after due reconciliation, within seven (7) days of transactions.

Axis Bank is an Internet Payment Gateway Solution allows you to make payments on a 24 X 7 basis from around the world. It accepts all Visa, MasterCard and Maestro cards.

Axis Bank Payment Gateway services facilitates online payments w.r.t. all Credit and Debit Cards issued by MasterCard and VISA.

Axis Bank Payment gateway services is compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) standards. All transactions initiated at Axis Bank Payment Gateway services come with 128 bit security and two factor authentication via MasterCard Secure Code and Verified-by-Visa authentication is enabled.

Axis Bank Payment gateway accepts all international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D secure authentication.

The applicant after filling details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ clicks 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to Axis Bank payment gateway page and is presented with payment options like MasterCard and VISA. Cardholder enters his card number, expiry date, Name and CVV value and clicks 'Pay Now'. Incase cardholder Bank is enabled for 3D secure, then a page will appear for the cardholder to entire either his/her OTP/3D secure password. Else transaction would be processed. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.

Incase Bank is participating for 3D Secure transaction during transaction a 3D secure page would appear and cardholders have to enter his/her password /OTP.

The applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with reference number. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund will have to be initiated after due reconciliation to the applicant's card account.

If a transaction has failed but the applicants card account is debited more than once, the amount will have to be refunded to the applicant's card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction. In some cases, If the fund still lies with the card issuing Bank, kindly get in touch with your Bank for such case.

The banking charges are subject to maximum of 2.5% plus applicable taxes on the applicable e-Visa fees. These charges are charged to the applicant at the time of making online e visa fee payment.

Axis Bank provides technical support for all payment related transactions at ecom[at]axisbank[dot]com

Our endeavour is to provide you with a seamless experience on our platform. Please ensure following, before initiating the card payment.

  • Using a non-expired card
  • Have sufficient balance in your account
  • Have sufficient credit card limit on the card being used
  • Card is not reported as “lost or stolen”
  • Entering the correct OTP. Have access to device for accessing OTP or Static password
  • Card supports transactions in INR and USD
  • Amount has not exceeded the daily maximum allowed amount by your issuer
  • Number of transactions have not exceeded the daily maximum allowed count by your issuer
  • Issuer and card not enrolled for 3DS
  • Timeout occurred while receiving the OTP from issuer or while entering OTP on the payment page

SBI e-Pay Payment Gateway :-

  • SBIePay is the Payment Aggregator service of State Bank of India which provides multiple payment options on a single payment page for the convenience of applicants. SBIePay has enabled Debit and Credit issued by MasterCard and VISA.
  • SBIePay facilitates online payments all Credit and Debit Cards issued by MasterCard and VISA.
  • SBIePay is certified with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) ver 2.0 certified, which reinforces our promise of security. The payment system fully supports 3DSecure - Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code, wherever it is applicable. Further SBIePay is secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption which ensures that payment information never sent over the Internet unencrypted and cannot be viewed by unauthorised individuals.
  • SBIePay has enabled international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D Secure authentication.
  • The applicant after filling details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ and clicks 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to SBIePay payment page and is presented with payment options like MasterCard and VISA. Applicant enters his card details and clicks “Proceed”. Then the applicant may see one of the two options: i. 3 D Secure page of the Card issuing page for inputing 3D Secure password/OTP ii. Transaction is processed without 3D Secure page. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.
  • The applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with reference number. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund shall be initiated after due reconciliation to the applicants card account.
  • If a transaction has failed but the applicants card account is debited more than once, the amount shall be refunded to the applicants card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction.
  • The banking charges are 2.5% on the applicable e-Visa fees. These charges are charged to the applicant at the time of making online e-visa fee payment.
  • SBIePay provides technical support for all payment related transactions at +91-22-2753-5773 is (24 x 7).
  • An applicant can perform maximum of three transactions for a single application ID.
  • If the applicant cannot succeed in three attempts, a new application is required to be filled and transaction has to be carried out with new application ID.
  • An applicant shall be charged for only once against an application ID. Any double/triple debit shall be refunded after due reconciliation within seven (7) days of transactions.

Ans- The following are the eligibility conditions for availing e-Visa services-   i. Nationals of countries listed on the e-Visa website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ are eligible to apply for e-Visa Services.   ii. Foreigners whose sole objective for visiting India is     (a) Recreation and sightseeing     (b) Casual visit to meet friends and relatives     (c) Attending short term yoga programme or short term courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/programme      (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issuing a qualifying certificate/diploma etc. to the participants)     (d) Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return)     (e) Medical treatment, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine     (f) As attendant to e-Medical visa holder     (g) Business purpose     (h) Attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop.   iii. Passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making application for grant of e-Visa and a re-entry permit, if that is required under the law of the country of nationality of the applicant.    The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.   iv. The foreigner should have return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.   v. Foreigners of Pakistani origin or having Pakistani Passport are not eligible for e-Visa. Foreigners who are not Pakistani nationals, but whose parents or grandparents (either paternal or maternal) was born    in, or was permanently resident in Pakistan, are also not eligible for e-Visa. They may apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.   vi. Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer/ international travel document holders.   vii. Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.

Ans- For details regarding procedure for applying, please visit our website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/

Ans- No, https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ is only the official website to apply for the e-Visa Services.    Note - Services of e-Visa are completely online and no facilitation is required by any intermediary / travel agents etc. It is advised not to believe or fall in trap of any such unscrupulous elements who claim    speedy/express grant of e-Visa and charge money for it.    Do not share your personal information with any unauthorized website as it may lead to leakage of your personal data. Only visit the official website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ for e-Visa    service.    For any clarification, you may write us on our email id ' indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in ' or contact us on +91 11 24300666 .

Ans- No, there is no fee other than the processing fee for e-Visa application and it is non-refundable. Please visit our website to know the fee applicable for your country as it is country-specific.

Ans- (i) For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years), e-Business Visa, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance    of the date of arrival. Such application can be made 120 days in advance from proposed date of travel.    (ii) For e-Tourist Visa (30 days) , applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival. Such application can be made 30 days in advance from    proposed date of travel.

Ans- Yes. Immediately after you submit your e-Visa application and make the payment, you will receive a confirmation of submission of your application on the email id provided by you while filling up your    application form.

Ans- Your e-Visa application may take 72 hours or more for processing. You will be intimated about your Visa status (Granted or Rejected) on your email id provided by you in the e-Visa application.

Ans- Yes, you may check the status of your e-Visa application by visiting our website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ and clicking on 'Check your Visa Status' Tab provided on the website.

Ans- The validity of e-Visa would be according to the e-Visa service you have requested in the application form as -    For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years) , the validity would be 365 days / 05 years from the date of grant of ETA with Multiple entries and Maximum stay in India during one Calender Year should not exceed 180 days.    For e-Tourist Visa (30 days) , the validity would be 30 days from the date of your first arrival in India. Double entries will be granted within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport. Your first    arrival must be between the date of issue and expiry of ETA.    For e-Business Visa , the validity would be 365 days from the date of grant of ETA with Multiple entries and continuous stay during each visit which shall not exceed 180 days and no registration would be    required if stay is for a period of less than 180 days. However, if the intention is to stay for more than 180 days, then the foreigner shall get himself/herself registered with the FRRO/FRO concerned     (https://indianfrro.gov.in) within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days of his/her arrival in India.    For e-Conference Visa , the validity would be 30 days from the date of arrival in India with Single entry.    For e-Medical Visa , the validity would be 60 days from the date of first arrival in India and triple entry will be allowed within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport.    For e-Medical Attendant Visa , the validity would be 60 days from the date of first arrival in India and triple entry will be allowed within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport.

Ans- No, e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.

Ans- You may arrive at 31 designated Airports i.e. Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa(Dabolim), Goa(Mopa), Guwahati, Hyderabad,Indore    Jaipur,Kannur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi & Visakhapatnam, and 5 designated seaports (i.e. Cochin, Goa, Mangalore,    Chennai and Mumbai seaports). You may depart from any of the Indian Immigration Check Posts (ICPs).

Ans- Your e-Visa application may take upto 72 hours for processing. For more enquiries on your e-Visa application, you can contact us at +91 11 24300666 or e-mail at indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in    The applicants are advised to beware of unscrupulous elements/ travel agents/ intermediaries in this regard. In cases where applicants have been asked for correct details or additional information    where application is incomplete, the same must be sent immediately. If such information is not provided within 72 hours, the application is liable to be rejected.

Ans- Yes, ensure that your child’s passport is valid at-least for next 06 (six) months from the date of arrival in India.

Ans- e-Visa processing fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

Ans- No. You have already paid the required processing fee online. The applicants are advised to beware of unscrupulous elements/ travel agents/ intermediaries demanding extra payment.

Ans- This pertains to customs department.

Ans- Make sure you delete the browser history and cookies before trying to make payment. Also try to change the browser if the problem persists.    In case you have already tried more than thrice, then you may have to re-submit the entire application form once again.    Payment Support helpline :-     Axis Bank Technical support. Email address: ecom[at]axisbank[dot]com    Contact No Toll free Numbers from:    USA : 18552055577 UK : 0808178 5040 Singapore : 8001206355 Australia : 1800153861 UAE : 8000 3570 3218 Saudi Arabia : 8008500000 Qatar : 00800 100348 Bahrain : 80011300    For rest of the countries: + 91-40-6717-4100     SBI ePay payment support provides technical support for all payment related transactions at +91-22-2753-5773 (24 x 7).

Ans- Please visit our website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ and click on 'Verify Payment/ Pay e-Visa fee'.

Ans - You have to upload the business card along with the details of Indian Firm/Company (which you intend to associate yourself with) for business activities. For Sports Related Activity under e-Business Visa, please refer Instructions for applicant page for the list of documents required.

Ans- Business card means 'a card provided to you by the company you are working for' OR you can also upload 'an invitation letter from the company in India including company's information, address and    phone number in India'.

Ans - A Copy of Letter from the Hospital concerned in India on its letterhead which includes the tentative date of admission/treatment in the hospital mentioning the name, nationality and Passport number of    the patient/ e-Medical Visa applicant.

Ans- For e-Conference Visa, following are the required documents:    (i) Invitation from organizer (mandatory)    (ii) Political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India (mandatory)    (iii) Event clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India (optional)

Ans- You may be allowed entry into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport with the condition that you must carry the new Passport and old passport on which ETA was    issued.

Ans- No, You can only enter through the designated airports/seaports which are listed on the e-Visa website.

Ans- You have to put the Previous visa details in the application form as it is mandatory. You can write NA or Not Available or Not Applicable or any other suitable phrase according to you in the application    form if you do not remember your earlier Visa number/details.

Ans- The Visa on Arrival facility is only for the nationals of Japan, South Korea and UAE (only for such UAE nationals who had earlier obtained e-Visa or regular/paper visa for India). For the nationals of all other    countries eligible for e-Visa, the e-visa application have to be filled online and the applicant must wait till the confirmation/Grant of ETA for travelling to India.

Ans- e-Visa processing fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either grant or Rejection of the Application.

Ans- Entry by cruise ship is allowed with the ETA through 5 designated seaports namely Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Goa and Mangalore seaports.

Ans- 'Visible identification mark' generally means moles, birthmarks, permanent scars etc. which are visible and can be shown if askd for by the Indian Immigration Authority.

Ans- All the foreigners arriving in India within 6 days of departure from any yellow fever endemic country are required to possess (in original) a valid yellow fever certificate of vaccination.    List of Yellow fever vaccination countries-     https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Updated%20List%20of%20Yellow%20Fever%20Endemic%20Countries%20by%20WHO_0.pdf

Ans- The applicant must check all the details including Name, Nationality, Passport Number and Date of Birth, photograph/self image etc before final submission of e-Visa application. The applicant would be    responsible for any discrepancy irrespective of grant/rejection of e-Visa application. However, if any discrepancy found on ETA, e-Visa Support Centre may be contacted at indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in or     +91 11 24300666 for assistance at least 24 hours before the journey date.

Ans- e-Visa is not allowed for employment. You may apply for a Regular Visa.

Ans- e-Visa is not allowed for NGO activities and journalism purposes. However, Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or    consideration of any kind in return) are allowed.

Ans- Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e-Medical Visa (patient).

Authorized Immigration Checkposts

Entry points.

Persons holding eVisa will be allowed to enter into India only through the designated international airports (31) namely :

  • Thiruvananthapuram
  • Goa(Dabolim)
  • Visakhapatnam
  • Bhubaneswar

eVisa facility is also been provided for entry at 5 major Indian seaport for cruise tourists:

  • New Mangalore

Exit Points

  • Bhubaneshwar
  • Tiruchirapalli
  • Vishakhapatnam
  • Attari Road
  • Changrabandha
  • Gauriphanta
  • Kailashahar
  • Lalgolaghat
  • Srimantapur
  • Kawarpuchia
  • Bedi Bunder
  • Mormagoa Harbour
  • Mumbai Seaport
  • Nagapattinum
  • Nhava Sheva
  • Vishakapatnam
  • Agati and Minicoy Island Lakshdwip UT
  • Vallarpadam
  • Krishnapatnam
  • Munabao Rail Check Post
  • Attari Rail Check Post
  • Gede Rail and Road Check Post
  • Haridaspur Rail Check Post
  • Chitpur Rail Checkpost

sample-evisa-icon

Technical information for e-visa: This site is best viewed in Mozilla Firefox,Google Chrome,Internet Explorer (Windows) version 9.0 and above.The applicant must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 7.0 or higher installed on your PC in order to download and print the completed application form. This website is compatible with Android and IOS devices.

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Kashmir reader, secy cpv & oia visits saudi to oversee india hajj arrangements.

By Agencies on 8:09 am May 6, 2024 No Comment

Secy CPV & OIA visits Saudi to oversee India Hajj arrangements

New Delhi: In anticipation of the forthcoming Hajj pilgrimage, Muktesh Pardeshi, Secretary of Consular Passport Visa, and Overseas Indian Affairs (CPV and OIA), @MukteshPardeshi undertook a comprehensive review of preparations. His recent visits to key locations in Saudi Arabia emphasise India’s commitment to ensuring a smooth experience for its pilgrims, especially those visiting for the first time. Today, Muktesh Pardeshi visited the Jeddah Haj Terminal, engaging with airport authorities and relevant agencies to streamline the arrival and departure processes for Indian pilgrims. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency and convenience for all travellers. Additionally, Pardeshi’s itinerary included a visit to Markazia in Madina, where he assessed the accommodation arrangements for Indian pilgrims during the Haj 2024. Accompanied by Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan and Counsel General Mohd. Shahid Alam inspected facilities at the Indian Haj Pilgrims office and Dispensary. The visiting delegation’s activities extended beyond logistical concerns to embrace the spiritual essence of the pilgrimage. In Madinah, they explored significant sites such as the periphery of the revered Prophet’s Mosque, the mountain of Uhud, and the periphery of the Quba Mosque. These visits underscored the cultural and religious significance of the pilgrimage for Indian pilgrims. Furthermore, discussions with Saudi and GCC officials allowed for a comprehensive review of Haj arrangements and consular services. This exchange of insights and strategies contributes to the ongoing efforts to enhance the pilgrimage experience. The signing of the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in January marked a significant milestone. With a total quota of 175,025 pilgrims from India finalized for Haj 2024, including reserved seats for pilgrims through the Haj Committee of India and Haj Group Operators, this agreement ensures equitable access for all intending pilgrims. The allocation of 140,020 seats for pilgrims through the Haj Committee of India reflects a commitment to supporting first-time pilgrims and enriching their spiritual journey.

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Secy CPV & OIA visits Saudi to oversee India Hajj arrangements added by Agencies on 8:09 am May 6, 2024 View all posts by Agencies →

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New Schengen Visa Rules for Indian Visitors: Key Questions Answered 

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

April 23rd, 2024 at 5:39 AM EDT

Destinations value Indian travelers, but lengthy visa processing times lasting months act as significant deterrents. The adoption of these new regulations by European authorities reflects a proactive effort to tackle these concerns, aiming to boost tourism flow.

Peden Doma Bhutia

The European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime for Indian nationals applying for Schengen visas in India. This regime looks to offer longer-term, multi-entry Schengen visas, based on the applicant’s travel history.

Indian travel agents had been complaining of Schengen visa delays as a major challenge to the summer travel rush from India.

  • How does one qualify for the longer duration visas?

The European Commission can issue a two-year multiple-entry visa after a traveler “has obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years.” This demonstrates a positive travel history and compliance with previous visa regulations.

Subsequently, after granting the two-year visa, authorities may issue a five-year visa if the passport has has adequate validity remaining.

  • What benefits do holders of these extended visas enjoy?

During the validity period of these visas, holders can enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals within the Schengen area, allowing for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

  • Which countries are part of the Schengen area?

The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries, including 25 European Union member states: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden. Additionally, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are also part of the Schengen area.

  • Are there any restrictions or conditions to these visas?

Schengen visas do not grant the right to work within the Schengen area and are for short stays only. Additionally, the visas are not purpose-bound, providing flexibility for travel within the specified period.

Industry Take

Skift also spoke to players in the Indian outbound travel industry to understand what has changed in the new Schengen visa rules.

  • How is this different from the earlier visas that Schengen countries offered? Don’t they already offer multi-entry visas with longer duration to Indians?

Mahendra Vakharia, managing director of Pathfinders Holidays, said there was no standard policy of Schengen states for issuing these long-term visas earlier. Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Italy and Spain usually issued long-term visa, but it was all subjective. “With this new policy it should be a standard rule now,” Vakharia said.

  • Travelers mainly complain of longer processing times, has that changed?

Here too, there is no standard processing time as it varies from country to country, according to Vakharia. “France and Spain have been processing visas within four days, and then there’s Croatia, which takes 60 days,” he said.

Processing time will not change as of now, it will take time for the visa rules to be enforced, said an industry source, while highlighting that the visa would be especially useful for corporate travelers.

What Promoted The Move?

Speaking on the possible motivations, Vakharia acknowledged various reasons, including administrative capacity constraints at embassies to cater to the huge inflow of applications.

“As there is an overwhelming demand from Indian travelers, the process of securing visa appointments has posed significant challenges , especially for travelers residing in cities lacking VFS Global centers,” he said.

The European Commission said in an statement that the decision reflects the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, aimed at fostering comprehensive cooperation on migration policy. Facilitating people-to-people contacts is a key aspect of this agenda, acknowledging India’s importance as an EU partner.

The decision also reflects a realization of the strong economic benefits derived through the spending power of Indian tourists. As Vakharia aptly puts it, “Why let go of the Golden Indian Goodie Bag?”

Skift India Report

The Skift India Report is your go-to newsletter for all news related to travel, tourism, airlines, and hospitality in India.

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Tags: asia monthly , europe , european commission , European summer travel , european union , india , india outbound , schengen , visa , visas

Photo credit: Park Guell in Spain. Unlike many Schengen countries, Spain has been processing visas within four days for Indian travelers. Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz / Pexels

India TV News

  • You Are At:

Schengen Visa woes: Long wait for appointment leaves Indian travellers agitated

The long wait for a Schengen visa appointment has become a major source of agitation for Indians who are eager to explore Europe. Limited appointment slots have resulted in a lengthy waiting period that affects individual travellers and the tourism industry.

Kristina Das

Schengen Visa New "Cascade Rule" for Indian Travellers

Now on April 18, 2024, the European Commission issued specific restrictions regarding the issuance of multiple entry visas to Indian nationals. Compared to the standard rules of the Visa Code that were in force at the time, these regulations are more favourable. The new "cascade" rule for Indian nationals living in India who apply for Schengen (short-stay) visas in India would make it easier for tourists with a history of international travel to acquire multi-year visas, provided that their passport validity allows it. 

This is where the problem begins for many Indian applicants as the first step towards obtaining a Schengen visa is securing an appointment at the respective consulate. Due to the high volume of applications and limited appointment slots, the waiting time for a Schengen visa appointment can range from weeks to months. This long wait has become a major source of frustration and agitation for Indians who are eager to travel to Europe this summer.

Long Appointment Time's Hindrance

According to the Money Control report, a retired couple that travels abroad two or three times a year had intended to visit Greece, but they were upset when only one of them was granted a visa.

The traveller said, "It is funny that my visa got rejected and my wife got the visa. This is an error and an oversight which has cost us close to 6,000 euros. I am 72 years old, a well-travelled HNI (high net worth individual) and have been to around 40-45 countries. The reason for rejection was that my intended stay was not justified. We have provided them with the confirmed hotel booking, and return flight tickets. I have my family here in India, my kids, my house. So, I have no reason to go to their country except for tourism."

The increased demand for Schengen visas has put immense pressure on the consulates, resulting in a limited number of appointment slots available each day. This has led to a backlog of appointments, causing applicants to wait for weeks or even months to secure an appointment. This has become a major source of frustration and disappointment for many Indians who have already made travel plans and booked flights and accommodations.

The long wait for a Schengen visa appointment not only affects individual travellers but also has a significant impact on businesses and the tourism industry. 

Moreover, the tourism industry in Europe also suffers due to the long wait for Schengen visa appointments. Indian tourists contribute significantly to the tourism revenue of European countries, and the delay in obtaining a visa appointment can discourage many from travelling altogether. This not only affects the economy but also hinders cultural exchange and understanding between India and Europe.

ALSO READ: Indian passport holders can get multi-year Schengen visa: How to apply for it?

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New schengen visa rules for india, saudi arabia, oman, bahrain, the new system offers substantial advantages, allowing travellers access to long-term, multi-entry entry permit.

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Published: Wed 24 Apr 2024, 3:45 PM

Last updated: Thu 25 Apr 2024, 11:11 AM

Travelling to Europe has become much more convenient for GCC and Indian visitors. The European Commission has approved new regulations for the issuance of Schengen visas to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and India who live in their home countries.

Under the new system, Saudi, Bahraini and Omanis will now have access to multiple-entry visas, allowing them to travel to 29 European countries using the same visa within five years.

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This implementation has significantly simplified the process of obtaining a Schengen visa, making it much more convenient for eligible applicants, even first-time applicants. They can now look forward to receiving a multiple-entry visa that remains valid for up to five years, relieving them of the stress of frequent visa applications.

"The European Commission has adopted new rules for the issuance of Schengen visas for Saudi, Bahraini and Omani nationals residing in their home country. It is an important step promoting people-to-people contacts and facilitating exchanges between the EU and GCC citizens," the delegation of the European Union in GCC posted on X.

tourist visa saudi for indian

Kuwaitis can be issued with long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for five years. UAE nationals enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen nations, permitting stays of up to three months at a time. However, a Schengen visa is a must for UAE residents.

Additionally, the European Commission adopted specific rules on issuing multiple entry visas to Indians. Under the new regulations, Indian travellers are now eligible to obtain a two-year Schengen visa, a significant enhancement compared to the shorter validity periods previously offered.

To qualify for this extended visa, applicants must have obtained and used two Schengen visas within the last three years in accordance with the regulations. Upon successfully utilising the two-year visa, travellers can typically anticipate eligibility for a five-year Schengen visa, subject to the maintenance of sufficient passport validity.

This decision comes in the context of strengthened relations under the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, which seeks comprehensive cooperation on migration policy between the EU and India, with the facilitation of people-to-people contacts being a key aspect due to the importance of India as a partner for the EU.

These changes ease the visa application process and facilitate smoother travel experiences.

Schengen visas allow the holder to travel freely in the Schengen area for short stays of a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visas are not purpose-bound, but they do not grant the right to work. The Schengen area consists of 29 European countries (of which 25 are EU states): Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

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Why prajwal revanna’s travel on diplomatic passport created a row, and what mea says, ministry spokesperson randhir jaiswal clarifies that no political clearance was sought or issued for the travel and no visa note issued either since diplomatic passport holders do not need visa to go to any country.

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tourist visa saudi for indian

Prajwal, the grandson of former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda and the sitting MP from Karnataka’s Hassan, apparently left India on April 27 soon after sex video clips, believed to run into a few thousand and allegedly involving him, surfaced. Based on a police complaint by a woman who has alleged sexual assault, a case was registered against Prajwal.

The Congress government in Karnataka has set up a special investigation team to probe the allegations. The party has alleged that the BJP government at the Centre had allowed Prajwal to flee. The BJP and JD(S) are allies in the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, however, stated that no political clearance was sought from or issued by the ministry regarding Prajwal’s travel to Germany. He said no visa note was issued either since diplomatic passport holders do not need visa to go to any country. The MEA had not issued a visa note for any country, Jaiswal maintained.

It all sounds like a complex situation. While it’s not uncommon for diplomatic passports to extend certain privileges, it’s essential for the authorities to ensure that these passports aren’t misused. Given the serious nature of the allegations against Prajwal, proper legal processes need to be followed in the case.

According to the MEA’s official website, diplomatic and official passports are issued to people holding diplomatic status or those deputed by the Indian government for official duty abroad. A diplomatic passport, also known as ‘Type D’ passport, is also issued to individuals authorised to undertake official travel on behalf of the government. Technically then, Prajwal may be authorised to have a diplomatic passport, but it does not allow him to use a ‘Type D’ passport for personal travel or for commercial purposes. It means that if Prajwal is travelling abroad at a private level or for a commercial matter, he is supposed to inform the authorities.

However, Germany, under the 2011 bilateral agreement, allows visa-free travel to Indian diplomatic passport holders up to 90 days. To date, 34 countries, including France, Austria, Afghanistan, Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Switzerland and Japan, allow Indian diplomatic passport holders short-duration travel, ranging between 30 to 90 days.

Moreover, the rules also say that MPs are required to apply for prior political clearance directly to the MEA even if their travel abroad is for private purposes, such as for tourism or to meet family.

According to the Rajya Sabha parliamentary bulletin published on December 2022, “Visa endorsements on the diplomatic passports of members (MPs) and their spouses from the concerned foreign embassy/high commission may be arranged by the members themselves. It is also applicable to members travelling abroad in their personal capacity for participation in conferences, seminars, etc. by virtue of their expertise and domain knowledge, with or without foreign hospitality.”

It also stated that MPs and their spouses are entitled for diplomatic passports, which are issued by the Consular, Passport and Visa Division of the MEA at Patiala House, New Delhi. As per the revised instructions issued by the MEA, MPs and their spouses desirous of holding diplomatic passports have to apply online on the Passport Seva website (www.passportindia.gov.in). Political clearance may be applied for on the MEA’s e-Political Clearance System (https://www.epolclearance.gov.in), the rules stated. Unlike the blue coloured standard Indian passport, a diplomatic passport is maroon. It has 28 pages and is valid up to five years only. The holder of a diplomatic passport enjoys hassle-free travel for many countries and also enjoys certain immunities as per international laws, including immunity from arrest, detention and certain legal proceedings in the host country, thus safeguarding their ability to perform official duties without hindrance.

With the demand mounting that Prajwal be brought back to India to face investigation, the first requirement would be cancelling of his diplomatic passport, but that could require judicial intervention. “As regards the possible revocation of the passport of any individual, I would refer you to the relevant provisions of The Passport Act, 1967. We are not receiving any directions from any court in this regard,” said Jaiswal.

So far, Karnataka’s special investigation team probing the allegations against Prajwal has only issued lookout notices to various immigration points in the country and will need to approach the courts for revocation of the JD(S) leader’s diplomatic passport.

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Gulf Business

Major Schengen visa update for Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and India

tourist visa saudi for indian

Under the new arrangement, nationals of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain will be eligible for five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas

Marisha Singh

Passport holders from Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia, are set to benefit from extended travel privileges as the European Union (EU) announced the issuance of five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas.

The announcement was made by Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, during the High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation held in Luxembourg.

He said, “I would like to welcome the adoption by the [European] Commission this morning of decisions that will allow to harmonise the rules on the issuing of multiple-entry visas for GCC countries.”

Borrell expressed the EU’s commitment to strengthening relations with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by harmonising visa rules.

The European Commission has adopted new rules for the issuance of Schengen visas for Saudi, Bahraini and Omani nationals residing in their home country. It is an important step promoting people-to-people contacts and facilitating exchanges between the EU and GCC citizens👇 pic.twitter.com/gV87IyhITx — EU in the GCC (@EUintheGCC) April 23, 2024

Schengen visa changes

Under the new arrangement, nationals of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain will be eligible for five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas, allowing them to make multiple visits to Schengen Area countries within a calendar year.

However, travellers must adhere to the 90/180-day rule, limiting stays to a maximum of three months within any six-month period.

While specific details are yet to be officially released by EU authorities, it is anticipated that first-time applicants and eligible passport holders from the mentioned countries will benefit from the extended visa validity as well.

Notably, citizens of the UAE are currently the only GCC nationals who enjoy a visa-free entry to the Schengen Area, while discussions are ongoing between other GCC nations and the EU to further ease visa requirements.

Read: Visa-free travel to Schengen countries soon? GCC-EU talks see progress

Earlier this year, talks saw EU countries consider the lifting of visa requirements for nationals of Kuwait and Qatar based on several key criteria, as revealed in a recent report:

  • Irregular migration
  • Public policy and security
  • Economic benefits
  • EU relations with the countries

The European Union Commission’s assessment concluded that both Kuwait and Qatar present a low risk in terms of irregular immigration.

Should the European visa requirements for these GCC countries be lifted, travellers would be eligible for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

Indian nationals benefit from new Schengen visa rule change

In addition to the visa changes for Gulf citizens, the EU has also adopted more favorable Schengen visa rules for Indian nationals.

Eligible Indian travellers with an established travel history and prior Schengen visa usage will now be granted multiple-entry visas with extended validity, starting from two years and potentially extending to five years, subject to passport validity.

Previously, the standard rules of the Visa Code applied.

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