To get an urgent Indian visa, you have two main options: an Emergency e-Visa or an Emergency Entry Visa through an Indian embassy or consulate.
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How To Get an Urgent Indian Visa ?
The process depends on your nationality, purpose of travel, and the nature of the emergency. Here’s a concise guide:
1. Emergency e-Visa (Online Application)
The Indian e-Visa is the fastest option for eligible travelers needing urgent entry for tourism, business, medical, or conference purposes.
Eligibility:
- Available to citizens of 165+ countries (e.g., USA, UK, Canada, Australia). Not available for Pakistani passport holders or those with Pakistani origin (they must apply for a regular visa).
Processing Time:
- Typically 1-3 days, sometimes as fast as 18-24 hours for urgent cases, but this depends on volume and staff availability.
Steps to Apply for Emergency e-Visa:
1) Visit the Official e-Visa Portal:
Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in. Avoid fake websites like globalvisacorp.com or e-touristvisaindia.com.
2) Choose Visa Type:
- Select from e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant, or e-Conference Visa.
- Urgent processing is available for these categories.
3) Fill Application:
Complete the online form at least 4 days before travel (up to 120 days for most e-Visas, 30 days for 30-day e-Tourist Visa).
4) Upload Documents:
- Scanned passport (valid for 6+ months, 2 blank pages, PDF <3MB).
- Recent digital photo (white background, <4MB).
- For medical emergencies, include a hospital letter or proof of illness/death.
5) Pay Fee:
- Fees vary by country (non-refundable). Urgent processing may incur extra charges.
6) Receive e-Visa:
- Approved visas are emailed as a PDF. Carry a soft or hard copy to the airport.
Limitations:
- Not processed on Indian national holidays (Jan 26, Aug 15, Oct 2).
- Valid only at authorized ports (major airports/seaports, not land borders).
- Multiple applications may lead to rejection.
Note: For non-emergency travel (e.g., sightseeing, visiting friends), apply for a regular e-Visa to avoid complications, as these are not considered urgent.
2. Emergency Entry Visa (Via Embassy/Consulate)
For genuine emergencies like the death or critical illness of an immediate family member, an Emergency Entry Visa is required, typically for those ineligible for e-Visas or needing faster processing.
Eligibility: Primarily for US, UK, Australian, or other passport holders of Indian origin and their families. Requires proof of emergency (e.g., death certificate, hospital documents).
Processing Time: Same-day or next-day issuance possible if documents are complete, but subject to consulate discretion.
Steps to Apply for Emergency Entry Visa:
1) Contact Consulate:
- Reach out to the nearest Indian embassy/consulate or their outsourcing partner (e.g., VFS Global). Emergency helplines are available for weekends/holidays (e.g., +1-202-258-8819 in Washington, DC).
2) Submit Application:
- Complete the online visa form at indianvisaonline.gov.in (select Entry Visa).
3) Provide documents:
- Passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages).
- 2 recent photos (e.g., 50mmx50mm for UK).
- Proof of emergency (death certificate, hospital letter, proof of relationship).
- Confirmed flight ticket (within 48 hours for some consulates).
- For minors: Birth certificate, parental consent, and parents’ passport copies.
- Pay emergency fee (e.g., £200 in UK, varies by consulate).
4) Visit Consulate/BLS/VFS:
- Some consulates (e.g., Toronto, San Francisco) require in-person submission during specific hours (e.g., 8-11 AM weekdays).
5) Interview (if required):
- Consulates may request an interview to verify the emergency.
Validity: Usually single-entry, valid for 3-6 months.
Locations (examples):
- USA: Consulate General in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta via VFS Global.
- UK: High Commission in London, consulates in Birmingham, Edinburgh via VFS.
- Canada: Consulate in Toronto via BLS Centres.
- Australia: High Commission in Canberra via VFS.
Key Tips
- Verify Emergency: For e-Visas, medical or legal emergencies may qualify for urgent processing, but tourism or casual visits don’t. For Entry Visas, only immediate family emergencies (parents, siblings, spouse, children) typically qualify.
- Avoid Fake Websites: Use only indianvisaonline.gov.in for e-Visas.
- Don’t Book Flights Early: Consulates advise against finalizing travel until the visa is approved.
- Check Passport: Ensure it’s valid for 6+ months with 2 blank pages. Damaged or multiple passports may delay processing.
- Contact Helplines: For e-Visa queries, call +91-11-24300666 or email indian-evisa@gov.in. For Entry Visas, use consulate-specific numbers.
- OCI Cardholders: If you have an OCI card, you may not need a visa unless traveling for restricted purposes.
Why Urgent Visas Are Tricky
e-Visa: While faster, approval isn’t guaranteed within 24 hours, and incomplete documents can delay or lead to rejection.
Entry Visa: Consulates prioritize genuine emergencies, and additional documents may be requested, slowing the process.
Critical Thinking: Some sources exaggerate “urgent” processing times (e.g., claiming guaranteed 24-hour approvals), which isn’t always realistic due to verification steps. Always double-check with official channels.
