The "reference name in India" is a required field when applying for an Indian visa (e-Visa or regular visa through an Indian embassy/consulate). It refers to a contact person or entity in India who can vouch for you or be contacted by authorities if needed. Below is a concise explanation and guidance, especially for urgent visa applications.
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What is the Reference Name in India?
Purpose: Indian authorities use this to verify your application or contact someone during your stay for security reasons.
Who Can Be a Reference:
- A friend, family member, or colleague living in India with a valid address and contact details.
- A hotel, guesthouse, or travel agency where you’ll stay or book services.
- For business/medical/conference visas: A company, hospital, or event organizer inviting you.
Not Mandatory to Meet: You don’t need to know the reference personally, and they won’t typically be contacted unless there’s an issue.
How to Fill the Reference Name Field
e-Visa Application (indianvisaonline.gov.in):
- Field Location: In the online form under "Reference Details."
Details Needed:
- Name: Full name of the person or entity (e.g., hotel name).
- Address: Complete address in India (street, city, state, PIN code).
- Phone Number: Active Indian phone number (landline or mobile).
Examples:
- Tourist: Hotel Taj Mahal, 1 Man Singh Rd, New Delhi, 110011, +91-11-23026162.
- Medical: Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi, 110076, +91-11-26925858.
- Friend/Family: Ravi Sharma, 123 MG Road, Mumbai, 400001, +91-98765-43210.
For Urgent e-Visa:
If applying for an emergency (e.g., medical or family death), use the hospital’s details or a relative’s contact for credibility.
Ensure the reference matches your purpose (e.g., don’t list a hotel for a medical emergency).
Regular Visa (Embassy/Consulate):
Field Location: On the online form at indianvisaonline.gov.in or VFS/BLS paper forms.
Details Needed: Same as e-Visa (name, address, phone).
Submission: Provide this when submitting at VFS Global, BLS, or consulate (e.g., New York, London, Toronto).
For Urgent Entry Visa:
For emergencies (e.g., family illness/death), use the relative or hospital involved (e.g., “Dr. Anil Kumar, Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru, +91-80-6621**44”).
Consulates may verify this for urgent cases, so ensure accuracy.
Tips for Choosing a Reference
Hotel as Reference:
Common for tourists. Book your first night’s stay and use the hotel’s details (find them on the hotel’s official website).
Example: “The Oberoi, Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg, New Delhi, 110003, +91-11-24363030.”
Friend/Family:
- Use someone reliable with a verifiable address and phone number.
- For children’s visas, parents often list their Indian relatives.
Business/Medical:
- Use the inviting organization (e.g., company letterhead details or hospital admission letter).
- For urgent medical visas, include the hospital’s emergency contact if possible.
No Reference?:
- If you don’t know anyone, use a hotel or guesthouse where you plan to stay.
- Avoid leaving the field blank or entering “N/A,” as it may lead to rejection.
Accuracy:
- Double-check the phone number and PIN code. Incorrect details can delay urgent processing.
- For emergencies, align the reference with your purpose (e.g., a Mumbai hospital for a Mumbai-based medical visa).
Special Notes for Urgent Visas
e-Visa:
Urgent processing (18-24 hours possible) requires a strong reference, especially for medical emergencies (e.g., hospital details).
Example: For a family death, list a relative’s name and address in the city you’re visiting.
Entry Visa:
Consulates (e.g., San Francisco, London) scrutinize references for emergency visas. Provide verifiable details (e.g., a hospital’s main switchboard number).
If applying for a child, use the same reference as the parent’s application for consistency.
Processing Urgent Visa:
Urgent e-Visas aren’t guaranteed in 24 hours; incomplete references can delay approval.
For Entry Visas, consulates may call the reference for emergencies, so inform them in advance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using fake or unverifiable references (e.g., random names/numbers).
- Listing a reference in a different city from your travel plans (e.g., a Delhi hotel if visiting Chennai).
- Forgetting to include a PIN code or phone number.
- Using outdated hotel details (verify via official websites).
Examples by Visa Type
- e-Tourist Visa: Leela Palace Hotel, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110023, +91-11-39331234.
- e-Medical Visa: Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, 110017, +91-11-26515050.
- Entry Visa (Emergency): Robin Singh, 45 Andheri West, Mumbai, 400058, +91-9**00-1**45 (relative).
