Guide to visit India from Europe with the Indian eVisa
Are you a European planning a short trip to India? If yes, then you’ve made a good choice. That’s because you will get to witness the country’s culture and history. This is the reason around 76.8 lakh foreign nationalities visited India in 2024.
However, this trip will require a lot of planning, the first step of which involves getting a travel permit or a visa. All travelers are required to get an Indian visa for Italian citizens or other nationalities from the European continent.
You should take care to understand the other things that we’ve spoken about below. That way, you won’t feel confused and will enjoy a hassle-free visa application process.
Visa Requirements for European Travelers
As we mentioned in the previous section, you’ll first need to apply for your travel visa. This is a travel permit that shows that you are eligible to travel to India from Europe. As multiple European countries are already a part of the visa eligibility list, you are not expected to face issues when applying for an Indian visa for Georgian citizens or other citizens.
Now, depending on your preferences, you can apply for this visa either offline at the embassy or online through the website. While one of them is online, the other one is offline through the embassy.
eVisa for India
This is a relatively new method of visa application that comes with an added layer of convenience. An eVisa is supposed to be applied online, which makes it easier for you to apply it just from anywhere. This involves a few simple steps which look something like this:
Fill in the form: Visit the online portal for visa application. Find the application form for an Indian visa for Italian citizens or others. Add all the necessary details about yourself and the trip without making any mistakes.
Upload documents: Add scanned copies of the necessary documents like a valid passport (one with a minimum of two blank pages and more than 6 months validity starting from the day your trip ends), recent passport-sized photographs, bank statements, travel itinerary, return flight tickets, and anything else required by the government.
Make payment: After you’ve uploaded your documents, you can pay the required fee with the help of a valid credit, debit car,d or e-wallet, as applicable.
Get approved: After completing the application process, you will be required to wait for 3 to 5 working days for the application to get approved. Once it gets approved, you will receive an approval letter on the email ID that you have added in your application form.
Remember to print this letter and carry it with you when you visit the airport. However, if you do not get the letter within this timeline, then you will have to contact the Helpdesk for further assistance.
The Online Indian Tourist Visa for Georgian citizens and others comes in different types of validity:
A 30-day eVisa: Has a validity that lasts for thirty days and only lets people enter once.
A 1-year eVisa: Has a validity of 365 days, a maximum stay of 180 days, and allows multiple entries.
A 5-year eVisa: Comes with a validity of a total of 1825 days, 180 days per year, and allows multiple entries.
Regular Tourist Visa
This is the traditional way of visa application that has been around ever since India started accepting foreign citizens inside its borders. This visa is applied through the embassy or consulate and it requires you to be physically present at the place to complete all the steps. The steps of this process are as follows:
Fill out the form: Visit your nearest Indian consulate or embassy. Reach the right counter for the visa application process and collect the form for the application. Fill out all the details.
Submit documentation: Submit all the necessary documents like a valid passport (one with more than 6 months validity starting from the day your trip ends and a minimum of two blank pages), recent passport-sized photographs, travel itinerary, bank statements, and others.
Wait for approval: Pay the applicable fee. Wait around 5 to 10 working days for the application to get processed. Once approved, the visa will be stamped on your passport and you will have to go to the embassy to collect it.
Visa-on-arrival
This option is unfortunately not available for Europeans. So, one cannot get an Indian visa for Georgian citizens or other parts of Europe. This option is just offered to a few nationalities, like:
- United Arab Emirates
- Japan
- South Korea
So, you will be required to pick one of the two categories. In our opinion, it is best to pick the eVisa option as that guarantees a hassle-free experience.
Booking Flights to India from Europe
You can explore multiple flights from Europe to India. Some of the flights that you can choose include Emirates, Lufthansa, Air India and others. Depending on your timeline, you can opt for either connecting or direct flights.
If you do not like sitting in one place for hours, then you should avoid picking a direct flight. Most important of all, it is best to pick an off-season if you are looking to save some money on the flights. Otherwise, you will have to apply months in advance.
Best Time to Visit India from Europe
Picking the right time plays an important part during any trip, and the same remains true for India. The country experiences multiple festivals during the year. From Holi in March to Diwali in October-November, you will always find some festival to take part in.
We would also recommend checking the weather forecasts before you plan your trip. By doing this, you will avoid unseasonal rain, storms, or excessive heat. Other than the festivals, you should also consider the weather conditions before planning your trip.
In our opinion, the months between December and March are the best to travel to the country with an Indian visa for Italian citizens or others. This is because the weather tends to get very hot from the months of April and continues till June before the monsoon hits, which lasts till September.
However, if you still plan to travel to the country during the summer, then you should stay away from the desert regions like Rajasthan and avoid the northern part of the country.
Transportation in India
Exploring India will involve you moving from one place to another. So you should be aware of the various transportation options available.
You can choose app-cab mediums like Ola and Uber if you want a homely feel. For local sightseeing, you can try the Indian auto rickshaw to get the actual experience of traveling in India. However, if you are looking for a completely private experience, then you will be required to hire a rental car service or a private driver.
Other than that, for travelling in between the cities, you will have to rely on the Indian Railway. Plus, you can also book domestic flights to travel effectively within a short period.
Accommodation Options for European Travelers
India offers multiple accommodation options for travellers. From budget finds to luxurious hotels, you are guaranteed to never face any shortage. The luxurious hotels are great for people who want to spend a good amount of money during their trip.
On the other hand, travellers trying to explore on a budget can try the affordable hotels. Moreover, they can also try hostels, as they are also quite affordable. You can also try boutique stays and heritage hotels for a unique experience. On top of that, many people also choose Airbnb & homestays as they come with a home-like feeling.
Food & Health Tips for a Safe Trip
Indian food is one of the most sought-after things by all travellers. So, remember to try regional food when you visit the country with an Indian visa for Italian citizens and others. However, remember to always maintain safety and eat from good eateries to avoid the chances of food poisoning. Most important of all, you should only drink packaged water and carry your basic medications.
Ready to travel with an Indian visa for Europeans?
Taking a trip to India will expose you to the true beauty of India, helping you create memories that will last forever. This is exactly what makes it worth it for people to visit the country with an Indian visa for Georgian citizens or others.
However, do remember to read through all the information we’ve mentioned above to enjoy a hassle-free experience. Additionally, we would recommend contacting the Helpdesk in case of any issues.
For any issues within the country, you should contact the country’s emergency number (112). With the help of this number, you can reach the ambulance, police, and fire services at once.
Some other numbers you should know are 100 for the police, 108 for the ambulance, 1091 for women’s safety, and 101 for the Ambulance.