Indian e-Tourist Visa For Cruise Ship Passengers
Many people prefer cruise ships over aeroplanes as the means of travel, and India allows the interested visitors that opportunity. A cruise ship trip to India is altogether a very enjoyable experience, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t rules.
One cannot just book a cruise ship ticket and set sail for India, as there is a need for a Visa for authorized entry into the country. The Government of India has indeed made the process of obtaining an Indian Via easier, with the introduction of the e-Visa.
All you have to do is fill up and submit the Indian e-Visa application form and wait for the approval.
But there are several other things you must know when applying for an e-Tourist Visa for a cruise ship, and all of the information about it is coming right up.
Authorized Seaports That Recognize Indian e-Visa
There is no shortage of ports in India, but not all of them would recognize an Indian e-Visa. If you don’t already know the list of supported ports in India when applying for an Indian e-Visa, then here they are:
- Chennai
- Cochin
- Goa
- Mangalore
- Mumbai
While the process to apply for Indian e-tourist Visa for a cruise ship is a simple one, you should check whether the ship you board would dock in one of these authorized ports.
Applying for 1 Month e-Tourist Visa? Know This
If the cruise ship you board makes 2 stops at any of the Indian ports, then a 1-month e-Tourist Visa won’t be valid. In that case, you would need to apply for a 1 year e-Tourist Visa.
Every stop is subject to the approval of the Immigration officers present there before you can enter with your Indian e-Visa. Also, all of the stops have to be in one of the approved seaports for Indian e-Visa.
So to keep your tour to India the most relaxing, it would be best that you consult with your cruise ship service provider beforehand about these matters.
And since there aren’t any group Indian e-Visa for cruise ships available, every passenger has to apply for their e-Visa individually.
Now you may apply for an Indian e-Visa before or after you book the tickets for the cruise ship. What matters is that you receive it on time, so that you may board the cruise ship for the journey.
Therefore, we would suggest you apply for your Indian e-Visa at least a week (7 days) before the day your journey begins. Also, we would urge you to opt for the 1 year Indian e-tourist Visa rather than the one with 1-month validity.
What Documents Do Passengers Need To Apply For Indian e-Visa For Cruise Ship?
When it comes to Indian e-Visa for a cruise ship, there aren’t any special documentation requirements. You’d require the same ones as you would when applying for any type of Indian e-Visa.
We have dedicated sections on Indian e-Visa Document requirements and Indian e-Visa Photo Requirements on our website that you can check out.
Information On Biometric Data
India had a policy of biometric enrolment of passengers of cruise ships arriving on Indian e-Visa from the supported countries. However, the process was quite time-consuming and deducted valuable time from the passengers, who could have better utilized it in sightseeing and such.
But India cares thoroughly for its tourists, and there are exemptions currently on that rule. Moreover, the Government of India is developing a more efficient means of collecting biometric information of passengers with Indian e-Visa for cruise ships.
This is supposed to save time, without compromising on security.
Are You a Passenger Applying For an Indian -Tourist Visa For Cruise Ship? Don’t Miss This
- If you are a passenger from one of the eligible countries, you should apply online for an Indian e-Visa a week before the date of your arrival.
- Only Ordinary Passport is accepted in e-Visa application.
- The 1 year Indian e-Visa allows you a continuous stay of 60 days in India.
- The Indian e-Visa is non-extendable and non-refundable.
- Your biometric details are to be captured at Immigration on arrival in India, and this is an obligation.
- Once issued, the e-Tourist Visa is non-convertible.
- You are not permitted to visit cantonment or Protected/Restricted or Army Areas on Indian e-Visa.
- The 1 year Tourist Visa is valid from the date of issue.
- The 30-day Tourist Visa is valid from the date of your arrival in India, not from the date of issue which is the case for 1 Year Tourist Visa.
- You should apply for a 1 Year Tourist Visa instead of a 30 Day Tourist Visa for the added convenience.
- If you are a citizen or passenger from an infectious disease affected country, then you should carry a yellow fever vaccination card at the time you arrive in India. Or, you would be isolated for 6 days upon the arrival.
- A scan or photograph of your face and the initial page of your passport have to be submitted.