Just some information to anyone considering applying for an e-Visa online.

You are not allowed to apply for an e-Visa until  34 days before your arrival in India. The website will not allow you to proceed.

Having already obtained a photograph of the correct specifications from a booth inside my local Boots store. This needs to be scanned and saved on your computer ready to upload.  I had prepared a PDF of my passport to the exact requirements. (like the picture criteria, the PDF file size is very picky ) 

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html  to apply.

Everything went smoothly, but there were some unusual questions.   

Most unexpected,  Father & Mothers names and place of birth. Had to wrack my brains on the last bit.

And as previously stated some fairly searching questions about your current/previous employment details.

Also your past travelling history, i.e places visited in the last 10 years  ! ! ! ! and any travelling to South Africa.. ??

One point that puzzled me was the requirement for an Indian reference. For this I just used the address of the first Hotel we are due to stay in. This can usually be found on the Hotel's website.

The payment was simple and straightforward, using a Visa Debit card and came to a total of £44.78.  

I completed and submitted the form at 01:15am   16/3/16

At 12:58pm 16/3/16  (same day) I received e mail confirmation of a granted visa.   Now that is quick, as the website indicates a processing time of up to 72 hours.

I used the visa number given in the e mail, on the site above, to print a copy of the visa to be used for the trip. You must carry this with you, or expect to meet with some problems at your point of arrival.

All in all, a fairly painless procedure, completed a lot faster than I expected.

Hoping this might help someone who might be considering this method of getting a visa for India. 

Not long now  😃

Hi Tracey

Not sure if you will read this message before you go, but just wanted to say have a lovely time in India and do write a review on your return. Thanks for informing that the Tesco photo booth has an option to pick 2x2 photos - this may come in handy in the future.

Jaya

hi everyone, I am off to India on Monday, I did use a Photo Booth in Tesco there was an option to pick 2x2 photos £7. I then also took the lazy way out and JY sorted, saved me taking a day off work. Hope everyone who is going away has a fab time!!!!

Hi

I have now had the photos taken though the guy in the shop was not willing to save it on the memory stick. The shop is part of Timpsons He was willing to put it on one of their CDs at a cost of £4.00. Photos were £12.99. Luckily someone at work was able to scan it as a JPG file for me from their home scanner as my scanner does not do this - only saves in PDF format. The scanners at work operate from the photocopiers and they also only save in PDF format. Hopefully I will have no problems when I submit the application online. Tried to do it today, but it says I can't apply more than 34 days before the trip!!

Sally, unfortunately I do not think you can use the photo booths for this Visa as they are very specific as to what is required, but thanks for letting me know as this information may come in handy one day in the future.

Jaya

I took the easy route and got Just You to sort my visa, very straight forward although I have trouble with not enough space for all the places I have visited in the last 10 years

Hi Willpower,

My printer here allows me to scan documents so I just put the passport flat at the page(s) with personal details & the one with observations & scanned.

The fee was $60.00 plus a couple of dollars admin (I did not print the page so do not have the exact amount)

The site says that you should expect a response in about 72 hours but I got my confirmation (in an e mail) in less than 24 hours.

The E Visa says I will be subject to a mandatory biometric check on arrival in India. Not an issue. I live on the Isle of Wight & the E Visa is a whole lot easier than possibly having had to treck all the way to London & back to apply in person....

Expect a bit of fun & games as, for example, you will be asked to give all countries visited in the last 10 years. Your answer will then probably be rejected as the box can seemingly only take 100 characters so just knock out a few until you get below 100!

Good luck.

Ian

Hi Ian

Thanks for the information. I presume the required passport page is the one with all the personal details on it. This seems logical, but the web site says 1st page. What was the fee ? I have seen conflicting sums. Did they say how long it would be before the e Visa would be sent to you ?

Willpower

As a postscript I have just had confirmation of my E Visa for India next month. I did the application yesterday & got the response within 24 hours.

I had read somewhere that they wanted you to upload a copy of your passport so had this ready in jpeg format however on the application they asked that this be uploaded as a PDF file no larger than 300KB. I was able to quickly convert the file but I suggest you have this ready at the time of completing your application - although you do seem to be able to store partially completed information and return to it later.

Hi Lynda

Thanks for your tips about getting the photos. Yes, we are very lucky to book the Borneo trip when we did. It seems to be a very popular trip.

Jaya

Hi Jaya,

When I went to India nearly 2 years ago I needed 2" x 2" photos and got them done at Snappy Snaps. They do passport/ visa photos of all sizes.

I see the Singapore add on with Borneo is fully booked, lucky we booked when we did!

Best wishes

Lynda

Hi Jean

Thanks for the tip. I will find somewhere in Luton where it says 'passport photos here'. I guess if they offer passport photos then they would be familiar with all types of odd requests form different countries. Am planning to go to the town sometime next week.

Jaya