The purpose of this article is to explain the requirements and process of applying for an India visa as a Chinese or Brazilian citizen. For more information about other Indian visas, please read this article. If you are not from China or Brazil, it would be best to consult your local Indian embassy, which can answer your specific questions on the application procedure and requirements. A list of Indian embassies can be found here.
How long will it take?
Your turn-around time depends on which country you are applying from. If you are applying from China, it will take anywhere between 6 weeks to 2 months. If you are applying from Brazil, it will take anywhere between 3–6 months. It is possible to expedite your visa by paying an additional fee. It is important to note that India does not permit its citizens to visit China; thus, visa applicants must enter India via a third country (such as Hong Kong). For example, if you apply for your visa in Shanghai and hold a passport with Taiwan as its country of origin, then make sure that your travel plan involves entering India via either Hong Kong or Macau because Indians aren’t allowed into mainland China. The following chart illustrates some of these constraints. India Visa for Brazil Citizens
What are the documents needed?
Visas for Brazil and China citizens vary based on their purpose of travel. If you’re traveling to India as a tourist, your application will require additional documents, including proof of hotel booking and cash support. To visit India on business, you’ll need to provide information regarding your employment status, salary payment, and details about a person who can financially support you in India. The Indian visa application process can be quite time-consuming—it usually takes six to eight weeks to complete everything (including administrative processes). If you apply too late or don’t fulfill all of your requirements during each step of the process, your application could be delayed even further.
Where do I submit my application?
There are three steps in applying for an India visa. First, submit your application to your local Indian consulate. Next, gather all of your documents and get them translated by a certified translator into English. Finally, submit your documents and wait for approval from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. In most cases, you will need to pay some amount of money in order to apply for and receive an India visa.
Do I need travel insurance?
Applying for your visa to India can be costly, particularly if you’re applying for multiple-entry visas and staying in India for months at a time. Thankfully, Brazil and China have special agreements with India that allow citizens to apply without paying any application fees. There is still some paperwork involved but you won’t have to fork over hundreds of dollars in application fees, making it much easier to visit friends and family without emptying your wallet. To obtain an Indian visa as a citizen of either Brazil or China, contact their embassy in your home country and request an emergency travel certificate. India Visa for Chinese Citizens
How much does it cost?
The cost of applying for an India visa can vary based on your nationality and whether you are applying at your local consulate or through one of their accredited visa service providers. Indian visas tend to be expensive, with single-entry tourist visas costing US$100–130 and business visas costing US$200–250. For example, China’s Consulate General in New York charges $140 for business and transit visa applications, while Brazil’s Consulate General in São Paulo charges R$120.90 (around US$42) per person. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives more information about fees here.
Will my passport expire within 6 months?
One of India’s new rules regarding tourist visas is that all passports must be valid for at least 6 months after their visa expires. This means you need to make sure your passport will expire further in advance than your planned return date from India. If it doesn’t, you will have to apply for a re-entry permit before leaving India. Click here to check if your passport is still valid within 6 months of your planned return date. If it’s not, consider applying for an extension.