Get a India Visa

Tourist Travel Requirements for a India Visa for Canadian Citizens

1. Passport

   You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information pages of your passport. Your passport must:

   • Be valid for the next 190 days
   • Be signed
   • Have at least two consecutive blank visa pages, side by side
   • Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way

   If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact VisaCentral at 866-394-9726 for further details.
   

2. Photographs

   You must provide one colour, passport type photograph that meets the following criteria:

   • Be taken within the last three months and printed on high quality photo paper
   • Be taken against an all white background free of shadows
   • Be 51 mm by 51 mm in size
   • Provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression
   • You may wear neither glasses nor headwear except for religious purposes
   • Your photo should not be affixed to your application and it may not display evidence of adhesive or staples

3. Visa Application Form

   The Embassy of India has instituted a web-based visa application form. The application must be completed online and can be found at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/. We cannot process your visa request if you do not complete the application form online. Instructions:

   • Please ensure to note the interim unique reference number generated at the start (and seen on each page) of the online application form
   • Please record/ note the final reference number that is generated upon completion of your application
   • Provide an email address in your application so that information on your unique reference numbers can be sent
   • Applications MUST be signed by the applicant him/herself and not by any representative.
   • All applications must be signed  under the photo and on the second page; both signatures must match the signature in your passport.
   • Before submitting your visa application, please check your passport(s) to ensure there is no valid visa for India
   • Please ensure that the barcode appears on the bottom left-hand corner of your printed visa application
   • Town/Country of Birth must match exactly to your passport
   • Place of Issue of Passport must match exactly to your passport
     

   NOTE: All fields on the Online Application Form must be completed in as much detail as possible. When entering address information, please ensure that you provide the Postal Code as well. Please fill out all additional forms found in this visa application kit.

   VisaCentral provides a guide to assist you in completing the application. To access the guide follow this link: https://visacentral.ca/forms?formname=Guide-India.pdf or type the address into your browser.

4. Submission Surcharge

   India visa applications require special shipping and handling for submission to the consulate. A shipping and handling surcharge of $25.00 will apply to all India visa orders.

5. Sri Lankan Nationals and Persons of Sri Lankan Origin

   Sri Lankan nationals and persons of Sri Lankan origin must submit the following:

   • A completed and signed form entitled Additional Form for Sri Lankan Origins
   • A copy of a current photo ID  for Sri Lankan passport holders only
   • A copy of your drivers license or a utility bill (only if you reside in Toronto)

6. Former Indian Nationals

   Former Indian nationals applying for the first time for a visa to India must submit the following:

   • A cancelled Indian passport
   • Certificate certifying the visa applicant surrendered their Indian nationality

7. Children Under 18 Years Old

   Please note the following requirements for minors only:

   • Minor consent form must be signed by both parents
   • Photocopy of the picture page of both parents passports must be included
   • If only one parent is traveling with the child, the parent not traveling must provide a notarized letter explaining that they authorize the child to travel with the other parent only. The non traveling parent must also provide a notarized copy of the personal information page of their passport. If no parents are traveling with the child, both parents must sign the notarized letter and provide details regarding who the minor is traveling with
   • Both parents must sign the application form as well as the authorization letter

8. VisaCentral Order Form

   You must provide one completed VisaCentral Order Form. The form must:

   • Include a valid email address and payment information
   • Include your signature in blue or black ink

9. Double and Multiple Entry Visa Applicants

   You must provide proof of travel arrangements for the duration of your trip.  Details of your intended arrangements must:

   • Include a copy of an itinerary or e-ticket showing entry and exit date
   • Show your full name as printed in your passport

10. BLS India Tourist Checklist

    You must complete and sign the enclosed BLS India Tourist Checklist.

    Please ignore the instruction to include a bank draft or money order as VisaCentral will handle the payment on your behalf.

11. Postal Application Form

    You must include one Postal Application Form found in this kit. Sign at the bottom. We will complete the form on your behalf. This form must be sent to VisaCentral with all other required documents.

12. Persons of Pakistani Origin Only

    You must make a personal appearance at the Indian Consulate to process your visa if you are a person of Pakistani origin, either of your parents were born in Pakistan, and/or formerly held a Pakistani passport. The consulate requires additional procedures in order to process your visa and VisaCentral is unable to assist in these procedures.

13. Visa Entry and Validity Selection

    The consulate will issue your visa based on the number of entries and the validity options that you select in your online application. If applying for 1 year entry visa, it is the discretion of the consulate to issue up to 1 year entry visa, and is not guaranteed.
     

14. Application Status Updates

    For status updates on applications, BLS only allows online status check.  BLS will not provide any status update to anyone via phone.

15. Visa Conditions

    If you are applying for a visa more than 3 months before your entry date, you must provide a letter indicating the reasons for the early visa submission.

16. Online Photo Upload

    Uploading your photo to your online India visa application is optional. If you choose to upload your photo it must match the photograph that is submitted with your visa request. Please note that mismatched photos will cause your visa application to be rejected and/or delayed.

17. Traveller Registration (Highly Recommended)

    Feel safer and travel with peace of mind by using our Traveller Registration Service. Registration notifies the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development where and when you will be travelling, enabling the Government of Canada to reach you in case of an emergency abroad or inform you of an emergency at home. To enroll in this optional service complete the registration form in this kit and send it to us with the rest of your documents.

18. Place of Residency

    You must provide proof of residency. Your proof of residency must:

    • Include a copy of your driver's license and an original utility bill OR
    • A verified bank statement showing your address

19. Electronic Tourist Visa

    If you meet specific eligibility requirements then you may wish to apply for an Electronic Tourist Visa (eTV) instead of following the information listed above. The eTV is an electronic authorization from the government to enter India and is equivalent to a visa, but no stamp or label is placed in your passport.

    To be eligible the traveler must:

    • Submit for the e-Tourist visa no less than 4 days and no more than 120 days prior to entry into India
    • Be applying for a visa for no more than 2 entries only
    • Must be arriving by air or sea at specific airports and seaports
    • Traveling for a 60 day or less stay in India

    To learn more about this option, return to our homepage and select "Electronic Tourist Visa" from our travel purpose list.