Indian Visa for Canadian citizens
Individuals holding Canadian passports must obtain an Indian visa before entering the country. While India no longer offers visa-on-arrival services to Canadians, they can apply for an e-Visa, a fast and convenient option.
Despite the significant distance of over 11,400 km between Canada and India, Canadian travelers, both for leisure and business, continue to journey to India in large numbers every year. Fortunately, the Indian government has taken steps to facilitate the visa process, such as introducing the e-Tourist visa online in 2014. While this service was initially available to only 40 nationalities, it has since expanded to include 166 countries worldwide.
Residents of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador are eligible for Indian eVisa for all purposes including but not limited to Tourism and Business. The Canadian Passport must be an Ordinary Passport for eVisa for India and not a Service, Diplomatic, Special or Official Passport. Residents of Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Calgary besides other cities are frequent users who avail this facility of Online Indian Visa.
You require India e-Tourist Visa (eVisa India or Indian Visa Online to witness the amazing places and experiences as a foreign tourist in India. Alternatively, you could be visiting India on an India e-Business Visa and want to do some recreation and sightseeing in India. The Indian Immigration Authority encourages visitors to India to apply for Indian Visa Online (India e-Visa) rather than visiting Indian Consulate or Indian Embassy.
Visa Requirements for Canadian Citizens Traveling to India
Individuals holding Canadian passports must obtain an Indian visa before entering the country. While India no longer offers visa-on-arrival services to Canadians, they can apply for an e-Visa, a fast and convenient option. The application process can be completed online, eliminating the need to visit the Indian embassy in person and saving time and money.
The India e-Visa is particularly suitable for Canadian travelers planning short trips to India for tourism, business, or medical purposes. It can be applied for up to 4 days before departure for urgent travel needs, but the visa's validity will be applicable once the individual has entered India short-term. The e-Visa permits stays of up to 180 days but cannot be extended. Once granted, the visa is valid for 120 days, within which the traveler must enter India.
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Indian Visa On Arrival is a new electronic visa which allows the potential visitors to apply only for the Visa without a visit to Indian Embassy. Indian Tourist Visa, Indian Business Visa and Indian Medical Visa are now available online. Learn more - Indian Visa On Arrival
Indian Visa Requirements for Canadian Citizens: Documents Needed
Canadian citizens planning to apply for an Indian e-Visa should know the documents required to complete the application process. All papers must be submitted online, and meeting the specified requirements could result in the rejection of the visa application.
The following documents are required to apply for an India e-Visa:
- A completed India eVisa application form that includes personal, professional, and educational information as well as travel history details.
- A colored scanned copy of the first and last page of your passport.
- A passport-sized photograph in JPEG format with a white background.
- Online payment of the application fee.
Ensuring that all documents are submitted with the required specifications and that the application is filled out correctly is crucial to avoiding any complications or visa rejections. It is recommended to carefully follow the guidelines provided by the Indian embassy while applying for the e-Visa.
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This article will help in you avoiding an unsuccessful outcome for your Indian e-Visa Application so that you can apply with confidence and your journey to India can be hassle free. Learn more at Reasons for Indian e-Visa rejection and useful tips to avoid them
Processing Time and Restrictions for Indian Visa for Canadian Citizens
Canadian citizens applying for an Indian e-Visa should know the processing timeframe and restrictions associated with the visa.
The processing time for an Indian tourist visa for Canadians is approximately two business days. To ensure timely receipt of the e-Visa, applying at least four days before the planned departure date is recommended. After processing, the visa will be sent via email and should be downloaded, printed, and kept with the traveler during their stay in India.
It is important to note that Canadian citizens are eligible for e-Visa twice in a calendar year. Additionally, the visa holder must enter India through any of the 28 designated airports, such as Chennai, Bangalore, Kochin, Hyderabad, Delhi, Goa, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
It is advisable to carefully review all visa requirements and restrictions before applying to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
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Indian Immigration Authority are now processing eBusiness, eMedical and eMedical-Attendant visas. Tourist E-VISAs are currently suspended. Learn more at Travel and Visa restrictions related to COVID-19
The procedure of obtaining an Indian visa for citizens of Canada.
Canadian citizens can apply for an Indian visa quickly and efficiently online.
The online application process is designed to be simple and straightforward. However, if assistance is needed, our experts are available to ensure that all documents meet the embassy's specifications and to minimize the chances of rejection.
Registering with the Canadian Embassy or High Commission in India: Benefits and How to Do It
Canadian travelers are advised to register with the Canadian Embassy or High Commission in the country they intend to visit. By doing so, registered travelers can receive important updates and assistance during their travels.
Some of the benefits of registering with the Canadian Embassy or High Commission in India include:
- Receiving travel advisory updates about India
- Getting information about international events that may impact your travels
- Receiving advice and assistance in case of an emergency
Consular staff can contact you, aid in an emergency, and help family and friends in Canada reach you.
Registering with the Canadian High Commission in India can be done while applying for an e-Visa through their website. It is important to note that Canada has multiple diplomatic missions in India, including the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi and the Consulate Generals in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Mumbai.
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With immediate effect from 30.03.2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has restored India e-Visa facility for foreigners from 156 countries. Learn more at Restoration of India e-Visa
Do Canadian citizens need a visa to travel to India?
Canadian citizens who plan to travel to India must obtain a visa prior to their departure, as visas on arrival are no longer issued at Indian airports. To make the application process more convenient, visitors can apply for an e-Visa online. Once approved, the e-Visa will be emailed and presented along with the passport at the Indian border. The electronic process does not require applicants to visit an embassy or consulate in person, making it quick and easy to complete.
The type of e-Visa that Canadian citizens can apply for will depend on the purpose of their trip. Options include the e-Tourist visa, e-Business visa, e-Medical visa, and e-Medical attendant visa.
Duration of Stay in India for Canadian Citizens
The duration of a Canadian citizen's stay in India is determined by the type of eVisa they possess. An e-tourist or e-business visa allows a Canadian passport holder to stay in India for 180 days. The Indian online tourist and business visas remain applicable for 365 days from the date of issuance, and multiple entries are permitted during this period.
On the other hand, the medical and medical attendant e-Visas have a validity period of 120 days from the date of issuance. The visa allows for triple-entry with the second and third visits required to take place within 60 days of the initial entry.
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Visa on Arrival for Canadian Citizens in India: Is it Possible?
Sadly, those with Canadian passports require assistance to obtain an Indian visa upon arrival. Visitors from Canada must instead apply for a visa in advance.
Canadian citizens should apply for an e-Visa at least 4 business days prior to their trip. There is no need to submit documentation in person at an embassy or consulate; the full visa application process is conducted online. The form and all supporting documents are uploaded electronically.
Canadian citizens must possess a current passport and provide a passport-style photo that satisfies the India visa photo standards in order to receive the necessary India e-Visa. Once it has been authorized, the applicant receives the visa through email. Unfortunately, Canadian passport holders are NOT eligible for visa on arrival in India. Instead, Canadian visitors are required to apply for an eVisa in advance.
2024 updates for Canadian citizens
If Canadian wish to extend their eVisa for India, they must enroll with FRRO website in India. Alternatively, they can exit to a close by country of India, and again apply for Indian eVisa. At this moment it is not possible to extend a stay. Business eVisa allows 180 days stay. Other options are Tourist eVisa and Medical eVisa.
If Canadian nationals are transferring between flights, then you either need a Transit Visa or 30 Days Tourist Visa depending on the connection and need to exist from International Transit Area. You may be travelling on a single PNR or multiple PNR (Passenger Name Record). Depending on whether you need to collect the luggage yourself or whether the Airline asks you to stay in a hotel if the connecting flight is missed, you may require an eVisa. We cannot provide any immigration advise in this matter, there you should apply for a relevant Visa to be on the safe side.
Residents of Hamilton, Winnipeg, Montreal, Mississauga, Edmonton, Brampton, Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa and Vancouver are most likely to apply for an Indian eVisa because they are aware of the fact that as Canadians they are eligible and privileged to acquire electronic Visa for India rather than needing to get a traditional paper stamp Visa on the passport. This new method of eVisa makes the visit to Indian Embassy redundant.
United States, France, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Italy are also eligible similar to Canadian citizens for India e-Visa(Indian Visa Online). You can apply for the Indian e-Visa Online Application right here.
Should you have any doubts or require assistance for your trip to India or India e-Visa, contact Indian Visa Help Desk for support and guidance.
