How to Apply for an India Visa in Denver

UPDATED April 4, 2022

Denver, known as the “Mile High City” because of its elevation of 5,280 feet, is the capital of Colorado and is one of the fastest growing cities in America.  The Denver Metropolitan area is the 19th most populous metro area in the U.S. and has a population approaching three million people.  The metro area includes the towns of Arvada, Castle Rock, Centennial, Lakewood, Littleton, Thornton, Westminster, and Aurora.  The region’s growing and diverse economy—along with its proximity to Rocky Mountain ski resorts—make Denver an attractive destination for people seeking a more active and balanced lifestyle.  Denver has a diverse economy and strong foundation of large and mid-size companies, making the city an attractive job market for people in other parts of the country that may be considering a change of scenery.  In the past decade, as Denver’s healthcare, financial services, electronics, aerospace, and biotechnology sectors continue to expand, there has been an uptick in the number of Indian immigrants moving to the region to seize new job opportunities.  Denver is now home to several Indian cultural organizations, including the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Rockies where the local community can enjoy Indian celebrations such as Diwali.

India is the second most populous country in the world and has a population approaching 1.4 billion people.  There are 122 major languages spoken in India, including 23 official languages, with Hindi and English being the most widely spoken.  India is one of the most diverse countries in the world with regard to language, culture, religion, land, wildlife, and climate.  From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the tropical beaches of Nicobar Islands and the Thar Desert that separates the country from Pakistan, India is a land full of endless possibilities.  It is also one of the oldest civilizations on the planet and draws millions of tourists each year to its 32 cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which includes the Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves, Elephanta Caves, Khajuraho, Rani-ki-Vav, and Sun Temple.  With such an ancient history and unique culture, India is a country that every Denver resident should have on their travel bucket-list.  But this is also a fast-moving nation whose people are very much living in the present and working vigorously to develop their country.  India’s economic relationship with the United States has grown much closer in recent years, and there are even a few Indian companies such as Tata Consultancy Services and Tech Mahinda that have invested in the Denver area. 

Obtaining an India Visa from Denver

Traditional sticker visas for India (the visas that are placed in one of the pages of your passport) are issued by the Indian government in the United States.  The government of India is represented by their embassy located in Washington, D.C. along with five consulates located in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco. 

To apply for a traditional India visa sticker from Denver, you will fill out the visa application and mail your original passport and supporting documents to VFS Global in Houston (this is the Indian government’s contractor that manages visa services).  VFS Global will examine your documents and get the application submitted to the consulate office in Houston for final approval of the visa.  Please review their website for more information: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-visa

Visas are also issued electronically by the Bureau of Immigration in India.  To apply for the electronic visa from Denver, applicants will compete the application online and pay the government fee using a credit card.  Here is the website to apply for the electronic visa: India Visa Online (indianvisaonline.gov.in)

Other things to consider:

  • Tourist visas issued before October 6, 2021 cannot be used for travel to India, however, tourists can easily apply for an electronic visas or a new traditional visa sticker as explained above.  Please review this link for more information regarding India tourist visas: https://cgihouston.gov.in/listview/MjY2
  • Please refer to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website for information regarding the latest guidelines regarding travel to India during COVID-19: MoHFW | Home
  • Applicants applying for the traditional paper visa must provide a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, lease agreement, mortgage deed, or utility bill (water, gas, electric) to prove they live within the jurisdiction of the consulate in Houston, which includes the state of Colorado along with Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.  The address listed on the paper application must match the address that shows proof of residence within the consulate’s jurisdiction. 
  • Applicants born in India who are applying for the traditional India visa sticker with their American passports must first renounce their Indian citizenship and provide a certificate of renunciation or a cancelled Indian passport that has an endorsement showing foreign nationality was acquired.  The certificate of renunciation can be obtained through VFS Global following the instructions on this link: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-for-renunciation
  • Children under 18 years old require consent from both parents to obtain a visa and must provide a notarized parental authorization form, along with their birth certificate and copies of both parents’ identification and proof of status in the United States (for non-U.S. citizens).
  • For tips on how to complete the application for the paper visa, please consult the Visa Supply website for your visa category.  Here is the link to the tourist visa: India Tourist Visa : visasupply.com, then click on the “How to fill out the India visa application” button. 
  • It is recommended to purchase travel insurance before any international trip in case of medical emergencies.  We advise getting the Geo Blue Voyager Single Trip Plan.

Emergency Assistance for Citizens of India in Denver

If you are a citizen of India living in the Denver area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the consulate in Houston by calling 713-626-2149.  The consulate’s telephone number for non-emergency inquiries is 713-626-2148.  Here is the link for the full list of contact information that includes email addresses for inquiries regarding visas, passports, citizenship renunciation services, PIO, and OCI cards: Welcome to Consulate General of india, Houston (cgihouston.gov.in)

If you need to renew your Indian passport, you can renew by mail following the instructions on this link: Passport Services | vfsglobal   

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in the Denver area or anywhere in the state of Colorado and have difficulty applying for an India visa or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing India visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Indian government.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following India visa services for our customers in Denver:

  • India Tourist Visa
  • India Tourist e-Visa
  • India Business Visa
  • India Business e-Visa
  • India Conference Visa
  • India Conference e-Visa
  • India Student Visa
  • India Work Visa
  • India Journalist Visa
  • India Volunteer Visa
  • India Medical Treatment Visa
  • India Hotel Accommodations