How to Apply for an India Visa in Montgomery

India -- one of the most diverse countries in the world for culture, language, religious, and wildlife -- continues to attract a growing number of leisure and business travelers from Montgomery and others living throughout the state of Alabama.  A record 18.9 million foreigners visited the country known as the “Golden Sparrow” last year, with the United States ranking second among international tourists.

“India is a place that overwhelms your senses in the best possible way – nowhere else delivers quite the same barrage of sights, sounds and sensations as this continent-sized country at the heart of Asia,” Lonely Planet reported. (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/things-to-know-before-traveling-to-india). “It would take a lifetime to see all of India,” the report continued. “But with a little preparation, you can learn to navigate the richness of this country, from its snow-capped peaks and velvety beaches to its historic temples and luxuriant palaces.”

The Republic of India, also known as the subcontinent, covers more than 1.26 million square miles in South Asia.  The republic borders Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan, as well as the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.  The country’s Andaman and Nickobar islands also share maritime borders with Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand.  In 2023, India surpassed China as the most populous country in the world and currently has a population exceeding 1.46 billion people.  Eighty percent of its people follow the Hindu religious, while about 14% are Muslims, giving India the largest Muslim population for a non-Muslim country.  More than 120 languages are spoken here, with Hindi and English being the most widely used.

Modern humans arrived on the subcontinent from Africa more than 55,000 years ago and settled in the Indus River basin, creating one of the world’s oldest civilizations.  The Indian peninsula was one of the first areas where Hinduism and Buddhism took root more than two millennium ago, with Christianity, Judaism, and Islam following in coastal areas during the Middle Ages.  The area was home to a variety of kingdoms and empires that ruled portions of India and traded with numerous European countries.  However, the British East India Company eventually edged out most competitors, exerted military power, and consolidated India as a colony.  The country was ruled by the British Crown from 1858 until 1947, when the British Indian Empire was partitioned into two independent countries: Hindu-dominated India and Muslim-dominated Pakistan.  The world’s largest democracy, India became a federal republic in 1950.

During the British colonial period, India benefited from vast investments in infrastructure and technology to boost trade, such as railways, canals, highways, telecommunications, and commercial agricultural practices.  That infrastructure laid the groundwork for an independent India to create one of the world’s fastest growing economies.  Still, throughout its history, India has suffered from widespread poverty.  While poverty rates remain high in both urban and rural areas, they have fallen in recent years (although income inequality continues to grow).

In the 2020s, India has the world’s fifth-largest GDP at $3.56 trillion dollars.  Domestic spending drives 70% of GDP, giving the republic the world’s fourth-largest consumer market. “India remains one of the world’s fastest growing major economies although it faces challenges common to many other countries,” the U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) stated. (https://www.trade.gov/knowledge-product/exporting-india-market-overview) “The United States-India relationship remains resilient, with total trade in goods and services topping $191 billion in 2022, almost double the amount recorded in 2014.” The United States is India’s largest trading partner (importing $118.8 billion in goods and services) and is India’s largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI), totaling $103 billion by 2023.  Indian FDI in the United States also reached $14.4 billion and sustains more than 72,000 U.S. jobs, ITA continued.  People of Indian heritage are also the wealthiest immigrant group in the U.S., taking on influential roles as CEOs, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and politicians.

The top growth opportunities in India for Montgomery-based companies include chemicals, civil aviation, defense, education, energy, environmental technologies, healthcare, information and communication technology, safety and security, and travel and tourism. “A wide array of U.S. companies are active participants in the Indian market across most sectors,” ITA continued.  However, the India government’s focus on boosting domestic companies can present challenges, “Despite market access concerns, India remains an attractive destination for many U.S. exporters.  Many Indian conglomerates stand on par with their international counterparts in sophistication of operations and market prominence.  In sectors like information technology, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and engineering, Indian companies are renowned for their ability to innovate and compete.”

Tourism also presents opportunities for U.S. companies, ITA noted, as India is the United States’ second-largest source of international visitors.  Tourism made up 6% of India GDP in 2023 at $210 billion US dollars, and is estimated to reach 7.1% ($469 billion) by 2033, according to the World Trade & Tourism Council (WTTC).  International visitor spending reached $20.7 billion in 2023 and accounted for 5.6% of exports.  The United States ranked second for inbound arrivals and outbound departures.

“Colorful, chaotic, crowded – all the clichés about India are true,” Lonely Planet reported, “as are the tropes of culture shock, sensory overload, and {a} land of contrasts.  It is a huge country with different cultures and customs across its length and breadth.  A bewildering array of sights, sounds and smells greet you as you navigate the fast-paced cities where high-rises stand cheek by jowl with slums,” the report continued (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/guide-to-india). “But this is also the land of majestic mountains, sandy beaches, scorching deserts, and thriving forests, not to mention opulent palaces, awe-inspiring heritage sites, pulsating cities, and enchanting villages.”

The most visited city in India is Delhi (or New Delhi), also the nation’s capital and largest city.  The vibrant metropolis is known for its historic monuments, temples, markets, and museums.  Popular attractions include the Lotus Temple, with its unique lotus-based architecture; India Gate, a war memorial; and 245-acre Red Fort, named for its red sandstone walls decorated with marble.  Mumbai, the second-largest city, is the financial capital of India.  It draws visitors with rich arts and culture and its cosmopolitan atmosphere.  Mumbai is also known for its artists, movie stars, colorful festivals, markets, and street food.  The Gateway of India, one of the country’s best-known structures, greets visitors who arrive by sea.  Mumbai is also home to the Kanheri Caves, which contain ancient sculptures, carvings, and paintings.  The most famous destination in India for Montgomery-based travelers is the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, an ivory-white marble mausoleum built in the mid-1600s.  Other top cities and regions for tourists include Goa on the banks of the Arabian Sea, where beach lovers soak up the sun and party amidst Portuguese colonial architecture; Rajasthan’s Mehrangarh Fort, five tiger preserves, temples, and ancient palaces; the former French colony of Pondicherry; and the markets and forts of the “pink city” of Jaipur.  Kerala on the Laccadive Sea was named one of the world’s top 10 paradises by National Geographic’s Traveler magazine.  Kerala’s beaches, waterfalls, lakes, mountain ranges, waterfalls, backwaters, tea plantations, palaces, ancient ports, and wildlife sanctuaries make it a major destination for domestic and international tourists alike.

India is also known for its spiritual, religious, and natural attractions.  Religious sites include the Golden Temple at Amritsar; Khajuraho, with intricate carvings and Hindu temples; and the holy towns of Rishikesh and Varanasi on the Ganges.  Retreats for yoga, meditation, detox, mental wellness, and other spiritual therapies have long drawn adventurous travelers from Montgomery and other towns across Alabama.  Rishikesh is a particularly popular site for yoga and meditation on the banks of the Ganges.  India has 106 national parks where you can see tigers (Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Ranthambore and Jim Corbett parks), rhinos (Kaziranga), and lions (Gir National Park).  The country also has 43 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including 34 cultural sites (such as the Taj Mahal and Humayun's Tomb in Delhi) and seven natural sites (including the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area).  Outdoor adventures include wildlife safaris to spot elephants, leopards, lions, and tigers; camping overnight in the Thar Desert, houseboat cruises in the Kerala backwaters; mountain climbing, biking, and trekking in the Himalayas and Himachal Pradesh; whitewater rafting the Ganges River near Rishikesh; caving at Meghalaya; and scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and surfing at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  

Requirements for Obtaining an India Visa

Citizens of the United States and most other countries who reside in the Montgomery area are required to obtain a visa before visiting India. (Only travelers holding passports from Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal can enter without a visa.) The main requirement for visa applicants is holding a passport valid for at least six months beyond their application date and containing two blank pages.  The only required vaccination is for yellow fever if you are arriving from an infected area.  However, the CDC recommends several other routine vaccines for visitors from the United States, as listed at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/india.  Although not required for the visa, we recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in India.  International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒Order Now.

India offers several types of visas, including tourist, business, student, and work.  Applicants can obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa) online or a traditional paper visa issued by an India embassy or consulate in the country where they live.  Tourist e-visas are valid for up to five years and business e-Visas for up to one year, while traditional visas are valid for a maximum of ten years for tourists and five years for business travelers.  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).

Option 1: Electronic India Visa

Travelers from 156 countries can apply for electronic visas (e-Visas) through the government portal at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.  A list of countries eligible for an e-Visa can be found on the website above.  E-Visas are available for those Montgomery residents visiting for tourism, business, conference, medical, and student purposes.  You must submit your application at least four days before your departure date.  For the 30-day tourist visa, you must apply between four and 30 days before your arrival date.  For other e-Visas, you can apply from four to 120 days before your trip begins.  The 30-day tourist e-Visa is valid for 30 days before your first arrival, and allows you to enter India twice over a 30-day period that begins when you arrive.  The one- and five-year e-Visas and the business e-Visa are for 365 days and allow multiple entries over the one- or five-year period.  E-conference visas are single-entry visas valid for 30 days, while medical e-Visas are valid for 60 days and three entries will be allowed within the validity period stamped in your passport.

The process to apply for an e-Visa is:

• Complete the online application at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.  You will need to include a scanned color copy of your passport information/biometrics page, a digital photo, and other relevant information.
• Pay the appropriate fees online using the State Bank of India’s payment gateway or the Axis Bank payment gateway service. Fees on the State Bank site can be paid using Visa or MasterCard debit and credit cards, as well as PayPal.  The Axis option accepts Visa and MasterCard plus Maestro cards.
• Receive an approval email from Indian authorities with your electronic travel authorization (ETA) confirmation, typically within 72 hours.
• Download your ETA/e-visa and present it to immigration authorities when you arrive in India.

Fees vary by type of visa, country, and payment method.  The e-Tourist visa fees can be found at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/images/Etourist_fee_final.pdf, while fees for all other e-Visas are at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/images/eTV_revised_fee_final.pdf.  In addition to the government visa fee, the gateways charge an additional service fee.  For the State Bank gateway, those fees are 2.5% for Visa and MasterCard transactions and 3.5% for PayPal.  The Axis Bank gateway charges 2.5% for all cards.  For example, fees for a five-year tourist e-Visa total $82 while the one-year business visa is $103.

All applications must be accompanied by a copy of your passport and digital photo.  Business travelers must also upload a business card and invitation letter from the Indian firm you wish to visit, along with details about that company.  E-conference visa applicants must provide an invitation from the event organizer plus “political clearance” from Indian government’s Ministry of External Affairs. (Event clearance from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs is optional.) Medical e-Visas require a “letter from the Hospital concerned in India on its letterhead which includes the tentative date of admission/treatment in the hospital mentioning the name, nationality and Passport number of the patient/ e-Medical Visa applicant.”

The e-Visas allow you to enter India at any of its 31 international airports.  Keep your e-Visa documentation with you at all times during your trip.  Documentation requirements, fees, and a link where you can apply through Visa Supply are found at https://www.visasupply.com/india-tourist-e-visa.html and https://www.visasupply.com/india-business-e-visa.html for tourist and business e-Visas, respectively.

Option 2: Traditional Physical Visa

Traditional sticker visas for India (which 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. plus six consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.  Each consulate serves specific states and territories.  For example, the Atlanta consulate serves residents of Montgomery and others who reside in the state of Alabama.  The consulate office also serves residents of Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the Virgin Islands.

While the process to obtain a traditional visa is more involved than the e-Visa procedure, it does allow you more flexibility in how long you stay.  There are also more types of traditional visas, including student, work journalist, mountaineering, and missionary, as listed at https://services.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/india/united-states-of-america/visa-services/.

You apply for a traditional sticker through the Indian government’s visa contractor, VFS Global (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-visa).  You can either submit your application to VFS by mail or visit the regional office.  VFS offices are located in the same cities as the embassy and consulates and serve the same geographic areas.

To have VFS handle the entire process:

1. Complete the online government application at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/.
2. Upload required documents, including your passport biometrics page and a digital photograph.  A list of documents (which vary by type of visa, length of stay, etc.) can be found at https://services.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/india/united-states-of-america/visa-services/.
3. Set up an account and pay your fees online at https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/login.  Fees vary by visa details and originating country.  For example, a tourist visa for a U.S. citizen costs $178.90, which includes a $160 government fee, a $3 ICWF fee to support the Indian Community Welfare Fund; and VFS Global’s $15.90 service fee.
4. Print your application and create a package that includes your passport and all supporting documentation.  Mail your documents to the VFS Global office that serves your state.  For residents of Mongtomery and the state of Alabama, mail your package to the ICAC Atlanta Centre; Suite 175, 1200 Altmore Avenue; Sandy Springs, GA 30342. (Other consulate addresses are listed at the VFS Global site above.)
5. VFS Global will review your application and work with the consulate to process your visa. ​

To apply for a visa in person, follow the first two steps above.  Then

• Set up an account, pay your fees, and book your appointment at https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/eoi/login.
• Visit the appropriate VFS Global Office on the date and time of your appointment.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Montgomery or anywhere in the state of Alabama and have difficulty applying for a visa to visit India, or require assistance with any part of the process, you can call our office at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment online at the link on this page.  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 government of India.  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 Alabama:

• India Tourist Visa
• India Tourist e-Visa
• India Business Visa
• India Business e-Visa
• India Conference Visa
• India Student Visa
• India Work Visa
• India Journalist Visa
• India Volunteer Visa
• India Medical Treatment Visa
• India Medical Insurance
• India Flight Tickets
• India Hotel Accommodations
• India Packaged Tours