Indian Visa for Canadian Travelers: Requirements & Eligibility
Are you a Canadian planning to enter India? Then, you will be capable of getting an experience similar to the 13.34 million inbound tourists who visited the country in 2024. Well, to get that experience, you will have to first secure an Indian visa for Canadian residents for your trip.
However, getting a visa for the country is not as easy as it seems. This is because getting this visa comes with meeting a few requirements. On top of that, you will also have to understand the different types of visas offered by the country to figure out which one suits you the best. So, you must start your journey only after making yourself aware of these basics.
Understanding Indian Visa for Canadian Travelers
All international trips require a travel permit, and that is the same in the case of Canadian Travelers visiting India. An Indian Visa is exactly that travel permit which opens the country’s door for a foreign traveler. An Indian visa for Canadian residents can be applied for multiple purposes like tourism, business, medical, and others, and lets one explore the country freely within a stipulated time that falls under the validity of a certain visa.
Do Canadian Travelers Need a Visa for India?
First, check your country’s eligibility. Well, luckily, Canada falls on the list of the eligible countries, so you will not face any issue when it comes to applying for an eVisa for India for Canadian citizens for any purpose. Other than that, you will still need a visa for entering India even if you are a diplomatic or official passport holder. However, in that case, you will not be able to get an e-Visa and will have to go through the route of a Consulate or Embassy.
Types of Indian Visas Available for Canadian Travelers
Being a Canadian Traveler, you are eligible to apply for different types of Indian visas. However, you will be required to pick the right type of visa as per your travel purpose. Some of the visas that you can apply for include:
Tourist eVisa
Indian eTourist visa is suitable for anyone who is entering the country solely to explore the beautiful locations of the country. This can be used for sightseeing, visiting family/friends, or even for short-term yoga retreats. A tourist visa for the country comes with multiple validity options. For instance:
A one-month tourist eVisa: It comes with a validity of 30 days and offers you double entry. However, it is non-extendable and non-convertible.
A 1-year tourist eVisa: It stays valid for 365 days but comes with a maximum stay limit of 180 days. This offers you multiple entries, which means you can enter the country multiple times without feeling the need to reapply for a visa.
A 5-year tourist eVisa for India for Canadian citizens: It comes with a total validity of 5 years and offers you multiple entries. However, you are granted a maximum stay of 180 days per year.
Getting this visa requires you to offer additional documents like travel itinerary, return tickets, and others.
Business eVisa
If you are a Canadian professional visiting India to attend a meeting, trade shows, or business-related work, then you will be required to apply for a Indian Business e-Visa. This visa comes with a validity of 1 year starting from the date when you are granted your travel permit. During this time, you are allowed to make multiple entries into the country, but your total stay shouldn’t exceed 180 days.
However, if you plan to stay there for more than 180 days, then you will have to inform the FRRO/FRO and get registered with them at least 2 weeks before your 180-day span ends. Other than that, you will have to provide a few additional documents like an invitation letter from an Indian company or anything else that is related to your visit purpose.
Student eVisa
This Indian Student e-Visa for Canadian residents is applied for by those who wish to enroll in long-term educational courses in India. Other than that, the country also offers the Student Dependent eVisa, which is designed for the spouse or dependent children of the student visa holder. This helps them to reside in the country and pursue education.
Both visas come with a total validity of 1 year and offer 4 entries. However, you can get it extended depending on the duration of the course. Most important of all, you will be required to offer additional documents like proof of admission from a recognized Indian institution, a release letter from your previous institute, and others.
Medical eVisa
Indian Medical e-Visa is for Canadians seeking medical treatment in India. This visa stays valid for 60 days and offers triple entries. Other than that, if someone is accompanying the medical visa applicant, then they can get a Medical Attendant e-Visa. This visa also comes with 60 days' validity and triple entry. The necessary documents related to this visa are medical documents and an invitation from an Indian hospital.
Ayush eVisa
An Ayush eVisa for India for Canadian citizens is applied for by people who are coming to the country for some ayurvedic treatment. Similar to the medical visa, the people accompanying the Ayush eVisa applicant can get an Ayush Attendant eVisa. Both visas stay active for 60 days starting from issuance and offer triple entries.
Conference eVisa
Any Canadian visiting India for academics, research work, or attending an international conference must apply for Indian Conference e-Visa. This visa stays valid for 30 days starting from the day the applicant arrives in India. However, it only allows one entry. On top of that, you will require approval from Indian institutions and government authorities. So, you must upload all the related details and documents on the MHA website
Indian Visa Requirements for Canadian Citizens
All applicants for the Indian visa for Canadian residents are required to meet a few requirements. Meeting these requirements opens the door for the country and automatically proves its eligibility. Some of these requirements include:
- A Canadian passport that has a minimum of six months' validity after your departure. Other than that, it should also have at least two blank pages.
- You must complete your visa application form.
- Recent passport-sized photographs that perfectly match the requirements.
- Proof of travel itinerary that includes flight and hotel bookings.
- A bank statement is proof of sufficient funds for the stay.
How to Apply for an Indian Visa from Canada
Well, applying for an e-Visa for India for Canadian citizens involves a few different steps. All the steps play an important role in the process, so they should be carried out by you with utmost seriousness. Some of the steps that you will be required to carry out include:
- Visit the online portal to start the process of visa application.
- Find the application form for the country and fill it out with accurate details related to yourself and your visit.
- Add scanned copies of the necessary documents that we listed out in the above section. Other than that, you will also have to provide additional documents related to your travel purpose.
- Pay the fee associated with the visa application with your debit or credit card.
After this, wait for 3 to 5 days for the application to get processed. Once it gets approved, you will receive an approval letter at the email ID that you provided on the application form. Next, you will have to get a few printed copies of the letter and bring them with you to the airport. However, if you fail to get the letter during this time, then you will be required to contact the Helpdesk.
Important Rules & Travel Tips for Canadian Visitors
There are a few things that should be remembered by all applicants for an Indian visa for Canadian residents. Some of these include:
Extension: Visa extensions are not offered on all types of visas. Only the applicants of the business visa can get an extension, given that they have registration with FRRO/FRO
Special Permits: All foreigners who are planning to enter restricted areas like Arunachal Pradesh or Sikkim must apply for special permits. They will need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Arunachal Pradesh or an Inner Line Permit (ILP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for exploring Sikkim.
Feeling confident to match the requirements of the Indian visa for Canadian residents?
Visiting India from Canada starts with getting an e-Visa for India for Canadian citizens. Well, to get that, you will be required to meet the requirements and eligibility related to the visa. This way, you will be able to simplify the process and ensure you do not face any delay or rejection.
However, if you still face an issue even after meeting all the requirements, then you will just have to contact the Helpdesk for effective and prompt assistance.