Indian e-Conference Visa

Note: As per Indian government, dated 30.03.2021, e-Visa under the following categories e-Conference Visa has been restored.

e-Conference Visa to India – Definition, Eligibility Criteria and Provisions

India is one of the countries that receive diverse visitors throughout the year. Some coming for medical reasons, others for business trips, others to visit friends and families, sightseeing and some to attend important conferences. All these individuals require different visas that are in alignment with the type of visit.

In this post, we will focus on a special kind of e-visa called Indian e-conference visa to understand it and know the requirements you need to fulfill to get it.

What is Indian e-Conference Visa

e-conference visas are given for workshops held in India to discuss a particular subject or for international seminars or conferences. The Indian missions are tasked with the responsibility of issuing these visa to delegates.

However, before the e-conference visa is issued, the delegates should produce an invitation letter to the seminar/conference or workshop that has been organized by the NGOs/private institutions, government-owned institutions, UN, Specialized agencies, any Ministry or department of the Indian government or UT administrations.

What is the Eligibility Criteria and Validity for e-Conference Visa?

The major requirement for the e-conference is the production of the invitation card to the seminar, workshop or conference. Thus, it is ideals for delegates living outside India.

The stay days in India on e-Conference Visa will be 30 days.
Single entry is permitted for Indian e-Conference Visa.

Unlike other visas, the e-conference visa has a validity period of three months. The duration is counted from the day you are issued with the visa and not from the time you enter India.

Visitors will be allowed to access India from any of the authorized Indian immigration check posts for e-visa only.

Check here all Country list that are eligible for Indian Conference Visa.

Application Process for the e-Conference Visa

The application process is online. As a delegate, you will be required to fill the form and give accurate details. Before starting to fill the online form, you need to be sure that you have the following:

A passport with at least six months validity
Scanned copies of your recent colored photo. The size should not exceed 10MB and the dimensions should be 2In X 2In. Otherwise, you will not be able to upload the file until you get the correct format.
A copy of your passport
Enough money to pay for the visa. The charges range from USD 13- USD 113. The specific amount will be indicated as you fill the form.
Proof of the address of your residence
A formal letter of invitation from India.
Evidence of political clearance by MEA
Evidence of MHA event clearance

How do you Get the e-Conference Visa

You will get an email confirming that you have successfully applied for your e-conference visa. It is your responsibility to ensure that the email is working and you will get the notification within 1 to 3 days for the Emergency Indian e-Conference Visa. Sometimes, you will have to check even the spam folder to ensure that you are not delayed.

After that, you will print the visa approval letter and carry it along as you travel together with your valid passport. The passport should have two blank pages for stamping at the immigration desk in India.

Following your checking in India, there will be signboards indicating directions. Follow the E-Visa signboard to the desk. The officer will ask for the verification documents. He/she will then stamp your e-conference visa on your passport. You will also fill the arrival/departure card before proceeding to your seminar or conference.

Important Things to Note

When filling the form, ensure that you follow the instructions and use your name as it appears on the passport. Any alteration in the name will lead to rejection of your visa.
You should not leave behind your official documents. Keep them safe as they will grant or deny your
Do not violate visa regulations or overstay your duration as this will result in a high financial penalty of not less than $300. Thus, purpose to comply with the simple rules.

Sample of Indian e-Conference visa

Get your Indian Conference e Visa online

If you are eligible to apply online eVisa Indian (electronic Visa Indian). Then the process of obtaining an Indian Conference visa will be fairly simple and quick. Please Apply Indian Conference Visa

FAQs:

Indian E-Conference Visa is an electronic travel permit for international conventions, seminars, and workshops that will take place in India. More than hundred-fifty nationalities are eligible to acquire a single-entry pass and a 30-days stay in the country. With the rise of different industries in India, sponsored workshops and seminars have been in demand for years to share new knowledge and opportunities with foreign delegates. One of its primary requirements is an invitation from eligible institutions or agencies.

Note: Applicants do not have an option to transfer, convert or change or their Indian E- Conference Visa to other types of visas. India announced the reinstatement of Indian E-Visas (except for E-Tourists Visa) starting March 30, 2021.

More than a hundred and fifty countries can acquire the Indian E-Conference Visa. Foreign nationals may check their eligibility by clicking the link below: (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/)

For qualified countries, they may get E-Conference Visa for the following reasons:

I. To discuss, facilitate or participate in workshops or seminars that take place in India
II. To attend an international convention hosted by India
III. Voluntary work that does not exceed 30 days without monetary gains
IV. All eligible applicants must obtain an invitation letter from one of these institutions:
- Government-owned institutions
- NonGovernment-Owned (NGO) or private institutions
- United Nations
- Department of Indian government or Union Territory administration
- Specialized Agencies

Note: The ongoing COVID travel restrictions hold India to resume international flights. Therefore, the Indian government urges all foreign nationals to check local advisories to ensure safety and availability.

I. All delegates applying for Indian E-Conference Visa should have individual passports for the application. It is not eligible for individuals endorsed by their spouse's or parents' passport.
II. The passport of the delegate must have at least two blank visa stamp pages. Validity should cover at least six months from the date of arrival in India.
III. E-Conference Visa is not available for Pakistani passport holders. It includes foreigners of Pakistani origin and those who have permanent residence permits in Pakistan.
IV. Official Passport, Diplomatic Passport, and international travel document holders are not eligible for Indian E-Conference Visa.

Foreigners may obtain Indian Conference Visa online. In the meantime, one hundred fifty countries can take advantage of the application. Foreign nationals do not need to go to an Indian Consulate or embassies for travel authorization. Since the application is one-hundred percent online, eligible applicants can complete the form through their phone or laptop. Requirements and supporting documents should meet the standard criteria for them to get successfully uploaded to the portal. Each applicant will get the notification through their email once the system receives their application.

Citizens from eligible countries may lodge their Indian E-Conference Visa application four months in advance. They have the option to submit their form and documents four business days before their intended travel to India.

Foreigners must have the following requirements on-hand when applying for Indian E-Conference Visa:

I. Clear photocopy or scan of passport in a standard format (PDF, JPG, or PNG.) The file must not exceed 3 MB. Passport validity should cover at least six months from the date of arrival in India with two blank stamp pages.
II. Applicants should have sufficient allowance in their bank statements as proof of their financial capacity.
III. A digital passport-sized photograph of the delegate on a white background. The file must not exceed 3 MB
IV. Delegates should know if they need to get Yellow Fever vaccination. They can see the country list by visiting the link below: https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Updated%20List%20of%20Yellow%20Fever%20Endemic%20Countries%20by%20WHO_0.pdf
V. Any billing or documents that indicates the address of the delegate's residence
VI. A formal Invitation letter from one of the Indian institutions
VII. Proof of political clearance by Ministry of External Affairs
VIII. Proof of Ministry of Home Affairs Event clearance
IX. Applicants must pay for the Indian E-Conference Visa processing fee. Several payment methods are accessible in the portal for convenience.

The fee for Indian E-Conference Visa varies from time to time. Refund is not possible whether the application gets approved or declined. Delegates should take time to review their form. Any discrepancies or self-identified error after submission would require another visa application and is applicable for another fee.

After successful lodging, it may take seventy-two to forty-eight hours to get confirmation. Each applicant will get the notification through their email once the system receives their application. Immigration suggests foreign travelers give two to three business days leeway between their visa application and their travel date.