India Visa for Sri Lankan Citizens

Visiting India as a Sri Lankan citizen is streamlined by the availability of an Electronic Visa (E-Visa). This piece provides an in-depth look at the application process, types of India E-Visas, requirements, and useful tips for Sri Lankan travellers.

India E-visa overview

The India e-visa system offers a variety of categories, each tailored to the specific needs and interests of different travellers. Whether you're planning a leisurely trip, a business visit, or a short-term medical treatment, there's an E-Visa category for you. The categories include e-Tourist, e-Business, and e-Medical visas, all designed to make your travel to India as smooth as possible.

Can Citizens of Sri Lanka Travel to India Without a Visa?

No, in order to enter India, citizens of Sri Lanka must obtain a visa. The Indian government provides a convenient option – the electronic visa (e-Visa). This method permits an online application process, removing the necessity for a physical visa stamp at an embassy or consulate, assuming eligibility criteria are met.

India E-visa Categories

India offers a range of e-Visas tailored for different travel purposes:

• E-Tourist Visa: Ideal for tourists visiting for sightseeing, leisure, meeting friends or family, and participating in cultural events. It is available with either single or double-entry options and can be valid for up to 180 days.
• E-Business Visa: Suitable for individuals coming to India to participate in business-related events like conferences, meetings, or conducting market research. This visa permits multiple entries over a period of 180 days.
• E-Conference Visa: Designed for those attending conferences, seminars, or workshops in India. It provides a single entry and is valid for up to 30 days.
• E-Medical Visa and E-Medical Attendant Visa: These visas are issued for the duration of medical treatment in India, catering to individuals seeking medical care and their attendants.
• E-Ayush Visa and E-Ayush Attendant Visa: Specifically for those seeking treatments under the traditional Indian Ayush healthcare system and their attendants. The visa duration aligns with the treatment period.
• E-Emergency X-Misc Visa: Available under exceptional circumstances, this visa facilitates urgent travel needs and its availability may vary.

Eligibility Criteria for Sri Lankan Citizens

To apply for an Online India Visa (Indian e-Visa), Sri Lankan citizens must meet specific criteria:

Valid Passport: Applicants should possess a valid Sri Lankan passport with a minimum of six months validity remaining from the planned date of entry into India and at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps.

Visa Restrictions: Applicants must not hold citizenship from any country that is barred from the e-visa system.

Entry Points: Sri Lankan citizens must plan their entry into India through designated immigration checkposts.

For Sri Lankan citizens using the Indian e-Visa, the following airports are approved for entry:

Authorised Airports for Entry with an E-Visa

• Ahmedabad
• Amritsar
• Bagdogra
• Bengaluru
• Bhubaneswar
• Calicut
• Chennai
• Chandigarh
• Cochin
• Coimbatore
• Delhi
• Gaya
• Goa (Dabolim)
• Goa (Mopa)
• Guwahati
• Hyderabad
• Indore
• Jaipur
• Kannur
• Kolkata
• Lucknow
• Madurai
• Mangalore
• Mumbai
• Nagpur
• Port Blair
• Pune
• Tiruchirapalli
• Trivandrum
• Varanasi
• Vishakhapatnam

Required Documents for Indian E-Visa Application for Sri Lankan Citizens

Sri Lankan citizens who intend to apply for an Indian e-Visa must prepare the following documents:

• Valid Sri Lankan Passport: Your passport should be valid for a period longer than your intended stay in India.
• Digital Passport Copy: Provide a digital scan of the biographical page of your passport.
• Recent Passport-Sized Photo: Submit a current photograph that complies with the passport photo standards listed on the Indian e-Visa website.
• Email Address: Make sure your email address is set up to receive notifications regarding your e-Visa application.
• Credit/Debit Card Details: A valid credit or debit card is required to pay the Indian e-visa processing fee.

Extra Documents Depending on the type of e-Visa:

• E-Business Visa: Include a business card with details of your host company in India, along with an invitation letter from a company registered in India. The letter ought to explain the reason for your trip, the activities planned, and contact information for the people you will be meeting. Evidence of sufficient financial resources may also be needed.
• E-Medical Visa: Provide a letter from the Indian medical institution confirming your appointment and detailing your treatment plan.

To guarantee an easy and successful application for your Indian e-Visa, it is imperative that you gather these documents.

How to Apply for an Indian E-Visa as a Sri Lankan Citizen

Citizens of Sri Lanka can apply with ease for an Indian E-visa by following these steps:

Step 1: Complete the Online Application

Navigate to the Indian Visa Online portal and accurately fill in the Indian E-Visa application form. Ensure all mandatory fields are correctly filled to avoid any delays in processing.

Step 2: Upload Required Documents

Prepare and upload all required documents. This should include a scanned copy of the biographical page of your passport and your National ID Card. Additional documents like proof of residence and proof of occupation might also be required depending on the visa type.

Step 3: Pay the Visa Fee

Use the online portal's payment gateway to pay the visa fee. Be sure to keep a copy of the payment receipt for your records.

Step 4: Track Your Application

After you have submitted your application, you'll be given an application ID. This ID can be used to verify your application's status online at any time.

Step 5: Visa Approval and Delivery

After your application is approved, you'll get an email confirming your visa. It is important to print this document and carry it along with your other travel documents when you travel to India.

Cost of India E-visa

The cost of an Indian E-Visa for Sri Lankan citizens varies based on the type of visa, the number of entries allowed, and the desired processing speed. To accurately determine the applicable fee, applicants should visit the official Indian visa fee page. This resource offers a detailed fee table or a fee calculator tool, enabling users to easily ascertain and confirm the visa fee according to their specific needs.

How much time it will take to process?

The time it takes to process an Indian visa for Sri Lankan citizens varies depending on the type of application and its urgency:

• Standard Processing: Typically, a regular visa application for Sri Lankan citizens is processed within 3 to 5 working days.
• Urgent Processing: For those needing faster service, expedited processing is available and usually takes between 1 to 3 working days, though it may involve additional charges.

FAQs

Do I need proof of onward travel when applying for an e-visa?

Information requirements can change, so checking the India e-Visa portal for the latest guidelines is advisable. However, generally, proof of onward travel is not a mandatory requirement for a tourist e-visa application for Sri Lankan citizens.

What if my Sri Lankan passport is due to expire soon?

For the duration of your planned stay in India and from the date of entry, your Sri Lankan passport must have at least 6 months left on it. If your passport expires soon, it's best to renew it before applying for an e-Visa.

Is there an option to expedite the e-visa processing time?

Yes, the e-Visa portal offers an urgent processing option for an additional fee. This can significantly reduce processing time from the standard 3-5 working days to 1-3 working days.