Being an ex-pat can be expensive, especially if you’re going to live in India, where the cost of living can be quite high. One of the best ways to keep your budget low while in India is to make sure you have an India visa before you arrive. The following guide will walk you through how to get an India visa as a Portuguese citizen or as a Dutch citizen, including what documentation and paperwork you’ll need to fill out and whether or not you’ll need to visit an Indian embassy in person or if you can do it all online.
Required Documents
You will need to provide at least two documents proving your ties to either India, Netherlands, or Portugal: A letter from your employer stating that you are going to work in India and specifying your salary and responsibilities. Your letter must have a seal from your employer. It must also state how long you’ll be there and that you’re being sent by your employer; A letter from one of your relatives stating that they are financially responsible for supporting you while you’re in India. This is optional, but it helps show ties between Portugal/Netherlands and India. India Visa for Netherlands Citizens
Applying at the Indian Embassy in The Hague, NL
The Netherlands has two Indian embassies, one in The Hague and one in Amsterdam. Both these consulates are open Monday through Friday, with The Hague office opening at 9:00 am and closing at 1:00 pm and the Amsterdam office opening at 10:00 am and closing at 2:00 pm. During high volume times such as June and July, it is best to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing time to allow enough time to process your application. Applicants should apply between 3-5 working days before departure if they want same-day service, otherwise, they should plan on applying 5-7 working days before their travel date.
Applying at the Indian Consulate in Amsterdam, NL
All applications must be done in person at India House, Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230-232, 1012 DA Amsterdam (City Center). Bring two passport-sized photos with your name and date of birth written on them. You may have to pay to have these photos taken depending on where you live. A receipt will serve as proof that you had your pictures taken. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in India and have at least one blank page available to affix your visa stamps upon entry into India. India Visa for Portuguese Citizens
Processing Time – Best Case Scenario
The Embassy estimates it takes up to 20 working days to process your visa application once you’ve mailed in your form. If everything goes smoothly, you should receive your India visa by mail in 20 business days. Things don’t always go smoothly, however, so let’s run through some worst-case scenarios and figure out how long it might take. Your trip is fast approaching, you haven’t applied yet—what do you do? The Indian embassy suggests sending in your documents anyway (it won’t hurt) with a note that says: I am still interested in traveling to India. Please process my application at your earliest convenience. While it’s not guaranteed that they’ll expedite your case, there’s nothing to lose by asking!
Tips For Avoiding Delays
If you’re applying to India as a citizen of The Netherlands or Portugal, you may need to apply for separate visas depending on your situation. In general, citizens of these countries can apply directly to India, but if they plan to visit both India and neighboring Nepal, they should use their Indian passports. This is due to visa complications that arise when traveling between India and Nepal using passports from other countries. For example, if you have a non-Indian passport and enter Nepal from India on December 30th with a tourist visa valid until February 15th, then attempt to re-enter India using your Indian passport before that date without leaving Nepal—you may be refused entry into Indian territory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Visas are administered by each country, and getting answers to your questions can be difficult. Indian Embassies are generally good about keeping websites up-to-date with visa information; however, it is usually hard to find information on visas that aren’t sponsored by employers. Here are some of our most commonly asked questions about India Visas for Netherlands Citizens and Portugal Citizens