I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but I’ll say it again: there are few countries in the world as bureaucratic as India. In fact, trying to get an Indian visa as a Belgian or Australian citizen can be downright terrifying… especially if you don’t know what you’re doing! I definitely sympathize with those who have been turned away at the airport in India because they didn’t have the right paperwork on them, so that’s why I wrote this guide on how to get an Indian Visa for Australian Citizens. Check it out!
How do I find out if I need a visa?
Have you done your research to figure out whether you need a visa? While in some cases it’s obvious (say, if you’re moving between countries in North America), other times it can be less clear. For example, certain countries issue visas on arrival for their residents but not for others. It pays to do your homework before heading overseas! To make things easier, start by checking out our travel advice for Belgium and Australia. If there is information about needing visas in those articles, then you will definitely need one when traveling between these two countries—and you can learn more about how and where to apply below. Indian Visa for Belgian Citizens
Where do I apply for my visa?
This guide will take you through everything you need to know about getting an Indian visa from Australia or Belgium, including what type of visa you need, how long it takes, and who is eligible. Read on for everything you need to know about obtaining a travel visa for India. The Indian Consulate General in Melbourne issues visas for all people living in Victoria and Tasmania. However, Indians living outside of these two regions must apply at one of five Indian Consulates: New Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), and Hyderabad. The first step in applying for an Indian visa is getting your documents together.
When should I apply?
If you’re traveling from Belgium, you’ll need to apply for your visa within three months of your arrival date. If you’re traveling from Australia, on the other hand, you’ll need to apply at least four months in advance. This may seem like it gives Belgians more time than Australians, but keep in mind that all Indians must first get pre-approval for their visa before they leave for India. That usually takes about 10 business days—but if things don’t go according to plan it can take up to four weeks. So if you have travel plans booked within those limits (or even close), make sure to start applying early!
What are documents required?
The short answer is yes, you can pay by card in most places. The long answer? Be sure to double-check with your bank and credit card company, because some cards charge extra fees if they’re used abroad. The other important thing is to make sure that any foreign transaction fees won’t eat up all of your savings. Most banks are upfront about their transaction fees and will either include them in the exchange rate or separately on your bill. The last thing you want is for something like paying for dinner one night in India (which might only cost a few dollars) to throw off your budget big time! Make sure you know before you go whether you can use your card when traveling abroad so that you have time to plan ahead of time if there are any extra charges.
Can I pay by card?
Most of our customers are able to pay for their visas by credit card; however, a few countries and individuals may not be eligible for credit card payments. These options will depend on your nationality and location at the time of application. Please contact us directly by emailing us at [email protected] with any questions you have about payment. We’ll be happy to assist you!
Do I need medical insurance?
Indian law requires that you have medical insurance. Indian citizens are also required to show proof of medical insurance when they check-in for their flight. Your insurance needs must be met before your visa will be issued; otherwise, you will not be able to travel with your visa. If you’re traveling on business, then it is quite easy for you because most companies offer blanket medical coverage that can easily provide you with a clean bill of health by simply adding yourself to their registry.
How long does it take?
This can vary based on your situation and which consulate you’re dealing with. But it usually takes at least a month (sometimes more) to process your visa application—and that’s from when you apply, not from when you send in your passport. There can be additional delays if there are any problems with your application; for example, if you don’t include all of the required documents, it could take weeks before they let you know what’s missing and how to fix it. Indian visa applicants aren’t given any kind of priority over other non-Indian passport holders so even if there is a backlog of applications, they will still have no choice but to wait. It also depends on how busy each consulate is.