Prisca Vaniyapilly in Travel Toolkit Visa

Countries that offer E-Visas for Indian Passport Holders

Travelling is a trend that will never go out of fashion, thanks to the availability of affordable flights and hotels, easy visa processing and budget tour packages. And with the number of countries offering e-Visas, there’s no better time than to travel now.

An eVisa is an electronic authorisation (official document) permitting entry into and travel to another country. It is an alternative to a paper-based visa issued by the Embassies. Instead of applying for a visa at the Embassy, the Immigration departments have launched an E-VISA program, which enables you to apply for a visa online. Traditional visas can take months to process and require extensive paperwork, but eVisas are processed much faster. Moreover, if your trip is urgent, you can apply for a quick eVisa and get it within hours. On completion of the visa process, you will receive your visa entirely online – without having to submit your passport for stamping. You must then print the electronic visa, to keep on hand and to present to all authorized control officers before, during and after the trip, in particular on arrival at the border posts and during your stay.

Advantages of an eVisa/ETA:

An eVisa can be obtained easily anywhere, anytime with an internet connection.
Saves time that you would otherwise spend on submitting visa applications at the Embassy.
Personal presence of the applicant not required.
You don’t have to submit your original passport or any other physical documents.
eVisas are processed much faster (within hours) then traditional visas at the Embassy.
Privacy protected and information secured for customers.
In case of loss of eVisa, it can be recovered from your mailbox.

Countries offering eVisa for Indian Passport Holders

Dubai

Dubai skyline at night
Image Credit: MDXB

Dubai is one of the most popular of the seven Emirates that makes up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the number of people travelling to Dubai increasing tremendously over the last few years, the UAE’s Ministry of Interior has launched a new online visa system, wherein you can submit an application and receive your UAE visa (Dubai visa) entirely online – without having to submit your passport. The type of visa that you require for entry into the UAE depends on several factors such as your nationality, the purpose of your planned visit and its planned duration. You can apply for 96 hours transit visa, 14 days, 30 days (popular) and 90 days (long term) Dubai Visas. Most Dubai Tourist visas are issued for a single entry. Multiple-entry visas are available for visitors who have connections with local businesses or families that require the applicant to visit frequently.

Singapore

Gardens By The Bay, Singapore
Image Credit: Stockbym

Singapore is a one of the most sought after holiday destination for all sort of travellers, be it families, honeymooners, groups etc. In order to embark on your Singapore journey, you will need a Singapore visa. The Singapore visa is an electronic visa (eVisa), the process of which is completely online. It is issued for a period of up to two (2) years with multiple entries, which begins from the date of issue of the visa. Please bear in mind that the duration of each stay in Singapore cannot exceed thirty (30) days, i.e. every time you are entering the country your passport will be accordingly stamped permitting a stay of thirty (30) days. The final decision on granting, the validity and multiplicity of the visa is made by the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoint Authority (ICA).

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Image Credit: Rudy Balasko

Malaysia is one country which is very popular among tourists. From the cosmopolitan city of Kuala Lumpur, to the cool heights of Genting Highlands, Malaysia is truly a visitor’s paradise and with the introduction of the online visa system, travelling to Malaysia has never been simpler. There are two types of Malaysia visas which can be applied online – Malaysia eNTRI Visa and Malaysia eVISA. As both visas must be applied through the online system, it makes your travel to Malaysia a simple and pleasant one. The main difference between them is – Malaysia eNTRI Visa offers you maximum fifteen (15) days stay with a single entry, while Malaysia eVISA offers you maximum thirty (30) days stay in Malaysia with multiple entries.

Thailand

Aerial view of the famous floating market in Thailand
Image Credit: Avigator Fortuner

The Government of the Kingdom of Thailand in partnership with VFS Global recently introduced the Thailand eVisa on Arrival (E-VOA) service for travelers of 21 countries, including Indians. With eVisa on Arrival facility, travelers will receive pre-approved eVisa on Arrival online before departure, and can get fast immigration clearance. Upon arrival in Thailand, travelers can then quickly pass border control using the immigration counters dedicated for E-VOA holders. The E-VOA is only available for short term tourism purpose and is issued for a single entry stay of up to fifteen (15) days. The E-VOA is valid from the date of entry as listed on the online application.

Sri Lanka

Sigiriya Lion’s Rock of Fortress in the middle of the forest in Sri Lanka
Image Credit: Radchuk O.S

Travelers planning a short stay tourism visit, a short business trip or a transit through Sri Lanka, need to apply and obtain Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) from the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo, Sri Lanka prior to arrival. The Sri Lanka ETA is valid for six (6) months from the date of issue and one can stay for thirty (30) days in Sri Lanka on each visit. Applicants are generally permitted double entries into the country with the same ETA. However this visa may be issued for single, double or multiple entries depending upon the type of visa, purpose and duration of visit

Turkey

Hot air balloons at Cappadocia, Turkey
Image Credit: givaga

The Electronic Visa (eVisa) Application System was launched on 17 April 2013 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey. This system allows Indians travelling to Turkey to easily obtain the eVisa online. In order to be eligible for an eVisa, applicants must be holders of a valid visa or residence permit of USA, UK, Schengen or Ireland. Turkey eVisa is only valid for tourism or trade purposes. For other purposes such as work or study, an application through Turkish Embassies or Consulates must be submitted. It is valid for a total period of 180 days from the date of issue and you can stay for thirty (30) days in Turkey within the visa validity. Since it is a single entry visa, you can only enter once.

Vietnam

Golden Bridge, Vietnam
Image Credit: Hien Phung Thu

Vietnam is one of the most popular countries on the bucket list of every traveler. People wishing to visit the land of Vietnam to enjoy its breath-taking mountains, vast oceans, and to bask in the allure of its enthralling ancient town ambiance will need a Vietnam visa. To simplify the visa process, the Government of Vietnam launched the eVisa program in February 2017. The evisa of Vietnam is an official document issued online by the Immigration Department of Vietnam that allows travelers to enter and travel in Vietnam for tourism purposes. It is a single entry visa and valid for thirty (30) days from the date of arrival.

Kenya

Giraffes and Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya
Image Credit: Volodymyr Burdiak

If a luxurious safari-style vacation is what you need for your next travel, then Kenya is the best place to go and just like other countries, it requires a visa. Citizens of 148 countries including Indians are eligible for a Kenya eVisa (electronic visa). Kenya eVisas are issued to travellers visiting Kenya for tourism, business or medical reasons. It is a single entry visa with a validity of three (3) months from the date of issue. You can travel to Kenya within ninety (90) days of issuance. Consequently, the concerned immigration authorities stamp the passport allowing the person to stay in Kenya for a period of maximum ninety (90) days.

Cambodia

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Image Credit: Dmitry Rukhlenko

Due to the increasing tourism in Cambodia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia introduced the Cambodia eVisa (Electronic Visa) in April 2006. Cambodia eVisas can only be issued for tourism purposes. It is valid for three (3) months and an eVisa holder is entitled to stay up for up to thirty (30) days in Cambodia. The eVisa is a single entry visa and can only be used once for travel to Cambodia.

Myanmar

Pagodas and Temples of Bagan World Heritage Site, Myanmar.
Image Credit: Avigator Fortuner

Other than Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam that most travelers prefer for a holiday, Myanmar is now a rising star in Southeast Asia, for those who love stunning pagodas, diverse local cultures, and rustic thrilling sceneries. The easiest way to get a Myanmar visa is via the online eVisa system. The Myanmar eVisa system was implemented by the Government of Burma in 2014. The eVisa system allows travelers to apply online and have an approved eVisa Travel Authorization (ETA) to gain expedited entry upon arrival to the country. The eVisa is available for citizens of eligible countries to visit Myanmar for tourism and business purposes. It allows a single entry stay of up 28 days and is valid for three (3) months from the date of issue.

We hope this list inspires you to get out there and travel, coz it’s that simple. So don’t forget to apply online.

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