Indian eVisa for Burundian Citizens: Important Tips to Check
India is one of the most visited countries in the world and if you’re a citizen of Burundi, you can visit the country in the easiest way possible with the Indian eVisa, introduced by the Indian Government in 2014 to make traveling to India easier.
Currently, 171 countries are eligible to apply for an Indian eVisa, and Burundi is one of these countries. This eVisa is the preferred option for most people because the complete application process is online. You do not have to visit any consulate or the embassy. After finishing your online form, you’ll get an online approval at your email address.
Do Burundian Citizens Need an eVisa to Enter India?
Any Burundian citizen who wishes to travel to India needs a visa. But for a few purposes, you can just apply for an Indian eVisa, saving you time and money. If you wish to go to India for tourism, business, meetings, or conferences, to get medical treatment, or for transit, then you can apply for an Indian eVisa right from your home. But if your reason to travel is something other than these purposes, you will have to apply for a normal visa.
Remember that no matter what the age, all the people travelling from Burundi to India need to have a passport and visa to enter India. So, if you’re traveling with children, you have to ensure that they have their own passport and eVisa with them.
5 Indian eVisa Categories
To make the entire process of applying for an Indian eVisa and getting the approval faster, the Indian government has divided eVisas into five categories. When you apply for your Indian eVisa, you must apply for the right category.
Tourist eVisa
If you want to travel to India just to explore the variety of monuments and other tourist activities, you have to apply for a tourist eVisa. If you want to meet your family members or friends, even then you can apply for a tourist eVisa. This visa offers three different validities – 30-day validity, 1-year validity, 5-year validity. According to your reason and how much time you want to spend in India, you can choose one of the validity mentioned above.
Business eVisa
If you’re traveling to India for business purposes, like attending a conference or a meeting or maybe an event, you have to apply for a business eVisa. The validity of this visa is 1 year starting from the approval date. You must remember that you have an overall 180 days to stay in India within this validity period available to you.
Medical eVisa
If you are a patient and need urgent/emergency treatment, you need to apply for a medical eVisa. This Indian eVisa is short-term and is valid for only 60 days. Within these 60 days, you can enter the country three times.
Medical Attendant eVisa
If you’re somebody who is traveling with a patient getting medical treatment in India, you can apply for a medical attendant eVisa. Every person who has an Indian medical eVisa is allowed to visit India with two medical attendance. This visa is also valid for 60 days and allows you to enter the country three times during the validity period.
Transit eVisa
If you’re transiting India to reach another country and want to explore India quickly before you move on to your destination country, then you need to apply for a transit eVisa. You need to apply for this visa only if you prepare to depart the airport or the seaport. If you are not going to leave, then you do not need to apply for any visa.
These eVisa types have been created to make the process easier and quicker. Ensure that you choose the correct eVisa category when applying for the visa or your application may either delay or get rejected.
Documents Required Before to Filling an Indian eVisa Application
Passport
You must have a passport that is applicable for six months or more from the day you plan to enter India. There should be about two empty pages in your passport for stamps. In addition to these, you also need to make sure that your passport is ordinary or regular. You cannot apply for an Indian eVisa with a diplomatic passport.
Photograph
Your photograph is an extremely important document that has a range of specific requirements you need to fulfil. Your photograph should not be older than six months. In addition to the photograph being recent, have a look at all the other important requirements for the photograph.
Email Address
When you fill the Indian eVisa application, you’ll also have to share your email ID. You must make sure that the email address you share is the one you have access to at all times. The email address you share will receive all the information related to the application, like the confirmation email, the status of your application, if there is a need for change in the application, and your approval letter.
Credit/Debit Card
Since the entire process for the application of Indian eVisa is done online, you also have to pay the visa fee online. Different websites offer different payment modes, but mostly all the websites have credit card or debit card options. So it’s best that you keep a working debit/credit card with you.
Return Ticket
You must have a return ticket as well. It will serve the purpose of proving that you plan to leave the country within the time you’re allowed.
Financial proof
You will also need to show proof that you have sufficient money to support yourself during your stay in India. For this, you can use your last three bank statements.
Additional Information You Must know
Depending on the eVisa category you’re applying for, you will need some more documents:
- If you’re going to apply for a medical eVisa, you must have a letter from the hospital where you are planning to get the treatment. Make sure that the letterhead is clear.
- If you’re applying for a business visa, you must have a letter and business card of the company you’re working with. Make sure the letterhead is clear to see
- If you’re planning to stay with your family members or friends, you must have a letter of invitation from them.
Other than these documents, you should also know the following:
- Make sure to not overstay your eVisa limit or you may have to pay a heavy fine or in the worst-case scenario, you’ll be banned from entering the country.
- You cannot apply for any university degree program with an eVisa. You can also not get employment during this time. If your intention is to get a job in India or study a degree course, you will have to apply for a standard visa.
- You’re not allowed to visit the military or cantonment area with an eVisa. For this, you will need special permission.
- For more convenience, carry a printout of your approval letter with you that you get through your email.
Steps to Apply for Indian eVisa
The application process for an Indian eVisa is very simple and quick, given that you have all the documents mentioned above.
- Go to the online eVisa website—official or a reliable one
- Fill the application form with complete care. Remember to cross check everything before moving onto the next step
- Pay the application fee. Since this charge is non-refundable, be sure to include all relevant information.
- Submit the form.
With all the information, you’re ready to apply for your Indian eVisa application. If you still have some concerns, visit the Indian Visa Online Helpdesk.