Visas for UK delegates
Here are some guidelines for applying for the visa that most of you will need for this workshop.
Main points:
You should apply for a business e-Visa (electronic visa)
Apply as soon as possible It may take you up to 2 hours to fill in the forms and provide the requested information, so plan accordingly Visa type: business e-Visa. This scheme does not require you to send your passport away, and you get a decision within 72 hours.Before starting your online application, make sure you have these things at hand or are ready to provide them:
1. A recent colored photograph in jpg format (less than 1MB in size). You can take this on your phone against a white background (instructions are provided when you come to upload the photo).
2. A scanned copy of the information-part of your passport containing personal particulars (in PDF format) 3. A copy of your Business Card (in PDF format - I just photographed mine and re-saved as a PDF) 4. The details of your last Indian visa (application number, issue date) if you have applied for an Indian visa beforeThen apply for an e-Visa following these steps:
Fill in the online e-Visa application form at this link or by copy-pasting this URL: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html and then clicking "Apply here for e-visa" at the bottom of the page.
The online application consists of a series of forms that you need to complete (you can save and go back after completing each part, and you will be emailed a code to retrieve your application). There is quite a bit of information to enter and this might take you 1-2 h to complete. Here are some tips that are hopefully helpful to navigate the page:
First Form
For most of you, these options will be appropriate:
Port of Arrival: MUMBAI AIRPORT (be careful not to select "Mumbai Seaport")
Visa Service: eBUSINESS
Under the options that then appear, select: ATTEND TECHNICAL/BUSINESS MEETINGS (do not choose "TO DELIVER LECTURES UNDER GIAN")
Second Form
Personal and passport information (missing information or incorrectly formatted entries will be highlighted in red). I will email you with a copy of my successful application so that you can see what sort of information you should enter. Some of the fields are character-limited.
Third Form
Questions about your address and family. Be prepared to provide detailed information regarding your parents and spouse.
Under "Present Occupation", College/University Teacher should be most appropriate for most of you.
Fourth Form
Asks you about where you will visit. Again, I suggest that you copy my application here:
Places to be visited: Mumbai, Pune. If you are going anywhere else, please add this in.
Under "Details of Indian Firm" please write:
Name: IISER Pune
Address, phone number: DR HOMI BHABHA ROAD PUNE, 009125908000
Website: WWW.IISERPUNE.AC.IN/
You will also need to enter similar details for your own place of work (both personal and institutional). Please be aware that the box "Address, phone number" can contain no other punctuation apart from the comma separating the address and phone number, otherwise the form won't allow you to progress. These boxes are also rather character-limited.
Fifth Form
Asks a few yes/no questions. The default answer should be in most cases be the wrong choice.
You will then be asked to upload a photo (as a jpg) and other documents (as PDFs) - please make sure the max/min file sizes are followed.
Then confirm your details and progress to payment. You will need to pay for your own visa and then claim this expense back after the workshop.
Payment
This should cost $100 for a UK passport holder (the cost may be different if you are travelling on a different passport). You can pay through PayPal if you want. I selected "SBI e-pay", which worked, but was a little confusing. More details of this are in the email I will send you.
After Payment
If payment is successful, then a few minutes after paying you should receive an email: "Status regarding e-visa...." saying that your application has been received. All being well, you will then receive another email within 72 hours saying that the visa has been granted. When this happens, I recommend that you go back to https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html and click on "Check your visa Status" at the bottom of the page. This shows you the "Granted" status and allows you to print out your actual e-Visa. You MUST print this form out and bring it with you to the airport. You will then need to show this and your passport at Indian customs in order to enter India.
In Partnership with
This work was supported by a Researcher Links Grant 2018-RLWK10-10242, under the Newton-Bhabha Fund. The grant is funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Royal Society of Chemistry, and delivered by the British Council. For further information, please visit www.newtonfund.ac.uk
