If you are an Austrian or Belgian citizen and want to apply for an Indian visa, you have to follow a few different steps than your average tourist or business traveler who wants to visit India on vacation or do business in India. If you plan to spend more than 180 days in India, you need to know the following details about applying for an Indian visa as an Austrian or Belgian citizen. This applies whether you are planning to visit India as a tourist, on business or visiting India and need an Indian visa that allows you to stay for more than 180 days.
How long does it take to get an Indian visa?
Getting a visa can take anywhere from three weeks to three months, but there are no guarantees. If you have been rejected once before and want to reapply, it may take six months or more. Regardless of your nationality and your circumstances, it’s best to start your application at least two months before when you plan to travel. Although it can be frustrating if your application is stuck in processing, don’t give up hope—it doesn’t mean you won’t be approved eventually! And remember that your passport should have six months left after your trip; If not, you’ll need a new one first. In short: the less time left on your current passport when applying for a new Indian visa, the longer the application process will take. Indian Visa for Citizens of Belgium
What kind of documents do I need?
At some point during your visit to India, you will need to apply for a visa. Indian embassies abroad will require you to submit original copies of all your documents, which they will photocopy and keep on file. Obtaining a visa involves providing information such as your name, age, marital status and occupation. You must provide information about your passport and proof of financial means while applying for an Indian visa as a Belgian citizen. The application process is usually straightforward; If there are any problems with your application it is up to you to resolve them.
What if my documents are in English?
All Indian Embassy and Consulate documents are available in both English and French. Applicants must submit any documents written in a language other than French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Swedish or Dutch through an accredited translation service in their country of origin. For example: If you have a birth certificate in English but you live in Austria, ask your local consulate to translate it into German. As long as it’s translated by a certified translator (who will stamp their name and address on your translated document), they’ll be able to accept it without a problem. This applies to any document (diploma/certificate/bill) not written in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian or Swedish. Indian Visa for Austrian Citizens
Can I send a copy of my passport by email?
You can send a copy of your passport by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. However, you must ensure that you have scanned your latest passport and not some other copy of an old passport otherwise we will not be able to take any further action on your application. We suggest you take a printout of that scanned copy and send it through the post office so that we can easily go back if there is any problem in scanning the page. Please note that if you send a scan by mail you should still have a printout proof of sending by registered mail/speed post.
When should I apply for my visa?
If you are planning to travel to India, you should apply for your visa at least one month in advance. Indian immigration authorities operate on a first-come, first-served basis and if you don’t apply early enough, there can be long delays. For example, last year I applied six weeks before my trip to India and was lucky enough to get my visa within two weeks. If you plan your trip closer than your departure date, it may take months to get your visa, so make sure you plan ahead.
