How long is an unused visa for India valid? (page 1 of 2)

Hi everyone, Two years ago, I got a 5-year visa. But I had to change my plans and haven’t used it yet. Do you think it’s still valid? I’d like to go to India at the beginning of the year. I’ve got a big doubt. Do you know where I can find this info? Thanks a bunch!

Hi Lula, If it weren’t you, I wouldn’t have replied, thinking it was a troll prank... If you applied for a 5-year visa two years ago but never used it, I assume you didn’t actually go to India. In that case, YOU DID NOT OBTAIN A VISA—which is only issued upon arrival in India. What you received was an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) that’s only valid for 4 months!!! I’m surprised because you’re not naive, and all this is clearly explained on the official website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in So you’ll need to start the process all over again. Just do it. And this time, make sure to read everything carefully, especially the photo and document requirements for uploads. Good luck

Helloooo, Thanks for replying—really appreciate it! You’ll see they use the term e-visa. But your answer’s got me even more confused: I got this by email back then (hiding personal details):

Nationality :- FRANCE Visa Type :- e-Visa Service Name :- eTOURIST VISA No. of Entries :- Multiple

Date of issue of ETA :- December 28th, 2022 Date of expiry of ETA :- December 27th, 2027 Visa Processing Fee Paid (Excluding Bank Charges) :- $80 e-Visa Validity period is 5 Years from the date of issuance of this ETA.

When I check their site now:

Application Status :- Granted ETA Number : (deleted) Nationality :- FRANCE Visa Type :- e-Visa Service Name :- eTOURIST VISA No. of entries :- Multiple Activities Permitted :-

Recreation/Sight-Seeing

?????

I emailed them to ask... of course, no reply.

Well, yes, it's the ETA! It's valid for 4 months. That means once you've obtained it (Granted), you can (must) travel within 4 months, and your VISA is only issued upon arrival. Make sure to arrive at one of the airports listed as possible entry points. You seem to doubt me, that's not very nice. You can trust me. I'm experienced and I don’t just say anything... Otherwise, I wouldn’t have replied to your message. But didn’t you download/print your ETA when you received it? Everything is written on it...

It's not that I doubt you, it's just that I dread Indian bureaucracy.

If I hear anything, I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Your visa is still valid; you may travel on this eVisa.

Regards, eVisa support center

Okay, I’m totally lost now because what you’re talking about is the ETA. And the ETA is only valid for 4 months after you receive it! But you got yours in 2022. Let’s hope they understood you correctly. Especially since everyone who read my reply agrees with me! 😏 I really hope everything goes smoothly when you arrive... I feel like such an idiot !

Same here, I feel the same way...

I don’t know what to do. If I trust their answer, I’ll be freaking out until I’m on the plane.

So, for my peace of mind, I’ll probably apply for another one...

As for your flight... our little secret. 😉

At the same time, it’s not surprising because they’re very strict about photo requirements: white or light background, no smiling, shoulders only, no chest visible, the face must take up almost the entire photo frame, etc...

Yet, I know a young woman who submitted a photo with a black background, a big smile, and her entire upper body visible down to her chest—basically the exact opposite of what’s required. Normally, her photo should’ve been rejected, and so should her visa application. But she got her ETA approved in 48 hours!!!

Or, as a friend told me, maybe they’re getting so few applications and so few Western tourists in India that they’re no longer strict about their paperwork requirements.

Me too, I think the same way...

I don’t know what to do. If I trust their answer, I’ll be freaking out until I’m on the plane.

So, for my peace of mind, I’ll probably apply for another one..

As for your air... let’s keep that between us.😉

No, my air conditioning isn’t just between us because I know several people at least have read—and approved—my reply.

Me too, I think the same as you...

I don’t know what to do. If I trust their response, I’ll be freaking out until I’m on the plane.

So, for my peace of mind, I’ll probably apply for another one...

As for your air... let’s keep that between us. ;)

On top of that, they add another layer in their requirements, specifying that the ETA IS NOT THE VISA and doesn’t guarantee that the visa will be automatically granted upon arrival. Which airport are you arriving at? Anyway, make sure to print this response in case you run into any issues upon arrival to prove your good faith.

Please, Anémone17, chime in and give your opinion! You too, Vagam0nde. I really messed up and I'm not reliable.

For the airport, it'll probably be Mumbai. Or Goa. Or Bangalore. Or Kochi. Not sure. Actually, more likely Kochi.

good evening lula, hello everyone just read carefully above:

Date of issue of ETA: December 28th, 2022 Date of expiry of ETA: December 27th, 2027 Visa Processing Fee Paid (Excluding Bank Charges): $80 e-Visa Validity period is 5 Years from the date of issuance of this ETA.

which shows the ETA expiry date, i.e., December 27th, 2027 so it’s valid! sorry marien, but that’s what’s written! and have a great trip, lula!

Hello VagamOnde, So kind of you to chime in. And good call by Marien to tag you. So you’d say it’s all good. Not sure if that reassures me or not. What would you do in my shoes? Would you head straight to the airport?

hi lula, yeah, I’d leave without worrying. but since I’m no longer in India and have never done an e-visa, things often change in these processes, so it’s best to read carefully.

yes, thanks!

I’m sorry, Lula, if I worried you and if I said something silly. Regarding what I said about the ETA being valid for 4 months, it might have been my misinterpretation of this: For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years), e-Business Visa, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, applicants from eligible countries/territories can apply online at least 4 days before the date of arrival. Applications can be made up to 120 days in advance of the proposed travel date. (ii) For e-Tourist Visa (30 days), applicants from eligible countries/territories can apply online at least 4 days before the date of arrival. Applications can be made up to 30 days in advance of the proposed travel date. I interpreted that you *had* to travel within 120 days after applying. I assumed you’d given your arrival date in India within that 120-day window, even though you’re traveling 2 years later...

I read all the fine print at the bottom of the ETA page, including this: This electronic travel authorization does not entitle you to guaranteed entry into India. Your entry can still be refused upon arrival. That’s what made me say the ETA is a travel authorization, but it’s not the visa. The actual visa will be the little sticker pasted in your passport. Basically, after reading that, I concluded the ETA is granted, but the real visa isn’t *really* confirmed until you arrive at the destination airport. I’m truly, sincerely sorry if I freaked you out, and I wish you a great trip and hope everything goes smoothly when you arrive. Let us know how it goes here, I hope! From now on, I’ll refrain from answering questions like this where everyone has their own interpretation of Indian requirements and regulations.

excuse marien, but that's what it says! and have a great trip lula!

I'm particularly surprised that you're saying the opposite here of what you privately agreed with about my intervention. And I congratulate you for reassuring Lula, whom I’ve upset so much.

given that I'm no longer in India and having never done an e-visa, things often change in these processes, so it's important to read carefully.

It's true that you, who have never applied for an e-visa and haven’t traveled in several years, are in a better position to talk about e-visa requirements. And it's too bad that I read all the fine print carefully and with my long experience of the Indian administration's rigidity and complications.

Marien, don’t be sorry, please. I asked this question because I was unsure myself, and I vaguely remembered that the validity was limited. On the contrary, thank *you* for taking the time to reply and letting us exchange thoughts. I’ll definitely share later what I ended up doing and whether I re-entered India with this e-visa or another one.