Securing Indian Visa More Challenging For Aussie Travelers

Friday, 10th October 2014 at 04:05am

Although India is currently mulling the lifting of its visa restrictions to most countries around the world, for now, Aussie travelers may have to wait a little bit longer until that happens.

In what seems to be an unwelcome news to Aussie travelers, India has recently changed its policy in visa applications for Australian citizens wanting to visit India. The new policy no longer allows walk-in applications as well as applications coursed through a registered mail.

Starting December this year, Aussies will need to make an appointment first with any of the six India Passport & Visa Service Centres (IPVSCs) across the country by calling the office for their schedule. As soon as the appointment date arrives, an applicant needs to appear in person before the official to get his digital picture and fingerprints taken.

The six IPVSCs in Australia are located in the following major cities: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. The centers are open on Monday through Friday, between 8:30AM and 3PM (local time). Releasing of visas, however, is only scheduled between 12 noon and 3PM daily except Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Residents of other major Australian cities such as Cairns, Darwin, Gold Coast and Hobart will have to bear the burden of traveling to and from the designated centers just to obtain their Indian visa.

Aside from the tedious legwork of traveling, either by land or air, between their place of residence and the India Passport & Visa Service Center, applicants will also need to cough up more dollars for their accommodation, food, transport, and other expenses apart from the visa-related expenses.

Currently, India requires applicants to pay a compulsory $2 for the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) and a service center fee of $4.60 on top of the $399 for the visa itself. If an applicant uses a credit card to pay, it would be an additional dollars deducted from his account.

Since the IPVSCs are located far from the airport, applicants will need to fork out more dollars for their transportation costs. They might also need to stay close to the center so as to come on time for their appointed schedule, so they need to get a hotel room nearby as well.

By: Pete Lee.