About Us Visa

Consulate General of India
Chicago

Updated Advisory on Tourist Visas

  • The Government of India has decided, with immediate effect, to restore valid long duration (10 years) regular (paper) tourist visas for the nationals of USA. Fresh issue of regular (paper) long-duration (10 years) tourist visas has also been restored for nationals of USA.
  • E-Tourist visas under the three options (one month, one year and five year) which remained suspended since March 2020, shall stand restored for nationals of 156 countries. Applications for fresh e-tourist visas for eligible nationalities can also be made at the Indian E-Visa Portal [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html]
  • The current scheme of regular tourist visa/e-visa (single entry of 30 days duration) on gratis basis will be discontinued w.e.f. 1st April 2022.
  • Application for fresh tourist visa can be made as per following procedure:

E-tourist visa: Eligible foreign nationals can apply for e-tourist visa at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. [The applicant may note that the Consulate does not process e-visas and any enquiries in this regard will need to be made directly on the e-visa portal].

Regular (Paper) Tourist visa: Application for regular (paper) tourist visa from Embassy / Consulate in USA can be submitted by following the link: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind

  • Foreign nationals on tourist/e-tourist visas would be permitted to enter India only through designated Sea Immigration pCheck Posts (ICPs) or Airport ICPs by flights, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission or ‘air bubble’ scheme or by any flights as allowed by Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation. In no case, the foreign nationals will be allowed to enter through land border or riverine routes on Tourist visa/E-Tourist visa.

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Chicago
29 March 2022


Press Release

Restoration of Long Duration (10 years) Regular (Paper) Tourist Visas

The Government of India has decided to restore old valid long duration (10 years) regular (paper) tourist visas for the nationals of USA with immediate effect. Fresh issue of regular (paper) long-duration(10 years) tourist visas has also been restored for US nationals.

In addition, e-Tourist visas under the three options (one month, one year and five years), which remained suspended since March 2020, shall stand restored. Applications for fresh e-tourist visas for eligible nationalities can also be made at the Indian E-Visa Portal [https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html]

The current scheme of regular tourist visa/e-visa (one month stay only) on gratis basis will also continue.

Foreign nationals on tourist/e-tourist visas would be permitted to enter India only through designated Sea Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) or Airport ICPs  by flights, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission or ‘air bubble’ scheme or by any flights as allowed by Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation. In no case, theforeign nationals will be allowed to enter through land border or riverine routes on Tourist visa/E-Tourist visa.

Applicants are also advised to go through the guidelines for international travel to India, available at :
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf.

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Visa Services

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of India had suspended several categories of visa for travel to India. The Government has gradually revoked the suspension on several categories of visas. The details of currently permitted Visa categories are available at the link: https://www.cgichicago.gov.in/page/permitted-categories-for-travel-to-india/

It may also be noted that CKGS is no longer the service provider for the Embassy of India, Washington DC, or it’s Consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York and San Francisco. The details of currently permitted categories are available at https://www.cgichicago.gov.in/page/permitted-categories-for-travel-to-india/

Applicants requiring to travel to India are requested to visit https://www.cgichicago.gov.in/ and contact the correct office, i.e. the Embassy of India, Washington DC or the Consulates at Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York or San Francisco.

Applicants residing in the consular jurisdiction [Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota] of the Consulate General of India, Chicago and requiring urgent travel to India are requested to follow the Current Visa Guidelines.

For US diplomatic and official passport holders, please contact the Special Issuance Agency of the Department of State for procedure/guidance.

For any queries regarding visa matter for India, please send an email at visa.chicago@mea.gov.in

It may also be noted that due to the ongoing Covid pandemic, there will be no walk-in service at VFS Global until further notice. All applications shall only be dealt with by post.

Fulbright Scholars: The applicants who wish to visit India under Fulbright Scholarship may please see guidelines on the link: https://www.cgichicago.gov.in/page/fulbright-scholarships