Indian e-Visa requirements for Bulgarian citizens
The Republic of India can be found in Asia's southernmost region. It is known for its rich local culture and unique features that give it its character. As a result of its status as a leading tourist location in Asia, visitors from all corners of the globe travel to India to get a first-hand education about the nation's history, as well as its traditions, cuisine, and way of life.
The Indian government developed the e-Visa system to entice more tourists to travel to the subcontinent. The tourism business in India is rapidly expanding. Because of this, the government has been looking into different ways to encourage people to travel. At this time, nationals of 157 different countries, including Bulgarian citizens, are eligible to apply for an e-Visa to enter India. The process of obtaining an Indian e-Visa is very straightforward and entirely online, eliminating the need to visit a local embassy or consulate.
1. Types of Indian e-Visa for Bulgarian citizens
Bulgarian travelers are able to apply for an Indian e-Visa in order to visit India. The type of e-Visa that they require will be determined by the reason for their trip.
- e-Tourist Visa: This type of visa is used to enter India for tourism, relaxation, or casual visit to relatives. The Indian tourist e-visas are divided into three types:
A 30-day tourist visa allows you to stay in the country for 30 days from the arrival date, with a double entry into the country.
If you want to stay in India for more than 30 days, you can apply for a long-term e-tourist visa, which is a 1-year and 5 years tourist visa. 1-year e Tourist visa is valid for 01 years from the issued date, allowing a continuous stay of up to 90 days, with multiple entries into India.
The 5-year e-Tourist visa allows you to enter the country as many times as you wish during the 5 years validity period, with each stay not exceeding 90 days.
- e-Business Visa: This type is utilized when you intend to conduct business or trade within India, but it is important to know that it is not legal for employment purposes. It is a multiple-entry visa, allowing you to remain in India for up to 365 days, with a continuous stay during each trip not exceeding 180 days.
- e-Conference Visa: If you intend to attend conferences organized in India, you should apply for this visa. It is valid for 04 months from the issued date with a single entrance. Holders of this visa can stay in the country for 30 days from the arrival date.
- e-Medical Visa+Medical Attendant: This sort of e-Visa is utilized when you need to receive medical treatments in India, including yoga and physical therapy. You can stay in India for up to 60 days and enter the country three times.
Bulgarian citizens are encouraged to review the different types of e-Visas available to them to ensure that they apply for the correct one.
2. Indian visa requirements for Bulgarian citizens
Bulgarian passport holders will need a valid email account, a passport, and a debit/credit card.
In addition, Bulgarian nationals are required to follow certain requirements listed below in order to submit an application for an Indian e-Visa:
- All visitors to India are required to have passports that are valid for a period of at least six months after the date of their arrival in the country
- A minimum of two blank pages must remain in the applicant's passport in order to obtain entry/exit stamps.
- A scan of the passport’s biographical page
- A personal photograph of the applicant that was taken within the last 06 months
- An email address to receive the Indian electronic visa
If any:
- For Business visas: An Invitation letter from the host and an ID card/Passport of the host.
- For Medical visas: Medical letter from an Indian hospital. Attendants must have an eVisa number from e-Medical holders to apply for this type of visa.
- For e-conference visa: An Invitation letter from the conference organizer and political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India
E-visas for India are accepted at a total of 28 airports and 5 seaports. It is permissible for travelers to start their journey from any of the designated Immigration Check Posts. Bulgarian citizens who plan to visit India for other purposes should visit the nearest Indian embassy in Bulgaira to apply for a regular visa.
3. Application for an e-Visa to India from Bulgaria
The visa details (number of visas, type of visa, port of arrival, and processing time), and personal contact (full name, gender, date of birth, nationality, and passport number) must be included on the application form. Travelers should review the information they have supplied to ensure that it corresponds to the information on their passports.
In addition, travelers are required to pay a processing fee online using a credit or debit card that is in good standing.
COVID-19 insurance is also recommended to every Bulgarian traveler, in order to keep their benefit while traveling abroad.
Once the traveler submits their application and provides enough required documents, the Indian Immigration Service team will assist them with the rest of the process. When traveling, passengers should bring at least a printed copy of their authorized e-Tourist visa in addition to their passports.
Following all of this, travelers will have an entry stamp placed on their passports, which officially approves their entry into the country.
4. Indian e-Visa fee for Bulgarian citizens
The India e-Visa Fee is a small but inevitable expense compared to the whole trip from Bulgaria to India. There are two types of fees that must be paid in order to obtain an Indian visa online: a service fee and a government fee.
According to the visa policy, a government fee is required. The government fee is different among countries. Regarding the Service fee, Indian Immigration Services offers three options based on the processing time of visa applications, and the charges are as follows:
- Normal: Visas can be obtained in a maximum of 3 business days if you choose this option.
- Urgent: If you pick this service, the processing of your visa will be within 24 hours.
- Super Urgent: This is the greatest solution for urgent situations. You can receive a visa in around 05 hours of business time.
Payment method: You have the choice of electronic payment or wire transfer (to the Bank of Cyprus). For electronic payment, you have a variety of options: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and PayPal.