I need a Tourist Visa???

Yes you do! And let me tell you, this is something that you want to take care of first and foremost. Without the tourist visa, you cannot enter India! For Canadians, all the information you need is centered at the Indian Visa and Consular Services website (VFS Global) at the following link:   http://in.vfsglobal.ca/

A few words of caution to take note of:

1. When you print the application, be sure to print the two pages required to fill out on the same piece of paper (two sided). The checklist must also be sent in, but print that by itself. You can find the application here:   http://in.vfsglobal.ca/images/VisaApplicationForm.pdf  NOTE: you need Adobe Reader for this to open.

2. When filling it in, you must use a black pen (BIC works great) and everything must be in CAPITALS.

3. You cannot leave any blank spaces. If something doesn't apply to you, write N/A.

4. There are a few questions on the application that can be confusing. I'll get to those in a moment.

5. You will need a photo, passport style (face forward), cut into a dimension of 35mm x 35mm.

6. You need to have a minimum of 190 days remaining on your passport. If not, renew it first!

7. And yes, you do need to mail your passport with the application forms.

8. It would be wise to add a cover letter explaining your reasons for the visit amongst other things.

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Now, there are few questions that caused me no end of grief and no end of bad on-hold music waiting for an explanation. Here are the things you'll need to know:

1. Question #19 - You want a multiple entry visa valid for 6 months. Always choose this, in case you want to travel outside India. Be warned... if you do leave though, there is a 2 month delay before you are allowed to re-enter India. There are circumstances where this can be bypassed, but it's apparently a whole tangle of red tape.

2. Question #22 - If you are a tourist as I am, you will only need to print your name in APPLICANT field. Everything else will be N/A. Unless you have a cellphone that is... put that number under your name. All the sponser fields will definately be N/A.

3. Question #24 - Write N/A here for all three if you dont have family or friends to stay with in India. The reasons will be explained in greater detail below, but suffice it to say, if you're following my method, you won't have booked a hotel yet, so you can't tell them where you're staying...

4. At the bottom, there is a solid black line. Below it are places to fill in. Tel is your mobile number, and Res is your home phone. Dont forget to sign it at the bottom!

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Why did you put N/A in #24? Like I said, the visa should come first. Without it, you shouldn't be booking hotels or flights. Since you haven't done that yet, you need to explain in a cover letter, attached with the application, as to why that field is N/A.

Best way to explain the missing details is this: You wanted to get the visa before you booked your flight or reserved hotels. Tell them about your plans for going (the usual stuff about seeing monuments, and experiencing the culture and places, etc). You cannot fill out false info in the application, so don't put anything when you don\'t have anything concrete to write (N/A is your friend) - just be aware that you will need a cover letter and you will have to explain why the NAs are there.

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Mailing it in - use the website instructions on how to send in your application. They are very straight forward. For Canadians, the visa's total cost (Ontario and Quebec) is 83.75, which should be sent as a Canadian Postal Money Order (info is on the site too!). Be sure you have your passport, your application, your checklist (signed!!!!!), your cover letter, your photo (attached to the application), your money order (filled out correctly) and a return envelope (instructions on site too). Once you have all of that, tuck them into the requisite envelope and mail it off. Be aware you need TWO envelopes. One to send in and one to get your stuff back with.

If all goes well, you should have your visa and passport back within 10 - 12 days. Once you have that, the rest will start falling into place VERY quickly!!! Trust me...