Not sure how to apply for Indian Visa from Australia ?

Below you will find all the relevant visa application information, offical sites’ links and helpline numbers which will help you complete your visa application.

All Indian visa applications from Australia are managed by VFS global website – website of India Passport & Visa Services Center in Australia. VFS Services Australia Pty Ltd is a trusted partner to “The Government of India” in Australia and manages the administrative function of the Visa, Passport, OCI, PCC, IDLV & other Miscellaneous Services application process.

Checkout Indian Visa Information website . Through this website, applicants can complete their application for the following services:

  • Visa Information
  • Passport Information
  • OCI Information
  • Consular Miscellaneous Services

Once you are at their site, you can select the type of visa you are planning to apply and the site takes you through the step by step process of application. Firstly, they will give you a list of the documents that you will need for your visa and then gives you the application process.

The site is self explanatory and you will get all the information you need. Though, if you get stuck, you can call their helpline.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLERS IN INDIA

Most travellers experience no problems during their stay in India, but if they do, the Consular & Passport Section of the Australian High Commission can provide a range of advice and assistance from issuing emergency passports, assist in cases of accident, serious illness or death, witness and certify documents, etc. However, we are unable to arrange any of your travel or hotel bookings, get you visas, pay private bills, legal costs or fines, get you out of goal or provide legal advice. The High Commission is however; always ready to assist in the case of an emergency. By law we must charge fees for certain services such as notarial acts, certifying documents, certificates of no impediment and producing introduction letters.

Travellers are recommended to observe precautions travelling in the country covered by the advice. For travel advice please visit: www.smartraveller.gov.au.

It is recommended that you register with the High Commission if you intend to stay in India for sometime. You can register yourself with the High Commission on-line at www.orao.dfat.gov.au.

HELPLINE Details: 

03 8593 9124

Available 9:00 – 15:30 (Australian Eastern Standard Time, Mon-Fri on all working days)

Email id : visainfo.inau@vfshelpline.com

NOTE: The information including contact details may have changed since this page was created. Please check the official site for the latest information and updates. The Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai & Chennai are also equipped to provide consular services. Contact details of the Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai & Chennai are –

Australian Consulate General, Chennai

9th Floor, Express Chambers
Express Avenue Estate, Whites Road, Royapettah
Chennai 600014
Tel: +91 44 4592 1300; Fax: +91 44 4592 1320

Australian Consulate-General, Mumbai

Level 10, A Wing
Crescenzo Building
Opp MCA Cricket Club
G Block, Plot C 38-39
Bandra Kurla Complex
Mumbai 400 051
Tel: +91 22 6757 4900; Fax: +91 22 6757 4955

GENERAL INFORMATION:

WARNING: PRISON SENTENCES FOR POSSESSION OR USE OF NARCOTICS IN INDIA CAN BE SEVERE. IF CONVICTED OF AN OFFENCE UNDER INDIA’S NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ACT (NDPS) 1985, THE MINIMUM SENTENCE IS TEN YEARS IN PRISON IN INDIA.

PASSPORTS:

Your passport is a valuable document which identifies you as an Australian citizen and provides evidence of your date of entry into India. It should be safeguarded with the utmost care. Many Australian passports have been lost or stolen in India and can only be replaced after a thorough investigation. An application for a new passport must be lodged in person. In the absence of supporting documentation (e.g. birth, citizenship, marriage certificates etc), a limited validity passport is issued. You must report the theft/loss of an Australian passport to the police station that has jurisdiction for the area in which the passport was lost or stolen. This report is required for obtaining Indian visa in the replacement passport.

E-Passport

As part of Australia’s continuing strategy to combat identity fraud, crime and to protect the integrity of our passport issuing system, the Australian Government has, on 24 October 2005, introduced a new passport called an ‘ePassport’.

The ‘ePassport’ will contain a micro chip which will be embedded in the middle pages of the passport. The applicant’s digitised photograph is stored on the chip. The chip also stores the name, sex, date and place of birth, passport number, and the passport issue and expiry dates. This is the same information that appears on the passport data page of every passport. A digital key protects the stored data from alteration and mitigates the threat of photo substitution.

As the ePassport uses the applicant’s photograph to generate biometric information that is stored on the chip, it is essential that the photographs provided with the application comply with recognised international standards. If the photographs provided do not comply with standards the application will be delayed as new photographs will have to be submitted in the required format.

Note: If your passport is lost or stolen not only do you have to replace the passport, but you must apply at the nearest local Foreigners Registration Office for the replacement of your Indian visa. This can take some time to complete. The contact details for the New Delhi office is given below.

INDIAN VISAS

Australian nationals require a valid visa for entry into India, either as a tourist or in transit or in any other capacity. With effect from July 1990, persons coming to India for business purposes can be granted a business visa valid for five years subject to a cumulative stay of ninety days, but valid for multiple entries during the validity of the visa. A tourist visa cannot be converted to a student visa or a resident visa. You must re-apply for an entry visa outside India. This visa is then converted to a student or resident visa.

According Indian visa authorities, regsitration is required within 14 days of arrival in India for visas valid for more than 180 days. This can be done at the Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office (FRRO) closest to your base in India. Check with the FRRO in New Delhi which is located at East Block VIII, Level II, R K Puram, Sector -1 , Vivekananda Marg, New Delhi. Telephone: 26711443, Timings are 9.30 am to 4.00 pm (lunch 1.00pm to 1.30 pm) for details of any formalities with which you must comply.

Do not let your visa expire as you could be arrested, fined and jailed.

VISA EXTENSIONS UP TO 6 MONTHS: You should contact the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, East Block VIII, Level II, R K Puram, Sector – 1, Vivekananda Marg, New Delhi. Telephone: 91-11-26711443.

VISA EXTENSIONS OF MORE THAN 6 MONTHS: Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigner’s Division), NDCC-II Building, Jai Singh Road, Off Parliament Street (Near Jantar Mantar) New Delhi 110001. Tel: +91 11 23438034, 23438037, 23438048, Fax: +91 11 23438033, 23438046, Email: visasupport@nic.in.
A personal appearance is absolutely necessary.

CURRENCY: If you arrive with USD2,500 or more (or the equivalent) you should declare it on arrival on a currency declaration form which is to be attested by a Customs Officer. Import or export of Indian Rupees is prohibited.

AIRPORT TAX: An airport departure tax is Rs.500 per person, check to see whether this fee has been included in the price of your ticket. If not, you will be required to pay the departure tax. If travelling to neighbouring countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Maldives Islands, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka) and coming back to India then it is Rs.150 otherwise it is Rs.300.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS IN INDIA: The speed and reliability of a transfer of funds from a bank in Australia to a bank in India will often depend on the specific bank concerned and whether the Indian bank is an agent of the transmitting bank. If it is not, the transfer may take considerably longer and can go astray.

Telegraphic transfers from Australia can however generally be arranged within two working days although in cases of emergency it can sometimes be done within 24 hours. Western Union (Travelex in Australia) will transfer funds quickly and can be waiting for you in 2 hours from the time of deposit in Australia.

Main issuing Banks and Agents:

American Express
A-Block, Conn aught Place,
Hamilton House
New Delhi.
Tel: 95124 2801 800 / 98109 00800
Thomas Cook Limited
Hotel Imperial,
Janpath,
New Delhi
Tel: 23342171, 23360564.
Western Union, (SITA)
F-12 Conn aught Place,
New Delhi.
Tel: 2331 1122.
Visa
Signature Towers,
Ground Floor, South City -1, NH-8
Gurgaon – 122001
Haryana
Tel: 95124 2581 937 / 2581 934
Fax: 95124 2581 935
Email: zmdel@andhrabank.co.in
MasterCard
Central Bank of India,
Link House,
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg,
New Delhi.
Tel: 2331 9280.

LOST CREDIT CARDS OR TRAVELLERS’ CHEQUES – Emergency numbers

Contact your bank directly if your credit card is stolen or misused. Bank websites may provide specific information on credit card security or loss, along with contact numbers.

Please note the following numbers can be called reverse charges (through an operator) and 24 hours a day, except where noted.

Banks

ANZ Bank + 61 3 9683 7043 (reverse charges from overseas)

http://www.anz.com/personal/credit-cards/existing-card-holders/how/lost-stolen-cards/

Commonwealth Bank
61 2 132221 (free call 8am – 8 pm Sydney time)
61 2 9768 1078 (24 hours, but no reverse charges)

National Australia Bank (Mastercard – see MasterCard Global) (Visa – see Visa Emergency Assistance)

St George Bank
61 2 9553 5883
61 2 9845 4060 Green Cards and Advance-branded cards

Westpac 61 2 9374 7082 ATM Problems: 61 2 929 392 62

Colonial State Bank of NSW 61 2 9841 7911

Bank Of Melbourne 61 2 9374 7082

Bank West 65 345 1345 Visa, 1 314 275 6690 MasterCard, 61 8 9449 7000 Bankcard (24 hours, but not reverse charges)

Currency exchange and money transfer services:

American Express (lost cards) contact your nearest American Express Travel Service or Representative Office. (Lost travellers’ cheques) contract a travellers’ cheques worldwide refund service centre from the list of toll-free telephone numbers received on purchase of your travellers’ cheques

MasterCard Global 1 314 542 7111

Thomas Cook 44 1733 318 950

Travelex Australia
61 1300 367 390 (free call)
61 2 9223 6196 (7.30 am – 7 pm Sydney time, not reverse charges)

Visa Emergency Assistance 65 345 1345

Western Union
61 1300 367 390
61 2 9223 6196 (7.30 am – 7 pm Sydney time, not reverse charges)

MEDICAL/HEALTH

Note: The Australian High Commission cannot act as guarantor for the competence of the institutions/individuals mentioned below nor accept any responsibility whatsoever in regard to the consequences of accepting medical advice. Medicare Australia does not cover medical/hospital costs incurred overseas.

HOSPITALS

Max Healthcare
N-110, Panchsheel Park
New Delhi 110017
Tel:26499870
Fax:26499860
Holy Family Hospital
Okhla Road
New Delhi
Tel: 2684 5900 -2684 5909 (10 lines)
Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals,
Sarita Vihar,
Delhi-Mathura Road,
New Delhi.
Tel: 26925858, 26925801
Ambulance – Tel. 1600 111 612
East West Medical Centre
B-28, Greater Kailash – 1
New Delhi
Tel: 2469 9229/ 2462 3738
Contact: Dr Chawla
Dr Sachdev’s Private Klinik
S490 – A Greater Kailash 1
New Delhi
Tel: 2648 4137 / 2646 0625
Privat Hospital
DLF Qutab Enclave, Phase II
Gurgaon 122 002
HARYANA
Tel: 26 352 097, 26 351 162, 26 353 793
General Practitioners:
Dr R Khosla (GP & Gastroenterologist)
166 Jor Bagh, New Delhi
Tel:2 461 1708/469 2544/4611708
Dr K S Sachdev
Privat Klinik, S490A Greater Kailash 1,
New Delhi
Tel: 26484137
Dr (Mrs) M Law,
Sadhu Vaswani Mission, 4th Street
27 Shanti Niketan, New Delhi
Tel: 24671 562
Dr Arvind Taneja
75 Golf Links, New Delhi
Tel: 24694333
Dr (Mrs) A Behl
1330 Sector C Pkt 1
Vasant Kunj, New Delhi
Tel: 2689 2623/2689 2624
Dr Virendra Bhandari
69, K-Road, Bhupalpura
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Tel: (0294) 2412420
Dentists:
Dr A Kumar
24 Sunder Nagar, New Delhi
Tel: 2463 3422/24698988
Dr S Mehta
41 Khan Market, New Delhi
Tel: 24629 955/24615914/24640535
Dr P P Sahni
5 Siri Fort Road, New Delhi
Tel: 26256012/26257014

Accommodation:

Budget:

The following hotels/guest houses have been quite popular among travellers and are located in the Delhi area:

Asian Guest House,
14 Scindia House, Connaught Place,
New Delhi.
Tel: 2331 3393/ 2331 0229/ 2331 3663.
YMCA Tourist Hostel,
Jai Singh Road,
Near Connaught Place, New Delhi.
Tel: 2336 1915/ 2336 1847
YMCA Blue Triangle Family Hostel,
Ashok Road, New Delhi
Tel: 23360133, 23735138, 23365014, 23365441
Youth Hostels Association of India
Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri.
Tel: 223016285
Hotel PADAM International Deluxe
4715 /XV Shora Kothi Main Bazaar, Pahar Ganj, New Delhi – 110055
(near New Delhi railway station)
Tel: 6543 4290 / 3291 4715
Mobile: 9810856 4715

Five Star Delux Hotels:

Maurya Sheraton, Sardar Patel Marg Tel:2611 2233

Hyatt Regency , Bhikaji Cama Place Tel: 2679 1234

Taj Mahal, Man Singh Road. Tel: 2302 6162

The Imperial Hotel Hotel , Janpath, Connaught Place. Tel: 23341234

Taj Palace, Sardar Patel Marg Tel: 2611 0202

Ashok Hotel, Chanakyapuri. Tel: 2611 0101

Shangri La Hotel , Janpath, Connaught Place. Tel: 4119 1919

AIRPORT CONTACT NUMBERS:

Indira Gandhi International Airport :            Indira Gandhi Airport (Domestic):
Tel: 2565 2011/2565 2021                         Tel: 25452121/25452125

INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES

AEROFLOT
BMC House
N1 Conn aught Place
Tel: +91 11 23312843 or 23310426 city, +91 11 25653510 airport
AIR FRANCE
7, Scindia House
Atmaram Mansion, Janpath
Tel: +91 11 2373 8004/05 city,
+91 11 25652099/2294 airport
AIR INDIA
Jeevan Bharati Bldg
124 Conn aught Place
Tel: +91 11 23736446/7/8 city,
+91 11 25652050 airport or Arrival 144, Dep. 145, Reservation147, Cancellation 148
BRITISH Airways Airlines
Tel: +91 124 4120747
Airport: +91 11 25652078
CATHAY PACIFIC
Tel: +91 11 23321286, 23323332
INDIAN AIRLINES
Tel: 24601992 (Res)/25675301, 25675121 (airport), 26383232 (Call Centre).
JET AIRWAYS
Tel: +91 11 51641414, Airport- +91 11 25675404, 25675504
LUFTHANSA
56 Janpath
Tel: 23724200 city/25654000 airport
Agents: +91 11 23724215, 23724222
MALAYSIAN AIRLINES
Tel: +91 11 51025555, 23313448 (Res),
+91 11 25652395 (Airport)
ROYAL NEPAL AIRLINES
Tel: +91 11 (Reservation): +91 11 23323437, 23320817, 23320817, 23321572, 23713058.
PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL
Kailash Building
26 Kasturba Gandhi Marg
Tel: 23737791/2/3/4 city/25652478 airport
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
Ashoka Estate Bldg, 9th flr
Barakhamba Rd
Tel: 23329036 city/25653072 airport
THAI
Park Royal Hotel, American Plaza
Nehru Place
Tel: 623 9133 city/5652413 airport
MALAYSIAN
10th Fl, Ashoka Estate Bldg,
Barakhamba Rod
Tel: 331 3448 city 5652395 airport
QANTAS
Tel: +91 11 23321345, 47, 48 (Reservation)
SriLankan Airlines
G-55, Connaught Circus
New Delhi – 110 001
Tel: +91 11 51528630-40

 

OCI Card

Indians who have become Australian citizens can apply for OCI card which allows them to visit India multiple times for lifetime without having to apply for a visa to visit India. Dual citizenship is not allowed which means you can’t have both Australian and Indian citizenship but OCI card gives you a similar kind of powers.

Benefits to an Overseas Citizen of India card holder:

  • A multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa for visiting India.
  • Exemption from registration with local police authorities for any length of stay in India.
  • Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.

OVERVIEW

Helpful Tip : follow the OCI checklist available on VFS website in order to complete your OCI application as per High Commission of India in Australia’s instructions.

Brief Outline:

The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. Based on the recommendation of the High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI).

Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of OCI as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other under their local laws. Spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India OR of an OCI cardholder and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application, can also apply for OCI Card’.

No foreign military/police/defence personnel either in service or retired including civil servants working in Ministry of Defence as IT engineers/civil contractors will be registered as OCI cardholder.

A person registered as OCI is eligible to apply for grant of Indian citizenship under section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 if he/she is registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year out of the five years before making the application.

Any other benefits to an OCI will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Benefits to which OCI is not entitled to:
The OCI is not entitled to vote, be a member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council or Parliament, cannot hold constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court or High Court etc. and he/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government.

Renunciation / Surrender Certificate Guidelines for Persons of Indian Origin:

Renunciation of Indian citizenship is mandatory once you acquire foreign citizenship.

The renunciation / surrender certificate application will be processed separately and fee will charged accordingly.

The renunciation / surrender certificate procedure and fee structure is based on the date, the Person of Indian Origin, has acquired Australian/Foreign Citizenship.

Please review the detail checklist on www.vfsglobal.com/india/australia on the effective date.

IF THE DATE OF AUSTRALIAN / FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP IS ON OR BEFORE 31-MAY -2010 IF THE DATE OF AUSTRALIAN / FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP IS AFTER 31- MAY – 2010
If the Indian Passport is not cancelled or is lost/damaged and not in possession (the applicant will need to provide a statutory declaration attested by a JP): For OCI / PIO / VISA Applications Au$ 24.00 cancellation fee is payable Statutory declaration will be attested and given back to applicant as a proof of cancellation. If the Indian Passport is cancelled the applicant will need to submit a photocopy proof of the bio page of the cancelled passport and no cancellation fee will be applicable. If the Indian Passport is not cancelled or is lost/damaged and not in possession (the applicant will need to provide a statutory declaration attested by a JP): For OCI / PIO / VISA Application Au$ 147 is payable along with the submission of the OCI/ PIO/ VISA application and the surrender certificate will be issued along with the requested service. If the surrender certificate is already acquired only a copy of the same needs to be submitted and no additional fee will be applicable.