How to Meet All Indian e-Visa Requirements for Gambian citizens

India's e-Visa system, launched in 2014, has made the travel process easier for eligible visitors, as well as to the country as a whole, increasing tourism to the country.

More than 160 countries can now apply for an Indian electronic visa online by completing a simple form. The Gambia is one of the countries that can benefit from this quick and straightforward process, which eliminates the need for people to visit consulates or embassies.

1. Types of Indian e-Visa for Gambian Citizens

The government has created several online Indian visas tailored to the needs of Gambian travelers, as follows:

• India Tourist e-Visa: The majority of Gambians utilize the India Tourist e-Visa to visit family, go on vacation, or attend retreats for yoga or meditation.
  • Tourist e-visa for 1 month: This visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival and allows double entry
  • Tourist e-visa for 1 year: This is valid for 1 year from the entry date. It allows stays of up to 90 days per visit
  • Tourist e-visa for 5 years: This is valid for five years from the date of issuance. This type of e-visa permits Gambian citizens to stay in India for a maximum of 90 days for each visit.
• India Business e-Visa: Travelers from The Gambia can get a visa for India e-Business if they're intending to travel to India on a business trip, such as meetings, conferences, or sales. A visit to India is allowed on this type of visa many times during the year validity period of the visa. The maximum allowed stay is 180 days in a calendar year
• India Conference e-Visa: The Indian e-Conference Visa is valid for 4 months from the date of issuance, which allows you to visit India to attend a conference put on by the Indian government. The visa allows you to stay for 30 days with one entry.
• India Medical e-Visa: Gambian residents wishing to get medical treatment in India are issued an e-Visa. The Medical e-Visa has a 120-day validity
• Indian Ayush visa: The Indian government has developed a new visa category called the Ayush (AY) visa, which is designed specifically for foreign individuals seeking treatment in the Indian medical system. The Government of India recently introduced the new Ayush Visa category. This visa is aimed at anyone interested in Ayurveda, Yoga, and other traditional forms of therapy and well-being. Ayush visa  is a triple-entry visa and is valid for 60 days from the issue date

2. India Visa Requirements for Gambian Citizens

Before applying for an India e-Visa, applicants from the Gambia are required to fulfill the minimum requirements to qualify for an India e-Visa:

• The Gambian passports must have 6 months or more of validity before entering India. Moreover, the passport must have at least 2 blank pages left to be stamped at the airport.
• You will also need to submit a digital copy of your passport's biographic page.
• Digital photograph with specific guidelines for applying for an Indian e-Visa when you finish the India visa application form.
• Applicants for the Medical e-Visa must submit a hospital letter where the therapy will be provided.
• Conference e-Visa applicants must submit an invitation letter, staff ID card, and political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs
• It is essential to include details like the applicant's email address, as it is here that all updates and approval notifications will be sent.

At the end of the application process, applicants will have to provide payment information to pay processing fees. They can use a debit or credit card to pay for India e-Visa processing fees.

3. The application process for the Gambians requesting an India e-Visa

At Indian Immigration Services, we designed a convenient application that takes less than 20 minutes to complete. The application process will ask Gambian applicants about their identity and other personal information, such as:

• Full name
• Birthdate
• Nationality
• Gender
• Passport details
• Port of entry
• Details of their stay in India

The applicant from the Gambia must have an adult fill out their e-Visa application if they are traveling to India with children. The e-Visa application must have all the necessary documentation on hand before it is submitted. The purpose is to avoid errors and delays in the e-Visa approval process and delays in the E-Visa approval process.

India's electronic visa application is usually processed in a short period, and approval often occurs in 2-3 working days. Once approved, the e-Visa approval letter is sent to the applicant’s email address. This approval letter must be printed out and carried at all times while in India.

4. Indian e-Visa fee for Gambian citizens

For citizens of the Gambia who apply for an Indian e-Visa, there will be two types of Indian visa fees: government fees and service fees. Government charges, such as the Indian Government Charge, are set by Indian authorities and are based on your nationality. However, there are three types of service prices available, each with its own processing time. Depending on your situation, you may want to consider:

• Normal: The service simplifies the application process and can help you obtain an e-Visa in 5 days.
• Urgent: When you do not have days to wait for a response, you might find this method useful. You can obtain your e-Visa within 2 days using this method.

To complete your application, you must pay an application fee. You can pay via electronic transfer or wire transfer. Electronic payment methods accepted include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and PayPal. The wire transfer method is only acceptable for the Bank of Cyprus.

Adding Indian travel insurance and an India eSIM to your itinerary would be a great idea, not only to safeguard your financial benefits but also to increase your chances of being able to obtain a visa online. Indian travel insurance can protect your financial and medical safety during travel, but it is not required for visa approval