1. Announced by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, during his visit to Canada last month, e-Tourist Visa (eTV) has sincebeen made available to Canadian citizens. Details of the scheme are available on the website - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html .

2. Canadian citizens visiting India for recreation, sightseeing, meeting friends or relatives, medical treatment or even for casual business, can avail of this new facility.

3. Salient highlights of the facility as under:

1. Canadian citizens (& other eligible individuals) can apply online for eTVtwice a year for visits not exceeding 30 days. The visa duration is non-extendable. Longer term visas may be obtained in the normal course.
2. The eTV will be granted through email. The applicant should carry a printed copy of the email approval while travelling to India and get the formal visa affixed on his / her passport on arrival at 9 designated international airports (Bangalore, Chennai, Kochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram) in India.
3. Online application for eTV needs to be filed a minimum of 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 30 days. Example: If you are applying on 1st January, your date of arrival in India must be between 4th January and 3rd February.
4. Applicants having queries or requiring assistancein regard to eTV, may call the helpline number (+91-11-24300666) or send an email to indiatvoa@gov.in.

4. The eTV facility is in addition to the existing Visa services being provided through BLS or the High Commission / Consulate General of India.

Ottawa
12 May 2015