India visa for Central African citizens

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Central African citizens can travel to India with an e-Visa. This electronic travel authorisation is obtained online before departure. You apply on the official government e-Visa site, upload documents, pay the fee and receive approval by email. The e-Visa is valid for entry at designated airports and seaports. Check the official site for the latest eligibility and conditions.

What the e-Visa means in practice

The Indian e-Visa allows Central African citizens to enter India for tourism, business or medical visits without visiting an embassy. It is an electronic authorisation linked to your passport. You must apply online before travel. The e-Visa is typically valid for a short stay. You cannot extend it or convert it to another visa type while in India. Always check the official e-Visa site for the most current terms.

The e-Visa is not a physical sticker in your passport. You receive an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) by email. Print a copy to carry with you. At immigration, the officer verifies the ETA against your passport. The e-Visa is single-entry or multiple-entry depending on the sub-category you choose. Confirm the entry conditions on the official site before applying.

Before you travel and on arrival

Before you travel, complete the online application on the official e-Visa site. Have your passport, a digital photo and a scanned copy of the passport information page ready. Pay the fee online using a credit or debit card. After approval, you receive the ETA by email. Print it and keep it with your travel documents. Do not book flights until you have the ETA.

On arrival at an Indian airport or seaport designated for e-Visa holders, go to the e-Visa immigration counter. Present your passport and the printed ETA. The immigration officer may take your photograph and fingerprints. This biometric process is quick. After clearance, you receive an entry stamp. The e-Visa is valid from the date of first entry. Check the official site for the list of designated ports.

Arriving in big cities and travelling between them

Major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata have international airports that accept e-Visa holders. From these cities, you can travel domestically by train, bus or flight. No additional visa is needed for internal travel. Keep your passport and ETA with you at all times. Some states require registration for foreign nationals staying longer than 180 days, but the e-Visa does not allow such long stays.

When travelling between cities, you may encounter random identity checks by police. Always carry a copy of your passport and visa. Hotels and guesthouses will ask for your passport and visa details at check-in. If you plan to visit restricted or protected areas such as parts of the Northeast, you may need a separate permit. The e-Visa does not cover these areas. Check with the local authorities or the official site.

Staying longer, working or studying

The e-Visa is for short-term visits only. If you wish to stay longer, work or study in India, you must apply for a different visa category at the Indian embassy in Bangui or a nearby Indian mission. These visas include employment, student, entry (for persons of Indian origin) and journalist visas. Each has separate requirements and processing times. Check the official site or contact the embassy for details.

You cannot switch from an e-Visa to a long-term visa while in India. Overstaying your e-Visa can result in fines and future visa bans. If you need to extend your stay for a genuine reason such as medical treatment, consult the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in your city. They may grant a short extension in rare cases. Always verify the current rules on the official site.

How to apply for the e-Visa

1. Go to the official Indian e-Visa website (indianvisaonline.gov.in).
2. Fill in the online application form with your passport details and travel information.
3. Upload a recent digital photograph and a scanned copy of your passport's bio page.
4. Pay the visa fee online using a credit or debit card.
5. Wait for the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to be emailed to you.
6. Print the ETA and carry it with your passport when you travel.
7. Arrive at an e-Visa-designated airport or seaport and proceed to the e-Visa immigration counter.

Documents to carry

• Valid passport with at least six months' validity from the date of arrival
• Printed copy of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
• Digital or printed copy of the online application receipt
• Recent passport-size photograph (same as uploaded)
• Return or onward flight ticket
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay

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