Since you'll be getting a tourist visa, you don't want to send in your application too soon- the visa is valid for 6 months from the date of issue, not from the date you plan to arrive in India. Of course, you also don't want to send it in too late. It usually takes about 1-2 weeks to get your passport back from the embassy once you have sent it in for your visa. Maybe submitting your paperwork 2 months before the trip would be a good compromise- you'll have plenty of time on your tourist visa for the trip, and you'll be more assured of getting your passport back with time to spare. Here's the step-by-step:
- Start the visa application process here: http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/requirements/ gather?apply=bymail
- Select "tourist visa" from the pulldown box, then US citizen, then the state in which you live, then go to the next page
- Click on the "online visa application" and follow the directions. At the end of the online application there is a place to pay by credit card- your other option is money order
- For places we will visit, you can put down "Mumbai" as we are not yet sure where we'll go
- Port of entry is "Mumbai"
- Nirvan or I can send you the Indian contact info and address
- You want the 6 month tourist visa- the fee will be $73 plus $20 for shipping back to you
- You must have a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months on the date of application
- Get 2 passport photos to send with your visa application
- Copy your drivers license or a utility bill with your name and current address on it as proof of residence at your address to send with your visa application
- ****make sure to note the mailing address at the bottom of the page of visa requirements- it is different depending on your location.
- Send the required items via a trackable mailing service- FedEx, UPS, registered mail, etc.
- You should have them back within 10 days or so
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