The Indian Visa Saga

Hi everyone,

Needless to say it is the toughest part of the journey….getting the Indian visa. If you can do this you should mark it down as an accomplishment in life.

UPDATE: This article will help you apply for a visa online directly:

http://dandapani.org/blog/2014/11/28/finally-visa-on-arrival-for-india/

This page will list common questions and we’ll do our best to respond to them with the best answers and in a timely manner. You can email your questions to admins[at]dandapani.org and Lianna will post them here with answers from the staff.

You can also leave comments or insights you have that have helped you in the comments below.

May God be with you on this one.

Team Spiritual Adventure
Q: For the visa application, do I have to send my actual passport or just a copy?

A: You need to send in your actual passport.

Q: At the top of the visa application it requires a selection under “Indian Mission,” which one do I select? An Indian office, A US office…?

A: There are instructions on the application saying which mission to apply with based on where you are living.

Q: I have completed the online application, do I mail it in with the fee or do I have to appear in person?

A: Here is the checklist that you want to follow once you have filled out and printed your online application. Follow closely this list and make sure you sign the documents where required.

http://www.in.ckgs.us/resources/pdf/visa/tourist-visa/tourist-visa-us-adult.pdf

Go to step 3 http://www.in.ckgs.us/visa/type-of-visa.shtml

Then follow down to step 4, 5 and 6.

I would avoid trying to pay online.

I would choose to have them FedEX return only and mail it out from a local UPS or Fed EX store. There seems to be all sorts of complications having them pick up and courier to them… so choose to return only, it cost $15 and it is part of the CKGS Order Form.

I would also not struggle with their courier service except to have it shipped back. It doesn’t work, it won’t accept zipcodes, etc. I had several communications with them and they told me just to ship it from anywhere local, it was a lot easier (it only takes about 1 week to return).

Q: I am having difficulty paying the fees online for my visa, it keeps sending me to another link and I’m unsure how to complete the courier service. Do I just need to do the return courier service, and if so where do I send it?

A: Avoid paying online and also it is easier to not use the courier service for mailing out. I use a local UPS Store or Fed Ex Store.

The easiest thing to do is to make sure you print out the CKGS ORDER FORM and choose to have them send it back, and it is a $15 fee.

So it should look something like:

A. Visa Fee (determined by which tour visa you decide)

B. ICWF Fee $3.00

C. CKGS Service Fee $17.00 and

H. You add up those listed above (a, b, c, none of the other fees applied to me)

I. Application for return of documents by FedEX Courier Service $15

J. Total of all fees and this is how much you get your Cashiers Check or Money order for.

Then you will mail off form your final check list all of the documents (follow the checklist to include all necessary documents, such as passport, copies of Driver’s License, recent bill with your name and address, Cashier’s Check which they call Demand Draft….etc.)

Visa Application form signed with photo

Additional Particulars Form

CKGS Order Form – Signed

I would highly advise anyone who is sending their application in through the mail to pay by a cashier’s check it is usually free if they have an account at that bank. Wait until you do the entire break down from the CKGS Order Form before you get the check because there are a few fees that have to be added up.