Tourist visa for India predicament

[CherubEarrings]

Just read that you can only apply 30 days before you travel and it can be denied if you make a mistake but by that time already paid for holiday.
Any advice? I cannot afford to make mistakes as will only ever have the opportunity once due to age and finances.

My friend made a mistake on his e-visa application last year. He somehow put the wrong passport number in and it got issued with that and he didn't notice.

We got to the border, they said he didn't have a valid visa. The officer made a phone call, helped him fill out the form again, stamped his passport and sent us on our way. Whilst I would recommend this, the only real problem was the slight inconvenience of a 30 minute delay at the airport.

@CherubEarrings

When are you due to travel to India, OP?

Hopefully beginning of November

That’s when I’m going and I have my visa now. As you’ve been advised, you can get the one-year one.

Thanks everyone really appreciate your posts. Looks like next hurdle to a visa may be working for a council. Any advice?

I don't understand. Why would that be a hurdle?

Possibly seen as part of government. I was talking to a visa specialist company.

Ok, you are really, really overthinking this. It is not normal to be as concerned as you are about this pretty simple application process. You are catastrophizing. Thousands of people apply online every day without issue. You don't need a visa specialist company. It's in their interests to make it seem difficult so that you pay them to do it for you.

Avoid the third-party visa "specialists". Their "advice" is geared towards getting custom. If they admitted that you can submit the application very easily online (in less than 20 minutes) and have the visa granted the next day, they'd be out of a job.

Why are you concerned about working for a Council? It will make no difference at all. You really are overthrowing this.

It's a quick process online to apply yourself. There's no need to use expensive agencies to do it for you. If you are really anxious about potentially making a typo or something, could you ask a friend to sit next to you when you complete the online application?

Have you not been abroad OP? You don't need any specialist help for a normal visit visa. Just apply for visa from the official channel and you're good to go. A poster above has given the exact steps to follow. Hundreds of thousands of Brits visit India every year

OP, what’s your job title? Just don’t mention the council! It’s really, really simple. They won’t check your job at all.

The next thing that might worry you is filling in the part where you have to state all the countries you have been in the last 10 years IIRC. I am pretty sure I missed a couple! They don't cross reference what you declare with the stamps in your passport.
I think you are indeed overthinking this a bit. It is straightforward really.
Once you apply, you get your visa within 3 days.

E visa can be applied for 120 days before travel according to the website and takes a couple of days max. I need to apply for mine so will report back

Www.Indianvisaonline.gov.in

It's really similar to the esta for USA and the e visa for Sri Lanka btw.

Thanks everyone. Your advice very much appreciated. On last hurdle is photo id.

Any advice to make sure I keep to their photo id requirements? There is a warning say otherwise application liable to be rejected.

If in doubt get your photo done at Max Spielman. There are branches everywhere.

Selfies / taking photos of each other against a plain background, neutral expression, works ok. You could always go to snappy snaps if you are worried.

Any idea of software you can use on your phone that checks photo is compliant? I am applying online

I've applied for a visa recently. It was about £25 not £75. Make sure you use the official Indian visa website. The passport photo thing is a pain as it has to be under 300 mb or something. I did mine in a photocopy shop. They knew what I was talking about, so it must be a common requirement. I got mine the next day. If you make a mistake on any visa, you won't be allowed to have a visa, and you'd have to apply again. I work for a local authority. It made no difference. I think the people you are doing your visa through are taking the piss.

How did it go OP? Did you get your visa and did you enjoy your trip? @CherubEarrings