The cultural tie between Benin and Indian culture is strengthening every year. If it is the architecture of Rajasthan, the tech summit in Hyderabad, or the healing abilities of Kerala, the process of obtaining an e-Visa has now been digitized. This e-Visa guide contains every single piece of information that you should know to before apply for an India e Visa for Benin citizen.
Do the citizens of Benin need a visa for going to India?
Yes. Citizens of Benin do need a visa to enter India. Visa-free entry is not allowed to the citizens of Benin. Fortunately, you qualify for an e-Visa, which enables you to apply online and receive your e-travel permission by email, thereby saving you from having to physically go to a consulate or embassy.
What Are Requirements of India e-Visa for Citizens of Benin?
To make an Indian e-Visa Application, you need to have these digital documents available:
- Valid Passport: A Benin passport valid for at least 6 months and having at least two blank pages.
- Biographical Page Scan: A scan of the PDF or JPEG page with your photo and biodata.
- Recent Photograph: A color photograph taken electronically that has a plain white background.
What Kind of Indian e-Visa do I need to Apply For?
It all depends on your purpose of visit.
- e-Tourist Visa: Holiday purposes, visiting friends and relatives, yoga retreats. (Available for 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years.)
- e-Business Visa: To attend business meetings or set up businesses. For trade fairs.
- e-Medical Visa: For foreigners who wish to obtain medical treatment in India.
- e-Conference Visa: For participants of international seminars or workshops.
- e-Ayush visa: This is a 60-day triple-entry visa that will be usable through the traditional methods of treatments like Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy for foreign nationals.
- e-Ayush Attendant Visa: It is a visa for companions who may travel with an e-Ayush patient and is valid for the same number of months and number of entries as the main visa holder.
What is India e-Visa Processing Time?
Your timing is important for the execution of the journey. The available processing timeframes are:
- Normal Processing Time: 3-6 days.
- Urgent Processing Time: 1 – 3 days.
Note: India e-Visa does NOT cover “Visa on Arrival.” You will need an approved ETA prior to flying to India.
What are the Rules for an India Tourist Visa?
The e-Tourist Visa is meant for tourism. If a tourist has a 1-year or 5-year visa, he/she can re-enter India. In fact, a tourist is not allowed to stay in India for more than 90 days at a stretch. It is also necessary that a tourist does not indulge in any kind of paid job under the visa.
Can Credit/Debit Cards Be Utilized As Credit Cards While Travelling To India?
Yes, India is very digitalized. Most hotels, large food-serving outlets, and shopping malls in Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai accept Visa and Master Cards. But smaller outlets and local markets in rural India still mainly deal in cash. Always remember to keep a credit card for emergencies and to inform your bank in Benin before your trip so that your card is not frozen.
What is ATM Availability for International Travelers in India?
There are numerous cash dispensers or cash machines, commonly known as “Cash Points,” in urban areas
- Withdrawal Limits: There are withdrawal limits in machines, which are between ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 for a transaction.
- Fees: You are advised that your Benin bank and the Indian bank could charge you fees for fund transfers.
- Reliability: For reliability, use ATMs which are linked to main banks such as SBI, HDFC, or ICICI.
Which Medicines are Allowed to be Carried into India?
You are also allowed to bring your personal medications, but you have to abide by these guidelines:
- Prescription: One should always have a printed prescription from the doctor in English.
- Original Packing: Store medicines under original packing to identify them easily.
- Amount: Take only what your intended stay will last.
- Prohibited Items: Avoid carrying large quantities of strong analgesics or sedatives unless it is an absolute life-saving medication since the Indian drug laws are very stringent.
Am I Eligible for an ‘On Arrival’ Visa for India If I Am from Benin?
No. Benin Passport holders do not require an ‘Visa on Arrival’ provided they have an earlier electronic authorization for travel. Your Electronic Travel Authorization should always be printed out before you disembark for your international flight from Cotonou or any international airport.
What Should I Do if My India e-Visa is Denied?
If your application is refused, then issues with blurry passport scans or improperly formatted photos are usually to blame.
- Error: You can apply again with the errors corrected.
- Appeal: In the event the online system continues not to accept your application, you will have to make contact with the nearest Indian Mission. This will be the High Commission of India in Abuja, Nigeria. This is simultaneously accredited to Benin.
Are There Specific Travel Rules for Minors and Children?
Yes. Every child, even an infant, needs to have their own passport and their e-Visa. There is no concept of “adding a child” in one of the parent’s visas. Parents should also carry the birth certificate of the child to prove the relationship at the immigration desk.
Can I Extend My India e-Visa After I Arrive?
In general, e-Visas are not extendible or convertible into other visas (such as a Students or Work Visa) if you are already in India. If your stay in the country exceeds the validity of your visa, you have to leave the country to get another visa type.
