1. I am going to India and I need a visa. What do I need to do?

When applying for any Indian visa, you need to fill in an online application form and send it online. Then, you need to print the form and submit it to the IGCS office with the following documentation:

1) 1 colour picture (5cm x 5cm) (Photo-Spec-PDF) glued to the application form
2) a valid and intact passport with at least two blank pages
2) the payment for the visa (NOTE! Only cash or bank transfer)
4) additional documents/attachments needed for the specific type of visa (see visa types)

The passport remains with IGCS during the whole handling time, because the visa will be put into the passport. The visa is valid from the moment it is given. It is not possible to give a visa for a specific point of time.

NOTE: Holders of a tourist visa have to stay outside of India for at least 2 months after leaving the country before returning. A new visa can not be granted if the last trip has been less than two months ago. However, the embassy can agree to make an exception to this rule, if the purpose is to travel through India to another country (e.g. to Nepal or Sri Lanka). In order to apply for this exception, an informal plea letter in English (Request for Re-Entry Permit) needs to be attached to the visa application as well as copies of the flight tickets and the payment of the handling fee of 20 €. If you already have a valid visa, you can go straight to Indian Embassy with your passport, the plea letter and a payment of 20 €. IGCS can only handle a Re-Entry Permit request if it is applied for with a normal visa application.

2. Where do I find the visa application form and what do I have to pay attention to when filling out the form?

Online application link: www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/

You can also come to the IGCS office to fill in and print the form. The form always needs to be filled in online, then printed and then signed twice (on the first page under the photo and on the 2nd page.)

Instructions for filling in the form:

- Click ”Save and Continue”-button at the end of each page until you reach ”Save and Print”-button. There are 3 pages in the application.
- The most important data is the data of your passport. Please make sure that all this data is correct.
- Please write ALL your names in the application form exactly like in the passport.
- Letters of the Scandinavian alphabet like ä,ö,ü,æ,å,ø are not accepted. Replace them with a,o,u,a,a,o.
- The hyphen ( - ) is not accepted either, leave it out.
- “Visible identification marks” refers to birth marks etc. If you do not have any, write NONE.
- “Reference address in Finland”: you can choose any family member or friend as a reference. If you live in Estonia, put the name and address of a family member or friend in Estonia.
- “Previous visits to India”: If you do not have your old passport anymore and do not remember the visa number or time of validity exactly, write 0 for the visa number and estimation of the time of travel.

-”Countries visited in the last 10 years”: ATTENTION! Write max. 20 countries! Otherwise the application cannot be accepted!

3. How much does the visa cost and how can I pay?

The visa fees vary according to the type of visa and applicant’s nationality. The price list for visas can be found here: http://www.igcsvisa.fi/visafees

The payment can be made in cash in our office (NOTE: For cash payment there is an additional cash payment fee of 0,50€ to be paid in addition to the visa price) or by bank transfer to our IGCS bank account: Nordea, FI6418203000030924, BIC: NDEAFIHH. As a reference, put the name of the applicant, type of visa and the FINH application number. If you pay by bank transfer, please always submit a receipt of the payment with your application.

4. When is the IGCS office open?

We accept visa applications Monday to Friday 8:30 – 12:00. NOTE: During other times we do not accept applications. Ready visas can be picked up Monday to Friday 16:00 – 16:30. Our office is closed on the following holidays: http://www.igcsvisa.fi/holiday

5. Do I need to pick up my visa personally or can someone else do it instead?

If you can not pick up your passport personally, another person can do it for you. The person picking up the passport needs to bring the receipt for the visa application or a signed authorization letter.

6. I do not live in the Helsinki area / I live in Estonia. Can I apply for a visa by post?

Yes you can. You need to send us the filled, printed and signed visa application form with 1 colour photo (5cm x 5cm), your passport and all other required documents for the specific visa to our address: IGCS Indo-German Consultancy Services Oy, Hitsaajankatu 20, 00810 Helsinki. We will send back your passport to you if you enclose a registered return envelope that has your name and address and stamps (5,60€ for Finland and 7,40€ for Estonia) on it.

NOTE! If you apply for a visa by post, send the application well in time before your estimated departure date. The handling time for postal applications is 2-3 weeks. Therefore we can not accept express applications by post. Please do not send us any cash but transfer the whole amount to our bank account.

7. What are the processing times for visas?

Finnish and Estonian citizens:

• Application submitted at the IGCS counter: 4-5 working days 

• Applications submitted by post: 2-3 weeks

Other nationalities:

• Application submitted at the IGCS counter: 7-8 working days

• Application submitted by post: 3-4 weeks

NOTE: The processing time starts on the day we receive the complete visa application with the complete payment and all required attachments. During high season (autumn/winter) we recommend to apply for visa at least two weeks before the estimated departure date. The handling times may vary due to the large amount of applications. In emergencies, Finnish and Estonian citizens can also apply for an Emergency Express visa. (see the next point)

8. And if there is an emergency or express situation?

In case of an emergency, it is possible to apply for an express visa. The express visa is ready within one work day. Only Finnish and Estonian citizens can apply for an express visa. The express fee is 43€ + 20€ IGCS payment, which has to be added to the normal visa fee. The application documents for an express visa are the same as for a normal visa plus an informal letter in English (Application for Emergency Visa).The express visa is given after consideration.

9. How can I find out when my visa is ready?

The status of your visa application can be found out at: Visa Status Enquiry

If you have any more questions on visas, please contact IGCS or the Embassy of India.