43yearscruising

I recently returned from a Crystal cruise that called at exactly the same 3 ports (in reverse order) and even though the cruise line said a regular tourist visa was required that was incorrect. I applied for the online evisa and as I had been assured by the consulate here that was fine for the itinerary I travelled with it. Worked like a charm, got an entry stamp in my passport at Cochin seaport and on a paper copy of the visa that is used as a landing card for all ports that we had to keep with us at all times. It was checked and stamped in each port then collected by immigration in my last port (Mumbai) and my passport got an exit stamp in Mumbai airport when I flew back home. There were no delays in any ports, no requirement for biometrics to be taken, and whilst filling in the online form is a bit of a laborious process, the evisa was fine... I think a lot of the confusion arises from the ‘double entry’ wording on the visa, which actually means you can enter India, leave the country and then re-enter one more time during the period of validity. I was told that if you are entering and visiting several ports in a row within the same visit to India then it can be used up to four times....

 

Anne..

Thanks for the information. I will follow up. This cruise is Dubai to Hong Kong - 32 days - over this coming Christmas.

1975 - Princess Patricia (converted old car ferry into a lovely tiny cruiseship). Alaska cruises, 7 days, out of Vancouver and return. Took that trip twice. Have enjoyed cruising all over the world ever since.

re: Seabourn cruise later this year. Visiting 3 ports in a row - Mumbai, Mangalore and Cochin. Have done this before a number of times and always required a regular visa application - i.e. mailing off forms, passport etc. unless near a city where there is an office to visit. I am trying to verify that eVisa's are now accepted as so easy to apply for online. The answer I received from an international visa application company was that they are now accepted. Then another one said only for 2 or less ports in a row. There are so many conflicting opinions on this board as well. - others that they are now accepted now for all cruiseship visits - still another answer was that it isn't India that is causing all this controversy, but the cruise lines themselves. Makes a person want to find cruises that don't include visits to India!! sorry for the long question here but is frustrating.