Applications for Indian visas must be online from January, Government of India says

Dubai: All applications for Indian visas will have to be filed online beginning January 2012, the government of India has decided.

In UAE, online visa application service will be available from Tuesday, October 18, the Indian Ambassador to UAE M.K. Lokesh announced at a press conference on Monday.

"Online application is however optional for now and will be mandatory only by January 1, 2012," he said.

To be phased in around the world

The online application service of the Indian government is being rolled out in a phased manner in all embassies and consulates around the world.

Once the online application becomes compulsory, those who need help filling the online form can seek the assistance of BLS International-the company outsourced to handle Indian passport and visa services- for which they charge a fee of Dh25.

When a person completes the online application through the website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa, he receives a 12-digit file number which has to be presented to a BLS centre before documents could be submitted.