Only Emergency Passport and Visa will be accepted at the consulate between 09:30-11:30 Hrs (On all business days, with ticket (travel within 48 hours) for death cases/critical illness -Only Canadian Passport holders.  You will be required to provide proof of your emergency. We may not be able to grant the service in certain cases.

On Saturdays only:

Only Emergency Visa will be accepted at the consulate between 1000-1200 Hrs, with ticket (travel within 48 hours) for death cases/critical illness -Only Canadian Passport holders.  You will be required to provide proof of your emergency.  We may not be able to grant the service in certain cases.

There will be no emergency visa service on Sundays and holidays.

“Canadian couples seeking visa to India for purposes of  entering into a surrogacy arrangement must ascertain beforehand whether the Canadian law permits surrogacy and will provide appropriate travel document (such as a Passport) to the child for accompanying the surrogate  parents back to Canada. Entering into surrogacy arrangement under any other visa not sought for surrogacy is punishable under the Indian law. The couple must have been married for at least 2 years and will be given Medical Visa by us. The couple should produce a notarized  agreement with the prospective Indian surrogate  mother.  The treatment should be done only at one of the  registered ART clinics recognised by ICMR.”

General Visa Information

The Government of India has introduced a new Visa application form.  The new Form becomes compulsory with effect from August 1, 2011, for those applying to the Consulate General of India, Vancouver.  All visa applicants are required to go to the link http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/ and fill up the on-line Visa form.  After filling the Visa form, please take a print out and submit the same at one of the offices of the outsourcing agents, VFS Global.  Their office addresses, timings, phone numbers and e-mail addresses can be found by clicking  http://www.blsindia-canada.com.
          Only Emergency Passport and Visa (Visa online applications only) will be accepted at the Consulate between 09:30-11:30 Hrs (On all business days, with a copy of the air-ticket (for travel within 48 hours) for death/critical illness cases -Only Canadian Passport holders.  You may be required to provide proof of your emergency. We may not be able to grant the service in certain cases.
On Saturdays only:
          Only Emergency Visa(Online visa applications only) will be accepted at the consulate between 1000-1200 hours, with a copy of the air-ticket (for travel within 48 hours) for death/critical illness cases -Only Canadian Passport holders.  You may be required to provide proof of your emergency.  We may not be able to grant the service in certain cases.
There will be no emergency visa service on Sundays and holidays.

Consequent upon opening of 4 "Indian Visa & Consular Services Centers",  from  October 27, 2009 onwards applications for Visa, Passport, PIO,OCI, PCC etc should be submitted at:

Vancouver Centre

                Indian Passport and Visa Application Centre

                Unit B-50, 850 West Hastings Street,

                Vancouver, BC. V6C 1E1.

                Submission of Applications : 0800 – 1400 hrs.

                Passport pickup : 1500 to 1700 hrs. Monday – Friday

                Helpline number :   + 905-216-0961.  You may call between 0800 hrs. to 1700 hrs. (Monday-         Saturday except designated Holidays)

                Fax No. +604 687 6678

                You may send queries via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Surrey Centre

                Indian Visa and Passport Application Centre

                Unit 201-8140, 120^th Street,

                Surrey, BC. V3W 3N3.

                Submission of Applications : 0800 – 1400 hrs.

                Passport pickup : 1500 to 1700 hrs. Monday – Saturday except designated holidays                               

                The duly completed applications may be mailed to the Vancouver center (addressed indicated above).  Incomplete applications will be returned or will be kept on hold. Processing will only               begin once the application form(s) are completed along with the proper fees.                 

                Helpline number : + 905-216-0961.   You may call between 0800 hrs. to 1700 hrs. (Monday-          Saturday except designated Holidays)

             Fax No. +604 598 2609 

             You may send queries via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Calgary Centre

                Indian Visa and Passport Application Centre

                5120, 47 St. NE # 131,

                Calgary, AB. T3J 4K3.

                Submission of Applications : 0800 – 1400 hrs.

                Passport pickup : 1500 to 1700 hrs. Monday – Friday except designated holidays              

                The duly completed applications may be mailed to the Vancouver center (addressed indicated above).  Incomplete applications will be returned or will be kept on hold. Processing will only  begin once the application form(s) are completed along with the proper fees.                 

                  Helpline number :  + 905-216-0961.     You may call between 0800 hrs. to 1700 hrs. (Monday-       Saturday except designated Holidays)

               Fax No. +403 798 1201

                You may send queries via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Edmonton Centre

                Indian Visa and Passport Application Centre

                # 3, 10016, 29a Avenue NW

                Edmonton, AB. T6N 1A8.

                Submission of Applications : 0800 – 1400 hrs.

                Passport pickup : 1500 to 1700 hrs. Monday – Saturday except designated holidays

                The duly completed applications may be mailed to the Vancouver center (addressed indicated above).  Incomplete applications will be returned or will be kept on hold. Processing will only begin once the application form(s) are completed along with the proper fees. 

                Helpline number :   + 905-216-0961.   You may call between 0800 hrs. to 1700 hrs. (Monday-Saturday except designated Holidays

                You may send queries via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

The Consulate-General is located at 201-325, Howe Street, Vancouver and the nearest skytrain station is ‘Waterfront’. Cross street is Cordova and Howe.

VFS Processing Charges:
A charge of CAD 19.25 (plus GST ) payable to VF Services (Canada) Inc. is applicable per passport Please note that the fees / processing charge is non refundable and non transferable

All the postal applications should be sent to the Vancouver  Indian Visa & Consular Services Office at West Pender Street.

For downloading forms and for further details please visit the website http://www.blsindia-canada.com.  or http://www.cgivancouver.org/form.htm

Applications of Canadian nationals of Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and Afghani origin may require extended processing time. 

Applications of Foreign Passport holders also require longer processing time of up to 10 working days

Please apply for visa well before your departure. However, booking of a flight MAY NOT guarantee issue of visa to an applicant.

The date of validity of visa begins from the date of issue of visa which may not have any bearing to the date of travel mentioned in the application.  

MEA Official Spokesperson on queries relating to Tourist Visa In response to questions on the recent guidelines on Tourist visas, the MEA Official Spokesperson drew attention to Frequently Asked Questions Relating to Tourist Visa available on the website of Ministry of Home Affairs (link:http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/FAQ-TVisa311209.pdf) which inter alia clarifies as under: Q: Whether the gap of two months between two visits would apply to all Tourist Visa holders? Ans: The gap of two months between two visits would apply to all Tourist Visa holders. Q: Whether the restriction of two months gap for re-entering India is applicable to PIO/OCI card holders and foreigners holding business,employment, student and other categories of visa? Ans: No. The two months gap is applicable only to Tourist Visa holders Q: FAQs relating to tourist visas   Ans: http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/FAQ-TVisa311209.pdf  Q: FAQ relating to Business/Employment visas    Ans: http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/work_visa_faq.pdf

 

Important instructions for visa seekers Travellers on a Tourist visa were previously required to have a gap        of at least 2 months      between two separate visits to India. The        restriction has now been lifted except for nationals of China,        Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, foreigners of       Pakistan and Bangladesh origin and stateless persons.  Ø All foreign nationals need visa to enter India.  Ø Visas can be issued only on passports and NOT on Travel Documents. The passports should be valid for a minimum period of 190 Days.  Ø Visa application should be in the prescribed format (posted on this website). Every column of the application should be complete in all respects. Incomplete applications will not be accepted/processed. Any delay on this account will be the responsibility of the applicant. Acceptance of visa application does not necessarily mean grant of visa. The High Commission/ Consulate General reserves the right to delay/refuse visa without assigning any reasons. Visas are issued subject to various checks and clearances. 'Landing paper is not required for visa applicants. Indian passport, should be submitted, only if it is valid.  Ø Fee once charged, will not be refunded even in cases where visa is refused or application withdrawn.  Ø THE VALIDITY OF VISA STARTS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE. Visas are processed on receipt of the application, irrespective of the date of travel. Applicants seeking short term visa up to six months are, therefore, advised to apply nearer the time of their travel so as to be able to complete their trip within the validity of the visa. Applicant may be required to appear for a personal interview at the High Commission/ Consulate General of India at his/her own expense.  Ø No vaccination is necessary for those traveling to India from Canada. However, persons coming from or passing through Yellow Fever infected areas are required to be in possession of a valid certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever before arriving in India. AIDS test is required for persons aged 18 years to 70 years who stay in India for one year or more.  Ø Long Term Visa holders desirous of staying for more than 180 days are required to register at their nearest Foreigners Regional Registration office or District Superintendents of Police in districts.  Ø An applicant who desires to visit any RESTRICTED/ PROTECTED areas in India is required to submit an application on the prescribed proforma for issue of a Special Permit, in addition to the visa application. It takes about 10-12 weeks to process such an application. The form is available on our website. In cases of visa for Research, Missionary work, Journalism, travel document holders and Chinese nationals, separate rules apply. Persons who wish to apply for visa for Film shooting in India may please check on website www.mea.gov.in under the head Film Documentary Shooting.  Ø All visas are valid from the date of issue. Visas are processed on receipt of the application and visas issued immediately irrespective of the date of travel. Kindly check carefully that the intended stay is not beyond the expiry date on the visa.  Ø A list of closed holidays for this year is available on the website.  Ø Visas are issued and affixed on passports and, therefore, passports must be sent / Submitted with the application  Ø Two references known to the applicant both in India and in Canada should be written on the application form. This will enable authorities to contact the applicant in case of any emergency.  Ø Non-Canadian nationals are required to fill in the Additional Visa Reference Form (posted on this website  Ø Tourist Visas are issued for 6 months period only PAKISTAN NATIONALS & PERSONS OF PAKISTANI ORIGIN Special visa application is needed for Pakistani nationals. This can be downloaded from the section containing forms. Foreigners of Pakistani origin who continue to hold dual nationality viz. Pakistani nationality as well as foreign nationality must apply for visa on their Pakistani passports with visa form meant for Pakistani nationals.   Processing of visa request by Pakistani as well as persons of Pakistani origin takes upward  of  3 months depending on response from competent authorities. The Consulate will promptly convey the decision on their application to the applicant as soon as it is received from the authorities.  "   Note: VF Services Canada will not accept applications of Pakistani nationals/origin. Please submit your visa applications directly at the Indian Consulate (201-325, Howe Street, Vancouver. Cross roads Howe and Cordova) SRI LANKAN NATIONALS For Sri Lankan nationals and Canadian nationals of Sri Lankan origin, the re is no fixed time frame for issuance of visa. Therefore travel arrangements should only be made after issuance of visa. Visa is issued for 3 months, Single entry only..   An additional reference form is also required to be submitted. This can be downloaded from the section containing forms BANGLADESHI NATIONALS Special visa application is needed for Bangladesh nationals. This can be downloaded from the section containing forms. The processing time is about one month.

 

Emergency Services

Applications for Emergency Visa will continue to be received at the Consulate, at 201 – 325 Howe Street, Vancouver.

Emergency Visa is granted ONLY for genuine medical and humanitarian emergencies. Emergency visa is normally valid for 1 month and is for single entry only.

Applicants may be requested to appear for an interview.

Requirements:

1. Filled in form – Please fill all columns

2. 2 recent colour passport size (indicated on form) photographs with white/light background

3. Original confirmed air ticket and a copy of the same

4. Bank draft/Money order for a total of C$ 178.00 payable to Consulate General of India Vancouver

5. You will be required to provide proof of your emergency

On working days:

· Applications are received in person at Consulate between 9:30-11:30 am and passports are returned between 3-4 pm upon production of original receipt of payment.

· Tourist visa CANNOT be applied under emergency procedure.

 There will be no emergency visa service on Sundays and holidays. "

*Note: In case Visa fee is not mentioned country-specific, in that case the fee for Canadian passport holders will be applicable for them as well plus C$ 20 processing fee