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South Asia

India

India's e-visa system (e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical) is available for US citizens and most nationalities. It covers most travel purposes and processes within 72 hours. For situations that e-visa doesn't cover — or for Indian nationals renewing passports — the Indian consulate is involved. We help with both.

Country at a Glance

Capital
New Delhi
Population
1.4 billion
Languages
Hindi, English
Columbus diaspora
40,000+
Independence
August 15, 1947
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Time Zone
IST (UTC+5:30)

US Travel Advisory — Level 2

Exercise Increased Caution

Geographic Overview

Where is India?

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Columbus Connection

40,000+ Columbus Residents

Columbus has one of the largest Indian-American communities in Ohio, anchored by the technology and healthcare sectors, Ohio State University, and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. The community represents diverse Indian states — Gujarat, Telugu states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana), Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Kerala. Cultural organizations, temples, and community events are active across the metro area.

Why Columbus Residents Travel Here

  • 1Family visits — strong multigenerational family culture
  • 2Weddings (Indian weddings are multi-day affairs requiring presence)
  • 3Religious holidays — Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas celebrations with family
  • 4Medical tourism (India offers world-class care at lower cost)
  • 5Property and investment management
Current Situation

India Visa & Travel Overview

US State Department Level 2Exercise Increased Caution

US State Department Level 2 — terrorism, civil unrest. Major cities and tourist areas are generally accessible. Kashmir carries higher risk.

Columbus has one of the largest Indian-American communities in Ohio, anchored by the technology and healthcare sectors, Ohio State University, and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. The community represents diverse Indian states — Gujarat, Telugu states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana), Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Kerala. Cultural organizations, temples, and community events are active across the metro area.

US Embassy / Consulate

New Delhi (+ consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata)

in.usembassy.gov

India Embassy in US

Washington, DC (+ consulates in NY, Houston, Chicago, SF, Atlanta)

indianembassyusa.gov.in

Independence

August 15, 1947

Currency

Indian Rupee (INR)

Time Zone

IST (UTC+5:30)

Driving Side

Left

Phone Code

+91

e-Visa

Available at indianvisaonline.gov.in

Our Services

How Asal Helps With India Documents

We are a document preparation and translation service — not an attorney or embassy. We make sure every document in your packet is correct before you submit.

India e-Visa Application Assistance

We help complete the Indian e-visa application at indianvisaonline.gov.in — accurate form completion, correct photo/passport scan upload, and selecting the right visa type (e-Tourist, e-Business, or e-Medical).

India-Specific Photo Requirements

India e-visa requires a very specific photo format: plain white background, 350x350 pixel digital image, face covering 70-80% of the frame, no border. We provide correctly formatted digital photos for India e-visa applications.

Indian Civil Document Translation

Certified English translation of Indian documents in Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, or Bengali — birth certificates, marriage certificates, school certificates — for US immigration applications.

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card Support

We help Indian-Americans organize documents for OCI card applications — the lifelong visa for people of Indian origin.

Documents

What You Typically Need

Every case is different — requirements vary by visa type and individual circumstances. We review your specific documents when you come in.

  • 1Valid US passport (minimum 6 months validity, minimum 2 blank pages)
  • 2Digital passport photo (white background, 350x350 px, specific proportions)
  • 3Scanned first and last pages of passport
  • 4Valid US address and contact information
  • 5Return ticket or travel plans
  • 6For business e-visa: business card, company letter
  • 7For medical e-visa: letter from Indian hospital confirming appointment
What Trips People Up

e-Visa Photo Rejections — The Exact Specifications Are Strict

The India e-visa portal automatically rejects photos that don't meet precise specifications: the digital image must be exactly square (350x350 pixels minimum), the background must be plain white (not off-white, not gray), and the face must fill 70-80% of the frame. Standard US passport photos fail these requirements when scanned because the proportions are different. We provide correctly sized and formatted digital photos for India e-visa applications — taken in our Columbus office or properly formatted from an existing photo.

Visa Types We Help With

India e-Tourist VisaIndia e-Business VisaOCI Card SupportIndian Document Translation
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions — India

What is the difference between an India e-Tourist visa and a regular tourist visa?+
The India e-Tourist visa (eTV) is an online visa valid for multiple entries, up to 90 days per visit, and valid for 1 year. It covers tourism, visiting family, and short courses. The regular sticker tourist visa can be issued for up to 10 years with multiple entries and longer permitted stays. For most US citizens visiting India, the 1-year e-Tourist visa is sufficient. For frequent travelers, a 5 or 10-year sticker visa may be better.
Can Asal translate Hindi or regional language documents for US immigration?+
Yes. We provide certified English translation of Indian documents in Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, and Bengali. Common documents include: birth certificates, marriage certificates (from Registrar of Marriages or religious ceremony records), school leaving certificates, and Aadhaar card data pages.
What is the OCI card and does Asal help with it?+
The OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card is a lifelong multiple-entry visa for persons of Indian origin who are citizens of another country (like the US). It allows unlimited stays in India without a separate visa. Applications are processed through CKGS. We help Indian-Americans organize the supporting documents required: proof of Indian origin, current foreign passport, prior Indian passport or parent/grandparent's Indian documents.
I need to renew my Indian passport. Can Asal help?+
Indian passport renewal for US-based citizens is handled through the Consulate General in Chicago (covering Ohio) via the CKGS processing center. We help you organize the required documents — current passport, proof of US address, supporting ID — and complete the application form correctly before you submit.

Consulate & Processing Information

India e-visas are available at indianvisaonline.gov.in for tourism, business, and medical purposes. Regular sticker visas for other purposes are processed through CKGS (Cox & Kings Global Services) centers, which serve as outsourced processing agents for the Consulate General of India in Chicago (which covers Ohio).

Important: Asal Multi Services is a document preparation service, not an immigration attorney, legal representative, or embassy. We do not provide legal advice and are not affiliated with any embassy, consulate, or US government agency. Visa decisions are made solely by the relevant government authority.
Service Area

India Document Assistance Near You

Serving all of Central Ohio from our office at 3185 Morse Rd, Suite 15, Columbus OH 43231.

Ready to Prepare Your India Documents?

Walk in or call — we speak English, Somali, and Arabic.

3185 Morse Rd, Ste 15, Columbus, OH 43231 · Mon–Fri 10am–6pm · Sat 10am–6pm · Sun 10am–4pm