Outline
Looking for reliable India visa Houston services? Sam’s Passport Inc. provides expert assistance in preparing and processing both physical sticker visas (via the Consulate General of India in Houston) and electronic visas (eVisas). We carefully review your application, verify supporting documents, and streamline the entire filing process.
Whether you need a physical passport sticker or a fast online eVisa, our Houston team ensures your application is error-free before submission. Clients across Texas and nationwide can ship their materials overnight or submit scans electronically. Contact us today at (713) 784-5501 or email cynthia@samspassport.com to confirm current processing times, government fees, and checklist requirements for your travel dates.
Who This India Visa Service Is For
Use this service if you are a U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident needing a visa to travel to India for tourism, business, or long-term employment.
- Tourist Sticker Visa: Physical visa stamped in your passport. Primarily for applicants within the Houston consular jurisdiction seeking long-term entry options (up to 5 years).
- Tourist eVisa: 100% online application process (typically valid for 1 year with multiple entries, or 30 days / 5 years depending on selection).
- Business eVisa: Electronic visa for commercial visits, trade, meetings, and business trips (valid for 1 year with multiple entries).
- Employment Sticker Visa: Physical passport visa required for individuals taking up formal employment with an Indian company or entity.
Non-U.S. Citizens: Legal U.S. residents (Green Card holders or valid long-term U.S. visa holders with I-94) can apply through our Houston office. Additional proof of legal U.S. status is required.
Important Houston Jurisdiction & Consulate Notes
Houston Consular Jurisdiction: The Consulate General of India in Houston processes physical sticker visas for residents of Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nebraska.
Sticker Visa Validity: India tourist sticker visas are typically granted for up to 5 years with multiple entries at the sole discretion of the consulate. Please note that 10-year sticker visas are currently unavailable for tourist category applications.
Proof of Address: Consulate rules require that the address listed on your visa application matches the address on your valid state Driver’s License or state ID.
Always print physical paper application forms on two separate sheets of paper (single-sided only). Do not print double-sided. Ensure all barcodes, lines, and port of entry fields are crisp and completely visible.
Sticker Visa vs. eVisa — Key Differences
To avoid unnecessary shipping fees or delays, understand which application path fits your travel needs:
- Physical Sticker Visa (Tourist / Employment): Requires sending your original physical passport book to our Houston office, along with paper forms, passport photos, and proof of jurisdiction.
- Electronic Visa / eVisa (Tourist / Business): Completely paperless for the applicant. No physical passport shipping required — simply email high-resolution color scans of your passport bio page, photo, and details.
- Applicants of Indian Origin: Naturalized U.S. citizens born in India must submit proof of renunciation of Indian citizenship (Renunciation Certificate) or a copy of their canceled Indian passport, along with educational/birth credentials if requested.
- Minors (Under 18): Require special parental authorization forms notarized by both parents, birth certificates, and copies of both parents’ official IDs.
How the India Visa Process Works
- Select Your Visa Type
Choose the appropriate tab above (Tourist Sticker, Tourist eVisa, Business eVisa, or Employment Sticker) and review the required document checklist.
- Prepare & Complete Forms
Fill out the online Indian visa form (or regular application PDF) and complete Sam’s Request Form.
- Ship or Email Documents
For sticker visas, send your original passport and physical documents via FedEx Priority Overnight. For eVisas, email clear PDF and JPEG scans directly to our team.
- Document Audit & Submission
Our Houston specialists inspect every line, photo spec, and supporting letter to eliminate errors before official filing with the consulate/embassy.
- Visa Delivery & Passport Return
Once issued, your eVisa approval letter is emailed to you, or your physical passport with the visa sticker is safely returned via secure courier.
Need immediate assistance? Call
(713) 784-5501 before dispatching your package so our team can double-check your checklist.
Tourist sticker
Apply for a physical India Tourist Sticker Visa through Sam’s Passport in Houston. Recommended for travelers desiring a long-term (up to 5-year) physical visa stamped into their passport book. Serving Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nebraska residents.
Tourist sticker visas are issued for up to 5 years with multiple entries, at consular discretion. 10-year tourist stickers are not currently issued.
Required Documents Checklist
Ensure all documents below are compiled in full. Incomplete submissions will cause delays at the consulate level.
Original Passport
Must be physically submitted, signed, and valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in India. Must contain at least two blank, adjacent visa pages.
Non-U.S. Citizens: Must include a notarized copy of your U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) or proof of valid long-term U.S. legal status (U.S. visa copy + I-94 arrival record).
Visa Application Form
Important Jurisdiction Selection: Select “USA-HOUSTON” as the Indian Mission/Consulate if you reside in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, or Nebraska.
Required Facilitator Forms: Complete and sign the supplemental forms below:
- For minor applicants, the second page of the visa application must be signed by both parents and notarized.
- Include a copy of the minor’s birth certificate, driver’s licenses of both parents, and passport signature pages of both parents.
Print the visa application single-sided on 2 separate sheets. Double-sided printouts are rejected by the consulate. Ensure the barcode and bottom port-of-entry fields print clearly.
Passport Photographs
Provide 2 identical, professional passport photographs.
- Dimensions: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), full face, centered against a solid white background.
- No shadows on face or background; neutral facial expression with mouth closed.
- Eyes wide open and looking directly at the camera. Full forehead, ears, chin, and nose must be uncovered.
- No eyeglasses, hats, headbands, or scarves (religious headwear permitted only with signed statement, face must remain visible).
- Must be printed on high-quality photographic paper (home inkjet prints are strictly rejected).
Driver's License / Proof of Residence
Provide a clear color copy of your valid state Driver’s License or State ID. The physical address on the license MUST match the home address given on your visa application form.
Applicants of Indian Origin
Naturalized U.S. citizens born in India must submit proof of Renunciation of Indian Citizenship, copy of canceled Indian passport, or school leaving certificate/birth certificate.
Tourist eVisa
Get your India Tourist eVisa quickly without mailing in your physical passport. The tourist eVisa is fully electronic and typically issued as a 1-year multiple-entry visa (or 30-day / 5-year upon request). Sam’s Passport manages the online submission to eliminate filing errors.
Required Documents Checklist
All documents for an eVisa are submitted via email as high-resolution digital scans.
Passport Bio Page Scan
Color PDF scan of your signed passport information page (photo page). Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond travel dates with 2 blank pages remaining.
Non-U.S. Citizens residing in the U.S.: Include a color scan of your Green Card or U.S. visa / I-94 approval.
Digital Passport Photo
Digital photograph in JPEG format.
- Square aspect ratio, plain white background.
- No glasses, high contrast, even lighting without glare or shadows.
- Neutral facial expression, face fully centered and visible.
Email Your Documents
Email all digital files directly to our processing team:
Attach: Passport Scan (PDF), Photo (JPEG), Application Details (PDF), Sam’s Request Form (PDF).
Business eVisa
Traveling to India for business meetings, conferences, or commercial ventures? The India Business eVisa is valid for up to 1 year with multiple entries. Complete the electronic checklist below and let Sam’s Passport expedite your filing.
Required Documents Checklist
Digital scans are required for electronic business visa processing.
Passport Bio Page Scan
High-resolution color PDF scan of your signed passport details page. Passport must be valid for 6+ months from arrival date.
Non-U.S. Citizens: Provide proof of legal U.S. residence status (scanned Green Card or U.S. visa with I-94).
Digital Photo
Digital passport photo in JPEG format (white background, clear lighting, no glasses).
Business Card Copy
Clear color PDF or JPEG scan of the applicant’s official company business card.
Letter of Invitation from India
Color PDF scan of the official Letter of Invitation issued by the host organization/company in India. Must be on official company letterhead, including contact details and purpose of visit.
Application Form & Sam's Request Form
Email Your Documents
Send all scanned documents to our Houston team for immediate review:
Required attachments: Passport Bio Page (PDF), Photo (JPEG), Invitation Letter (PDF), Business Card (PDF), Application & Request Forms (PDF).
Employment sticker
An India Employment Sticker Visa is required for foreign nationals taking up formal employment or executive roles in India. This physical visa is placed inside your passport. Contact our Houston office at (713) 784-5501 before compiling your physical file.
Processing fees and administrative service fees ($30+) apply to corporate and employment filings.
Required Documents Checklist
Employment visas require extensive documentation from both the U.S. applicant and the employer in India.
Original Passport
Original, signed passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the contract start date, with a minimum of 2 blank visa pages.
Non-U.S. Citizens: Include a notarized copy of your Green Card or valid U.S. visa plus I-94.
Official Visa Application & Supplemental Forms
Passport Photos & Driver's License
Provide 2 identical 2×2 inch white-background passport photos and a clear color copy of your valid State Driver’s License matching your home address.
U.S. Employer Business Letter of Guarantee
Typewritten letter on U.S. company letterhead addressed to: “Consulate General of India / Houston, TX”.
Documents from Indian Employer
- Letter of Invitation & Appointment Letter: Official appointment letter stipulating job role, location, and minimum salary requirement (minimum threshold USD $25,000 per annum).
- Certificate of Incorporation: Copy of Certificate of Business Registration / Incorporation of the inviting Indian firm.
- Employment Contract: Full employment contract signed by both employer and applicant.
- Justification Letter: Official letter on corporate letterhead justifying why the specific technical expertise/skillset is required and not available locally in India.
- Tax Liability Letter: Statement on Indian company letterhead certifying tax compliance and confirming foreign hiring limits (foreign workforce ceiling policies).
Applicant Resume & Credentials
Copy of updated resume/CV along with relevant educational diplomas or professional credentials.
Ship your documents
Ready to submit your application? For physical sticker visas, ship your entire document package to Sam’s Passport in Houston using FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Next Day Air. Call (713) 784-5501 before shipping to verify current processing windows.
Package Checklist
Original PassportOriginal signed passport book (for sticker visas) plus all supporting documents.
Completed FormsSingle-sided printouts of your visa application, supplemental forms, and photo sets.
Sam's Request FormDownload, print, and fill out Sam’s request form with your payment and return delivery details. Sam's Request Form Phone ConfirmationCall (713) 784-5501 prior to sending to confirm consulate submission schedules. Walk-in applications are welcome at Suite 100 in Houston. We return passports via secure FedEx or local delivery as soon as consular processing is complete.
