The Joy of Paperwork

To travel within India, one needs a visa. I had no idea, because I thought you could just show up with a passport and get a stamp, but I guess not. For this trip, I was going to need a tourist visa.

What can I say about the paperwork? It's a lot. As recommended by GHNI, I went to www.zvs.com. As reported in an earlier blog entry, I didn't think that you had to send in your actual passport, but you do. Who should I put my trust in: the postal service or UPS? (Answer: UPS.)

Anyways, among the other things they need:

• A copy of your driver's license or state issued ID. If address on ID is different from current address, you need to send in a utility bill from your current address.
• 2 identical 2-inch by 2-inch passport-type photographs.
• Filled out online application form.
• Filled out ZVS order form.
• And a photocopy of everything.
  

Of course, the application feels like it needs to be very precise. We also need to fill out the name and address of whoever it is we're visiting in India.

The process really doesn't take too long, but you have to be exact. I haven't gotten it back yet, but I hope my passport is all right.