In order to obtain a travel agent license in India, it requires one to follow a set process and documentation that is systematic. To help the applicants, here is a brief summary of the approach required to be taken during application in order to get a travel agent license in India.
Follow steps below to get Travel Agent license in India
Step #1: Eligibility Criteria for travel agent license
- Minimum paid up capital of Rs. 3,00,000/- (Rs. 50,000/- for the Agencies working in the North-Eastern region).
- The registered firm must be in business and operational for at least one year.
- Minimum office space requirement is 150 sq. ft. (100 sq. ft. if for hilly areas).
Step #2: Keep the documents ready with other details as required:
- Application form in the prescribed format
- Registration certificate of the firm/company
- Banker’s certificate regarding investment proof
- Recent balance sheet and profit and loss statement
- ITR for the last assessment year
- Office address proof, such as the lease agreement or ownership documents.
- Bio-data of the undetermined number of persons on the staff which includes a qualified member for the position (at least one staff member should be trained and experienced in tourism or with a required tourism degree).
Step #3: Submit Application
- The application form should be filled out correctly and all sections completed.
- The application should be submitted to the respective tourism department with all relevant or requested documents along with the application.
Step #4: Site Inspection
- One of the requirements for applying for the license is that the tourism department needs to do a site inspection for determining the suitability of the office.
- The size and operations of your office should not be less than the minimum requirements prescribed.
Step #5: Pay Fees
- It is also required to pay certain government fees and professional fees if necessary. In this case, it is a fee of around 3,000 rupees.
- It will also be useful for us to know that the various fees may differ from one state to the other.
Step #6: Await Approval
- As a general rule, the time needed to process the application should not be more than 21 working days.
- After the verification and the inspection, the travel agent license will be issued to you for carrying on Travel agency business.
Step #7: Renewal and Compliance
- The license that you will be issued will however expire after five years, meaning a renewal has to be done prior to the expiry date.
- Maintaining and abiding to the various laws and regulation at all times and having all the relevant documents updated as and when required.
Summary Table: Key Steps to get a Travel Agent license in India
| Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Eligibility | Minimum capital, operational history, office space |
| 2. Documentation | Prepare required documents for submission |
| 3. Application Submission | Submit completed application to tourism department |
| 4. Site Inspection | Department conducts an inspection of your office |
| 5. Fee Payment | Pay government fees and any additional charges |
| 6. Await Approval | Processing time is about 21 working days |
| 7. Renewal | Renew license every five years; maintain compliance |
These steps will help you get a travel agent license in India which will give you right to work in the tourism industry and operate legally.
What are the fees required in obtaining a travel agent license in India?
In order to acquire the travel agent license in India, the following is the fee structure identified with the license :
1. Government Fees:
- Basic registration of ₹3,000 for a travel agent license.
2. Professional Fees:
- This is due to additional professional fees; the amount may depend on the consultancy instructor or service to help provide services (contact service providers for further details).
3. Other Potential Costs:
- They vary from state to state, and it is important to consult the local tourism offices.
- Costs for further licenses or permits if needed for certain services.
Summary of Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Government Fees | Rs. 3,000/- |
| Professional Fees | Varies and depends on the matter (Contact provider) |
| Additional State Fees | Depends on the state |
Note: GST and other applicable taxes for the above fees are not included in the reconstructions. Contact relevant authorities to ascertain the fee structure on the latest and confirmed deal.
Renew travel agent license online in India
Yes, the online option to renew travel agent license is available in India’s various regions. A brief explanation of the process is presented below:
- Website Submission: The applicant for renewal must be registered as a tour operator and must use the online process of the Ministry of Tourism, at; etraveltradeapproval.nic.in.
- Required Documents: Keep all the documents ready for submission which includes:
- Previous License details.
- Proof of compliance with minimum paid up capital and workforce requirements.
- Financial statements and income tax returns.
- Fees Payment: The user is required to pay online a renewal charge, that is typically around ₹3,000/-.
- Inspection (If required): Depending on the state and the history of compliance, the relevant authorities could carry out inspection.
- Approval Process: As soon as the documents have been presented and validated the application for renewal will be processed.
- Receive Renewed License: After the application has been renewed, the agent will be issued with another license with updated details.
Yes, you can track the status of your travel agent license renewal online in India. After submitting your application through the Ministry of Tourism’s official portal at etraveltradeapproval.nic.in, you can check the status by following these steps:
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to etraveltradeapproval.nic.in.
- Login: Use your registered credentials to log in.
- Check Application Status: Search for a section labelled as application status, and click on it. You will be redirected to a page where you can see current status and previous updates regarding your renewal application.
This online process allows you to be informed and updated about your renewal process without any hassles of visiting offices.
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Conclusion
To summarize, the process of getting or renewing a travel agent’s license in India can be described as an orderly process that has particular stages and regulatory compliances. Thanks to internet and ecommerce, applying and renewing an application are made effortless, and thus owning a travel business becomes easier.
Knowledge on the required fees and documents that are necessary for the undertaking is vital to the process. The travel industry is dynamic and to remain competitive, one must have a valid and active license which can provide more avenues of expansion. It can thus be concluded that the prospective travel agents can deal with this part of their business with ease given the right preparation and knowledge of the steps involved.
