- A correctly completed application form in BLACK INK AND BLOCK
CAPITALS. If you use one of our EasyFill
Forms, be sure to press the Caps Lock key on your keyboard.
- The applicant's original passport. It must be valid for AT
LEAST SIX MONTHS and have AT LEAST 4 FREE PAGES.
- Correct visa fee, payable only in CASH or by BANK DRAFT.
- Two passport-size photographs.
- If you do not hold a passport for the country you are resident
in, you must supply proof of residency (e.g. National ID Card,
Driver's Licence). You are likely to be charged extra for your
visa, and processing time may be longer (allow 3 weeks minimum).
Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals need to apply on special
application forms, and provide 5 passport-size photographs.
For more details on the specific requirements of your nearest
consular office, check here.
Should I make an application
in person or by post?
That decision is entirely up to you, although most embassies
recommend making personal applications. Postal applications also
usually cost more.
Applications in person are often dealt with on the same day.
You need to arrive at the embassy before a certain time in the
morning. Cut off times vary from Mission to Mission. See the Embassy
Directory for time details of your nearest Mission. If you
have a straightforward case (e.g. you are applying for a Tourist
Visa in your home country, and your application has no errors),
then generally your passport and visa will be ready to collect
the same afternoon. Note that some Missions require collection
the following day, so you may need to make more than one journey
to the embassy.
Applications by post are suitable when you live a considerable
distance from the nearest Indian Mission. Many US citizens will
find this to be the case. With postal applications, you should
allow a minimum of 3 weeks for processing. You should send all
relevant documents via recorded delivery. Make sure you put your
name and address on the outside of the envelope. You will also
need to include a pre-paid self-addressed envelope, which can
be used to return your documents to you.
There are also a number of companies and tour operators that
will make the visa application for you. Each company will have
a different processing time.
How long does it take
to arrange a visa?
In the most straightforward cases, and depending on the policy
of your nearest Indian Mission, visas can be obtained in as little
as a day. Straightforward means an application for a tourist or
business visa from an applicant resident in the country for which
(s)he holds a passport, who has supplied all necessary supporting
documentation and a correctly completed form.
In other cases, processing generally takes 15 working days (3
weeks), although special visas may not be granted until 3 months
after the application is made. See the information below on specific
visa types.
Which type of visa should
I apply for?
Multiple entry visas are straightforward to obtain, and are generally
valid for 180 days from the date of issue. The type of visa to
apply for depends upon the purpose of your visit. For visiting
friends, family, or for general touring purposes, the Tourist
Visa is the most appropriate. This is by far the most popular
visa issued, followed by Business and Transit visas. See below
for each visa type, and the requirements for applications.
Tell me about Tourist
Visas
The Tourist Visa is a multiple entry visa valid for a period
of 180 days, granted for the purpose of tourism. Visits to family
and friends are covered by this visa. The six month Tourist Visa
is valid from the date of issue. Tourist Visas can also
be given for 3 months. Three month visas are valid from the date
of first entry into India, which must be within 2 months of the
date of issue. Three month visas are gradually being phased out.
General requirements are:
- A correctly completed application form in
BLACK INK AND BLOCK CAPITALS. If you use one of our EasyFill
Forms, be sure to press the Caps Lock key on your keyboard.
- The applicant's original passport. It must be valid for AT LEAST
SIX MONTHS and have AT LEAST 4 FREE PAGES.
- Correct visa fee, payable only in CASH or by BANK DRAFT.
- Two passport-size photographs.
- If you do not hold a passport for the country you are resident
in, you must supply proof of residency (e.g. National ID Card,
Driver's Licence). You are likely to be charged extra for your
visa, and processing time may be longer (allow 3 weeks minimum).
Tourist Visas are the most straightforward to apply for.
Tell me about Transit
Visas
Transit visas are granted by Indian Missions abroad for stops
of up to 72 hours within 15 days from date of issue.
This visa is issued only for changing of flights en route to another
country.
For a successful application for a Transit Visa, you must satisfy
the General
Requirements, and provide:
- evidence of airline tickets for your onward
journey
- a valid visa for the final destination
Tell me about Business
Visas
Visitors travelling to India on business are generally granted
multiple entry Business Visas valid for up to 6 months. It is
also possible to obtain longer term multiple entry Business Visas,
valid for up to 5 years. The period of stay in India for each
visit is limited to 180 days.
Together with the General
Requirements applications should be supported by:
-Documents from Indian companies/firms confirming
a business relationship
- A letter from the sponsoring organization, detailing
i) The nature of applicant’s business
ii) The probable duration of stay
iii) The length of visa required
iv) The places and organizations to be visited
v) A guarantee to meet maintenance expenses
Individual embassies may have further requirements. Contact your
local mission
for more information.
Tell me about Employment
Visas
The Employment Visa is issued to skilled and qualified professionals
who are appointed by organizations as technicians, technical experts,
senior executives, etc. In addition to the General
Requirements, applicants are required to submit proof of employment
by the company or organization. An appointment letter, contract
letter, applicant’s resume and proof that the organization
is registered in India are required
Tell me about Student
Visas
The Student Visa is valid for the period of study in India, up
to a maximum of 5 years. Multiple-entry visas are given to genuine
students to pursue regular studies at recognized institutions
in India.
Requirements:
- General
Requirements plus
- A letter confirming admission from a recognized institution
- Evidence of financial arrangements for the stay in India
- In the case of admission to medical or paramedical courses,
a Letter of Approval or No Objection Certificate from the Ministry
of Health, Government of India, is required
- For admission to graduate or post-graduate courses in engineering/
technical institutions in India, a Letter of Approval or No Objection
Certificate from the Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department
of Education) is required
Tell me about Entry
Visas
Entry Visas are valid for six months to five years stay with
multiple entry. This visa is only given to persons of Indian origin.
However, members of the family of a person employed in India are
also eligible for Entry Visas. Please enquire at your local Indian
Mission for full details of supporting documents required.
Tell me about Conference
Visas
Visitors attending conferences in India should apply for the
Conference Visa. Applications may take up to four weeks.
Visas for international conferences, or on certain subjects
as decided by the Government of India from time to time, will
be issued only after clearance for the said conference
is received from the Government of India.
Tell me about Journalist
Visas (J-Visa)
Journalists can obtain a 3 month, single entry visas from a consular
office on submission of documentary proof of status (for example,
an employment card or original letter from a reputed News/Media
agency). The J-Visa is valid for all purposes other than film
shooting. The initial three month period can be extended
by applying to:
The Publicity Officer (PR)
XP Division
Ministry of External Affairs
Shastri Bhawan
New Delhi-110001
Phone: 3383462
Fax: 3387075/3782391
A six month, multiple entry J-visa is available to journalists
who are going to India to work in a branch office of a Foreign
Media Company. You should apply directly to your local consular
office. The application must be supported by a letter of appointment
from the Foreign Media Company office. This visa is also available
to journalists replacing a correspondent already in India.
To shoot films and documentaries in India you need prior approval.
Applications can be quite involved, and you should check with
your local consular
office for details. As an example, the Consular Office in
Vienna, Austria requires:
1. Application Form for Visa
2. Application Form and undertaking for filming documentaries
in India
3. Application for filming at protected monuments
4. List of team members along with name, nationality, date of
birth, passport number, place and ate of issue and validity, occupation
etc
5. List of cinematic equipments with description and brand name
6. Synopsis of the proposed film project
7. Filming programme stage by stage and date by date
8. Letter from the producer specifying the hospitality required
9. Publicity Returns: TV Channel where the documentary will be
screened (details of date/time/duration etc.)
Tell me about Research
Visas
Research Visas are valid for the period of research only. You
must obtain Approval from the Ministry of Human Resources Development
(Department of Education), New Delhi. Contact your local Indian
Mission for full details, as visas are granted on a case by
case basis.
Tell me about Missionary
Visas
The Missionary Visa is a Single entry visa valid for a duration
as approved by the Government of India
- General
Requirements plus
- Three copies of the letter from the sponsoring organization
indicating
i) The intended destination in India
ii) The expected length of stay
iii) The nature and purpose of work to be carried out
- A letter of guarantee from the sponsoring organisation for
the applicant's maintenance in India
It can take up to 3 months to process an application for a Missionary
Visa.
Tell me about Collective
Visas
Collective Visas can be issued to group tours of not less than
4 members and sponsored by a government recognised travel agency.
Such groups may split into smaller groups to visit different places
in India after obtaining a collective "licence to travel"
from Indian immigration authorities. However, the group must reassemble
and depart together. General requirements and supporting documents
are as indicated for standard Tourist Visas and detailed here.
How much will my visa
cost?
The embassy directory
provides a schedule of fees for each listed Mission.
Is it possible to get
a visa for free or at reduced cost?
Yes, depending upon your nationality. There are bilateral arrangements
between India and certain other countries that mean some nationalities
need only pay reduced or no fees. To take advantage of these arrangements,
you must apply for a visa in your home country. If you apply for
a visa in a country for which you do not hold a passport, you
may face additional fees.
Nationals of the following countries will be issued free visas:
Afghanistan
Argentina
Bangladesh
Hungary
Jamaica
Maldives
Mauritius
Mongolia
Poland
San Merino
Slovakia
South Africa
Uruguay
Nationals of the following countries do not need a visa for India:
Bhutan
Nepal
Nationals of the following countries will be issued visas at
reduced fee schedules:
Japan
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
For more information on these matters, contact your nearest Indian
Mission.
I am travelling with
children, what do I need to know?
When you travel with children, you are advised to have documentary
evidence of your relationship and, where applicable, permission
for the child’s travel from the absent parent(s) or legal
guardian. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required,
may facilitate entry/departure. When applying for a visa, you
will be required to provide a photograph of each child travelling
with you under your passport.
These precautions are necessary to combat child trafficking.
I am in a country in
which I am not normally resident, what do I do?
You can still apply for a visa at your nearest embassy, however,
you should allow at least 15 working days extra processing time.
In most cases, you will have to pay an additional fee. The embassy
directory provides a schedule of fees for each listed Mission.
What is the maximum period
I can stay for in India?
The maximum length of stay in any single period in India is 180
days. This is the case even when a visa is valid for more than
6 months.
Can I extend my visa/stay
in India?
Yes you can, subject to approval. If you are on a Tourist Visa,
you are entitled to stay in India for up to 180 days, and can
move about freely in the country, except to restricted/protected
areas and prohibited places.
Beyond 180 days, you must extend your visa, by applying for a
Letter of Permission from:
Ministry of Home Affairs
Lok Nayak Bhavan, 1st floor
Khan Market
New Delhi 110003
Phone: 24693334, 24612543, 24617649
Once you have obtained this Letter of Permission, you are required
to present it to the Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office
(FRRO) together with:
(i) One photocopy of passport and initial visa
(ii) Four photographs of the applicant
(iii) Details of residence in India
(iv) If aged between 15 and 60 years old, and visiting India
on a visa valid for more than one year, an HIV test report from
a WHO recognized institution is necessary
(v) One copy of marriage certificate in the case of those seeking
extension of stay on the grounds of being married to an Indian
National
(vi) A genuine certificate from a recognised university/college/institution
in the case of a Student Visa
(vii) An accreditation certificate from the Press Information
Bureau in the case of a Journalist Visa
(viii) Approval of the Department of Company Affairs in the
case of board level appointees in Public Limited Companies
(ix) Two copies of the Approval of Government of India Letter
in the case of a joint venture or business collaboration (Business
Visa)
(x) One copy of permission from the RBI in the case of a joint
venture or business collaboration (Business Visa)
(xi) Terms and conditions of appointments and copies of contracts
or agreements, in the case of an Employment Visa
(xii) An undertaking (in the format given below) from the concerned
Indian company on the following lines in case of an Employment
or Business Visa:
UNDERTAKING
We take full responsibility for the activities
and conduct of Mr./Ms. __________________________ national of
_______________ during his/her stay in India. If anything adverse
comes to notice during this period, we undertake to repatriate
him/her on our cost.
Date:
Signature of Competent Authority
Seal:
Where is my nearest Foreigners
Regional Registration Office (FRRO)?
You can contact a FRRO at:
New Delhi
Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)
Ist floor, Hans Bhavan,
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg,
Near ITO, New Delhi
Phone: 011-3319489/3755183/5652389
Monday to Friday 09:30-13:30 and 14:00-16:00
Mumbai
Chief Immigration Officer
Shastry Bhavan Annexe
26, Haddows Road,
Mumbai
Phone: 022-2621169/2620721/8350098
Chennai
S. P. (Immigration and CID)
Interrogation Centre
PCP Attari Rail Mal Mandi
Chennai
Phone: 044-8277036/8277036/2340589
Amritsar
DIG (Border)
Intelligence Branch
13-Lord Singh Road
Amritsar
Phone: 0183-225456/227605/382630
Calcutta
Phone: 033-2470549/5528830
In other cities, the Superintendent of Police of the district
acts as Registration Officer for Foreigners.
The Registration Officer issues a Certificate of Registration.
These certificates should be surrendered either at the office
where registered, or to the Immigration Officer at the port of
exit from India. If the certificate is not surrendered to the
Immigration Officer at the port of exit, you must produce the
receipt indicating surrender of certificate.
Registration is required only once, and multiple entries/exits
are allowed during the approved period and whilst the original
visa is valid. If entering India on a new visa, reregistration
is required.
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