India Visa Information
India Visa can be applied for
in person or by post at the Indian Embassies, or High
Commission of India in your country. Visa fees are
non-refundable and subject to change without notice.
Their processing may take one
week or in some cases much longer. Visa Section will
contact the applicant about the time of delivery for
such passports.
Visitors to
restricted/protected areas (like Sikkim, Nagaland) need
special permits and for this purpose an additional form
has to be completed. Please contact the Indian Embassy
or High Commission, if you wish to ascertain whether any
of the places you intend to visit fall in the category
of restricted/protected areas.
Specific Visas are granted for
a variety of purposes. The principal types of Visa
issued are mentioned below. Please contact the High
Commission of India for further details if you are
visiting India for purposes other than tourism, such as
journalism, conferences, yoga, voluntary work,
mountaineering or other expeditions. The visa
application form is, however, the same. Separate forms
are available for Pakistani and Bangladeshi Nationals.
Here is a sample of India Visa Application
form (so that you know what details they ask). This form
is valid only if you are applying for visa at Washington
DC. Please obtain correct form from the Internet if you
are applying at other locations.
-
India Visa Form
Note: You will require
Adobe Acrobat Reader to
open the visa form.
Requirements for Visa
-
Original passport valid for
at least 6 months
-
Correct visa fee
-
Two passport size
photographs (5 photographs in case of Pakistani
Nationals)
-
Supporting documents, where
necessary
-
Duly completed application
form (Pakistani and Bangladeshi Nationals need to
apply on special application forms)
Additional requirements for
different types of Visa are given below.
a. Tourist Visa
Tourists wishing to visit
India will normally be granted tourist Visa,
effective from the date of issue. Tourist Visa are
non-extendible and non-convertible. Travel Agents
who have to visit India frequently may be granted
tourist Visa for a longer duration.
b. Business Visa
Business Visa are normally
granted for 3 or 6 months. However, multiple-entry
Business Visa for up to 2 years validity may be
granted to technicians/experts going to India in
pursuance of bilateral agreements or joint venture
projects having government approval.
c. Student and Employment Visa
Student Visa can be
obtained on furnishing proof of admission to
recognized Universities/Institutions in India.
Employment Visa can also be obtained on furnishing
of proof of employment with companies in India.
d. Transit Visa
Transit Visa are valid for
halts of up to 72 hours in India within 15 days from
the date of issue of the visa and must be obtained
before departure. Transit Visa cannot be obtained
from immigration counters at ports of entry in
India. Evidence of onward travel to a destination
outside India is required.
e. Entry Visa
Entry Visa are issued to
persons of Indian origin for a duration of up to 5
years. These can be obtained, depending on the
purpose of visit and eligibility, on a case by case
basis.
Please Note : Persons
holding long term Visa (having validity exceeding 6
months) are normally not expected to stay in India
more than 6 months during each visit. Please refer
to the boxed note further down for requirement to
register with the Foreigners Registration Office
(FRO)/Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
Visa Exemption Letters for
Minors
Visa Exemption Letters
previously granted to children of Indian origin (for
a maximum validity of 90 days from the date of
issue) have been discontinued since 1 July 1999.
Visa Exemption Letters issued in the past are hence
no longer valid. All children holding separate
passports are now required to obtain regular Visa.
