India Visa

If there could only be one land of variety in the world, it has to be India. There is a great variety in India in a variety of aspects. The religions, climates, languages, geography and cultures are so varied that it is almost impossible to imagine how a nation as huge and colorful as India is able to hold everything together. But then again, India is a land covering more than 1.2 million square meters, occupies by over a billion people. Given such statistics, there really ought to be diversity. If you want to see for yourself and experience the diverse nation that is India, you need an Indian visa.

Foreign nationals who wish to visit India are required to possess a valid passport and a valid Indian visa. If you arrive in India without a valid visa, you will be subject to immediate deportation.

Who needs a visa?

Unlike many Asian countries, there is no provision of VOA (visa on arrival) in India. Thus, you need to obtain a visa from an Indian consulate or embassy in your country before your travel date. Every foreigner must possess a valid Indian visa unless you are a national of Bhutan or Nepal. If you’re from Maldives, you do not need a visa if you plan to remain for less than 90 days.

Although there is no VOA provision in India, you may take advantage of TLP (Temporary Landing Permit) or TLF (Temporary Landing Facility). These allow foreigners to enter Indian territory in emergent situations such as death or serious illness in the family for a fee of US$40. Note that these provisions of TLP or TLF are not available to citizens of Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Requirements

To apply for a visa, you need to submit the following documents to the nearest Indian consulate or embassy in your area.

Application forms. You have to accomplish Indian visa application forms through the Internet. Once you have provided all the necessary details, print it out and sign it. Each form is bar coded. It will store the information you entered securely for a more efficient processing.

Note: Downloaded forms and handwritten forms are not acceptable.

There are special application forms specifically for certain nationals. If you’re a Pakistani national, complete this special form and submit four copies. If you’re a Bangladeshi national, complete it and submit two copies.

Passports. You must have a passport with a validity of at least six months from the date of application. It must also have two or more blank visa pages (excluding the last two amendment pages). You need to submit an original passport and not a copy.

Photographs. Two recent identical color or black and white passport-size photographs are required. They must depict front pose against a white background. If you’re from Pakistan, submit four photos.

Renunciation Form. If you’re a person of Indian origin and you are applying for an Indian visa on a US passport for the first time, you must submit a completed renunciation form together with your Indian passport and the application form for return and cancellation.

Proof of Address. You also need to submit a photocopy of proof of address or residence. A photocopy of a utility bill or driver;s license is acceptable. If you are below 18, you need to submit your parent’s or guardian’s proof of residence instead.

Corresponding Fees. Fees vary according to the country you are in. Contact the nearest Indian embassy or consulate in your area for more information.

Additional Requirements. If you are not a US citizen, you need to submit a copy of your green card or your long-term US visa. If what you have is a short-term visa and you are not a US citizen, you should apply for an Indian visa in the country of your permanent residence. In case of an emergency, you may make an application at the Indian consulate or embassy in the US. A reference fee of US$20 will be collected in addition to the relevant visa fee.

Aside from these, there are also additional documents you have to submit according to the type of visa you are applying for. (Scroll down for details.)

Types Available

There are several types of Indian visas. Choose the type that is most appropriate for you according to the purpose of your visit.

Tourist visa. If you intend to visit India for sightseeing purposes only, a tourist visa is what you need. This is also the appropriate visa for people wanting to visit their relatives and friends based in India. The validity period for a tourist visa varies from six months to 10 years. However, 10-year visas are available only to American citizens under a bilateral agreement. Nevertheless, regardless of length of validity, you are only allowed a maximum period of six months for each visit. There is no way you can extend your stay if you’re on a tourist visa.

Available lengths of validity:

• US citizens: six months, one year, five years, 10 years. Multiple entry.
• Non-US citizens: six months, one year, five years. Multiple entry.
• Sri-Lanka citizens: six months – single entry, six months – multiple entry, one year – multiple entry

Business visa. Whether you want to start a business or you are on a business trip in India, a business visa is exactly what you need. This type of visas is available in multiple entries. Although they are valid for six months or more than one year, the period of stay for each visit is limited to six months only. If you intend to set up or you have set up joint ventured in India, you may apply for a business visa with a validity period of 10 years.

Available lengths of validity:

• US citizens: six months, one year, five years, 10 years. Multiple entry.
• Non-US citizens: six months or one year. Multiple entry.
• Sri-Lanka citizens: six months – single entry, six months – multiple entry, one year – multiple entry

Additional document required:

• a sponsor letter — a letter from your sponsor (a business partner or firm) indicating the nature of your business, the probable duration of stay, the places and agencies to be visited, and a guarantee of financial responsibility

Conference visa. If the purpose of your visit is to attend an international conference or other conferences on certain subjects as decided by the Indian government, you may be issued a conference visa. This type is released only after a clearance for the said event is received from the government. The maximum length of validity of this visa for all foreign nationals is three months.

Additional documents required:

• an invitation letter from the organizer of the event
• a letter from the organization in your home country stating your nomination to attend the conference

Employment visa. If you intend to work in India, what you need is an employment visa. Granted by the consulate or embassy, this type is valid for one year, irrespective of the contract duration. However, you may extend your stay for up to five years by applying at MHA or FRRO in the concerned state.

Additional documents required:

• an employment appointment letter
• an employment contract letter
• a copy of your resume
• proof that the organization you will be working for is registered in India

Entry visa. Entry visas are granted to persons of Indian origin who have renounced their Indian citizenship. Members of the family of a person legally working in India may also apply for this visa. It is valid for six months to five years with multiple entry.

Additional document required:

• Family members of a person legally working in India must submit a copy of his or her employment visa

Journalist visa. If you are a professional journalist or photographer and you wish to stay in India for no less than three months, you should apply for a journalist visa. However, if you intend to make a documentary in India about the country’s people or culture, you should contact the embassy’s Press and Information Wing first. It usually tales a minimum of three to five working days.

Missionary visa. The Indian government allows foreign nationals to obtain legal residency under the condition that they will remain in Panama only for the purpose of missionary activities like being a church pastor or other such activities. A missionary visa is a single-entry visa valid only for the length of time approved by the government. The processing of applications for this visa usually takes up to three months.

Additional document required:

• three copies of a letter from your sponsor indicating your destination, expected duration of stay, nature of work and a guarantee of financial responsibility while in India

Research visa. If you wish to visit India for research purposes especially for an international political, humanitarian or academic organization, a research visa is exactly what you need. The validity of this visa coincides with the period of your research.

Additional document required:

• a statement of approval from the Department of Education (Ministry od Human Resources Development) in New Delhi

Student visa. If you are a bona fide student who wishes to pursue regular studies at a recognized academic institution in India, what you should apply for is a student visa. The validity period varies depending on the period of study approved by the educational institution you will be studying at.

Additional documents required:

• a letter from a recognized academic institution confirming your admission
• evidence of financial arrangements
• for medical and paramedical courses: a letter of approval from the Ministry of Health of India
• for engineering and technical graduate courses, a letter of approval from the Department of Education (Ministry of Human Resources Development)

Transit visa. A transit visa enables its holder to pass through the country to reach his or her ultimate destination. If this is your purpose of entering India, this is what you should obtain from designated border posts or gates. Once you are on Indian soil, change of purpose is not permitted. This is generally available for a single or double journey. Typically, it has a validity period of 15 days from the date of issue. It is also valid for “direct transit only” for up to three days. If you wish to stay for more than three days, you need to obtain an appropriate visa other than this.

Additional document required: a confirmed airline ticket for an onward journey

Collective visa. If you will travel to India as a part of a group tour and consisting of at least four members and sponsored by a government-recognized travel agency, you may apply together for a collective visa. Remember that you may split into several smaller groups once you reach India as long as you reassemble and depart together as one group.

Landing permit facility. A group of tourists consisting of at least four members arriving by ship, air or by a scheduled or chartered flight may be granted a landing permit for a duration of up to 30 days by the Immigration Office on landing. This is only applicable if the group is sponsored by a government-recognized travel agency.

Additional documents required:

• a pre-drawn itinerary complete with details of passports of members

• an acknowledgment from the travel agency to conduct the tourist group together

Additional Information

If you are a US national and your passport is stolen or lost while in India, the first thing that you should do is to contact the US embassy or consulate in your area. They will issue a replacement passport. The second step is to have an exit visa stamp on your passport. Without it, Indian authorities will not permit you to leave the country.

An exit visa will allow you a specified period of time in which to leave India legally. There are no fees collected for this. However, if you wish to extend this visa, you must pay a fee. To obtain an exit visa, you have to submit the following documents:

• your replacement passport
• the letter issued by the US consulate or embassy giving the details of your stolen or lost passport
• your original boarding pass or a letter from the airline which you arrived in India on verifying the place and date of your entry into the country
• original police report

Although it is not required, you may also submit a copy of your entry stamp or Indian visa if you still have it. This will facilitate the processing of your application for an exit visa.