Indian Visa Information

Who Needs An Indian Visa
Foreign Nationals need to have a valid Indian Visa along with a valid passport of their country if they are planning to visit India for traveling, business meetings, to attend a conference or for transit purpose. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan don't need a Visa to visit India. Citizens of Maldives need to possess an Indian Visa only if they stay in India for more than 90 days. Non Resident India (NRIs)/Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) possessing Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card or (PIO) Card need not require an Indian Visa.

Types of Visa and Validity
Visas are granted for specific purposes depending on the purpose of stay in India.

• Foreign Nationals coming for traveling in India need a Tourist Visa, which is applicable for six months. Documents related to the financial standing and residential proofs are required for the same.
• A Transit Visa is for a shorter duration, maximum to 15 days, and requires evidence to be shown of an onward travel to a place outside India.
• For Business purpose, one requires to possess a Business Visa, which is valid upto a period of one year or more.
• A conference Visa is valid for the period of conference or seminar. Proof of invitation of the company or institution organizing the conference needs to be presented.
• A student Visa is required by those foreign nationals who want to study in India and have got an admission in an Indian University. Proof of admission form a recognized Indian University is required to be attached with the Visa application form. The period of validity in this case is the study period or 5 years, whichever is less.

Requirements for an Indian Tourist Visa
To apply for an Indian tourist Visa, the applicant must possess a valid passport with six months of validity remaining at the time of visa application, the required Visa fee, a fully completed Visa application form, valid green card or US Visa, copy of the onward return journey or confirmed tour itinerary, ETS Order Form, residence proof (driving license/ utility bill) and two passport size photographs.

Process of Procuring Indian Visa
For obtaining an Indian Visa, one needs to first buy a Visa application form from the Indian embassy available in one's native country. Separate Visa forms are available for Bangladesh and Pakistan Nationals and also for those NRIs who don't possess the Oversees Citizen of India (OCI) card. Visa applications along with the required documents and fees, need to be submitted at the High Commission of India office based in the native country of the foreign national.

To download India Visa application form, click here: http://mha.gov.in/pdfs/visaform.pdf