India Visa Requirements

Tourist Visa

Tourists wishing to visit India are normally granted short-term tourist visas, effective from the date of issue. Tourist visas are non-extendible and non-convertible. Travel agents who have to visit India frequently may be granted tourist visas for a longer duration.

Transit Visa

The validity of the Transit visa will be 3 months from the date of issue, for a single Entry only. However stay in India should not exceed 15 days from date of arrival. Evidence of onward travel to a destination outside India is required.

Business Visa

Business Visas are normally granted for three or six months. However, multiple-entry Business Visas for up to two years validity may be granted to technicians/experts going to India in pursuance of bilateral agreements or joint venture projects having government approval.

Entry Visa

Entry Visas are issued to persons of Indian origin for duration of up to five years. These can be obtained, depending on the purpose of visit and eligibility, on a case-by-case basis.

Note that persons holding long-term visas (having validity exceeding six months) are normally not expected to stay in India more than six months during each visit. See below for requirement to register with the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO)/Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

Registration with Foreigners Registration Office (FRO)/ Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)

Persons of Indian origin holding multiple entry X-visas, visiting India to meet relatives or for social purposes, are required to register with the FRO/FRRO within 14 days of first arrival only if they intend to stay continuously for more than six months. This registration is required during the first visit after the visa is issued. Subsequent travels using the same visa do not require registration. Children below the age of 16 years are exempt from this requirement. All other visitors to India, including those of Indian origin, holding any other category of visa valid for more than six months should register with the FRO/FRRO within 14 days of arrival in India.

Student Visa or Work Visa

Applications should be made to your local Indian Embassy on a case by case basis and usually in person. Contact your local embassy for more details and application form.

Visa Exemption Letter 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 visas.