Here are the details on available types of Visa to visit India. For more information visit India Visa Online portal

I  TOURIST VISA (TV):

• As per the extant instructions of the Government of India, a Tourist Visa can only be granted to a foreigner who does not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight-seeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives etc.

• No other activity is permissible on a Tourist Visa.

• It is non-extendable and non-convertible to other types of visas and its misuse would entail deportation by Indian authorities. It may also entail denial of visa by the Mission.

• Tourist visa, maximum period of 12 months validity could be granted to foreigners.

• Repeated applications for Tourist visa will not be entertained. 

I eTourist Visa (eTV) 

Please click on the link for the official website regarding e Tourist Visa (eTV) –

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

II BUSINESS VISA (BV): 

It is mandatory for Business Visa applicant to be a resident in your country for at least 2 years

• Business Visa needs to be obtained from Indian Mission of the country of origin of the applicant or from the country of domicile of the foreigner provided the period of permanent residence of that applicant in that particular country is over two years.

• Business visa will be granted to a foreign businessman who wants to visit India to establish an industrial/business venture or to explore possibilities to set up industrial/business venture.

• Business visa will also be granted to a person who intends to visit India for purchase and sale of industrial products.

• It is generally granted for short visits to India for engaging in business or attending business meeting/negotiations.

• Undertaking employment with BV is illegal.

• This visa is to be used for short visits and not for continuous stay in India for engaging in business.

• Business visa will not be granted to foreign nationals coming for executing projects/contracts in India.

• A foreign national coming for executing projects/contracts will not be granted Business Visa. They may apply for grant of Employment Visa in Indian Mission in country of origin of the applicant.

• Family members of a foreign national granted Business Visa may apply for grant of an ‘X’ visa (i.e. Dependent Visa). The validity of ‘X’ Visa could be co-terminus with the validity of the principal Visa holder.

• Appropriate document endorsing business involved in is necessary which include the following:

• Company Registration Certificate

• Position held by the applicant in the company

• Invitation letters from company in India and letter from applicant’s company sponsoring the business visit to India indicating nature of applicant’s business, probable duration of stay, places and companies in India to be visited, are to be enclosed.

• Copy of Business Registration Certification issued by the your country authorities should be enclosed along with application.

III STUDENT VISA (SV):

• Granted for study only in Government of India recognized educational institutions/Colleges for foreigners to pursue a recognized course.

• Before seeking admission, Students are advised to confirm production of documents relating to recognitions of the institute/college for study by foreigners and recognition of the course. .

• Student visa is granted only for the term of the course.

• Certificate issued by the educational authorities in India, should indicate the full term of the course as well as the relevant year in which the applicant would be pursing the course.

• Submission of proof of Academic records in respect of education completed will be necessary. Evidence of admission to the Institute/Course from recognized University / Board (Indicate name of Institution/address/Tel & Fax no. & e-mail/website address)

• Certificate as a student if already pursuing studies in India

• Photocopies of relevant academic certificates on the basis of which admission is sought or has been obtained and satisfactory evidence of financial support - bank guarantee / letter of support from parent / guardian

• Student should also produce evidence of transfer of funds for at least 4 months sustenance in India 

• Tourist Visa is not convertible to Student Visa. Seeking admission /studying in India under Tourist visa is illegal

• A provisional student visa for 3 months will be issued on the basis of provisional admission certificate/letter of offer issued by the university/recognized college or educational institution in India.  If the admission is not given/ confirmed within the stipulated period, the student will have to leave India. This visa can be extended through local FRRO while studying in India, if required.

IV EMPLOYMENT VISA (EV) 

It is mandatory for an Employment Visa applicant to be a resident in your country for at least 2 years

• Copy of the Contract/Agreement of Employment with the Indian employer in Senior Managerial/Executive positions or jobs needing very special skills, will be necessary.

• Proof of registration of the company under relevant provisions of the Government of India rules,

• A letter from the employer indicating nature of the job, salary structure and duration of hire

• Justification letter from the employer for proposing to hire a foreigner should be submitted. Proof of qualifications and work experience of the applicant also need to be enclosed.

• The spouse and children accompanying the applicant would be issued the visa only after the applicant obtains employment visa. The copy of the applicant‘s employment visa should be attached with the spouse/children application along with a copy of marriage/birth certificate/s.

• Employment visa is extendable in India by Immigration Department. Registration is mandatory.

V TRANSIT VISA (TRV)

• It is granted for the sole purpose of enabling a foreigner to travel through India to reach his ultimate destination.

• Validity of Transit Visa is 15 days and stay should not exceed 03 days

• For stay in India beyond 03 days, appropriate visa must be obtained.

• Applicant must submit detailed travel plans along with his/her form and produce confirmed tickets.

VI RESEARCH VISA (RV)

• The foreigner who desires to undertake research in India should apply to the concerned Indian Mission with a copy of  the subject of research projects, details of places to be visited, previous visits, evidence of confirmed admission to recognized or reputed institutions and evidence of financial resources.

VII CONFERENCE VISA (CV)

Following Documents are required to be attached along with the application for a Conference Visa:

• Invitation letter from the organizer.

• Security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India.

• Administrative approval of the nodal Ministry.

• Political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India.

• Clearance from the State Government/UT concerned.

VIII JOURNALIST VISA (JV)

• Applicants representing recognized print/electronic media and visiting India on professional work must apply well in advance.

• Interview is mandatory for Journalists while applying for visa including for Tourist Visa.

IX ENTRY VISA (XV)

• Granted to spouse of Indian nationals, particularly those who want to live in India with their Indian wife/husband. Permanent place of residence of the Indian national in India is necessary.

• Spouse of the Indian national must enclose along with the application form, a copy of the Indian passport of his/her spouse with the applicant’s name duly endorsed in the Indian passport, along with a copy of the marriage certificate. Original registered marriage certificate should be produced at the time of visa application.

• XV is also issued to spouse and children of foreign nationals who have been issued with Business/Employment Visa

• XV is extendable in India.

X MEDICAL VISA (MV) & MEDICAL ATTENDANT VISA (MXV) 

Applicants going to India for medical treatment need to submit the following:

• Confirmed appointment with doctor/reputed hospital in India and a request letter to the Embassy of India, in your country by concerned doctor/hospital. 

• Original medical papers indicating appointment and requirement for treatment in India 

• Medical papers showing current medical treatment in your country with details

• Details of hospital/clinic where the applicant intends to seek treatment or has been referred to by doctors in your country

• Medical visa is issued for treatment only for reputed hospitals in India.

REGISTRATION OF FOREIGNERS IN INDIA 

It is necessary when a foreigner intends to stay in India continuously for a period beyond 180 days. It is mandatory in respect of foreigners visiting India on Student/Employment/Research/Entry/Medical/Medical Attendant Visas.

• The registration has to be done within 14 days of his/her first arrival with the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in India.

• Registration is not endorsed on passport and acceptance of disembarkation card on arrival by Immigration officials does not amount to registration. A separate Certificate of Registration / Residential Permit (RP) is issued by Immigration officials in India on fulfillment of conditions.

• The registration document is required to be shown to the Immigration officials at the port of departure, every time, while departing India. It is required to be surrendered to the immigration officials at the port of departure at the time of last departure, when another immediate visit on the same visa is not anticipated.