Tourist Visa:

is given for a period of 6 months. The applicant is required to provide documentary proof of his financial standing, or the travel schedule and original confirmed return ticket, as well as a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Tourist visas are non-extendable and non-convertible.

IMPORTANT - TOURIST VISA REGULATIONS IN FORCE

1.  Tourist Visas can only be granted to a foreign national who does not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is : –

No other activity is permissible on a Tourist Visa. A Tourist Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible. For purposes other than tourism, applicants should apply for other appropriate types of visa.

2.   To curb potential abuse or misuse of the Tourist Visa, the following restrictions are applicable on all categories of Tourist Visas:-

(a)   After every visit to India, there must be a gap of a minimum of 2-months before a person undertakes another visit to India.

(b)   Where a foreign national is required to travel to India again within 2-months of his/her last departure due to emergent situations such as death/serious illness in the family, non-availability of connecting flights for the visitor to return to their country of origin, travel to another country or any other exigent situation, the foreign national should obtain special permission to do so from the concerned Indian diplomatic mission, which will decide on the merits of a case, based on supporting documents furnished by the foreign national.

3.   Where a person seeks exemption from the mandatory 2-months gap, the applicant

(a)    Must furnish an undertaking along the following lines:
· That the purpose of his/her visit is in response to an emergency situation.

· That he/she is not engaged in business activities or employment, and that the exemption sought is not in pursuit of academic purposes (studies/research etc).

(b)   Should also require to register himself / herself with the FRRO/FRO concerned in India within 14 days of arrival. The registration may be done at the first place of landing in India.

4.   Foreigners holding Tourist Visas, who after initial entry into India plan to visit another country largely on account of neighbourhood tourism related travel and re-enter India before finally exiting, may be permitted two or three entries, as the case may be (need based), by High Commission. This is subject to submission of a detailed itinerary and supporting documentation (ticket bookings).

5.   If the applicant is already outside of their country of origin, they may also get such an endorsement from the nearest Indian Mission/Post.

Business Visa:

Multi-entry Business Visa, valid for one or more years, is granted to those who

• Wish to visit India to establish industrial/ business venture or to explore possibilities to set up industrial/ business venture in India.
• Visit India to purchase/sell industrial products or commercial products
• Visit India for technical meetings/discussions, attending Board meetings or general meetings for providing business service support.
• Visit India for recruitment purpose.
• Are partners in business and/or functioning as Directors of the company.
• Visit India to participate in exhibitions.
• Visit India to transact business with suppliers, to evaluate quality, place orders etc
• Trainees of multinational companies/corporate houses visiting India for in-house training.
• Students sponsored by AIESEC for internship on project based works.
• Travel agents/tour conductors coming in connection with organising tours.

Documents required for Business Visa

Valid travel documents and re-entry permission, if required
Proof of financial standing and expertise in the field of intended business
A letter from sponsoring organisation indicating nature of business, probable duration of stay, places and organisations to be visited
Details of business activities, VAT/TAX paid during the last two years and the Business Licence issued by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)
In case of independent traders invitation letter from Indian counterparts and trade papers (previous bills/invoices) of recent trade.

Medical/Medical Escort Visa:

The Medical visa is issued for the confide purpose of specialized medical treatment or treatment under the Indian system of Medicines. The validity of Medical/Medical escort visa may be up to a period of six month or one year or the period of treatment whichever less. Validity can be extended for a further by the State Government/ FRROs on the production of medical certificate/ advice from the reputed/ recognized/ specialized hospitals in the country.

Requirement for Medical Visa:

• Copy of preliminary medical advice stating that applicant needs specialised treatment and has been referred to hospital in India. Or
• Copy of letter of appointment with doctor in some recognised medical institution in India.
• Documentary proof of his financial standing.
• Attendant/family members escorting patient to India for medical treatment are granted medical attendant visa co-terminus with medical visa of the patient. Maximum two persons can accompany the patient as attendant/escort. Patient is issued Medical Visa while accompanying persons are issued Medical Escort Visa. Fee for both are same.
• Persons going on ‘Medical visa’ or ‘Medical Escort Visa’ will be required to get themselves registered mandatorily well within the period of 14 days of arrival in India with the concerned FRROs/ FROs.

Student Visa:

is issued for the duration of the academic course of study or for a period of five years whichever is less, to the students visiting India to pursue regular and full time academic studies.

Requirement for Student Visa

• Proof of admission to a full time course in recognised/reputed educational institution in India.
• A letter of financial support from parents/guardian accompanies by bank guarantee/certificate
• A maximum of three exit/entries per academic year are allowed to foreign students studying in India. The change of course or institution is allowed.

Transit Visa:

single or double entry, issued for a maximum period of 15 days for each entry, to bona-fide transit passengers only. Evidence of onward travel to a destination outside India is required. Cannot be obtained from immigration counters at ports of entry in India.

Visa to Missionaries:

is valid for single entry and duration as permitted by the Government of India. A letter in triplicate from sponsoring organisation indicating intended destination in India, probable length of stay, and nature of duties to be discharged, should be submitted along with guarantee for the applicant’s maintenance while in India.

Journalist Visa:

is issued to professional journalists, photographers and film-makers, and requires additional information to be furnished. The applicants on arrival in New Delhi are required to contact the External Publicity Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, and in other places the Office of the Government of India's Press Information Bureaus. These applications should be submitted at least 8-10 weeks in advance.

Conference Visa:

is issued for attending conferences, seminars or meetings in India. A letter of invitation from the organisers of the conference is to be submitted along with the visa application.

Employment Visa:

is issued to skilled and qualified professionals or persons who are engaged or appointed by companies, organisations, economic undertakings, as technicians, technical experts, senior executives etc. Applicants are required to submit proof of contract, or employment or engagement.