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Visa Overview in India

Recent reforms in visa procedures complement India’s economic growth and facilitate foreign investors to do business in India.

For instance, the recent merger of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) schemes has simplified the visa/ citizenship rules under a single set of guidelines.* 

Additionally, most parts of the visa process and foreigner registration in India have been made online. 

  • E-tourist Visa (Valid for 166 countries)

  • Visa through Indian mission abroad

visa required

Visa Required

Employment Visa, Business Visa, Project Visa, "x"/Entry Visa, Tourist Visa, Research Visa, Transit Visa, Conference Visa, Medical Visa, among others.

  • Non-Resident Indians (NRI) having Indian passport

  • OCI cardholders (Valid for PIO/ OCI)

  • Permanent Residency status

visa

Visa Not Required

Indian Borders

Entry Into India is still subject ot permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry

* After 30 September 2018, handwritten PIO cards are considered invalid travel document according to the ICAO guidelines. Click here to know more and apply for OCI card.

Note: Foreign nationals planning to travel to India are required to possess a valid passport of their home country and a valid Indian Visa.

Types of Visa & Key Provisions

Key visa types for investors

  • Employment Visa

    Highly skilled individuals intending to take up employment

    Max duration: 5 years or period of contract, whichever is less extendable in India

  • Business Visa

    Visiting India for a business purpose

    Duration: 5 years (Extendable in India)

  • Project Visa

    For executing projects in the power and steel sectors

    Duration: 1 year or for actual duration of the project/ contract

  • "X"/ Entry Visa

    For accompanying families of foreign nationals

    Max duration: 5 years (Extendable in India)

  • Tourist Visa

    Visiting India as a tourist

    Max duration: 30 days (Not extendable in India)

  • Conference Visa

    International seminars/ seminars held by Government/PSUs/NGOs

    Max duration: Duration of conference

  • Transit Visa

    For travellers passing through India

    Max duration: 15 days (Not extendable in India)

  • Research Visa

    Pursuing research in any field

    Max duration: 5 years (Extendable in India)

  • Medical Visa

    For seeking medical treatment in India at a recognized and specialized hospitals and treatment centres

    Max duration: 1 year 

Application Process for Visa

Online Visa

Identify Visa Type

Online

  • Identify your purpose of travel and visa category
  • Check preconditions for visa
  • Passport with at least 2 blank pages and 6 months validity
Fill online application

Online

  • Populate the required fields in the online form
  • Upload photo and passport pages
  • Pay prescribed fee
  • If required, schedule an appointment
Submit your application

Courier/ In-person

  • Print and sign the application form
  • Approach/ courier to the concerned Indian Visa Application Centre/ Indian mission
  • Attached receipt of visa fee/ postal order
Visa processing

Online/ Interview

  • If required, visit Indian consulate/ mission for interview
  • Some additional information may be sought by the consulate/ embassy
Visa granted/ rejected

Courier/ In-person

  • If the visa is granted, the passport can be collected:
    • In-person
    • Through courier

e-Tourist Visa (eTV) for 166 countries

  • Apply Online

    Click here

  • Upload photo & DATA page of passport

    Attach to your visa application

  • Pay online fee

  • E-mail

    Receive electronic travel authorisation by e-mail (in 72 hours)

  • Fly to India

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