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.
Moreover, Government of India has issued certain relaxations in the Visa and Travel restrictions to permit certain categories of Foreign Nationals to come to India during COVID-19. Read More
E-tourist Visa (Valid for 171 countries)
Visa through Indian mission abroad
Visa Required
e-Tourist visa’, ’eBusiness visa’, ‘e-medical visa’, ‘e-Medical Attendant Visa’ and ‘e-Conference Visa’.
Non-Resident Indians (NRI) having Indian passport
OCI cardholders (Valid for PIO/ OCI)
Permanent Residency status
Visa Not Required
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 for 166 countries
Apply Online
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