India

Requisite Documents and Fees

Name: India

Rules Regulations:

• Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the date of intended departure from India should accompany visa applications.
• Paste one photo and staple the other one on the form at specified place.
• Foreigners holding other nationalities (other than the country where applying for visa), should submit proof of long-term (at least three years)/ permanent residence in the country (where applying). For citizens of other countries, a reference has to be made to their country of residence for which an additional fee is applicable and will involve extra processing time. Please refrain from making inquiries about the status of application during this time.
• Following visas are available from the Indian Missions abroad.
  
  

Tourist Visa

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. The Tourist Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible. It is given for 6 months normally; rest specifically depends on the country of residence. The applicant is required to produce/submit documents in proof of his financial standing. Tourists travelling in groups of not less than four members under the auspices of a recognized travel agency may be considered for grant of collective tourist visa.

It has come to the notice of the Government that there has been abuse/misuse of the Tourist Visa. With a view to curb the abuse/misuse of the Tourist Visa, instructions have been issued by the Government imposing the following restrictions:-

• In respect of foreign nationals holding Tourist Visas with multiple entry facility, there should be a gap of at least 2 months between two visits to the country on such a Tourist Visa.
• If any foreign national is required to visit the country again within a period of 2 months of his last departure, such foreign national should obtain special permission from the Mission/Post concerned. The Mission/Post may consider such requests on merits of each case.
• In all such cases, the foreign national should register himself with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival. An endorsement to this effect will be made on the visa sticker.
• If a foreign national applies for Tourist Visa frequently i.e within one month of expiry of the previous Tourist Visa, the Indian Missions/Posts abroad would refer such cases to MHA (Foreigners Division) for clearance before grant of fresh Tourist visa.

This restriction will not be applicable to PIO/OCI card holders and foreigners holding business, employment, student and other categories of visa.

Business

Visa is valid for one or more years with multiple entries. A letter from a sponsoring organization indicating nature of business, probable duration of stay, places and organizations to be visited, incorporating therein a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses, etc. should accompany the application.

Employment Visa

Are issued to skilled and qualified professionals or persons who are engaged or appointed by companies, organizations, economic undertakings as technicians, technical experts, senior executives etc. Applicants are required to submit proof of contract/employment/engagement of foreign nationals by the company or organization.

Student Visa

Are issued for the duration of the academic course of study or for a period of five years whichever is less, on the basis of firm letters of admission from universities/recognised colleges or educational institutions in India. Change of purpose and institutions are not permissible.

Transit Visa

Are issued for a maximum period of 15-days with single/double entry facilities to bonafide transit passengers only.

Visa to Missionaries

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

Jounalist Visa

Are issued to professional journalists and photographers for visiting India. The applicants are required to contact on arrival in New Delhi, 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.

Conference Visa

Are issued for attending conferences/seminars/meetings in India. A letter of invitation from the organiser of the conference is to be submitted along with the visa application. Delegates coming to attend conferences may combine tourism with attending conferences.

Visa Registration

All foreigners, including foreigners of Indian origin, visiting India on a visa that permits a stay of more than 180 days must register with the Foreigners’ Registration Officer having jurisdiction over the place where the foreigner intends to stay within 14 days of his/her arrival. While any visitor planning a stay of more than 180 days must register within 14 days, some visas will be stamped with an indication of whether or not registration is required. Everyone with visa indicating that registration is required should be sure to register with the appropriate Foreigners Registration Office within 14 days. It is best to check with the office you will be registering with for up-to-date requirements, but generally you be asked to provide the following documents

• Registration application form (4 copies back to back).
• Request letter from the company in India.
• Undertaking letter from the company in India.
• Four Photographs.
• Photocopy of Contract letter and appointment letter.
• Certificate of incorporation of the company/RBI approval of the company.
• Address proof of the applicant (Lease agreement copy).
• Photocopy of passport and visa.

Note: All Applicant are required to come personally at MHA and FRRO office’s.

Visa Extension / Conversion

The power of Visa conversions and visa extensions to foreigners present in India, vests with the Ministry of Home Affairs. For this purpose the foreigners can approach the Foreigners Division, MHA, Jaiselmer House, Mansingh Road, New Delhi between 10 AM to 12 AM on all working days (Monday to Friday). The change of visa status from one category to another category is normally not allowed. It can be considered by MHA only in extraordinary circumstances. For this purpose, the foreigner should normally come in person to the office. In exceptional cases and where allowed, a duly authenticated representative may be sent. Foreigners not residing in Delhi may approach the FRRO/CHIO/FRO concerned who would forward their case in MHA for approval. Applications for extensions/conversions should be made well in advance

For the convenience of the foreigners, however, the FRROs/CHIO/FROs are empowered to make extensions / conversions for certain types of Visas without referring the same to MHA. The details of such powers vested with FRROs etc. are:-

• In case of foreigners of Indian origin/foreigner married to Indian citizen/foreigner staying in India for more than 20 years, extension can be given on entry Visa by FRROs for a period of 5 years.
• FRRO can extend the VISA for three months in case of Employment & Business Visas and forward the case for further extension up to 1 year, to MHA. After obtaining approval from MHA, FRRO can extend that VISA for further four years on year-to-year basis.
• FRRO can convert visa and grant extension of stay to foreign students studying upto 12th standard, whose parents are of Indian origin or whose parents are Indian nationals- on year to year basis. Same facility is also available for children of foreigners residing in India on long-term basis (studying up 12th Standard) on valid visas such as Employment, Business, Research, Entry Student etc.

FRRO can grant 15 days extension of stay on all types of visas on production of confirmed ticket for departure.

Revised Visa Fee structure vide MEA order dated 10/06/2008 ( w.e.f. 01/07/2008)

* Fee for Business Visa for 15 Specified Countries & Employment Visa for 17 Specified Countries Enlisted Separately in Column 5 and Column 6

Business Visa Fees of the 15 Specified Countries on Reciprocal Basis:

SNo. Country…………….upto 1 year…………….more than 1 year upto 5 years

• USA……………..6510……………10230
• Ecuador………….11160…………..14880
• New Zealand………6045……………9765
• Ukraine………….9300……………13020
• France…………..7673……………11393
• Australia………..9998……………13718
• Czech Republic……8835……………12555
• Iran…………….12788…………..16508
• Ireland………….9300……………13020
• Nigeria………….13485…………..17205
• Poland…………..6743……………10463
• Saudi Arabia……..9998……………13718
• UK………………7208……………10928
• Thailand…………9300……………13020
• UAE……………..19298…………..23018

Employment Visa Fee of the Countries on Reciprocal Basis

SNo. Country……….Visa Fee for
…………upto 6 months………..upto 1 year………..more than 1 year upto 5 years

• USAÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ.4700ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ…6510ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ..10230
• CanadaÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ6975ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ8835ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ..12555
• UKÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ .19763ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ..21623ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ.25343
• IrelandÔǪÔǪÔǪ7440ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ9300ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ..13020
• FranceÔǪÔǪÔǪ.6278ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ8138ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ..11858
• ItalyÔǪÔǪÔǪ..4883ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ6743ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ..10463
• DenmarkÔǪÔǪ.5813ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ7673ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ..11393
• PortugalÔǪ.4185ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ6045ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ..9765
• AustriaÔǪÔǪÔǪ3953ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ5813ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ..9533
• NorwayÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ4185ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ6045ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ..9765
• AustraliaÔǪ.8370ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ…10230ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ13950
• New ZealandÔǪÔǪ.6743ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ8603ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ.12323
• ThailandÔǪÔǪ.7440ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ9300ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ.13020
• UAEÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ.17438ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ.19298ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ23018
• TurkeyÔǪÔǪÔǪ..4700ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ6510ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ.10230
• IsraelÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ46500ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ..48360ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ..52080
• IranÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ.10928ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ.12788ÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪÔǪ…16508
  
  

Visa Fees for Sri Lankan Nationals:

• Transit Visa (15 Days- Single/Double Entry) INR 135
• Business Visa (6 Months -Single Entry) INR 135
• Business Visa (6 Months / 1 Year- Multiple Entry) INR 405
• Business Visa (5 Years – Multiple Entry) INR 3500
• Employment Visa (6 Months – Single Entry) INR 135
• Employment Visa (6 Months- Multiple Entry) INR 270
• Employment Visa (1 Year – Multiple Entry) INR 405
• All Other Type of Visa Including Tourist Visa & Student Visa (6 Months – Single Entry) INR 135
• All Other Type of Visa Including Tourist Visa & Student Visa (6 Months – Multiple Entry) INR 270
  
  

Visa Fee for Japanese Nationals:

• Transit Visa INR 48
• All Other Types of Visa INR 390

Service Charge Countries:

• Russian INR 1860
• Romanian INR 2000
  
  

Gratis Visa Countries:

• Afghanistan
• Argentina
• Bangladesh
• Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
• Jamaica
• Maldives
• zMauritius
• Mongolia
• South Africa
• Uruguay
• Nepali & Bhutanese Nationals do not Require Visa to Enter India. However, Nepali Nationals Require Visa, if they Enter India From China.
• Pakistani Nationals Should be Charged Visa Fee of Rs. 15/- for an Indian Visa of all types.
• Service Charges of Rs. 235/- to be Charged when an Indian Visa Affixed on old Passport is Transferred to a new Passport (not to be charged from Gratis Visa Countries, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Pakistani Nationals).
• Fee for Issuance of Restricted Area Permit / Protected area Permit – Rs. 1395/- (Not to Be Charged from Gratis Visa Countries, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Pakistani Nationals.
  • Processing Duration: Depends on the type of visa applied.
  • Miscellaneous Information: The duration of stay in India, for each visit on a tourist or business visa, is only for a period of 6 months even though a valid visa may be for more than 6 months.
  • Visa is given for a period for which passport is valid. For example, if a passport is valid until April 30, 2003 and an applicant is applying for 5 years visa on December 31, 1999, the applicant will not be issue a 5 years visa as the passport expires before the 5 year visa.
  • Validity of all visas is counted from the date of their issue.
  • Tourist visa upto 5 years may be grantsd if the foreigner is connected with the tourism trade.
  • If visa is for more than 180 days, registration is compulsory within 14 days of first arrival in India.
    
    

General Instructions

Immigration check is conducted for all passengers, Indians or foreigners, both at the time of arrival and departure. The passports are duly stamped at arrival as well as departure. Passengers should be careful to see that their passports are duly stamped before leaving the immigration counter.

All passengers, Foreigners as well as Indians, coming to India or departing from India are required to fill-up D (Disembarkation) Card and E (Embarkation) Cards at arrival and departure respectively. The following information is required to be provided by the passengers in these cards: –

• Name and Sex.
• Date of Birth, Nationality.
• Passport Details viz. Number, Dates of Issue .
• Address in India.
• Occupation.
• Flight Number, Date of Arrival / Date of boarding & port of final destination.
• Countries visited during last six days for arriving Indians.
• Purpose to Visit abroad.
  
  

Visa Requirements:

• There is no provision of ‘Visa on Arrival’ in India. Foreigners are advised to ensure that they are in possession of valid Indian Visa before they start their journey to India.
• Different categories of visas with specific endorsement of numbers of entries allowed and duration of stay in India are mentioned on the visa depending upon request and subsequent decision of the visa issuing authority. Foreigners may also look for specific endorsement if any, on the visa for their guidance. In case of any doubt, they may seek clarification from any of the Indian Missions abroad.
• Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan do not require visa to enter India. However, citizens of Nepal require a visa when entering India from China.
• Nationals of Maldives do not require a visa for entry into India for tourism purpose and stay up to 90 days.
• A separate Visa regime exists for diplomatic/official passport holders.
• Immigration officer may grant TLP (Temporary Landing Permit) up to a maximum period of 72 hours by retention of passport, if the foreigner is not having a valid visa, and if he is satisfied of the purpose and that the transiting foreigners must have a confirmed onward journey tickets within 72 hours for grant of TLP. Nationals of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Nigeria, and Ethiopia are not granted TLP facility.
• On production of bonafide proof and on satisfaction of FRRO/FRO cum District Superintendent of Police, Temporary Landing Facility (TLF) can be granted to the foreigners arriving in India without valid VISA, in emergent situation, like death/illness in the family up to a period of 15 days. For further extension of stay in such cases, the foreigner concerned should report to Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road, New Delhi.
• Indian currency equivalent to US$40 is charged for TLP/TLF.
• A foreigner may be refused entry, if he/she is not entering India from the designated port, not in possession of valid passport and visa, is insane or suffering from infectious or loathsome disease which is prejudicial to public health, involved in an extraditable offence or his/her entry is is prohibited under the specific order of the Central government.
  
  

Immigration Check Requirements on Reaching India:

• Immigration check is carried out for all passengers at the port of arrival in India.
• The passengers are required to furnish true particulars in the disembarkation card( Arrival Card) as to his name and nationality, his age, sex, place of birth and address or intended address in India, the purpose of his visit and the proposed length of stay in India.
• Immigration check includes checking of Passport, Visa, Disembarkation Card, entering foreigner’s particulars in computer, retention of Arrival Card and stamping of passport of the foreigner.
• Pakistan nationals other than those on Diplomatic visa are required to carry a Visa application form (duplicate copies) which will be issued in addition to regular visa on their passport by the Indian Mission concerned. On presentation at immigration check post, they are issued Regular Residential Permit and are required to report at the designated office or concerned Police Station in their places of stay within 24 Hrs unless and until they are officially exempted from police reporting.
• Afghanistan Nationals are issued Temporary Residential Permit at the immigration Check post, with a direction to get them registered within 7 days with the concerned FRRO/FRO of their place of stay.
• Passengers may ensure that their passports are duly stamped before leaving the immigration counter.
• Foreigners carrying a valid PIO (Person of Indian Origin) Card or OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) Card along with their valid national passport are authorized to enter India without obtaining India visa separately.
  
  

Requirements concerning stay of Foreigners in India:

• Foreigners are required to comply with the purpose for which a visa was initially applied, and also to abide by conditions, endorsed on the visa. If the visa is valid for more than 180 days, then every foreigner entering India or resident in India shall present in person or through an authorized representative to the satisfaction of the appropriate Registration Officer at the place of his stay within the specified period mentioned on visa except certain visa categories requiring registration within the specified time. Such registration shall be not necessary in the case of a foreigner entering India on a visa valid for a period of not more than one hundred and eighty days and who does not remain in India beyond the said perio
• All those foreigners arriving on authority of Tourist Visa with maximum period of 6 months need not require to be registered and do not want their visa to be extended, need not require to be registered. Further, generally speaking, Tourist visa is not extendable.
• To facilitate foreigners, those arriving on ‘Entry ‘ or ‘Business visa’ valid for more than 180 days in duration, can stay without Registration, if each stay does not exceed 180 days
• It is a mandatory requirement for all Foreigners arriving on Missionary (M), Student(s), Employment (E), Research(R), Medical (M) or Medical Attendant (M X) visa to register themselves within 14 days of their first arrival in India, irrespective of duration of stay.
  
  

In addition, specific endorsement or guideline on Indian visa, if any, needs to be followed:

• At the time of Registration every foreigner shall furnish accurate information, to the satisfaction of the Registration Officer and shall, sign the Registration Report, in the presence of the said officer. The foreigner shall also be provided a copy of Certificate of Registration (Part III of Form A).
• Foreigners may go through the instructions given on Registration Certificates for their guidance concerning stay and future reporting.
• Every foreigner shall within twenty-four hours of demand being made a Registration Officer, magistrate or police officer, not below the rank of a head constable, produce, at such place as may be specified in his passport or such other proof of his identity and/or Registration Certificate as may be required for any purpose connected with the enforcement of Foreigners Act/Registration of Foreigners Rules.
  
  

PIO (Person of Indian Origin) Card

The new PIO Card Scheme, 2002, is in operation since 15th September, 2002. All persons of Indian origin who are in possession of the passport of any other country except Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Sri Lanka or any other country specified by the government are eligible for PIO Card if:

• He / She had any time held an Indian passport.
• He / She or either of his/her parents or grand parents or great grand parents was born in India or permanent resident in India provided neither was at any time a citizen of any other specific country.
• He / She is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under 1 & 2 above.
• Iranian nationals of Indian Origin can be granted PIO card after MHA approval.
• For all adults a PIO Card is issued after charging a fee of Rupees 15,000/- and for minors i.e. below 18 years of age Rupees 7,500/- is levied as fees. All PIO Cards are valid for 15 years.
  
  

Authority to which application is to be made:-

• Application for PIO Card are to be made in the prescribed format (Available with FRRO office or downloaded from www.mha.nic.in)
• Documentary evidence of being person of Indian origin to be produced.
• An application for issue of a PIO Card can be made at Indian Mission in the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident.M
• In case applicant is already in India on Long Term Visa (more than one year), then application for PIO can be made for issue of a PIO Card to the following authorities:

(A) Those residing in:-

Delhi: 
Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Level-II, East Block-VIII, Sector-I, R.K. Puram,
New Delhi-110066

Mumbai:
Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
3rd Floor, Special Branch Building,
Badruddin Tayabji Lane,
Behind St. Xaviers College,
Mumbai-400001.

Kolkata:
237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road,
Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Kolkata-700020.

Amritsar:
Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
23-D, Ranjeet Avenue,
Amritsar-143001

Chennai:
Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Shastri Bhavan, 26, Haddows Road,
Chennai-600006

Foreigners who are residing elsewhere in India other than (A) will have to submit their application to the:

                 New Delhi:

• • • Joint Secretary (Foreigners),
      Badruddin Tayabji Lane,
      Ministry of Home Affairs
      Jaiselmer House,
      Mansingh Road, Near Hotel Taj Mansingh,
      •