Visa Information
We recommend that you apply for a travel visa as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for processing. Processing will take AT LEAST 10-13 DAYS and may vary depending on location.
| REQUEST AN INVITATION LETTER |
| APPLY FOR AN INDIA VISA FROM INSIDE THE US |
| LOCATE INDIAN MISSIONS / EMBASSIES ABROAD |
Foreign Nationals desirous of coming into India are required to possess a valid passport of their country and a valid Indian Visa. They are very easy to obtain and the application is very straight forward and can easily be obtained from your nearest Indian Mission (Embassy, consulate or high commission).
There is no provision of 'Visa on Arrival' in India and no fee is charged for immigration facilities at the airports. Foreign passengers should ensure that they are in possession of valid Indian Visa before they start their journey to India except nationals of Nepal and Bhutan who do not require visa to enter India and nationals of Maldives who do not require visa for entry in India for a period up to 90 days (a separate Visa regime exists for diplomatic/official passport holders).
The Consular Passport and Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs is responsible for issuance of Indian visas to the foreign nationals for their visit for various purposes. This facility is granted through various Indian missions abroad.
Visa fees are non-refundable and subject to change without notice. The High Commission reserves the right on granting and deciding type/duration of visa irrespective of the fees tendered at the time of making application. Granting of Visa does not confer the right of entry to India and is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Authorities.
Specific Visas are granted for a variety of purposes. The principal types of Visa issued are mentioned below.
TOURIST VISA
Tourist visas valid for six-month and one year (six months stay each time) are available. Ten-year Tourist visas permitting a stay of maximum of six-month on each visit are available to U.S. citizens who are frequent visitors to India. A person desirous of visiting India frequently but not intending to stay for more than six months at a time is advised to apply for this type of visa. Please note that it is not possible to extend your stay in India beyond 6 months if you are visiting India on this visa. For non-US nationals, who are permanent residents of US 5 year tourist visa with six months stay each visit is available.
CONFERENCE VISAS
Letter of invitation from the organizer of the conference and approvals of Indian authorities are to be submitted along with the visa application.
TRANSFER OF VISAS
To transfer visas from an expired passport to the new passport, application form duly filled in along with one photo and the required fees. It is possible to travel with expired old passport with valid Indian visa and valid new passport issued subsequent to issue of Indian visa.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
The duration of stay in India, for each visit on a tourist visa or business visa is only for a period of 6 months even though a valid visa may be for more than 6 months.
CONTACT
For further clarification on Visa rules or related problems, contact the Officer of the Consular Division, of the Mission in which Visa is to be applied.
Indian Missions / Embassies Abroad
