Visa Info

"All nationals visiting India (Except Nepali and Bhutanese) need a valid visa. ISPAI will provide invitation letters for processing the visa."

Business Visa: Valid for six month or one/more years with multiple entries. However, the period of stay in India (for each visit) under this category is limited to six months only. A letter from the sponsoring organization indicating nature of applicant's business, probable duration of stay, validity of visa, places and organizations to be visited, a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses and also a letter of invitation from an Indian company should accompany the application.

Conference Visa: A letter of invitation from the organizer of the conference is to be attached along with the visa application. Visas for international conferences, or on certain subjects, as decided by the Government of India from time to time, can be issued only after clearance for the said conference is received from the Government of India.

Journalist Visa: Journalist visa is given to professional journalists and photographers for up to three months' stay in India. As prior approval of the Government of India is required for such visas, applicants are advised to apply at least 1 month in advance giving details of places to be visited and people to be interviewed.

General Requirements for Visa
1. Visa application form should filled in legibly and clearly, in bold (capital) letters in black/blue ink only. Incomplete and illegible applications may not be processed.

2. Passport: It should have a minimum validity of six months on the date of application with at least two blank pages.

3. Photographs : 2 latest identical passport size photographs (black/white or color) depicting front pose against light background

4. Supporting documents: If the visa being applied for is other than a Tourist Visa, the visa application should be accompanied with supporting documents on type of visa applied for like letter from the sponsoring organization indicating nature of applicant's business, probable duration of stay, validity of visa, places and organizations to be visited, a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses and also a letter of invitation from an Indian company.

5. Correct visa fee

6. Persons of Indian Origin applying for a visa for the FIRST time on US passport must submit their Indian passport along with the application form for cancellation and return. If the visa is required on a new US passport booklet, either previous US passport or photocopy of Indian visa are to be submitted with the application.

For Australian citizen only: Copy of the air ticket or itinerary, showing date of entry and departure from India and departure from Australia.

Non-US Citizens: Additional requirements
1. Applicants who are not Citizens of USA, but hold long term US visa or a Green Card should submit a copy of the visa or the Green Card.

2. Applicants who are not citizens/ residents of the USA and hold a tourist or other short-term visa for USA should normally apply for Indian visas in the countries of their permanent residence. In case of emergency or special circumstance, an application could be made at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC or Consulates General of India in the US. In addition to the relevant visa fee they should remit an additional US $ 20 for reference to be made to the country of their original residence. The processing time in such cases is usually 5-7 working days.

Note: All persons of Indian origin who have acquired US citizenship are advised to surrender their Indian passports to the nearest Indian mission for cancellation and return. The cancelled Indian passports will be needed at the time of applying for Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card or Indian visa for the first time on a US passport.

Note: The validity of the visa starts from the date of issue and not the date of entry into India.

Click here for details