VISAS

Requirement of Visa :

Foreigners desirous of visitng India can do so after obtaining a visa from the Indian Mission in the country of their residence. They should possess a valid National Passport - except in the case of nationals of Bhutan and Nepal, who may carry only suitable means of identification.

Tourist Visa :
Usually, a multi-entry visa, valid for a period of 180 days, is granted for purpose of tourism. The visa is valid for entry into India within 6 months from the date of issue.

Collective Visa :
The facility also exists for the issue of collective visas to group tours consisting of not less than four members and sponsored by a travel agency recognised by the Government of India. Such groups may be split into smaller groups for visiting different places in India after obtaining a collective 'licence to travel' from the Immigration authorities in India. However, they must reassemble and depart as the original group.

Transit Visa :
These are granted by Indian Missions abroad for a maximum period of 15 days.


Other Types of Visas :

If a foreigner wishes to come to India for a purpose other than tourism, he should come after obtaining an appropriate visa out of the following :

Business Visa :
A foreigner can obtain from an Indian Embassy abroad a multiple entry business visa valid for 5 years provided he wishes to come for some business.
Foreigners of Indian origin can obtain a five-year multiple entry visa for business, to meet their relatives etc.

Student Visa : A student visa can be obtained from the Indian Embassy on the production of proof of admission and means of sustenance while in India ,etc. The visa is valid for one year but is extended in India for the duration of the course.

Conference Visa : Delegates coming to attend International Conferences in India can be granted Conference Visas to cover the conference as well as for tourism in India. Delegates are advised to apply to the Indian Embassies well in advance.

Trekking / Mountaineering Expeditions :
Foreigners wishing to undertake trekking, botanical expeditions, canoe-rafting etc. in a team may be granted visas for the required duration on presentation of full details.

Sports : Sports teams or individual sportsmen wishing to participate in international sports events being held in India.

Journalists/Media : Foreign Journalists, Media men, documentary and feature film-makers may obtain necessary visas after due formalities from the Indian Embassy.

Yoga : (Visa for study of Yoga, Vedic culture, dance, music, etc.) Foreigners wishing to come to India to study these subjects with all the necessary particulars. The Indian Embassies may grant visas upto a period of five years.

Employment Visa : Foreigners desirous of coming to india for taking up employment should apply for an Employment Visa issued by Indian Missions abroad. Initially granted for a period of one year, it can be extended in India upto the period of contract.

Extension of Visa :

This facility exists for an extension of  tourist visa, making a total stay in India of six months. In such a case, however, the foreigner is required to register himself with any Foreigner's registration Officer throughout the country and obtain an extension of visa from him. All formalities of registration under the law will have to be fulfilled.
No extension beynd six months is provided as a rule.
In case a foreign tourist has obtained extension beyond three months of stay in India, he will have tosurrender his Certificate of Registration and residential permit before leaving India.

Exemption from registration :

Foreigners coming to India on tourist visas for 180 days or a shorter period aew not required to register themselves with any authority in India. They can move about freely in the country, except to restricted / protected areas and prohibited places.

Nationals of Bangladesh are exempted from registration up to six months. If the stay is more than six months, they have to register themselves. Individuals without nationality or of undetermined nationality (stateless persons; IRO refugees, persons receiving legal or political protection, holders of Nansen passports etc.) should have valid passports, identity documents or sworn affidavits along with the visa for which they should apply atleast two months in advance.

Family passports issued by other governments are recognised without discrimination.


Landing Permit Facility :

Tourists may note that no Landing Permit Facility is available to any foreign tourist landing without a visa. A limited facility exists only for group tours consisting of four or more members and sponsored by a travel agency recognised by the Government of India.
Children below the age of 12 of Persons of Indian origin may be granted a landing permit by the Immigration authorities upto a period of 90 days to see their relatives, in case they happen to come without a visa.

Tourist Groups :
A tourist group arriving by air, ship, chartered or scheduled flight may be granted a collective landing permit for a period of 30 days by the Immigration authorities on landing, provided the group is sponsored by  a recognised travel agency, a pre-dawn iternary is presented along with details of passport etc. of the members and the travel agency gives an undertaking to conduct the group altogether.