Whenever someone decides to travel to India, they must be aware of all the requirements for obtaining a visa, based on an individual’s country, the intent to visit, and the duration of stay in the country. Below is presented the classification of visas, their conditions, and the process that is in place in India.
1. Class of Visas
- India offers a variety of visas, which are issued based on the purpose for which a person is traveling to India.
Tourist Visa (T-Visa): T-Visa is for people traveling to India for leisure or tourism. It is normally issued for 6 months, although some countries can be entitled to longer periods.
Business Visa: Issued for trade, attending meetings, or conferences for business purposes. Mostly issued for 1-year multiple entries.
Student Visa: For students seeking to study in India or undergoing academic programs. Normally issues according to the validity of the course, up to 5 years.
Employment Visa: This type of visa is for foreigners who will be working physically in the territory of India only. The validity of this type of visa is usually from 1 year to 5 years, depending on the contract signed.
Medical Visa: This is issued to any patient traveling to India to receive medical treatment and may be issued for up to 1 year with multiple entries.
e-Visa: It is an electronic mode of visa allowed to citizens of certain countries who are permitted to enter the country for a relatively short duration on tourism, business, or medical grounds. It is usually valid for the purpose stated above for a maximum period of 60 days.
2. e-Visa for India
- India has started its segment under the e-Visa system, so the process of filling out the application is quite easy. This e-visa is issued to over 160 countries and is applicable for purposes that include short visits.
- e-Tourist Visa: For tourism and leisure, valid for stays of up to 60 days.
- e-Business Visa: For business visits, valid for up to 60 days.
- e-Medical Visa: For short-term medical treatments, valid for 60 days.
Key Details for e-Visa:
- Application: Apply online through the official website of the Government of India,
- Processing Time: Generally, the processing time is 4-7 days.
- Entry Points: The e-Visa is valid at designated airports and seaports in India.
3. Standard Visa Application Process
- For the other types of visas (excluding e-Visa), the steps.
- Step 1: Submit application: Complete the online application form available on the website of the Indian office in your country. This may also require visiting a visa application center.
- Step 2: Document Submission: Attain the necessary documents; these are your passport, photos, travel proof, and any other documents as per the visa purpose and its category.
- Step 3: Payment of fees: Make all payments pertaining to the visa application (charges differ based on the citizenship and type of visa).
- Step 4: Interview attendance if necessary: Interviews are sometimes, if not often, requested. This is more so for business, employment, or student visas.
4. Necessary Papers for Indian Visa Application
- While the exact papers depend on the visa category applied for, the following are the most general requirements:
- Output passport, which must be valid for the next 6 months at least.
- One latest passport-size photograph.
- Evidence of travel – Flight reservations or travel plan.
- Visa application form—completed and signed.
- Supporting documents – Business invitation letters, medical treatment evidence, University Admission Letters.
5. Processing time
- The processing time for an Indian visa may vary by country and visa type and can take anywhere from 3 to 15 days. In the case of an e-visa, it usually takes four to seven days for the visa to be processed.
6. Extensions of the Visa
- In India, tourist or business e-visas usually do not allow extensions. In the case of other kinds of visas, the applicant may apply for an extension from within India at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
7. Special Considerations
- Visa-free countries: Bhutan and Nepal are the visa-free countries to enter India.
The protected and restricted areas: There are some places in India that require an additional permit besides a visa, like the higher reaches of the Himalayas or islands.