Passports

Foreign Nationals coming to India are required to possess a genuine and valid national passport or any other internationally recognized travel document establishing his/her nationality and identity and bearing photograph of the foreigner. Rules and documents required for obtaining a passport can vary greatly depending on your home country. Refer to your country’s Home Affairs or similarly titled office and/or embassy for more information.

Nepal and Bhutan nationals if entering India by land or air from the Nepal or Bhutan border respectively do not require a passport for entering into India. However, they are required to possess authorized identity proof. Further if they are entering India from a place other than their own country then possession of passport is a must.

India Visas

Don’t be intimidated by the India visa application process. It’s straightforward paperwork which requires little more than the collection of information easily found in your passport and personal records.

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. Exceptions to this rule

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.

Several categories exist for India visas and fees associated vary. For current pricing refer to the Consulate General of India within your country of residence.

Tourist Visa:
• Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
• Correct visa fee (See above).
• Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
• Filled application form (all columns in the form are mandatory and must be filled).

Business Visa:
• Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
• Correct visa fee (See above).
• Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
• Filled application form (all the columns of the form are mandatory and must be filled).
• An original signed letter from the company in your home country explaining the nature of business and duration of visit.
• A signed Letter of Invitation from an Indian company on their official company letter head clearly stating the purpose and duration for which visa is requested.
• An undertaking stating that the applicant will not do any media or media-related work during his/ her stay in India.

Student Visa:
• Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
• Correct visa fee (See above).
• Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
• Filled application form (all columns in the form are mandatory and must be filled).
• Letter of admission from a recognized Indian educational institution with duration of the course.
• Bona fide letter from the school/college.
• Receipt of fee paid to the school/college.
• Document showing financial support for the tuition fee and stay in India.

Transit Visa:
• Passport valid for a minimum of 190 days with at least two blank pages.
• Correct visa fee (See above).
• Two recent identical passport-size photographs.
• Filled application form (all columns in the form are mandatory and must be filled).
• Evidence of onward travel outside India – confirmed air ticket for onward journey.

Visa Validity

Tourist: 6 months to over 1 year from date of issue

Business: Up to 2 years

Student: Duration of course of study or for a maximum of 5 years

Transit: Normally 15 days, valid for 3 months from date of issue

Long-term: Up to 5 years, although individual visits cannot exceed 6 months without special permission granted.

Visa & Passport Time line

Depending on your requirements, the time line to obtain a Visa and/or passport can vary widely. Unexpected delays can occur from minor errors in paperwork, failure to include payment with application, mail delivery issues, etc.

Passport + Visa: Allow a minimum of 2 months lag time before a scheduled departure to apply and receive a passport. During the passport receipt waiting period, the majority of the information requested on the India Visa application can be completed. Upon receipt of your new passport, the remaining information can be completed as well as the posting of the application to the correct office. Ensure the proper payment amount has been included (unless using a credit card online if applicable), and the proper mailing address is affixed to the mailer.

Visa: Allow a minimum of 2-3 weeks AFTER the postage of an India Visa application with valid passport for return receipt. When mailing, ensure the proper payment is included (unless using a credit card online if applicable), a self addressed return envelope is included (if applicable) and the proper mailing address is affixed to the mailer as some countries have multiple Visa issuing centers.

Visa validity is based from the time of issuance and NOT from the time of travel.

More Information

Get a passport today

Passport and Visa travel to India

Instruction For Foreigners Coming To India