Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Tourist Visa for India

All foreign nationals seeking entry into India must hold a valid international travel document, such as a national passport, accompanied by a valid visa issued by an Indian Mission/Post or an eVisa (for select categories) from the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Websites Links to check Indian Tourist Visa Norms :

·         https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/

·         https://doj.gov.in/service/tourist-visa/

Tourist Visa Guidelines for India

• Eligibility: A Tourist Visa for India is granted to foreigners who do not have residence or occupation in India and whose primary objective of visiting is for recreation, sightseeing, or casual visits to friends and relatives.
• Application Criteria: Only individuals on genuine tourist visits should apply for this visa.
• Restrictions: The Tourist Visa cannot be used for purposes such as business, education, research, writing articles, social work, etc. Applicants whose visit falls under any of these categories should not apply for a Tourist Visa.
• Non-Convertible and Non-Extendable: The Tourist Visa is neither convertible nor extendable.
• Long-Term Visas: For multiple-entry long-term tourist visas, applicants must provide a copy of their itinerary along with flight reservations for all planned trips to India.
• Special Issuance: Long-term tourist visas are issued to travel agents who need to visit India frequently.
• Registration Requirement: Tourists staying in India for more than 180 days continuously must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
• Re-Entry Rule: There must be a gap of at least two months (60 days) between two visits to India on a Tourist Visa for nationals of Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, foreigners of Pakistani origin, and Stateless Persons.

X Visa - Guidelines for Individuals of Indian Origin with Foreign Passports:

Individuals of Indian origin holding a foreign passport are advised to apply for an X Visa, as they are only eligible for this type of visa and cannot be issued a Tourist Visa under the current regulations. It is recommended that people of Indian origin apply for OCI/PIO cards to resolve visa issues in the long term.

Guidelines for Conference Visa :

Conference visas are granted to individuals whose primary purpose is to travel to India to participate in a conference, seminar, or workshop. These visas are issued for the duration of the event, based on an invitation letter and relevant documentation provided by the conference organizers.

Important Pointers for foreigners travelling to India :

·         Foreigners can enter restricted or protected areas only after obtaining a valid permit, as an entry visa alone does not grant access to these regions.

·         Travelers coming from or through countries affected by Yellow Fever must present a valid vaccination certificate.

·         Be sure to complete the Disembarkation/Embarkation cards upon arrival and departure.

·         The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act strictly prohibits all forms of wildlife trade. Violating this law can result in severe fines and imprisonment. Foreign visitors are strongly advised not to purchase any wildlife or wildlife products, particularly items made from ivory, fur, or animal skins such as Shahtoosh.

·         Possessing, using, buying, or selling psychotropic drugs or any other narcotic substances in India is a serious offense that can lead to imprisonment.

E-Visa Norms :

·         International travelers whose primary purpose for visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visits to meet friends and relatives, attending short-term yoga programs, or taking short-term courses in local languages, music, dance, arts and crafts, cooking, medicine, etc. (not exceeding six months and without formal qualifications) are eligible. This also includes voluntary work for up to one month without monetary compensation, medical treatment (including Indian systems of medicine), business purposes, accompanying an e-Medical visa holder, and attending conferences, seminars, or workshops organized by government bodies or private entities.

·         Applicants must ensure their passport has at least six months of validity at the time of applying for an e-Visa.

·         International travelers should have a return or onward journey ticket and sufficient funds for their stay in India.

·         Travelers with a Pakistani passport or of Pakistani origin should apply for a regular visa at an Indian Mission.

·         Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders are not eligible.

·         Individuals endorsed on a parent’s or spouse’s passport must have their own separate passport.

·         International Travel Document Holders, other than passport holders, are not eligible.

For more details on e-visa, please go through this link : https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

Advisory from Indian Government :

The Government of India does not impose any emergency fees or additional charges for issuing an emergency or express e-visa. Travelers to India are advised to review the instructions available on the Bureau of Immigration's website at https://boi.gov.in