Guidelines for how to get a visa for India

IMMIGRATION AND VISAS

Passport Requirements:

All travelers need a visa, except for the following:

1. Travelers with an Emergency Identity Certificate issued to citizens of India.

2. Travellers with photo identity cards issued to India’s residents if they fly directly by air from Nepal; such I.D. is provided to special residents by the Election Commission or the Government of India or the Union Territory to government officials.

3. Travellers with photo identification cards issued to Nepal residents if flying directly by air from Nepal; a citizenship card or photo I.D. issued by the Government of Nepal to government officials.

4. Travellers issued by the United Nations with a Laissez-Passer.

5. Travelers with Kinderausweis, a German identity document issued to children.

6. Travelers with documents for people without nationality or citizenship issued by the United Nations or by the International Committee of the Red Cross provided they have a landing permit for India.

7. Travelers with a Certificate of Identity issued to refugees and people without nationality or citizenship staying in India.

8. Travelers with travel documents issued to refugees and people without nationality or citizenship.

Document Validity

 On arrival, passports and alternate documents, or any of them, must be valid.

Additional Information

Indians with another nationality must contact their embassy or high commission to get further informationInformation.

Minors

Citizens of India or Nepal aged nine years old or younger do not require any documents when they are in the company of their parents or legal guardians, provided they are directly traveling by air from Nepal.

Citizens of India or Nepal aged from 10 to 18 years old can travel with a certified Identity Document containing a photo issued by the Principal or Head of an educational institution.

Visa Issuance

Before arrival: Travelers are kindly requested to contact the nearest representation of India.

Visa Exemptions

All Travelers must hold a visa except the following:

1. Citizens of India.

2. Citizens of Bhutan and Nepal. However, if Travelers are coming from the mainland People’s Republic of China, not from Hong Kong or Macao, they require a visa.

3. Citizens of the Maldives staying for no more than 90 days.

4. Travelers with diplomatic passports provided they are:

a. Staying for no more than 90 days and are citizens of Armenia, Germany, Japan, Romania, and Turkey;

b. Staying for no more than 30 days and are citizens of Bangladesh and Tajikistan.

5. Travelers with diplomatic and official passports provided they are:

a.  Citizens of Belarus, Denmark, and Singapore;

b.  Staying for no more than 90 days and are citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Venezuela or Vietnam;

c.  Staying for no more than 60 days and are citizens of Cambodia;

d.  Staying for no more than 30 days and are citizens of Croatia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Philippines, or Uruguay.

6. Travelers with a re-entry permit issued by India.

7. Travelers with diplomatic, official, and service passports provided they are citizens of Nicaragua staying for no more than 90 days.

8. Travelers with a ‘Person of Indian Origin’ card. The passport number should be endorsed on the card, and in case the passport has expired, the new passport number will also need to be endorsed on the card; yet, Travelers must still carry the original passport.

N.B.

The ‘Person of Indian Origin’ card must not be confused with the ‘Overseas Citizen of India’ card. Travelers with the ‘Overseas Citizen of India’ card are issued a ‘U’ type visa. Travelers must carry both the card and the visa. Moreover, a ‘U’ type visa cancels any other type of visa issued by India. The passport number should be endorsed on the card. If the passport is renewed, the card and visa will be re-issued each time a new passport is issued for Travelers aged less than 21 years old and issued once for Travelers aged 51 years old and more. For Travelers aged between 21 and 50 years old, re-issuing the card and visa is not compulsory but will be carried out upon their request.

TWOV (Transit Without Visa)

1.  For migrants and persons without citizenship or nationality, TWOV may not apply.

2.  TWOV is permissible for Travelers continuing their trip within 24 hours by the first connecting plane to a third country and holding confirmed onward tickets. Leaving the airport transit area is not permitted.

N.B.

International transit facilities at most Indian airports are very restricted. Therefore, transiting Travelers will need to be accompanied to their connecting flight. Travelers are requested to contact their carriers to check if transit is possible.

Additional Information

1. Visa exemption does not apply to citizens of Cyprus, Hungary, Laos, Tajikistan, Russia, and Israel, with a diplomatic or official passport if employed by an international organization.

2. Pakistani nationals with ordinary passports but without a return visa should have two copies of the visa application form provided by the Indian Mission issuing the visa.

3. In order to prevent departure issues, it was easier for particular visitors in need of a visa to apply for a vacation visa and not for an ordinary visa. They will also be given excellent facilities. For travelers entering with a regular visa, four passport photographs are required upon arrival.

4. As for tourist groups of all nationalities other than Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, and arriving by plane for a visit of a specified period, a travel agency, approved by the Indian Ministry of Tourism, should acquire permission from the competent Immigration Officer in advance. The representative of the local travel agency must always accompany the group during their stay in India. Permission to enter the country will be given only upon presentation of the group name, the number of Travelers, details of the travel plan including the port of departure, and each traveler’s passport number, date of birth, and nationality.

5. Valid visas are still acceptable for expired passports if they are supported by a valid passport of the same nationality as the expired passport.

6. Restricted Areas:

A special permit is required for foreigners wishing to visit the areas mentioned below.

The Ministry of Home Affairs can issue this permit by the Foreigners Registration Offices located in Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, or by the Indian diplomatic missions abroad. Besides, tourist groups may consist of four to twenty individuals. Such areas include:

a.  Assam: Manas National Park, Kamakhya Temple, Kaziranga, Gauhati City: licenses are given for a 10-day group visit.

b. Meghalaya: Shillong. Permits are given to groups for a seven-day tour.

c. West Bengal: Darjeeling and nearby areas such as Jorabunglow Lebong Race Course, Tiger Hill, Ghoom, and Kurseong: Permits are given for a fifteen-day stay to individual travelers or parties, including by the Home Department of West Bengal; Sandakphu and Phalut areas in Darjeeling, Mahananda wildlife reserves, Simcha and Jaldapara, Chapramari and Goruari in the Jalpaiguri district: issued by the Home Department of West Bengal for seven-day group travel.

d. Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

• The municipal area of Port Blair and Havelock Island: Permits for visits of fifteen days and nights are issued to individual Travelers or groups;
• See North Cinque, Neills, Jolly Bouy, Red Skin: Permits are given only to groups for day visits. The Immigration Officer can also provide such licenses at Port Blair.

 e.  Lakshadweep: Suheli, Bangaram, and Tikam Islands: Permits are issued only by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Lakshadweep’s Administrator for a seven-day visit to groups.

  f. Sikkim (A Protected Area): Phodang, Rumtek, and Gangtok: Permits are given to individual travelers or groups for a seven-day stay. Zongry and West Sikkim: Permits for a 15-day visit to groups coming for trekking are given. Pamayangtse: Groups arriving for trekking are given a two-day permit. Permits are issued strictly by the Ministry of the Interior.

g. Manipur (A Protected Area): Loktak Lake, Imphal, Kaibil Deer Sanctuary, Waillye Lake, Moirang INA Memorial, and Konyom War Memorial: A three-day permit is only provided to groups by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

N.B.

The restrictions, as mentioned above, are not required for citizens of:

Bhutan traveling by air to or from Bhutan via Bagdogra;

Nepal traveling by air to or from Kathmandu.

However, if surface travel is included and Travelers go through restricted areas, they need a ‘pass’ issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office that is located in each significant Indian city; by the Superintendent of police that is located in each Indian district; or by the diplomatic representations of India in Bhutan or Nepal.

7.  Due to the outbreak of swine flu (H1N1), all Travelers will be subject to examination by Indian medical staff upon arrival.

Warnings

Travelers who do not respect entry or transit regulations will be deported to their home country on the same or first available flight, and the transporting carrier will be fined.

CUSTOMS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Import regulations:

Travelers aged 17 years or more are allowed free import of

125 grams of tobacco, or 100 cigarettes or 25 cigars; two liters of alcoholic drinks or wine;

Moderate amounts of medicines;

Two ounces of perfume and a quarter of a liter of eau de toilette;

Products for personal use;

Jewelry, up to a total value of INR 50,000 for men or INR 100,000 for women;

Travel souvenirs imported by:

Indian nationals and residents, or if they are of Indian origin and over nine years of age:

If you are returning from China (People’s Rep.), Bhutan, Nepal, or Myanmar: up to INR 6,000, if you have spent more than three days outside. If you have been outdoors for up to 3 days: zero.

Suppose you are back from other countries: up to INR 45,000 if you have been out for more than three days. If you have been outside for up to 3 days: INR 17,500.

• For people under ten years of age,

Nationals of, or originating in, Bhutan and Nepal and originating from respective nations: zero. If you come from other countries: up to 8,000 INR

Nationals of Pakistan and come from Pakistan, or being of origin: up to INR 6,000. If you come from other countries: up to 8,000 INR

All other citizens: up to 8,000 INR. If you come from Pakistan: up to 6,000 INR

Prohibited:

E-cigarettes

Goods exceeding the maximum allowable amount will be subject to an import duty of 60%.

N.B.

Import by non-residents is only allowed if they enter India for a visit of not less than 24 hours and not more than six months, provided they visit India not more than one time per month.

Crew members customs regulations

Gifts worth up to INR 1,500. Crew members are expected to report all dutiable items on the PPL (Private Property List). Imports of alcohol and tobacco are not permitted.

Pets

1. Pets are (re-)imported after a minimum of two years of continuous stay abroad by an owner who moves his residence to India:

• Max. importation of two pets as baggage is permitted only through Chennai (MAA), Bengaluru (BLR), Kolkata (CCU), Delhi (DEL), Hyderabad (HYD), and Mumbai (BOM); and
• In both the country of origin and the country of entry, the health certificate must include the passenger’s name/address. The owner’s name specified on the health certificate must match the name on the ticket; and
• Having a No Objection Certificate (NOC) prepared at least seven days previous to importation from the AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services).

2. Temporary visitors need

• Import license given by the Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), refer www.dgft.gov.in. Entry will only be possible from airports where Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) officers are posted for inspection. This will be listed on the license.
• Veterinary health certificate, provided by the export country.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) was prepared at least seven days before importing the AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services).

       The Quarantine Officer will check all the pets upon arrival.

Airport tax

On their departures from the airport, passengers are not required to pay any airport charges.

Currency Import regulations

1. Local currency (INR-Indian Rupee): up to max. 25,000 INR.

• Not permitted for Bangladeshi or Pakistani nationals residing outside India
• If you come from Nepal or Bhutan, only currency notes with a maximum denomination of INR 100 is authorized.

2. Currencies abroad: infinite. Amounts in cash over USD 5,000 (or equivalent) or USD 10,000.-(or equivalent) in traveler’s cheques must, however, be declared.

N.B.

Foreign currencies including Traveller’s cheques, currency notes, drafts, cheques, etc. (Re)exchange only by banks and approved money exchange points.

Currency Export regulations

1. Local currency (INR-Indian Rupee): up to max. 25,000 INR.

2. International currencies: up to the imported and declared sum

N.B.

Foreign currencies including Traveller’s cheques, currency notes, drafts, cheques, etc. (Re)exchange only by banks and approved money exchange points.

Additional Information on regulations:

Remote operated drones and helicopters: importation is permissible with a WPC license given by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.

Seeds and plants: An import permit is necessary for importing seeds and plants for consumption, sowing, planting and propagation, research, and breeding. Import is restricted to the airports of Bengaluru (BLR), Amritsar (ATQ), Chennai (MMA), Guwahati (GAU), Delhi (DEL), Kolkata (CCU), Patna (PAT), Mumbai (BOM), Hyderabad (HYD), Tiruchchirappalli (TRZ), Thiruvananthapuram (TRV), Varanasi (VNS).

Arms and Ammunition regulations:

Required import permit from the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation, India.

What are the India visas you can apply with Click2Visas?

Apply E-Medical Attendant Visa to India
E-Medical Attendant Visa is a valid traveler permit to enter and stay in a India for a period of time, which predetermined for Medical Attendant trips.

Apply Business E-visa to India
Business E-Visa is an authorization document for eligible nationals to enter India to involve in Business, Conference, and Investment related activities.

Apply Tourist E-visa to India
Tourist E-Visa is a valid traveler permit to enter and stay in a India for a period of time, which predetermined for tourism and Holiday purposes.

Apply E-Medical Visa to India
E-Medical Visa is travel authority for a visitor to enter India. This is primarily for Medical treatments, or other Health related treatments.