Please provide following documents along with your visa application:

1. Passport (should be valid for a minimum period of six months)

2. Visa application should be filled in ink with BLOCK (CAPITAL) letters only.  Incomplete and illegible applications are likely to be rejected.

3. Applicant’s name should be filled in as per his/her name in the passport.

4. 2 passport size photographs

5. Attach supporting documents along with visa application except in case of Tourist visa.

6. Appropriate Visa fee in cash, cashier check or money order (Personal Check (s) not accepted)

Non-US Citizens (in addition to above requirements)

1. Non-US citizens, holding long term visa (at least three years) or Green card should submit copy of the Visa/Green card.

2. Non-US citizens, holding US tourist or short term visa should submit an additional $ 20 for reference to be made with Indian mission in their native country (Processing time: Five to Seven working days).

The visa application can be submitted at the counter of the Embassy of India, Washington D.C. between 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

If you are mailing Visa application:

Visa application can also be mailed along with passport, two passport size photographs, appropriate visa fee and mailing charge through Money order or Certified Check in favor of Embassy of India, Washington D.C. or the Concerned Indian Consulate in USA.  It is recommended a self addressed stamped return envelop be sent with visa application in lieu of mailing charge. The application  should be mailed to the concerned  Consulate General of India/Embassy in USA. The Details of Consular jurisdiction of Indian Consulate in USA are given on the Visa application form.  The jurisdiction is decided on the basis the applicant’s residence address in USA.  The processing time is 15-20 working days after the receipt of visa application.

For emergency cases, remit $ 30/- extra per application.

Return mail charges: The following mail charges should be sent for return of serviced  passports in addition to the prescribed visa fee. The Embassy/ Consulate is not responsible for documents lost in mail.

CERTIFIED MAIL: $ 4/- per passport and $ 1/- for each additional passport

REGISTERED MAIL: $ 8/- per passport and $ 1/- for each additional passport

OVERNIGHT MAIL:   $ 15/-

Applicant can also send a self addressed prepaid return envelope with the application instead of mailing charges.

Attention:  All visas start from the date of its issue.

TOURIST VISA: Valid for 6 months to 10 years. However, the period of stay in India (for each visit) is limited to only six months.

TRANSIT VISA: Valid for single/double entry for a maximum stay of 15 days for bonafide transit purposes only.

ENTRY VISA: Valid for six months to five years stay with multiple entry is given only to persons of Indian origin.  However, members of the family of a person who is employed in India are also eligible for Entry visa.

BUSINESS VISA: Valid for one or more years with multiple entries. However, the period of stay in India (for each visit) under this category is limited to six months only. A Letter from sponsoring organization indicating nature of applicant’s business, probable duration of stay, places and organizations to be visited and also a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses etc. should accompany the application.  Business visa valid for ten years with multiple entries is available to foreign businessmen who have set up or intend to set up joint ventures in India.

EMPLOYMENT VISA: An appointment letter, contract letter, applicant’s resume and proof of organization registration in India are required.

STUDENT VISA: Valid up to the period of study with multiple entries for bonafide students to pursue regular studies at recognized institutions in India.  (A letter confirming admission from such an institution along with evidence of financial arrangements for stay in India should accompany application).  In case of admission in medical or paramedical courses in India, a letter of Approval or No objection certificate from Ministry of Health, Govt. of India, is also required.  Likewise, for admission in graduate or post-graduate courses in engineering or technical institutions in India, a letter of approval or a No objection certificate from Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Education)  is required.

RESEARCH VISA: Approval of Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Education), New Delhi, should accompany the visa application.

MISSIONARIES:  Valid for single entry and duration as permitted by Government of India.  A letter, in triplicate, from sponsoring organization indicating intended destination in India, probable length of stay, and nature of work to be discharged should be attached along with guarantee for applicant’s maintenance while in India.  Note: processing of applications for missionaries may take up to three months.

JOURNALIST VISA: Journalist visa is given to professional journalists and photographers for three months stay in India.

CONFERENCE VISA: A letter of invitation from the organizer of the conference is to be attached along with the visa application.

VISA FEE is non-refundable.

FEE:

The following is the visa fee schedule applicable to foreign national holding passports of all countries except those mentioned at Paragraphs A, B, C & D

A) The nationals of following countries are granted Gratis Visa:

Afghanistan, Argentina,  Bangladesh,  Hungary,  Jamaica,  Mauritius, Mongolia,  Maldives,  Poland, Slovak Republic, South Africa and Uruguay.

B) No visa is required for the nationals of Nepal & Bhutan

C) Separate visa fee schedule for the nationals of Pakistan

Visa fee $2/-

D) Sri Lankan, Russian and Romanian nationals: Please contact/call Embassy/Consulate for visa fee/service charges before applying for the visa.

PROCESSING TIME: 

The Applications received at the counter between 9.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. are normally processed the same day and serviced passports can be collected from the counter between 4.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. 

Application sent by mail will take about 15 working days to process.  This time schedule does not apply to services where prior approval is required from authorities in India, or embassies for non US Resident applicants.  Applicants are advised to refrain from making telephonic/written/email inquires in such cases about status of application. Applicants would be informed once approval is received.

Special Visa application forms have to be filled in by citizens of Pakistan ( 4 copies with 4 photos) and Bangladesh (2 copies with 2 photos).  It usually takes 3-4 months to process visa applications of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Chinese passport holders.
 

Rule for Registration of Foreign nationals in India:

Foreigners who enter India with a visa valid for more than 180 days are required register with the nearest foreigners registration officer within two weeks of their arrival, even if, they do not plan to stay for more than 180 days.

However following categories of foreigners are exempted from registration

(i) All Foreigners (except Pakistani & Afghani national) holding visa  up to six months.

(ii) US nationals holding 10 years tourist/business visa, provided their continuous stay during each visit does not does not exceed 180 days.

(iii) Foreigners of Indian origin holding 5 year multiple entry “ Entry” ( X ) visa with an endorsement that  “ stay should not exceed 180 days during each  visit”.  (Attention:  In case a foreigner of Indian origin desirous of staying continuously for more than 180 days or longer, then registration is required within 14 days of first arrival in India.)

(iv) Foreigners holding five-year tourist visa, who are actively engaged in tourist/travel trade, desirous of  visiting  India  frequently over extending periods  for promotion of tourism, etc, provided  their visa contains an endorsement that  “ continuous stay should not exceed 180 days”

(v) PIO card  holders, if  their continuous stay during each  visit does not exceed 180 days.

(vi) Foreigners below the age of 16 years.

Penalty fee of US $ 30/- is charged for overstaying in India or non-registering with the FRRO with in the stipulated time period.

FORMALITIES REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN NATIONALS:-

List of documents required at the time of registration with the Foreigners Registration Officer.

(i) Photocopy of the passport and initial visa.

(ii) Four photographs of the applicant.

(iii) Details of residence in India.

(iv) HIV test report from one of the WHO recognized institutions from people in the age group of 15 to 60 years, if the foreigner is visiting India on a visa for more than one year.

(v) Copy of the marriage certificate in case of those seeking extension of stay on grounds of being spouse of  Indian national.

(vi) Bona-fide certificate from the University/college/institution in case of student visa.

(vii) Accreditation  certificate from the Press Information Bureau  in case of Journalist visa.

(viii) Approval of the department of company  affairs in the case of board level appointments in public limited companies.

(ix) Copy of the approval from government of India in case of joint venture or collaboration (in duplicate).

(x) Copy of permission from the RBI in case of business/joint venture etc.

(xi) Terms and conditions of appointments  and copy of contract or agreements, in case of employments visa.

(xii) Undertaking from the concerned Indian company on the following lines in case of employment/business visa:-

UNDERTAKING

We  take full responsibility  for the activities and conduct of Mr./Mrs. ___________________ national of ____________ during his/her stay  in India.  If anything adverse comes to notice during  this period,  we undertake to repatriate him/her on our cost.

Date:                                                          Signature of competent authority

Seal:

Addresses of Registration officers in India:-

Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)
Ist floor, Hans Bhavan,
Bhadur Shah Zafar Marg,
Near ITO, New Delhi
Phone: 011-3319489/3755183/5652389

FRRO & Dy. Commissioner of Police
Special Branch – II (CID)
Mumbai
Phone: 022-2621169/2620721/8350098

Chief Immigration Officer
Shastry Bhavan Annexe
26, Haddow Road, Chennai
Phone: 044-8277036/8277036/2340589

S. P. (Immigration and CID)
Interrogation Centre
PCP Attari Rail Mal Mandi
Amritsar
Phone: 0183-225456/227605/382630

DIG (Border)
Intelligence Branch
13-Lord Singh Road
Calcutta
Phone: 033-2470549/5528830

At other places, the Superintendents of police of the Districts are foreigners registration officers.

Certificates of registration will be issued by the registration officers. The foreigners should surrender their certificates of registration officer of the place where they are registered or of the place where they intend to depart or to the immigration officer at the port/check post of exit from India. If the certificate is surrendered to other than the immigration officer at the port/check post of exit, the foreigners should produce the receipt indicating such surrender of the document to the immigration officer at the port/check post of exit.

Registration is required  to be done only once within the stipulated period, even though he/she may go out of India on multiple entry facility during the validity of the visa.  Only if he/she enters India on a new visa will he/she be required to register again.

Foreigners can visit restricted /protected areas only after getting a valid permit as visa  alone  is not enough to visit such places.

Foreigners coming from or through yellow fever countries must come with valid  vaccination certificate.

On arrival/departure, foreigners should fill up Disembarkation/ embarkation cards.               

CAUTION

The Indian Wildlife Protection Act bans all forms of wildlife trade. Violations of the provisions of the act are punishable with heavy fines and imprisonment. Travelers are, therefore, advised not to buy any wildlife or wildlife products or derivatives -specially  ivory articles, fur and skin articles derived from wild animals such as Shahtoosh.

The travelers should not buy, sell or use psycho-tropic drugs or any other narcotic substances while in India, as their purchase, sell or possession is a cognizable offence punishable by imprisonment.

For Tourist information to India:

http://www.tourismindia.com

Government of India Tourist office
30 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 15,
North Mezzanine, New York, NY 10112
Tel: 212-586-4901; Fax: 212-582-3274

Government of India Tourist office
3550 Wiltshire Blvd, Suite # 204
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Tel: 213-390-8855; Fax: 213-380-6111