Passport and Visa Requirements
You are advised to contact the Indian Embassy / High Commission / Consulate in your country in order to obtain a visa of entry. Please apply for your visa 02 to 03 months in advance. Your travel agent may also be able to help you. There is no provision of 'Visa on Arrival' in India and no fee is charged for immigration facilities at the airports. Foreign passengers should ensure that they are in possession of valid Indian Visa before they start their journey to India except nationals of Nepal and Bhutan who do not require visa to enter India and nationals of Maldives who do not require visa for entry in India for a period up to 90 days (a separate Visa regime exists for diplomatic/official passport holders). The Consular Passport and Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs is responsible for issuance of Indian visas to the foreign nationals for their visit for various purposes. This facility is granted through various Indian missions abroad. Visa fees are non-refundable and subject to change without notice. The High Commission reserves the right on granting and deciding type/duration of visa irrespective of the fees tendered at the time of making application. Granting of Visa does not confer the right of entry to India and is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Authorities. The instruction and information given here is general in nature, however for specific information, you may contact the respective Indian Mission.

Visa Application Form
Visa application form is available at the Indian Mission in the country where the applicant resides. Visa form for nationals of Pakistan and Bangladesh are generally different. All NRIs/PIOs, including children (who do not possess OCI or PIO card) need to apply for Visa in separate visa forms.

Procedure for obtaining Visa
Visas can be applied for in person or by post at the High Commission of India based in the country from where the candidate intends to depart for India. Specific visas are granted for a variety of purposes that are aforementioned.

1. Travel Visa application requirements
   (a) Valid passport.
   
   (b) Completed application form.
        (Nationals of Pakistan and Bangladesh must complete special application forms)
   
   (c) Two passport-size photographs. (Nationals of Pakistan will require five)
   
   (d) Visa fee
   
   (e) Stamped self-addressed delivery envelope for postal applications.
   
   
2. Types of Visa
   (a) Conference Visa
   Conference Visas are issued for attending conferences / seminars / meetings in India. The letter of invitation is to be submitted along with the visa application. Delegates coming to attend conferences may combine tourism with attending conferences.
   
   (b) Business Visa
   Validity: One or more years with multiple-entry. A letter from the sponsoring organization indicating nature of business, probable duration of stay, places and organizations to be visited incorporating there in a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses, etc. should accompany the application.
   
   (c) Tourist Visa
   Validity: 6 months. The applicant is required to submit documents in proof of his financial standing. Tourists traveling in groups of not less than four members under the auspices of a recognized travel agency may be considered for grant of collective tourist visa.
   
   
3. Visa Fees (subject to change, kindly check with Indian mission in your country)
   Visa with validity six months               US$ 30
   Visas with validity one year                US$ 50
   Visas with validity one to five years   US$100
   
   
4. Processing time
   Personal applications are processed the same day. Postal applications will take approximately two weeks.
   
   
5. Restricted and protected areas
   Certain parts of the country have been designated protected or restricted areas that require special permits and in some cases prior government authorization which is easily obtained. Intent to visit a specific restricted region should be indicated when applying for a visa and a permit will be granted to visit that region only. Passengers are advised to check with Indian Tourism for updated information before departure. The following states are subject to some restrictions: Arunachul Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim.