You must have a passport with you all the time when you
traveling India. It's the most basic travel document. Also
ensure that your passport will be valid for the entire
period you intend to remain overseas, if your passport is
lost or stolen, immediately contact your country's embassy
or consulate in Delhi and also to nearest police station.
How and
when Apply for Passport
The best time to apply for a passport or to renew is during
the fall and winter. Before any trip, be sure to check your
passport's expiration date and, if necessary, renew it as
soon as possible.
You can apply for passport using these websites:
» Passports
Australia Citizens
»
Passport Canadian Passport
»
Passport New Zealand Passport
» Passport
United Kingdom Passport
» U.S.
State Department Passport Services
Visa
You need a visa to visit India. But if you are coming from
Nepal you only need Identification, and visa is issued at
the airport only. Note that with a three month visa, your
entry to India must be within 30 day's from the date of
issue of the visa. Also, the six month visa is valid from
the date of issue of the visa, not the date you enter India
five month after the visa was issued, it will be valid only
for one month not the full six month. If you enter India the
day after it was issued, you can stay for the full six
month.
General Regulations for applying for Visa
Passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date
of intended departure from India should accompany visa
applications.
Paste one photo and staple the other one on the form at
specified place.
Foreigners holding other nationalities (other than the
country where applying for visa), should submit proof of
long-term (at least three years)/ permanent residence in the
country (where applying). For citizen of other countries,
reference has to be made to their country of residence for
which an additional fee is applicable and will involve extra
processing time. Please refrain from making inquiries about
the status of application during this time.
Type of
Visas
Tourist
Visa
Is given for 6 months normally, rest specifically depends on
the country of residence. The applicant is required to
produce/submit documents in proof of his financial standing.
Tourist travelling in groups of not less than four members
under the auspices of a recognised travel agency may be
considered for grant of collective tourist visa.
Business
Visa
Valid for one or more year with multiple entries. A letter
from 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.
Student
Visa
Are issued for the duration of the academic course of study
or for a period of five years whichever is less, on the
basis of firm letters of admission from
Universities/recognized colleges or educational institutions
in India. Change of purpose and institutions are not
permissible.
Transit
Visa
Are issued for a maximum period of 15-days with
single/double entry facilities to Bonaire transit passengers
only.
Visa to
Missionaries
Are 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 duties to be
discharged should be submitted along with guarantee for
applicant’s maintenance while in India.
Journalist Visa
Are issued to professional journalists and photographers for
visiting India. The applicants are required to contact on
arrival in New Delhi, the External Publicity Division of the
Ministry of External Affairs and in other places, the Office
of the Government of India's Press Information Bureaus.
Conference Visa
Are issued for attending
conferences/seminars/meetings in India. A letter of
invitation from the organizer of the conference is to be
submitted along with the visa application. Delegates
coming to attend conferences may combine tourism with
attending conferences
Employment Visa
Are issued to skilled and qualified professionals or persons
who are engaged or appointed by companies, organizations,
economic undertakings as technicians, technical experts,
senior executives etc. Applicants are required to submit
proof of contract/employment/engagement of foreign nationals
by the company or organization.
General
Visa Information
Duration
Depends on the type of visa applied.
Fees
The fee structure depends on the nationality of the passport
holder and type/duration of visa applied.
The existing fee structure is: