Indian Embassy, India Visa Information

Indian Embassy in United States of America (USA)

Address

Chancery
2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 939-7000
Fax: (202) 265-4351
Embassy Hours: 930 AM - 600 PM

Consular Wing
2536 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 939-9806
Fax: (202) 797-4693

Timing

Consular Services Timings: Applications for all consular services (like issue of new/duplicate passports, visas, renewals and miscellaneous services on passports, legalization/attestation of documents) are accepted between 09:30 AM and 12:30 PM. The passports and other documents, irrespective of date or time of submission, are delivered only between 04:30 PM and 05:15 PM on working days (Embassy Holidays). This time schedule does not apply to services where prior approval is required from the authorities in India.

Visa Information

Processing Time:

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. Applications sent by mail will normally take about 7-10 working days to process. This time schedule does not apply to services where prior approval is required from authorities in India, or other Indian embassies for non US Resident applicants. During this period the applicants are advised to refrain from making telephonic/written/ email inquires about the status of the application.

Emergency issue of Visa: In case visa is applied for at the counter after 12.30 pm or on weekends and holidays, an emergency charge of US $ 35 is levied for issue of visa on the same day. Emergency Services are granted on Saturdays and National Holidays to persons of Indian origin only, between 11am and 1pm in case of a genuine emergency like death or illness of a blood relation, subject to production of proof and confirmed air ticket.

This service is not available for visa applications sent by mail. You may wish to enquire from the concerned officer about arrangements for such emergency service. The decision of the consular officer in this matter shall be final.

Following documents are required to be submitted for visa:

1. Visa application Form
Kindly use a pen/ball pen only to fill up the visa application form legibly and clearly, in bold (capital) letters. Incomplete and illegible applications may not be processed.
Name and other relevant particulars should be filled as per details in the passport.

2. Passport, it should have a minimum validity of six months.

3. Photographs; 2 latest passport size photographs (black/white or color) depicting front pose against light background

4. Supporting documents, if the visa being applied for is other than a Tourist Visa, the visa application should be accompanied with supporting documents on type of visa applied for.

5. Visa Fee, Please see "Fee Schedule" for the amount of fee. In case the applications are deposited in person at the counter, visa fee can be paid in cash or by Cashier's Check/Certified Check or Money Order made payable to the Embassy of India, Washington.

Type Of Visa

TOURIST VISA: Valid for 6 months to 10 years. Ten (10) year visa is available only to US citizens under a bilateral arrangement. Irrespective of the duration of validity of visa, on each visit maximum period of stay in India is limited to 6 months (180 days). Multiple entry visas are given.

TRANSIT VISA: Valid for single/double entry for a maximum stay of 15 days for bona fide transit purpose only. A copy of the airline ticket needs to be enclosed.

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 employed in India are also eligible for Entry visa.

BUSINESS VISA: Valid for six month or one/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 the sponsoring organization indicating nature of applicant's business, probable duration of stay, validity of visa, 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 that the organization is registered in India are required. Duration of visa would depend on the period of the contract.

STUDENT VISA: (Valid for the period of study in India). Multiple-entry visas are given to bona fide 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 the application. In case of admission in medical or paramedical courses in India, a letter of Approval or No objection certificate from the Ministry of Health, Government of India, is also required. Similarly, for admission to graduate or post-graduate courses in engineering/ technical institutions in India, a letter of approval or a No objection certificate from the Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Education) is required.

List of Holidays for the Year 2006