Any foreigner who wants to enter India must have a valid visa affixed
on his or her passport. This can be obtained from the Indian Consulate
in your country. Foreign nationals of Indian origin, their spouses
and children can obtain visas from the Consulate. Foreign nationals
of Indian origin, their spouses and children can obtain Entry Visas
valid upto 10 years.
Tourist Visas can be obtained for six months, one year and 10 years.
Visas of the appropriate type should be obtained by students, businessmen,
journalists and others who want to visit India for professional
purposes.
Validity of visas: All types of visas are valid for the indicated
period from the date of issue (and not repeat not from the date
of first entry into India).
Post-dated visas are not issued.
Application form and picture requirements: All applicants for Entry
and Tourist visas are required to fill out an application form and
provide one recent passport size photograph. Applicants for Business,
Research, Journalist and some other types of visas are required
to submit two forms duly filled in and two pictures.
Visas to non-residents: Visas can also be issued to persons who
normally do not live in the jurisdiction of this Consulate (this
also includes people holding Tourist / Business visas) after obtaining
clearance from the Indian Mission under whose jurisdiction the applicant
normally resides. This however takes a few weeks. The applicant
may, however, pay an additional charge for clearance by fax or telex.
Restricted area permits: Persons desiring to go to a restricted
area should fill in special forms and apply well in advance as clearances
are required before a permit can be issued to travel to these places.
It takes at least 6 to 8 weeks to receive the Government of India's
clearances in such cases.
Requirements for student visas: Firm letters of admission from Universities,
recognized Colleges or Educational Institutions in India are required
for issuance of Regular Student Visas.
Applicants are also required to produce satisfactory evidence of
financial support. In case of admission in a medical or a para-medical
course, the applicant has also to produce a 'No Objection Certificate'
from the Ministry of Health, Government of India, to obtain a Student
Visa.
Applicants for Student Visas who want to pursue graduate or post-graduate
studies in Engineering / Technology are required to produce a similar
'No Objection Certificate' from the Ministry of Human Resource Development
(Department of Education). Provisional Student Visas for a period
of 6 months can however be issued on production of a Provisional
Admission Certificate issued by a University / recognized Educational
Institution in India. It can be changed to a regular student visa
in India itself subject to completion of the formalities listed
above. However, no change of institute / purpose is allowed.
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