I’ve been working behind the scenes this week to update some information about Indian visas. Here are the three updates you should know about.

1. In early January 2015, the PIO (Person of Indian Origin) scheme ended. Now all PIOs are considered OCIs (Overseas Citizens of India). Confused? Check out this updated page: [Read more…]

Medical Visa (Med) and Medical Attendant (MedX)

This visa is given to people seeking medical treatment in India. Each patient can have up to two attendants helping them.

 

Approximate processing time:

Two to four weeks

Difficulty to get:

Moderate

Maximum validity:

One year, or the duration of treatment, triple entry, can be extended

Maximum continuous stay:

180 days, unless registered

What you can do:

• Get medical treatment at a recognized institution

What you cannot do:

• Same as Tourist visa

Rules:

• You must have a letter saying that you have been advised to pursue specialist treatment in a significant area of treatment.
• You must register at the FRRO within 14 days, unless your stay is less than 180 days.
• If you are coming for surrogacy, this is the visa you should have.
• If you are on a longer term visa and you fall ill after coming to India, it is possible to convert your visa to a medical one.

 

Back to the full list of visas here

 

Project Visa (P)

This is a new visa that is a subset of the employment visa. It is given to skilled workers coming to execute projects in the power and steel industry.

 

Approximate processing time:

One to two months

Difficulty to get:

Moderate

Maximum validity:

Usually valid for one year, multiple entry, can be extended

Maximum continuous stay:

180 days, unless registered

What you can do:

• You can work on one specific project in a specific location in the steel and power industry

What you cannot do:

• Work on any other project

Rules:

• Extensions must be approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It is only given to skilled workers (often from China).
• The Project Visa is not subject to the same salary requirements as the Employment visa.
• You may not take up employment in that Indian company for a period of two years from the date the project is commissioned.
• There are ceiling limits to the number of visas issued per project.
• You must register at the FRRO if your visa is valid for more than 180 days.

 

Back to the full list of visas here

 

Conference Visa (C)

This visa is for people attending or presenting at a conference in India. Since this is considered more than tourism, it is placed in a separate category.

 

Approximate processing time:

Within a week if it is a public conference, up to a month if it is a private one

Difficulty to get:

Easy to Moderate depending on the conference

Maximum validity:

Usually valid for 30 days or the duration of the conference plus travel, single entry, not extendable

Maximum continuous stay:

Length of visa

What you can do:

• Attend a conference held by the government, public sector, private sector or an NGO
• Be a tourist
• Present a paper at a conference
• Participate in a sports tournament

What you cannot do:

• Same as Tourist visa

Rules:

• If it is a sports event, it will need clearance from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• If it is put on by a private group or an NGO, it will need approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs.
• You will need an invitation letter from the organizer.
• If you are setting up an exhibit at a conference in order to build business relationships, you should have a Business visa.

 

Back to the full list of visas here

 

Research Visa (R)

This visa is for professors and scholars who want to visit India for research purposes.

 

Approximate processing time:

Can be several months depending on the subject

Difficulty to get:

Difficult

Maximum validity:

Usually valid up to three years, multiple entry, can be extended with approval

Maximum continuous stay:

Length of visa or 180 days

What you can do:

• Conduct research

What you cannot do:

• Visit restricted areas, especially those affected by terrorism, militancy and extremism

Rules:

• Your approval is subject to the reputation of the institute sponsoring you, so it is advisable to go with a larger, recognizable name.
• Your research must be approved by the Ministry of Human Development, Department of Education. They will also approve any extensions.
• You will need to register at the FRRO when you arrive.

 

Back to the full list of visas here

 

Journalist Visa (J)

This visa is for media-related visits including journalists, photographers, and videographers.

 

Approximate processing time:

Two to four weeks

Difficulty to get:

Moderate to difficult depending on the subject you are exploring

Maximum validity:

Typically three months, single entry, can be extended

Maximum continuous stay:

Length of visa or 180 days

What you can do:

• Work in a branch office of a foreign media company
• Make a documentary film (with prior approval)
• Take professional photographs
• Professional travel writing
• Professional travel journalism
• Travel promotion
• Write articles for major publications about fashion, costumes, sport

What you cannot do:

• Same as tourist visa

Rules:

• Extensions have to be granted by the Ministry of External Affairs.
• You must already be an existing journalist (or media related profession) to apply for this visa.
• If you are employed by a media company or are in a media related profession, you may be given this visa by default, even if you just want to come as a tourist. See the notes on the visa application guide.

 

Back to the full list of visas here

 

Student Visa (S)

The student visa is for anyone who wants to study a certain subject in India.

 

Approximate processing time:

One to three weeks

Difficulty to get:

Moderate

Maximum validity:

Duration of your studies or five years; multiple entry if it is long-term, single/double for shorter terms; can be extended up to five years

Maximum continuous stay:

180 days unless you register

What you can do:

• Study at an officially recognized institution in India
• Study yoga, Vedic culture, Indian dance/music/art at a recognized institution in India

What you cannot do:

• Make money from an Indian company or conduct business

Rules:

• You need a confirmation letter from the institution.
• If it is pertaining to a medical course, you need approval from the Ministry of Health.
• If you want to explore possibilities, you can apply for a provisional Student visa. This can be converted to a full Student Visa at the FRRO.
• You must register at the FRRO within 14 days if your visa is valid for more than 180 days.

 

Back to the full list of visas here

 

Transit Visa (TR)

Transit visas are available if you are passing through India to another country and want to stay for a maximum of 72 hours.

 

Approximate processing time:

Less than a week

Difficulty to get:

Easy

Maximum validity:

15 Days, double entry, cannot be extended

Maximum continuous stay:

72 hours

What you can do:

• See Tourist visa

What you cannot do:

• See Tourist visa

Rules:

 

 

• Remember that your validity starts on the day it is issued and not when you enter India.
• You must show proof that you have booked a flight out of the country (with a valid visa to that country) within 72 hours of landing.
• Can be applied for from any Indian consulate around the world (not just your residence).

 

Back to the full list of visas here