Learning India

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

 

Diplomat Visa (D)

This visa is given to diplomats and UN workers assigned to a specific post/mission/project in India.

 

Approximate processing time:

One week

Difficulty to get:

Easy, assuming proper paperwork from your government

Maximum validity:

Term of service

Maximum continuous stay:

See visa

What you can do:

• Be a diplomat for your country

What you cannot do:

• Work for a different country
• Earn money from an Indian company

 

Back to the full list of visas here

 

 

 

Entry Visa (X)

This visa is for foreigners of Indian origin coming to visit, spouses and children of Indian citizens, and dependents of foreigners on longer term visas such as Employment, Student, and Research visas (but not Business – spouses and children should apply for tourist visas).

 

Approximate processing time:

One to three weeks

Difficulty to get:

Easy, if the main visa holder has been approved

Maximum validity:

Either five years or the same validity of the main visa holder, multiple entry

Maximum continuous stay:

180 days unless you register

What you can do:

• Same as Tourist visa as well as:
• Study in a school up to 12^th standard if you are a minor
• Participate in a sporting event if you are an athlete
• Mountaineering expeditions

What you cannot do:

• Same as Tourist visa, as well as:
• Vote
• Have a ration card

Rules:

If you are coming for mountaineering on restricted peaks, you will to use this visa and not the tourist and get a special endorsement allowing you access.

 

Back to the full list of visas here

 

 

 

Employment Visa (E)

This visa is for those who are living, working, and earning money in India

 

Approximate processing time:

One to three weeks

Difficulty to get:

Difficult

Maximum validity:

Usually one year, multiple entry, can be extended every year (in India) up to five years

Maximum continuous stay:

One year plus any extension

What you can do:

• Earn money from an Indian company, or the Indian branch of a foreign company
• Perform as an artist
• Coach or play for an official sports team
• Install equipment/machines/tools
• Do warranty or annual maintenance work
• Do training for an Indian company
• Consult with an Indian company
• Execute a project in India

What you cannot do:

• Work for any other company

Rules:

• You must be “highly skilled” in your industry. This is usually a senior level person or technical expert (no clerical roles). You must be doing a job that very few, if any, Indians can do.
• You will need to show an employment contract from an Indian employer that includes a salary of US $25,000 per year. This can include allowances paid in cash which are used to calculate your Indian Income tax (quantified and included in the contract). It does not include things paid in kind such as transportation and free housing. Exemptions are ethnic cooks, foreign language teachers (not English), and embassy staff. If you are going to be in India less than a year, the $25,000 can be prorated by months. Any money you earn is subject to tax liabilities
• There was a rule about companies only employing a certain number of foreign staff, but it has been removed.
• You must register with the FRRO within 14 days.
• Spouses and children will be on Entry visas.
• If you are doing NGO/Volunteering Work: You will get a special endorsement on your visa which reads “To work with NGO” and then gives the name of the NGO and the place of work. You will also need an invitation/contract letter from the NGO as well as proof that the NGO is registered in India. You will need to prove you can financially support yourself and also give your resume. You may receive a maximum of Rs. 10,000 per month.

 

Back to the full list of visas here