Welcome to Consulate General of India, New York (USA)

  • Skip to main content
  • Screen Reader Access
  • English Hindi

tourist visa india

  • Visa Guidelines for USA Passport Holders
  • Advisory on Satellite Phone
  • Emergency Entry Visa Guidelines
  • Visa for Diplomatic/ official/ Laissez-Passers Passport Holders
  • Tourist Visa
  • Business Visa
  • Employment Visa
  • Transit Visa
  • Medical Visa
  • Student Visa (Study/Research /Internship)
  • Conference Visa
  • Mountaineering Visa
  • Missionary Visa
  • Journalist Visa(Journalist /Documentary filming)
  • Film Visa: Visa for shooting Feature Films
  • Visa for Pakistani Passport Holders/ Foreign Passport holders of Pakistani Origin
  • Important Advisory on Fake Indian eVisa websites
  • FAQ’s on Visa
  • General Passport Information
  • TATKAAL  Passport Services
  • Public Advisory on Urgent Re-issuance of Passports
  • FAQ on Passport
  • EAMs Message on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas 2023 (24 Jun)
  • How to apply for OCI ?
  • When to Update/Reissue OCI
  • Renewal/Re-issue of OCI Card
  • General Information on OCI
  • Conversion of PIO card to OCI card
  • Instructions to Convert PIO Card to OCI Card
  • Renunciation of OCI
  • FAQ On OCI Related Matters
  • Notice regarding Dual Citizenship
  • FAQs on Misc. Service
  • Outsourcing of Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Service for Indian Nationals with VFS Global
  • General Information
  • FAQs on Renunciation
  • Emergency Travel Document (Emergency Certificate-EC)
  • Calendar of upcoming Camps
  • Past Consular Camps
  • Import of Pet
  • Data of Death Record
  • Adult Protective Services (APS)
  • Empanelled NGOs with Consulate
  • Child Protective Services (CPS)
  • Assistance for distressed women in India
  • Minutes of Fourth Interaction-Community Organizations
  • Procedure for sending/ forwarding Court Order/ Summons
  • India: Leather Exports
  • DISCLAIMER: Links given to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement / promotion of external websites by the Consulate General of India, New York. This Consulate does not take responsibility for the content therein. It does not endorse, approve, or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficiency, timeliness, or correct sequencing of such information. They are given solely for access to prima facie information.
  • अमरीका में हिंदी
  • Statement of Need Certificates for Medical Doctors
  • Equivalence Certificate
  • Open Admissions - School of International Cooperation, Security and Strategic Languages, Rashtriya Raksha University, India
  • CUNY India Study Abroad Program (July 30 –August 15, 2019)
  • RIT- OASIS organised Dandiya event with Mr. Jeffrey Cox, Director, International Student Services and Ms. Erica Ford, International Student Advisor
  • Meet and Greet for Indian Students in USA, 21 October 2022 Consulate General of India in New York in association with GOPIO- Manhattan organized the 'Annual Day for Indian Students in USA' on October 21, 2022 at the Consulate. The Chief Guest for the evening was Mrs. Chandrika Tandon, Chairperson of Tandon Capital Associates and a recognized business leader, Grammy- nominated artist and humanitarian.
  • Celebrating 20 years of Indian School of Business as part of Amrit Mahotsav. CGI, New York hosted ISB delegation led by Dean, its founding chairman & members and alumni on November 18, 2022
  • Advisory/Information for students desirous of Pursuing Medical Studies abroad
  • Fulbright - Nehru and Fulbright - Kalam Fellowships
  • Online Annual Hindi Learning Program by Yuva Hindi Sansthan.
  • Emergency Contact
  • PIB Accreditation
  • PRAMIT Pravasi Mitra (Helpline)

About Us

  • Home › Consular Services › Visa Services › E - Visa

tourist visa india

1. E-Visa has been made available by the Government of India to citizens of certain countries, including the United States of America. Details of the scheme are available on the dedicated website created for this purpose: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

2. International travellers whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, business purpose, as attendant to e-Medical visa holder, attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations etc. & their subordinate/ attached organizations & PSUs and no other purpose/activity, can apply for e-Visa.

3. e-Visa has 5 sub-categories viz. e-Tourist Visa (for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years), e-Business Visa , e-Medical Visa , e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa . A foreigner (other than those applying for e-Conference Visa) will be allowed to club activities permitted under these categories. Foreigners applying for e-Conference visa will be permitted to club the activities permitted under e-Tourist visa only (validity co-terminus with e-Conference Visa only i.e. 30 days). Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e- Medical Visa.

4. For e-Tourist and e-Business visa, Applicants may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival.

5. For e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, Applicants may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 120 days. Example: If you are applying on 1st Sept then applicant can select arrival date from 5th Sept to 2nd Jan.

6. Recent front facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport containing personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc are to be uploaded mandatorily by the applicant. Additionally one more document depending upon the e-Visa type would also be required to be uploaded. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded documents and photograph are not clear / as per specification.

7. The revised fee structure for e-Tourist visa is as under:-

8. Bank transaction charges of 2.5% will be charged additionally on applicable e-Visa fees. The fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel otherwise application will not be processed.

9. e-Visa fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).Applicant should carry a copy of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) along with him/her at the time of travel. Please confirm that your ETA status is shown as 'GRANTED' on this website prior to commencement of your journey.

10. Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India. e-Visa is non-extendable, non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas. If you intend to visit Protected/Restricted/Cantonment areas, you would require prior permission from the Civil Authority.

11. The e-Visa fee payment status updation may take up to 2 hours due to technical reasons/network delays. Before re-applying, the applicants are requested to wait for 2 hours for payment status updating, after final submission of the application form and payment of the fee. In cases, where e-Visa fee has been deducted but status is not updated, the applicants are advised to verify their payment status by clicking on 'Verify Payment/Pay Visa Fee' tab or by clicking on the link Verify Payment.

12. Nationals of Yellow Fever affected countries or travellers arriving from these countries must carry YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CARD at the time of arrival in India, otherwise they may be quarantined for 6 days upon arrival in India.

13. You must travel on the Passport which you have applied for eVisa. Entry will be allowed into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport, however in such cases a traveler must carry the old passport on which ETA was issued.

14. The documents required for completing the eVisa application is indicated against each type of eVisa. Please keep all these documents ready at hand before beginning to fill your eVisa application. All documents including Business cards, Invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which the application would be liable for rejection. The entire process may take 10 to 15 minutes to complete the application and make the payment. Applicants must be fill eVisa application himself/herself and give correct information in each column and take responsibility for the correctness of information provided.

  • Visa Services
  • Travel Advisory for Indian Nationals
  • Passport Services
  • OCI Services
  • Miscellaneous Consular Services
  • Renunciation of Indian Citizenship
  • Emergency Travel Document
  • Global Entry Program (GEP) For Indian Nationals
  • Emergency Contact No
  • Consular Camps
  • Customs Regulations
  • PAN Card for NRI/PIO ?
  • Aadhaar Card for NRI/OCI/PIOs
  • Adoption of Indian Children
  • Vaccination Guideline
  • About PRAMIT
  • Important Notification for Travelers to India - Bringing on Import or Use of satellite phones in India

image

  • @IndiainNewYork @IndiainNewYork
  • CGI NewYork CGI NEW YORK
  • CGI NEWYORK CGI NEWYORK
  • PRAMIT PRAMIT
  • Google Feedback Google Feedback

tourist visa india

  • Copyright policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Hyperlinking Policy
  • Accessibility Statement

Address: Consulate General of India, 3 East 64th Street (Between 5th and Madison Avenues), New York, NY 10065

Tel No. for all enquiries : +1 347-721-9243

Consulate closed on Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays Official working hours : 9.00 AM - 5.30 PM EST For submission of documents : 09:15 am to 11:15 am (Monday to Friday) Delivery of documents : 11:30 am to 13:00 pm (Monday to Friday) --> For submission of documents : 9:15 am - 12:15 pm Delivery of documents : 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm-->

Visitors Since (June, 2018): 9209219

Page last updated on: March 15, 2024

Here's how to get a visa to visit India

Joe Bindloss

Dec 20, 2023 • 7 min read

tourist visa india

From applying for an e-Visa to extending your stay, here's what you need to know about entry requirements for India © beavera / Getty Images

With its dense tapestry of cultures and landscapes, India feels like dozens of countries rolled into one, but a single visa will cover you for travel across more than 3 million sq km (more than a million sq miles) of territory, taking in everything from steamy jungles to the high passes of the Himalayas.

Every Indian state is as large and diverse as a nation, so take your time navigating this enormous and fascinating country. The good news is that visas are easy to obtain and allow plenty of time for exploring.

Here’s everything you need to know about visa requirements for India, from the application process for e-Visas to overland travel and extending your stay.

Rear view of tourist mother and daughter wearing a hat sitting at a step well (Toorji Ka Jhalra) in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

You'll probably need a visa to go to India

Almost everyone needs a visa to visit India , but for most nationalities, tourist visas are easy to obtain online or through your local Indian embassy or consulate. Citizens of 166 countries – including most nations in the EU and EEA, the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand, and many countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America – can apply for an e-Visa before traveling via a simple online form .

Applying online is a fairly painless process, and it will save you hours compared to applying in person at an embassy or through a visa agency (in countries where Indian embassies no longer issue visas directly). Tourist e-Visas are available with a validity of 30 days, one year or five years, with the one- and five-year visas allowing for multiple entries for a maximum stay of 180 days on each visit.

For one- and five-year tourist visas, applications are accepted up to 120 days in advance of travel. The 30-day visa allows two entries into India, which is handy if you’re planning a side trip to Nepal , and you can apply up to 30 days in advance of travel. All e-Visas take at least 72 hours to process, so be sure to apply in plenty of time (at least 4 days in advance is recommended).

Applying online is the most hassle-free way to obtain a visa

The Indian government’s online e-Visa portal can be used to apply for tourist visas, business visas, and visas for medical treatment and attending conferences. The cost and duration of the visa vary depending on your nationality, and you may need to show proof of return travel arrangements and sufficient funds to support yourself during your trip.

Rules for non-tourist visas can be complex. Business travelers usually need to provide letters of introduction from Indian companies and organizations that they plan to meet. Assuming you meet the requirements, business visas are usually valid for multiple entries over the space of one year.

Working for an Indian company is more complicated. You’ll need an employment visa and a work permit, and most people need a firm job offer and assistance from an Indian employer to complete the paperwork. As with all visa requirements, the situation is subject to change; contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.

Applying for a tourist e-Visa is fairly straightforward

To apply for an Indian e-Visa, visit the government’s official e-Visa portal . You’ll need to upload a digital passport-style photo and copies of your passport ID pages, and pay the visa fee, which varies depending on your nationality.

Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry, and you’ll need two spare pages for the visa, which will be physically stamped into your passport on arrival. Assuming your application is accepted – which is the case for most applicants – you’ll receive a digital Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which you should print out and carry with you when you travel, so you can present it to the immigration authorities on arrival. 

Young woman checking travel timetable board

Enter India via air or sea on your e-Visa

E-Visas allow entry to India through 25 designated airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Bengaluru (Bangalore), Hyderabad, Kochi (Cochin), Goa, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Gaya, Jaipur, Lucknow, Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), Varanasi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Pune, Nagpur, Coimbatore, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Chandigarh and Visakhapatnam.

They’re also valid for entry via the designated seaports at Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, New Mangalore and Mormugao (in Goa).

Apply for a visa before you travel to enter India overland

If you plan to enter India overland – for example, from Nepal or Pakistan – you’ll need a visa stamped into your passport before you leave home, which you’ll need to obtain from the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country, or through an approved visa application office.

If you plan to visit India and Nepal on the same trip, get a multiple-entry visa – it used to be possible to arrange a new Indian tourist visa through the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu , but the authorities may now insist on a two-month gap before issuing a new visa.

There’s no need to worry about applying for a visa for Nepal in advance – they’re available on arrival at border crossings (bring passport photos and US dollars to pay the fee).

If you can't apply for an e-Visa, get one in person in advance

Contact your local embassy or consulate to check the application process in your country; the Indian Ministry of External Affairs maintains a list of diplomatic missions online. It’s best to apply for a visa in your home country – obtaining an Indian visa from an embassy in another country can be tortuously slow, assuming it’s possible at all. Fees and the permitted duration of stay will vary depending on your nationality.

As an alternative to applying through an Indian embassy or consulate, you may be able to apply for a visa through a visa agency – however, this tends to be more expensive than applying directly. In practice, many of these agencies just collect together applications and then send over a staff member to the embassy to apply in person.

Woman practicing yoga

Student visas are available to those on full-time courses in India

Student visas are reserved for people enrolled in approved full-time educational courses in India (which can include training courses in yoga, meditation, and traditional Indian art forms). Student visas are valid for up to five years, depending on the length of the course, but the rules are strict, and you’ll need documentation from the institution where you are studying to apply. The Ministry of Home Affairs provides some information online, but contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date requirements.

Extending your stay in India is for exceptional circumstances only

E-Visas cannot be extended, but other types of visas can, though only in exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies or theft of your passport. To apply, you’ll need to use the government’s special online portal , providing evidence of a valid reason for extending your stay in India (e.g., a letter from the hospital where you are being treated or a police report).

You may then be called in for an in-person interview at the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Delhi. If there is a fee, it will be made clear during the application process.

Some border areas in India require additional travel permits

Under a system carried over from British colonial rule, special permits (known as “protected area permits” or “restricted area permits”) are required to visit many areas close to India’s disputed external borders with China , Pakistan and other territories – a zone known as the “inner line.” Applying for these permits outside India is tricky, but you can apply locally in India without too much difficulty.

Permits are especially important for highly sensitive border areas (which tend to be off-limits to all travelers). Applications can be made through local government offices or local travel agencies; contact the state government offices for these regions to get the latest information. In some areas, you may need to register with the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office on arrival, but this is an easy process.

This article was first published March 2022 and updated December 2023

Explore related stories

Rower using her feet to row a boat along the Ngo Dong River at the Tam Coc between giant karst mountains.

Mar 14, 2024 • 10 min read

Whether it's bus, train, private car, motorcycle, bike, plane or boat, you can plan your trip around Vietnam with this guide to getting around.

Help-Me-LP-Feb.jpg

Feb 22, 2024 • 3 min read

tourist visa india

Jan 14, 2024 • 8 min read

tourist visa india

Jan 11, 2024 • 4 min read

tourist visa india

Jan 2, 2024 • 8 min read

tourist visa india

Jan 2, 2024 • 11 min read

tourist visa india

Dec 27, 2023 • 8 min read

Tiger's Nest in Bhutan vs Katmandu

Dec 20, 2023 • 11 min read

Passengers board trains at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji MaharajTerminus

Dec 16, 2023 • 12 min read

Welcome to Embassy of India, Washington D C, USA

  • Skip to main content
  • Screen Reader Access

tourist visa india

  • List of Officers
  • Departments
  • List of Holidays
  • Consulates in US
  • Right to Information
  • Embassy of India, Washington, DC Jurisdiction
  • Emergency Contact Numbers
  • A brief history of the Chancery building
  • Former Ambassadors of India to U.S.
  • Discontinuation of walk-in consular services
  • Apply Indian Visa
  • EMERGENCY VISA
  • Visa for Diplomatic/Official and Laissez-Passer Passport Holders
  • Passport Services
  • Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card
  • Conversion of PIO card to OCI card
  • OCI Card Reissue Guidelines
  • Miscellaneous-Attestation Services
  • Renunciation of Indian Citizenship
  • Global Entry Program (GEP) For Indian Nationals
  • Emergency Travel Document (Emergency Certificate-EC)
  • Consular Assistance
  • VFS Helpline Numbers
  • Brief on India-US Relations
  • What's New/Press Releases
  • Journalist Visas/Documentary Filming in India
  • Photo Gallery
  • Arts/Culture
  • Indian Council For Cultural Relations (ICCR)
  • International Day of Yoga
  • Contact point
  • Education Wing
  • Guidelines for Indian Students in the United States
  • Registration of Indian Students in USA
  • Inviting applications for 'International Hindi Course' by the Central Institute of Hindi, India
  • Fulbright Scholarships
  • The Quad Fellowship
  • Guidelines for issue of No Objection Certificate / Visa for students proceeding to India on Fulbright Scholarship residing under the jurisdiction of Embassy of India, Washington D.C.
  • Financial Terms and Conditions for Scholarships handled by ICCR.
  • ICCR Scholarship
  • Equivalency certificate of academic qualification
  • Study in India
  • Advisory/Information for students desirous of pursuing medical studies abroad
  • Information on various aspects of US Legal system for incoming Indian students
  • Public Notices/ Alerts
  • How to address issues related to Marriages of Indian nationals to Overseas Indians
  • Bill on NRI Marriages
  • Procedure for sending/ forwarding Court Order/ Summons
  • Legal and other provisions in foreign countries on Indian women cheated/abandoned/abused by Overseas Indian Spouses
  • Officer-in-charge
  • FAQs on Marital disputes involving NRI/PIO spouses
  • प्रायः पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न : "भारतीय महिलाओं का विवाह

e-Visa

  • Home > e-Visa

Nationals of USA and of other eligible countries can also apply for E-Visa under different categories (Tourist, Business, Medical, Medical Attendant and Conference) at Government of India website:

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/

The following may also be noted in this regard:

  • Visa applicants are cautioned against using any other website which may appear to represent the Government of India and only use the Government of India portal which is   https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
  • Passport used by the applicant should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer on arrival.
  • The applicant must travel on the passport on which e-Visa has been applied. Entry into India will be allowed on a new passport even if the e-Visa has been granted on the old passport. However, in such cases, the traveler must also carry the old passport on which the e-Visa has been granted.
  • E-Visa is not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders.
  • E-Visa is not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
  • E-Visa is not available to International Travel Document Holders.
  • Applicants requiring help regarding e-Visa may call the 24X7 helpline number (+91-11-24300666) or send an email to [email protected] for any queries.
  • The e-Visa facility is in addition to the existing Visa services being provided through Indian Embassy and Consulates.

Advisory :  The applicant may note that the Embassy does not process e-visas and any enquiries in this regard will need to be made directly on the e-visa portal. Service of e-Visa involves a completely online application for which no facilitation is required by any intermediary / agent etc. Applicants are, therefore, advised to be cautious and for any clarification, please contact [email protected]  

tourist visa india

1. E-Visa has been made available by the Government of India to citizens of certain countries, including the United States of America. Details of the scheme are available on the dedicated website created for this purpose:  https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html  .  International travellers whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, business purpose, as attendant to e-Medical visa holder, attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations etc. & their subordinate/ attached organizations & PSUs and no other purpose/activity, can apply for e-Visa.

2. The revised fee structure for e-Tourist visa is as under:-

3. Passport used by the applicant should have at least six-months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer on arrival.

4. The applicant must travel on the passport on which e-Visa has been applied. Entry into India will be allowed on a new passport even if the e-Visa has been granted on the old passport. However, in such cases, the traveler must also carry the old passport on which the e-Visa has been granted.

4. International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.

5. International Travellers having a Pakistani Passport or are of Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at the Indian Mission.

6. E-Visa is not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders.

7. E-Visa is not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.

8. E-Visa is not available to International Travel Document Holders.

9. Applicants requiring help regarding e-Visa may call the 24X7 helpline number (+91-11-24300666) or send an email to  [email protected]  for any queries.

10. The e-Visa facility is in addition to the existing Visa services being provided through Indian Embassy and Consulates.

11. Advisory: Service of e-Visa involves completely online application for which no facilitation is required by any intermediary / agent etc. Applicants are, therefore, advised to be cautious and for any clarification, please contact  [email protected]

image

  • Copyright policy --> Copyright policy
  • Terms & Conditions --> Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy --> Privacy Policy
  • Hyperlinking Policy --> Hyperlinking Policy
  • Accessibility Option --> Accessibility Option

Chancery Address: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008

Consular Wing Address: 2536 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008

Disclaimer: The Embassy is not responsible for the information or content provided in any of the external links given in its Website.

Tel No. for all enquiries:(202) 939-7000 Embassy closed on Saturdays, Sundays & Public holidays. Official working hours: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM EST

Page last updated on: March 16, 2024

© Embassy of India, Washington DC, USA 20008. All Rights Reserved. Ardhas Technology India Private Limited. -->

How To Apply & Get An Indian e-Visa Online

India has some amazing architecture and natural sights, with famous landmarks like the Taj Mahal in Agra, and snow capped mountains in the Himalayas.

Most nationalities (except for Bhutanese and Nepali citizens) will need a visa to visit India, which is given in the form of an electronic Indian visa (eVisa) since November 2014.

This guide explains everything about how to get an Indian tourist visa using the e-Visa India website! I wrote it in 2019 and last updated it in 2024.

I went through this process as a tourist, but the process on the e-Visa India website is very similar for the other visa categories as well.

What Is The India eVisa?

The Indian e-Visa is for visitors coming to India on a short term trip for sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives, short term medical treatment or casual business related things.

The 5 eVisa types are as follows: e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant, or e-Conference.

The eVisa is valid for 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years from the date of your arrival in India, and it’s a double entry visa (for e-Tourist or e-Business), single entry visa (e-Conference), or triple entry visa (e-Medical). It’s non-extendable and non-convertible.

You can apply and pay online anywhere from 4 to 120 days in advance of your date of arrival in India, but no later than 4 days prior to arrival, otherwise the application will not be processed.

The eVisa is valid for entry through 26 designated airports and 5 seaports in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Goa. The full list of airports and seaports permitted for the India eVisa can be found here (click the Instructions For Applicant link on the left side).  

Who Is The eVisa Available To?

The eVisa is available to US citizens and those of 170+ other places , and the fee depends on your country/territory.

The current fee for American citizens and other countries can be found in their full list of fees by country on the website .

An additional bank transaction charge of 2.5% may be applicable on the eVisa India online website.

The visa fee is non-refundable, even if for some reason your application is rejected.  

How Can I Get The India eVisa?

The visa process may sound complicated, but don’t worry, it’s actually pretty simple! Here it is broken down in 4 short steps:

  • 1. Apply Online. You will need to submit an application with a personal photo and passport page.
  • 2. Pay Visa Fee. Credit or debit cards (or Paypal) are accepted for online payment.
  • 3. Receive e-Visa. The visa will be sent to you by email.
  • 4. Visit India. You will need to print the India eVisa and carry it with you at the time of travel.

Before You Apply For The Indian e-Visa

It’s important to fill out your visa application completely and accurately, otherwise it may be rejected.

Before applying on the eVisa India website, make sure of the following:

  • Passport Validity. Your passport should have >6 months validity
  • Visa Pages. Your passport should have at least 2 blank visa pages for stamping
  • Sufficient Funds. You should have enough money for your stay in India (this is rarely questioned), and also a return ticket or onward ticket.

You will also need to have the following items on your computer:

  • Personal Photo. This should be a recent, clear photo of your face with a white background. JPEG format is required.
  • Passport Photo. This should be your main passport page with your name, date of birth, nationality, etc. PDF format is required. If you need help changing your passport image to a PDF, you can use the following website: https://smallpdf.com .

Note: If you’re applying for an e-Business or e-Medical visa, in addition to the above you will also need a copy of the business card (for the e-Business visa) or a copy of the letter from the hospital concerned in India on its letterhead (for the e-Medical visa).  

How To Apply For The India eVisa (Indian Tourist Visa)

When you’re ready to proceed, you can begin your visa application at the Indian government’s official eVisa website:

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

THIS IS IMPORTANT. There are other websites circulating on the internet that mimic this one or pretend to grant speedy visas, but those are often scams and they will take your money. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER WEBSITE.

I’ve provided some photos below as EXAMPLES to guide you through the application, but these are not from my actual eVisa submission. In other words, the addresses and other data I used in the images below are only examples. With that said, the pages you see in your visa application will resemble the ones shown in these images.

If anything has changed in the application process since this guide was written, please let me know in the comments at the bottom of this page and I will update the guide ASAP. I will do my best to keep this entire page up to date.

To begin your visa application, click the button circled in red that says Apply here for e-visa .

India eVisa application guide and steps

Visa Application Page 1

E-visa application.

Passport Type*:  Select Ordinary Passport Nationality*:  Select your country from the dropdown list Port Of Arrival*:  Select the airport you will be flying into Date Of Birth*: Email ID*: Re-enter Email ID*: Expected Date Of Arrival*: Visa Service*: Select from the list, and then choose an activity that best fits your trip to India Please Enter Above Text*: Enter the captcha code given

(Items above marked with  * are required.)

India e-Visa online application guide and steps on page 1

Page 1 of the Indian visa online application on the eVisa India website. Very straightforward.

After selecting continue, if you’re applying for the Indian tourist visa (e-Tourist), then a small message will appear: “The following documents are required to be submitted. 1) Photograph. 2) Passport.” Select OK.

(For some reason the photo dimensions here state 2″ x 2″ but when you come to the actual uploader, the correct minimum dimensions will be 350 x 350 pixels. You’ll use the latter. Side note: separate messages may appear for Business/Medical eVisa applications.)

India eVisa application guide and steps on page 1

You can ignore this message on the Indian visa application and click OK.

You have now arrived at the second page of the Indian visa online application form. It’s a good idea to write down the Temporary Application ID  because it will be required if you have issues or need to come back to your application later.  

Visa Application Page 2

Applicant details form.

Surname: Exactly as in your passport Given Name*: Exactly as in your passport Have You Ever Changed Your Name?* If yes, click the box and give details Gender*: Date Of Birth: Automatically filled in Town/City Of Birth*: Country Of Birth*: Citizenship/National ID No*:  If not applicable, type NA Religion*: Visible Identification Marks*:  List any tattoos if you have them, otherwise put NONE Education*: Nationality:  Automatically filled in Did You Acquire Nationality By Birth Or By Naturalization?* Select yours Have You Lived For At Least Two Years In The Country Where You Are Applying Visa?* Select yes or no  

Passport Details

Passport Number*: Place Of Issue*: Whatever nationality is on your passport Date Of Issue*: Date Of Expiry*: Any Other Valid Passport/Identity Certificate (IC) Held?* Yes or no. If yes, give details

India eVisa application guide and steps on page 2

Page 2 of the e-Visa India application form. Personal identification details.

Visa Application Page 3

Applicant’s address details.

House No./Street*: Village/Town/City*: Country*: State/Province/District*: Postal/ZIP Code*: Phone No.*: One phone number is required Mobile No.: Email Address: Automatically filled in Click Here For Same Address*: Click here if your permanent address is the same address as above, and then it will be applied.

India eVisa application guide and steps on page 3

Page 3 of the Indian visa online. Personal address details.

Visa Application Page 3 (continued)

Father’s details.

Name*: Nationality*: Previous Nationality:  Leave blank if it never changed. Place Of Birth*:  Use the state/province/district of birth if you don’t know the town/city Country Of Birth*:  

Mother’s Details

Name*: Nationality*: Previous Nationality: Leave blank if it never changed. Place Of Birth*:  Use the state/province/district of birth if you don’t know the town/city Country Of Birth*:

Applicant’s Marital Status:  Select whether you’re single or married. If married (or separated but not divorced), enter your spouse’s details. If divorced, just select single. Were Your Parents/Grandparents (Paternal/Maternal) Pakistan Nationals Or Belong To Pakistan Held Area?  Select yes or no  

Profession / Occupation Details Of Applicant

Present Occupation*:  Select your occupation from the dropdown list. If it’s something else, select ‘Others’ and then enter it. The image below gives an example. Employer Name/Business*: Designation: Address*:  Phone: Past Occupation, If Any: Are/Were You In A Military/Semi-Military/Police/Security Organization?* Select yes or no. If yes, a dropdown will appear asking for the following: Organisation, Designation, Rank and Place Of Posting.

India eVisa application guide and steps on page 3

Page 3 (continued). Family and occupation details for the Indian visa online.

Visa Application Page 4

Details of visa sought.

Type Of Visa:  Automatically filled in Visa Service:  Automatically filled in Places To Be Visited*: Enter any cities or areas (e.g. Delhi) you will be visiting in India Places To Be Visited Line 2:  Duration Of Visa:  Automatically filled in No. Of Entries:  Automatically filled in Port Of Arrival In India:  Automatically filled in Expected Port Of Exit From India*:  Select the correct airport from the dropdown  

Previous Visa/Currently Valid Visa Details

Have You Ever Visited India Before?*  Select yes or no. If yes, enter the name and address of the place you stayed previously. Cities In India Visited*:  Enter details from previous visits Last Indian Visa No/Currently Valid Indian Visa*:  If your previous visit was with an eVisa, the number will be written on the stamp given in passport. If you don’t know the number, type unknown. Type Of Visa*:  Tourist Place Of Issue*:  United States (if it was a regular visa). Enter the airport name in India if it was an eVisa. Date Of Issue*:  The date it was issued. For an eVisa, you can use the date of entry from the stamp on your passport, or possibly in your email. Has Permission To Visit Or To Extend Stay In India Previously Been Refused?*  Select yes or no. Hopefully the answer is no  

Other Information

Countries Visited In Last 10 Years:  List any countries you’ve recently visited. I didn’t have room to list all of them, so I included a partial list. This field is not mandatory.  

SAARC Country Visit Details

Have You Visited SAARC Countries (Except Your Own Country) During Last 3 Years?*:  The list of SAARC countries can be found in the dropdown list.

India eVisa application guide and steps on page 4

Page 4 of the eVisa application. Your travel details.

Visa Application Page 4 (continued)

Reference Name In India*:  Your accommodation details will work Address*:  For a hotel this can usually be found on Google Maps or the listing at Booking.com or Agoda.com Phone*:  For a hotel this can usually be found on their website or on Google Maps Reference Name In Home Country*:  A relative or friend will work Address*:  Phone*: 

India eVisa application guide and steps on page 4

Page 4 (continued). Travel and reference details.

Visa Application Page 5

Additional question details.

  • Have You Ever Been Arrested/Prosecuted/Convicted By Court Of Law Of Any Country?*  Yes or no
  • Have You Ever Been Refused Entry/Deported By Any Country Including India?* Yes or no
  • Have You Ever Been Engaged In Human Trafficking / Drug Trafficking / Child Abuse / Crime Against Women / Economic Offense / Financial Fraud?* Yes or no
  • Have You Ever Been Engaged In Cyber Crime / Terrorist Activities / Sabotage / Espionage / Genocide / Political Killing / Other Act Of Violence?* Yes or no
  • Have You Ever By Any Means Or Medium, Expressed Views That Justify Or Glorify Terrorist Violence Or That May Encourage Others To Terrorist Acts Or Other Serious Criminal Acts?* Yes or no
  • Have You Sought Asylum (Political Or Otherwise) In Any Country?* Yes or no

Application guide and steps on page 5 for Indian visa online

Page 5 of the Indian visa online application. Background questions.

Visa Application Page 6

Upload photograph.

At this point you will be asked to upload a personal photo.

If you need to come back and do this later, you can save and exit the application (but make sure to write down the Temporary Application ID  because it will be required if you want to reuse your application later).

The photo format will need to be JPEG, with a minimum size of 10 KB and a maximum size of 1 MB. Minimum dimensions are 350 pixels wide x 350 pixels high. The personal photo needs to be recent and front facing, with a white background.

The picture needs to be a clear photo of your face. You can get these done at places like Walgreens, for example. Unfortunately you cannot crop your passport photo to use for this, it needs to be a separate photo.

It’s important to follow all of these specifications and rules, otherwise your eVisa India application may be rejected. Click choose file and navigate to the photo you want to choose; then click upload photo .

After uploading the photo, you’re given an opportunity to crop the photo or upload it again if you’d like.

Application guide and steps on page 6 for Indian visa online

Page 6 of the Indian visa online guide. Upload your personal photo.

Visa Application Page 7

Upload passport.

Next, you will be asked to upload a copy of your passport page.

This should be the photo page with personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiration date, etc. It should match the passport details entered in your eVisa application.

The file should be in PDF format with a minimum size of 10 KB and a maximum size of 300 KB. If you need help changing your passport file from an image to a PDF, you can use the following website: https://smallpdf.com .

Again, it’s important to follow all of the specifications and rules, otherwise your eVisa application may be rejected. Click choose file and navigate to the PDF file you want to choose; then click upload document .

Application guide and steps on page 7 for Indian visa

Page 7 of the Indian visa online guide. Upload your passport.

Verification & Payment

After submitting your passport upload, the next page will ask you to confirm ALL of the previous details from your Indian e-Visa application.

Look these over thoroughly to make sure you entered everything correctly, because this will be your last chance to edit anything. Once you verify and continue, you will be brought to the visa payment page.

At this point, you can pay for the visa now or later. Follow the instructions on the page for either option. You should also write down the visa Application ID so you can access the application again.

You can pay with international credit or debit cards, or you can make your visa payment with Paypal. I used Paypal and I would recommend this. It was easy to process.

If you don’t have a Paypal account, then the next best option is probably using your card via the Axis option.  

After submission and payment, you will get an email from the Indian government saying that your Indian visa online application was submitted successfully and will take 72 hours for processing.

Generally you will hear back in much quicker time; in my case the Indian visa application was processed and granted in under 24 hours.

You MUST print the email you receive containing the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and present it to the immigration officer when you arrive in India. I would recommend printing and bringing at least two copies.

The government of India emphasizes that you should also track your application and make sure that the status says  granted on the official eVisa India website ( same link as above ) before making your journey to India.  

What If My India Visa Is Rejected?

If your India visa is rejected, don’t worry. You can apply again, and there’s no minimum amount of time you have to wait before re-applying for a visa. If the online system allows you to re-apply, then you can go ahead and do it when you’re ready.

However, it’s important to find out why you were rejected so you can fix it in your next application. Unfortunately a reason is not always given, but generally the most common reasons for India visas being rejected are simple errors like typos, wrong dates, or wrong photo specifications.

When reapplying, you’ll be faced with this question: “Has permission to visit or to extend stay in India previously been refused?”

How you answer this question will depend on why you were rejected in your first application. If it was a simple clerical error like a wrong date or wrong photo specifications, then I would answer no, because you weren’t actually refused a visa for visiting India due to being ineligible for some reason, you only made a minor mistake in the submission process that can easily be corrected.

Good luck and happy travels!

Black and white Taj Mahal pool reflection in Agra

Best India Tours

More travel guides.

Thanks for looking! I hope you were helped by this guide on how to fill out an Indian e-visa application.

While you’re waiting for your visa to be processed, don’t forget to check out the other travel guides on my blog!

You may also like

Dhigurah island travel guide for maldives, how to visit tanjung puting national park in indonesia, banggai islands travel guide & itinerary for sulawesi indonesia, paisu pok lake in banggai: bluest lake in indonesia, samet nangshe viewpoint: best sunrise spot in thailand, 7 days in bhutan travel itinerary: best things to do & see, 19 comments.

' src=

I’m very impressed by the quality of information on this website. There are a lot of good resources here. I’m sure I will visit this place again soon.

' src=

I have an extra copy of my passport photo. Although it is the same picture as in my passport it is not just a cropped version of the photo in the passport. Is this acceptable?

' src=

Hi Jeanne, I haven’t tried that myself but it should be okay as long as it meets the other requirements for the personal photo. Regards

' src=

I used my extra copy of my passport photo this past week for my India E-visa, and it worked!

Thank you, David, for providing the details regarding the E-visa information. It was really helpful and guided me as I entered the required fields in the application.

Good to hear. Thanks Esther!

' src=

why is it that when i filled the places to be visited form, it says invalid characters

What are you trying to enter there?

' src=

Once we receive ETA the first name and last name are shuffled is it the same for everyone?

Yes, it was the same on my ETA. No problem.

' src=

Hi David, thank you SO MUCH for this helpful post. I’m flying to India in a month and my e-visa application was just rejected (I traveled to India in early 2020 and had no issues at all) so I’m now going through the process of carefully re-applying… one question I’m hoping you can help me with: I just got married 2 weeks ago, do you expect it to be an issue to check the “married” box despite the fact my (USA & Israeli) passports say nothing about being married (or single, for that matter?) also -I can’t seem to find anything online about a minimum amount of time to wait before re-applying… any idea? Trying to minimize all odds of being rejected again. Thanks so much again, really appreciate your guidance.

Hi Abigail! Glad the post was helpful for you. Yes, it should be okay to put married on the application. Like you say, the marital status isn’t shown on the passport anyway, and spouse names aren’t always changed right away after marriage either, or sometimes they never change. So that should be fine. As far as I know, there’s no minimum amount of time to wait before re-applying. If the online system allows you to re-apply, then I would go ahead and try again. Do you know why you were rejected the first time? I would figure that out before re-applying. Good luck!

Hi David! Another important question – for the “Has permission to visit or to extend stay in India previously been refused?” question on page 4 – would my previous e-visa rejection quality as a “yes”?

For this question, I think it would depend on the reason why you were rejected on the first application. Was it a simple error like a wrong date, wrong photo specifications, etc? If so, I would answer no, you weren’t refused a visa for visiting India, your application was only rejected because of a minor mistake. This is different from refusing you a visa because you aren’t eligible for some reason.

' src=

My e-visa application just got rejected without any specific reason provided. All they mention in the remark is “You may apply for Regular/Official Visa at nearest Indian Mission/Embassy abroad”. I compared my application to yours and the only difference I see is that for “city/town” of birth I put down city and state as opposed to state only. Would you happen to know if this could have caused the rejection?

Hi Jan! That shouldn’t cause a rejection. I’ve heard of people doing it either way (city and state, or city only). Both are correct answers. Do you think there might be another issue on your application? The most common things are simple errors like typos, wrong dates, or wrong photo specs.

' src=

Thanks so much. This is very helpful.

Question – on page 2 it asks if you ever changed your name. Am I correct in assuming that I put yes because I changed my name when I got married?

Hi Judy! If your passport still has your maiden name, I would use that name in the application and answer no to the question about name change. If your passport has your married name, I would use that name in the application and answer yes to the question about name change. However, I know of people who have applied successfully either way. It shouldn’t affect your application.

' src=

Thank you, this was very helpful. I have a question on section “Previous Visa/Currently Valid Visa Details”. I have traveled to India multiple times, but as an Indian citizen and held an Indian passport. Now I am no longer Indian citizen and applying for India Tourist visa for first time. What do I click in this “Previous Visa/Currently Valid Visa Details” section’s “Have you ever visited India before?”

Hi Sylvia, in that case you can answer “No” for the question “Have you ever visited India before?” because they’re asking if you’ve visited India on a visa before, and you haven’t. You were a citizen and resident, not a visitor. They should be able to understand this since you will list your country of birth as India on page 2 of the application, and also when they ask “Did You Acquire Nationality By Birth Or By Naturalization?” you can put Naturalization.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

India's Visa Types, Explained

Applying for an E-Visa

India's Climate & Seasons

Monsoon in India

Your Essential Packing List

Things to Buy Before You Go

What to Pack for Monsoon

The Best India Guidebooks

How to Save on Your India Trip

The Top Destinations in India

The Most Iconic Sights in India

Which Region Is Right for You?

India's Top Historical Destinations

Romantic Indian Destinations

India's Top Hill Stations

India's Top National Parks

The Best Beaches in India

India's Best Backpacker Spots

India's Most Spiritual Destinations

The Best Luxury Spas in India

India Off the Beaten Path

India for Adventure Travelers

Where to Experience Rural India

The Top Things to Do in India

Palaces & Forts in India

India's Best Surfing Beaches

Volunteer on a Budget in India

7 Cool Sound & Light Shows

India's Most Popular Festivals

India's Best Bike Tours

See India by Motorcycle

India's Top Tribal Tours

Offbeat Tours to Take in India

India's Best Homestays

Palace Hotels in India

India's Coolest Treehouse Hotels

Top Wildlife & Jungle Lodges

The Best Hostels in India

Best Budget Hotels in India

Transport in India: An Overview

India's Major Airports

India's Best Airlines

Domestic Airlines in India

Hiring a Car & Driver in India

Your Intro to Indian Railways

Travel Classes on Indian Trains

How to Reserve a Train Ticket

How to Find & Board Your Train

Tips for Train Travel in India

India's Scenic Toy Trains

12 Indian Etiquette Don'ts

The Top 10 Indian Stereotypes

Tipping in India

What Does the Head Shake Mean?

9 Challenges You'll Face in India

How to Avoid Culture Shock

Top 5 Monsoon Health Concerns

Voltage Information for India

How to Use Your Cell Phone

How to Say Hello in Hindi

Often Misunderstood Hindi Terms

Hindi Language Books

Most Common Indian Scams

How to Handle Begging in India

How to Spot Fake Indian Currency

What to Buy in India

How to Buy a Sari in India

How to Bargain at Indian Markets

How to Get an Indian Visa

Visa Requirements for India

tourist visa india

All visitors need a visa for India, except citizens of neighboring Nepal and Bhutan. The Indian government has now introduced one-month, one-year, and five-year electronic visas for citizens of most countries. The e-visas are available for tourism, business, medical, and conference purposes.

Nowadays, an e-Visa will be sufficient for most visitors, thereby removing the need to obtain a regular visa before arriving in India. However, citizens of the United States can get a regular Tourist visa that's valid for up to 10 years. Some people may also require a type of visa that's not offered as an e-Visa.

Some countries, such as Japan and Mongolia, have individual agreements with India that allow their citizens to pay significantly less for a visa. Citizens of Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, and Vanuatu do not have to pay a visa fee.

If you're not applying for an e-Visa, it's now possible to apply for a regular paper visa online. The Indian government has introduced a centralized  online application process  whereby you can complete and submit the form online, and then manually submit your passport and supporting documents in person to the relevant Indian Mission (Indian consulate or embassy) in your country.

Alternatively, you can still go through a visa processing center if you can't appear at an Indian consulate in person. You'll need to complete your application form online, on the agency's website, and then mail in your application and required documents.

In the United States, Indian visa applications are handled by Cox and Kings Global Services. In  Australia  and the  UK , it's VFS Global. In Canada,  BLS International  processes visa applications.

Tourist Visas

Tourist visas are issued to people who want to come to India to visit people and go sightseeing or attend a short-term yoga program. Although tourist visas can be granted for more than six months, it's not possible to remain in India for longer than six months at a time on a tourist visa. In late 2009, India introduced new rules to curb the misuse of tourist visas in India (people who were living in India on Tourist visas and doing quick runs to a neighboring country and back every six months). Specifically, a two-month gap was required between visits to India. This requirement was finally removed in late Nov. 2012. However, some exceptions do remain.

India now has a popular electronic visa (e-Visa) scheme in place for citizens of most countries. Under this scheme, visitors can easily apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization online, and then get a visa stamp for entry into the country upon arrival. E-Tourist visas of one-month, one-year, and five-year validity are now available. The scope of visas under the program has also been widened to include short-term medical treatment and yoga courses, and casual business visits and conferences. Previously, these required separate medical/student/business visas. Tourists visiting India on a cruise ship can get an e-Visa as well.

Visa Fees and Applications

Tourist visa fees vary between countries, according to the arrangement between governments. The current price for U.S. citizens is $150 for up to 10 years. Processing is additional and costs $19.90. There are also other incidental costs, such as a Biometric Enrollment fee, although these are not significant in amount. When compared to the new reduced cost of getting an e-Tourist visa—$80 for five years—there's no real financial benefit of obtaining a regular paper visa.

Along with your application and fee, for an Indian Tourist visa, you'll need a passport that's valid for a least six months and has at least two blank pages, a recent passport-sized photo (check the requirements as it changes, the current requirement is a 2-inch square photo), and details of your itinerary. Copies of flight tickets and proof of residential address may also be required. Your visa application form may have the space for Indian referees, but this section usually isn't necessary to be completed for Tourist visas.

Even if you have a valid Tourist visa, some remote areas in India require foreigners to obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to enter them. These areas are usually near borders or have other security concerns associated with them.

Such areas include Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and some parts of northern Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. In many cases, individual tourists are not allowed, only tour/trekking groups.

You can apply for your PAP at the same time as you apply for your Tourist visa. Alternatively, it's also possible to obtain it while in India before going to the protected area.

Entry (X) Visa

An X-visa used to be issued to people who didn't fall into any of the other categories of visa applicants (such as volunteers). However, as of mid-2010, an X-visa is only available to the following people:

  • A foreigner of Indian origin.
  • Spouse and children of a foreigner of Indian origin or Indian citizen.
  • Spouse and dependent children of a foreigner coming to India on any other long term visa, such as an Employment visa or Business visa.
  • Foreigners who are joining specified ashrams or spiritual communities, such as Auroville, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Missions of Charities in Kolkata, or certain Buddhist monasteries.
  • Foreigners who are participating in professional international sporting events.

It's not possible to work in India on an X-visa. However, X-visas can be extended in India, and there's no need to leave every six months. If you do stay for longer than six months at a time, you'll need to register at with Foreigners Regional Registration Office.

Employment Visa

Employment visas are issued to foreigners who are working in India, for an organization registered in India. Foreigners doing long-term volunteer work in India are now granted employment visas (as opposed to X-visas previously). Special Project visas are issued to highly skilled foreigners coming to India to work in the power and steel sectors. Employment visas are usually for one year or the term of the contract. They can be extended in India.

To apply for an Employment visa, you'll need proof of employment with a company/organization in India, such as a contract that states the terms and conditions. From April 1, 2017, the rule that stipulates applicants must be earning 16.25 lakh rupees (about $23,000) a year or more has been lowered to allow for foreigners to teach in Central Higher Educational Institutes. Other exceptions are made for volunteers, ethnic cooks, translators, non-English language teachers, and members of Foreign High Commissions and Embassies.

Intern (I) Visa

Before April 1, 2017, it was necessary for foreigners pursuing an internship in an Indian organization to obtain an Employment visa. However, foreigners who meet certain conditions can now get an Intern visa. The gap between the completion of graduation or post-graduation and the commencement of the internship should not exceed one year. The validity of the Intern visa is restricted to the duration of the internship program or one year, whichever is less. It can't be converted into an Employment visa (or any other type of visa). There are a limited number of intern visas available, so be sure to apply promptly if you know your desired internship.

Business Visa

Business visas are available for people to explore business opportunities or conduct business in India. This type of visa differs from an Employment visa in that the applicant won't be working for and earning an income from an organization in India. Business visa applicants will require a letter from the organization that they intend to do business with, stating the nature of the business, duration of stay, places to be visited, and intention to meet expenses.

Business visas are valid for up to five or 10 years, with multiple entries. However, holders usually aren't allowed to remain in India for more than 180 days at a time, unless they register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

Student Visa

Student visas are granted to people who wish to come to India and study long-term at an officially recognized educational institution. This includes the study of yoga, Vedic culture, and Indian system of dance and music. The main document required is student admission/registration papers from the institution. Student visas are issued for up to five years, depending on the duration of the course. They can also be extended in India.

In regards to yoga, the term "Yoga visa" is often mentioned. However, it's a Student visa that's provided to study yoga. Most of the well-known  yoga centers in India  will require those who study with them to obtain a yoga Student visa. A tourist visa is not sufficient for long-term studies.

Conference Visa

Conference visas are issued to delegates who want to attend a conference in India that's offered by an Indian government organization. Those who are attending a meeting with a private organization in India should apply for a Business visa.

Journalist Visa

If you're a professional journalist or photographer, you should apply for a Journalist visa. The main benefit of a Journalist visa is if you want access to a particular region or person. A Journalist visa is issued for three months. However, these visas can be notoriously tricky to get, so only apply if you need to.

If a media company employs you, or if you list your occupation as journalist or photographer on your visa application, you'll likely be made to get a Journalist visa regardless of what you intend to do in India. India is very sensitive to people involved in the media (including editors and writers) coming to India, due to how they may portray the country.

Film (F) Visa

If you're planning on making a commercial film or TV show in India, you'll need to apply for a Film visa. The visa application is reviewed and processed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting within 60 days. It's valid for up to one year.

Anyone shooting a documentary film or advertisement must apply for a Journalist visa.

Research Visa

Research visas are issued to professors and scholars who wish to visit India for research-related purposes. This is another difficult category of visa to get. It's restrictive and comes with a lot of requirements. Applications are sent to the Department of Education. Ministry of Human Resource Development for approval, which may take three months to be granted. Many people choose to apply for a Tourist visa instead if they're conducting research informally and not going to be in India for more than six months.

Medical Visa

Medical visas are provided to those seeking long-term medical treatment in India at recognized and specialized hospitals, and treatment centers. The treatment should be significant, such as neurosurgery, heart surgery, organ transplant, joint replacement, gene therapy, and plastic surgery. Up to two Medical Attendant visas will be issued for people to accompany the patient. If you're only undergoing short-term treatment of up to 60 days, you can  apply for a e-Medical visa.

Transit Visa

Visitors staying in India for less than 72 hours can obtain a Transit visa. Otherwise a Tourist visa is required. A confirmed airline booking for the onward journey must be shown when applying for the visa.

Visa Overstays

India's immigration policies tightened in late 2018, increasing the fines related to visa overstay. Those who overstay visas for 90 days are subject to a fine of $300, which increases accordingly based on the duration of the overstay. The Indian government can also take legal action against violators.

Extending Your Visa

In many cases, it's possible to extend your visa, but this must be done before it expires. Shorter-term visas, like the Indian e-Visa that most tourists hold, are not eligible for an extension. Those with visas valid for longer than 180 days may extend their visas, provided they register for an extension at least 60 days before the visa's expiry.

Visa Requirements for Brazil

Visa Requirements For Thailand

Your Essential Guide to Getting an E-Visa for India

Visa Requirements for Cambodia

When Should You Renew Your Passport?

Visa Requirements for Hong Kong

Mexican Tourist Cards and How to Get One

Visa Requirements for the Netherlands

Visa Requirements for Myanmar

Visa Requirements for Greece

Visa Requirements for Germany

Visa Requirements for Italy

Visa Requirements for Australia

Visa Requirements for France

Visa Requirements for Finland

Visa Requirements for Canada

Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

India tourist visa from the embassy in 2023: A complete guide

Published: June 7, 2023

India tourist visa from the embassy

This article is a complete guide to obtaining India tourist visa from the embassy or consulate. You can learn everything about India tourist visa types, requirements, eligibility, documents needed, fee and application procedure.

Indian missions around the world issue India tourist visas for those that require a visa to enter India. Most nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Visa or Visa on Arrival. But there are a handful of nationalities that are not eligible. These nationalities must apply for a tourist visa at their nearest Indian embassy or consulate. 

Nationalities that are eligible for India e-Visa or India Visa on Arrival are also eligible to apply for an Indian tourist visa from their nearest Indian embassy or consulate. There may be occasions where a tourist visa from the embassy is a better choice than an India e-Visa or India Visa on Arrival . For example, US nationals can get a 10-year tourist visa from the embassy vs an Indian e-Visa which is only valid for 5 years. So a tourist visa from the embassy is a better choice in this case.

There are three types of tourist visa categories T-1, T-2 and T-3. T-1 is for tourists. T-2 is for tour groups and T-3 is for cruise passengers. 

Table of Contents

Requirements for india tourist visa from the embassy (sticker visa).

Countries that require India tourist visa from the embassy

Who is required to apply for India tourist visa?

Following nationalities are REQUIRED to apply for an Indian tourist visa from the embassy in order to travel to India.

  • Congo, Dem. of
  • Congo, Dem. Rep. of
  • North Korea
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Sudan
  • Turkmenistan

NOTE Nationals who are eligible to apply for e-Visa or Visa on Arrival can also apply for an India tourist visa from the embassy. 

Pakistan citizens are restricted from obtaining Indian tourist visas from the embassy. They must apply for a special visa. 

Anyone of Pakistan origin is granted only a 3-month single-entry tourist visa. Applicants whose parents or grandparents were born or ever lived in Pakistan are considered of Pakistan origin. 

What are the different types of India tourist visas available?

Indian embassies offer three types of tourist visas depending on whether the applicant is an individual, a tour group or a cruise passenger. Below is a summary of the three categories of Indian tourist visas offered at the embassy. 

NOTE For this article, we will focus only on the T-1 category meant for individual tourists. 

What is the validity of India tourist visa?

India tourist visa is valid for 1 year, 5 years and 10 years. Your tourist visa validity varies depending on your nationality. Below is a summary of various nationalities and the corresponding tourist visa validity. 

How many days can you stay in India on a tourist visa?

You can stay up to 90 days in India on a tourist visa. Canada, Japan and US nationals can stay up to 180 days. Below is the summary of permitted stay for your tourist visa depending on your nationality.

How many times can you enter India on tourist visa?

All tourist visas from India are multiple-entry, except for those of Pakistan origin. That means you can enter India as many times as you like. But there are some restrictions on how frequently you can enter India on your multiple-entry visa.

When can you enter India on a tourist visa?

You can enter India anytime during the validity of your tourist visa. You are allowed to stay 90 days on each entry (or 180 days if you are a Canada, Japan, UK or US national).

Even if you enter India on the last day of your visa validity, you will still be given 90 days of entry (or 180 days if you are a Canada, Japan, UK or US national)

When should you apply for India tourist visa?

Indian tourist visas can be applied for up to 180 days in advance. But the latest is 30 days as the visa processing takes 15-20 calendar days in some locations. 

Where should you apply for Indian tourist visa?

You can apply for an India tourist visa from any Indian embassy/consulate in any country. You don’t have to be a citizen or resident of that country. You can be a tourist as well. 

In case you are a non-resident or a tourist in a country, the Indian embassy where you have applied may consult the Indian embassy in your home country for the visa process. This usually does not delay the visa process. 

Which airports or land borders you can enter India from using tourist visa?

You can enter India from all international airports, sea ports and land borders using an India tourist visa obtained from the Indian Embassy. There are no restrictions on where you can enter or exit the country with a tourist visa.

What is the minimum passport validity required for India tourist visa?

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.

How many blank pages are required in the passport for India tourist visa?

You need at least two blank pages in your passport for your Indian tourist visa. One blank page is necessary for the visa sticker and another is for entry and exit stamps when entering and leaving India. 

What are the documents needed for India tourist visa?

The following documents are needed for tourist visa.

  • Completed and signed India visa application form
  • One digital photo for the online application
  • One physical photograph to affix on the completed application form
  • Proof of residence (ID, passport or visa)

What are the India tourist visa photo requirements?

You must upload one digital photo during your online application. The photo must meet the following specifications.

  • Must be in JPG or JPEG format only
  • Must be a minimum of 10 KB and a maximum of 300 KB
  • Must be square in dimensions
  • Must not have any borders
  • Background must be white or light color
  • Must not have any shadows on the face or on the background
  • Must show full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin
  • Head must be about 1 inch to 1 ⅜ inches, i.e roughly 25mm to 35mm
  • Eye height must be between 1 ⅛ inches to 1 ⅜ inches

What is the current India tourist visa fee?

The visa fee varies depending on the visa period, the embassy’s location and the nationality. For example, the fee for a 10-year India visa for a US citizen applying from the US is $160 plus VFS charges. The fee for a 1 year India visa for Bangladesh nationals applying from Bangladesh is free of charge. 

What is the current India tourist visa processing time?

The India tourist visa processing time is 3 working days the application is submitted directly at the Indian embassy/consulate. 

The processing time is 15 calendar days or more if applied through a visa application center such as VFS. 

Whether you must apply at the visa application center or directly at an Indian mission depends on your location and whether or not the Indian embassy/consulate has outsourced its visa application process. 

INDIA TOURIST VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

India tourist visa portal

How to apply for Indian tourist visa from the embassy?

The India tourist visa application is a two-step process.

STEP 1: Online Application

Step 2: appointment.

The first step in the Indian tourist visa application process is to fill out an online application on the India visa portal . 

If you are a family or group, each person must complete one online application form. There is no family application. Similarly, each person must schedule one separate visa appointment for document submission. 

In the online application, you must select the Indian embassy/consulate where you plan to apply for your visa. 

After filling out the application, you must print and sign it. 

If the Indian embassy/consulate did not outsource the visa application to a visa application center, then you can walk into the embassy/consulate any day to pay the fee and submit your visa application. 

If the Indian embassy/consulate has outsourced the visa process to a visa application center, then you will have to go to the visa application center’s website and schedule an appointment. You may be able to pay the visa fee while scheduling the appointment. 

On the day of the appointment, you must submit your completed and signed application form, photographs and original passport. You must also pay the fee if you haven’t while scheduling the appointment. 

If there is no visa application center near you, you can also send your completed application and documents to the visa application center by mail. 

Word of caution on India tourist visa fake websites

If you search on the internet, you will see that there are many Indian visa websites posing as “official websites”. There is ONLY one OFFICIAL website for Indian tourist visas. The rest are all fake. The OFFICIAL website is below.

India tourist visa OFFICIAL website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html  

How to track India tourist visa application?

If applied directly at an Indian embassy or consulate: There is no option to track your application. But the processing time is fairly quick. The Indian mission where you are applying will tell you when to come back and pick up your passport, which is usually within 3 working days. 

If applied at a visa application center such as VFS: You can track your visa application status on the visa application center’s website. 

How to receive the approved India tourist visa?

If applied directly at an Indian embassy or consulate: At the time of submitting your documents at the embassy, the visa officer will tell you when to come back to pick up your passport. You will simply have to go back on that day to pick up your passport with your India visa. 

If applied at a visa application center such as VFS: When your visa is processed, you will be notified by email to pick up your passport. If you have opted for returning the passport via mail/courier, your passport will have mailed to your address.

Is there a priority service for India tourist visa?

Unfortunately, there is no priority visa service for Indian tourist visas. You must apply at least 30 calendar days prior to your travel to avoid any delays. Or you can opt for an India e-Visa which usually is processed within 72 hours. 

How to contact India tourist visa customer service?

You will have to contact your nearest embassy or the visa application center for any questions.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

06. Get your zero-fee ATM card

You can manage money internationally in over 70 currencies using  Wise . With a Wise card, you can store and withdraw cash in 40 currencies with zero ATM fees. 

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

RELATED POSTS

India visa on arrival for tourists

  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Notice
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Flight Itinerary
  • Hotel Reservation
  • Travel Insurance
  • Onward Ticket
  • Testimonials

Search this site

Consulate General of India, San Francisco, California

  • Consul General
  • Holidays - 2024
  • Working Hours
  • Consulate Officials
  • Location of Consulate
  • Right to Information
  • Consulates In US
  • Gadar Memorial Hall
  • General Passport Information
  • TATKAAL Passport Services
  • Public Advisory on Urgent Re-issuance of Passport
  • FAQ's on Passport
  • Attestation of Will
  • Attestation of Documents
  • Affidavit for Childs Passport to be issued in India
  • Attestation of Death Documents
  • Birth Certificate or non Availability of Birth Certificate
  • International Driving Permit (IDP) Renewal
  • Life Certificate
  • NORI (No Obligation to Return to India)
  • PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) - Indian Nationals
  • PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) - Foreign Nationals
  • Power of Attorney / Affidavits relating to Property or Financial Matters
  • NRI Certificate
  • Registration of Birth
  • Statement of Need Certificates for Medical Doctors
  • Solemnization/Registration of Marriage
  • Global Entry Program (GEP) For Indian Nationals
  • Emergency Travel Document (Emergency Certificate - EC)
  • Visa for Diplomatic/official/ Laissez-Passers Passport Holder
  • Visa Guidelines for USA Passport Holder
  • Tourist Visa
  • Emergency Entry Visa Guidelines
  • Business Visa
  • Type of Visas
  • Employment Visa
  • Important Advisory on Fake Indian E-Visa Websites
  • Transit Visa
  • FAQ's on Visa
  • Medical Visa
  • Student Visa (Study/Research /Internship)
  • Conference Visa
  • Mountaineering Visa
  • Film Visa: Visa for shooting Feature Films
  • Visa for Pakistani Passport Holders/ Foreign Passport holders of Pakistani Origin
  • General Information on OCI Card
  • How to apply for OCI
  • Document Requirements
  • Renewal/Re-issue of OCI Card
  • Instructions to Convert PIO card to OCI Card
  • Notice regarding Dual Citizenship
  • Renunciation of OCI
  • OCI Reissuance Clarification
  • FAQ's on OCI
  • General Information
  • How to Apply for Renunciation
  • FAQ's on Renunciation
  • Do's and Dont's for Indian Emigrants
  • Guidelines for adoption of Indian children
  • Helpful Information
  • Photograph Specifications
  • Registration of Indian Nationals
  • Invest India
  • Commercial Representative
  • IndiaConnect Initiative: India Corporate Internship
  • Indian Customs
  • Permanent Account Number (PAN)
  • Exhibitions and Trade Fairs
  • Global Tenders
  • INDIVIDUAL TENDERS
  • Attestation of Death Document/Carrying of Ashes
  • Fulbright Scholarships
  • Know India Program
  • Initiatives for Overseas Indians
  • Domestic Violence | Deserted Indian Women
  • Herguan University
  • Tracing the Roots
  • Foreign Marriage Act
  • Events/Photo Gallery
  • Press Releases
  • Emergency Contact Number
  • VFS Helpline Numbers
  • Skip to main content
  • Screen Reader Access

Consulate General of India San Francisco, California, Serving the States of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah and Territory of Guam

About Us

  • Home ›   Consular Services ›   Visa Services ›   E-Visa

E – Visa

tourist visa india

1. E-Visa has been made available by the Government of India to citizens of certain countries, including the United States of America. Details of the scheme are available on the dedicated website created for this purpose:  https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

2. International travellers whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, business purpose, as attendant to e-Medical visa holder, attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations etc. & their subordinate/ attached organizations & PSUs and no other purpose/activity, can apply for e-Visa.

3. e-Visa has 5 sub-categories viz. e-Tourist Visa (for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years), e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa. A foreigner (other than those applying for e-Conference Visa) will be allowed to club activities permitted under these categories. Foreigners applying for e-Conference visa will be permitted to club the activities permitted under e-Tourist visa only (validity co-terminus with e-Conference Visa only i.e. 30 days). Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e- Medical Visa.

4. For e-Tourist and e-Business visa, Applicants may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival.

5. For e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, Applicants may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 120 days. Example: If you are applying on 1st Sept then applicant can select arrival date from 5th Sept to 2nd Jan.

6. Recent front facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport containing personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc are to be uploaded mandatorily by the applicant. Additionally one more document depending upon the e-Visa type would also be required to be uploaded. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded documents and photograph are not clear / as per specification.

7. The revised fee structure for e-Tourist visa is as under:-

8. Bank transaction charges of 2.5% will be charged additionally on applicable e-Visa fees. The fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel otherwise application will not be processed.

9. e-Visa fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).Applicant should carry a copy of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) along with him/her at the time of travel. Please confirm that your ETA status is shown as 'GRANTED' on this website prior to commencement of your journey.

10. Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India. e-Visa is non-extendable, non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas. If you intend to visit Protected/Restricted/Cantonment areas, you would require prior permission from the Civil Authority.

11. The e-Visa fee payment status updation may take up to 2 hours due to technical reasons/network delays. Before re-applying, the applicants are requested to wait for 2 hours for payment status updating, after final submission of the application form and payment of the fee. In cases, where e-Visa fee has been deducted but status is not updated, the applicants are advised to verify their payment status by clicking on 'Verify Payment/Pay Visa Fee' tab or by clicking on the link Verify Payment.

12. Nationals of Yellow Fever affected countries or travellers arriving from these countries must carry YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CARD at the time of arrival in India, otherwise they may be quarantined for 6 days upon arrival in India.

13. You must travel on the Passport which you have applied for eVisa. Entry will be allowed into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport, however in such cases a traveler must carry the old passport on which ETA was issued.

14. The documents required for completing the eVisa application is indicated against each type of eVisa. Please keep all these documents ready at hand before beginning to fill your eVisa application. All documents including Business cards, Invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which the application would be liable for rejection. The entire process may take 10 to 15 minutes to complete the application and make the payment. Applicants must be fill eVisa application himself/herself and give correct information in each column and take responsibility for the correctness of information provided.

Helpful Information:

Passport used by the applicant should have at least six-months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer on arrival.

The applicant must travel on the passport on which e-Visa has been applied. Entry into India will be allowed on a new passport even if the e-Visa has been granted on the old passport. However, in such cases, the traveler must also carry the old passport on which the e-Visa has been granted.

International Travelers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.

International Travelers having a Pakistani Passport or are of Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at the Indian Mission.

E-Visa is not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders.

E-Visa is not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.

E-Visa is not available to International Travel Document Holders.

Applicants requiring help regarding e-Visa may call the 24X7 helpline number (+91-11-24300666) or send an email to [email protected] for any queries.

The e-Visa facility is in addition to the existing Visa services being provided through Indian Embassy and Consulates.

Advisory : The applicant may note that the Embassy/Consulate does not process e-visas and any enquiries in this regard will need to be made directly on the e-visa portal. Service of e-Visa involves a completely online application for which no facilitation is required by any intermediary / agent etc. Applicants are, therefore, advised to be cautious and for any clarification, please contact [email protected] Applicants are also advised to be careful of fraudulent websites offering e-visa services for India and only use the Government of India portal which is https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

  • List of Required Documents and Fee Details for various Miscellaneous Consular Services
  • Passport Related Services
  • Miscellaneous/Attestation Services
  • Entry-Visa-Services (Entry-Visa-Services)
  • Visa Services
  • OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) cards
  • Renunciation of Indian Citizenship & Surrender of Indian Passport

tourist visa india

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright Policy
  • Hyperlinking Policy
  • Accessibility Statement

© 2022 Consulate General of India, San Francisco, California. All Rights Reserved.

Visitors: 17873194  |  Page last updated on: 07-03-2024

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

tourist visa india

  • Passports, travel and living abroad
  • Travel abroad
  • Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK Government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in India set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the  High Commission of India in London or another Indian consulate in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering India.

Passport validity requirements

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into India.

Your passport must also: - have 2 blank pages for your visa

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

Apply for the right type of visa for the purpose of your travel.

You need a visa to travel to India unless you are an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder.

India has a number of visa categories. Make sure you get the right visa for the purpose and duration of your travel.

Penalties for having the wrong visa can include refusal of entry or deportation. This may also include not being allowed to enter India in the future.

For latest information on Indian visas and immigration requirements, see the  e-FRRO online portal (part of the Indian Foreigners Registration Office), the  Bureau of Indian Immigration website  and  Indian Ministry of External Affairs website .

Applying for a visa or e-visa

Find out how to apply for a visa from the Indian Bureau of Immigration Depending on your requirements you may be able to apply for:

  • regular (paper) visa
  • e-visa (make sure to check the website’s ‘FAQs’ for restrictions on airports and seaports of entry)

Check your eligibility and any restrictions before you apply and allow plenty of time for your application to be processed.

More information is available from the website of High Commission of India in London .

Applicants of Pakistani origin

If you are of Pakistani origin, a British-Pakistan dual national, or holding a National Identity Card for overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), the visa processing time will be substantially longer than other visa applications. More information is available from the High Commission of India in London .

If you are a British-Pakistan dual national, you must apply for an Indian visa on your Pakistani passport. If you have renounced your Pakistani nationality or cancelled your Pakistani passport, you will need to submit documentary proof of this.

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders

If you hold a valid Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card, you can use this, along with your valid British passport to visit India. You do not need a visa. If you have a Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card, you will need to convert it to an OCI card. More information is available from the  High Commission of India in London  and the  Indian Bureau of Immigration .

Arrival, registration, and extensions

If you plan to stay in India for more than 180 days and do not hold an OCI card, register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) . You could be denied permission to leave if you do not do this. Check if you are required to  register your arrival .

Overstaying in India on a visa is an offence. Make sure you leave the country before your visa expires or get an official extension if needed. More information is available on the Indian Bureau of Immigration website.

If you’re hospitalised

If you or someone you’re travelling with has a short-term Tourist Visa and is hospitalised, you may be able to extend or ‘convert’ to a Medical Visa .

Exit requirements

You will pass through immigration as you depart India. Officials will check when you entered the country. If you do not have an entry stamp, for example if you have a newly issued passport, you will need to apply for special exit visa before you travel. This must be done online and can take between five and fifteen working days for straightforward applications. Factor this into your timeframe to leave India when you are booking flights. For further information see the  e-FRRO online portal (part of the Indian Foreigners Registration Office).

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and vaccination certificates you may need on TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre).

Depending on your circumstances, these may include:

  • yellow fever

The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also provides  vaccination guidance and data .

Accommodation

By law, hotels, hostels and other accommodation providers must register the stay of foreign guests with the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) using a “C Form”.  Please ask your accommodation provider to ensure they have done so.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of India . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Satellite phones and listening devices

It is illegal to possess and operate satellite phones in India without a licence. British nationals have been arrested for bringing them into the country without prior permission. You can contact the Indian Department of Telecommunication to request a licence .

You may also need prior permission from the Indian authorities to bring equipment like listening or recording devices, radio transmitters, powerful cameras, or binoculars into India. You can ask the High Commission of India in London for advice.

Taking money into India

There are restrictions on bringing Indian rupees into India.

Visitors, including tourists, must not bring any amount of Indian currency into the country. If you’re resident in India, you can bring up to 25,000 rupees into the country.

If you’re visiting India, you can bring cash, travellers’ cheques (in pounds sterling or another foreign currency) or a bank card with you and exchange or withdraw rupees once in India.

You must declare any amount above 5,000 US dollars in notes, or 10,000 US dollars in notes and travellers’ cheques combined.

Related content

Is this page useful.

  • Yes this page is useful
  • No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

Consulate General of India - Melbourne, Australia

  • Skip to main content
  • Screen Reader Access
  • Consul General
  • Consulate Officers
  • Office Timings
  • List of Holidays 2023
  • List of Holidays 2024
  • Consular Services
  • Online Trade Complaint Portal
  • India's Trade & Investement
  • State's trade events
  • Add your details to our Business Directory
  • Know India Programme
  • Respecting the National Flag of India
  • Study in India
  • Indian Associations in Australia
  • Indian Ethnic media (Radio & TV) Programmes in Australia
  • Overseas Voters
  • NRI/PIO Marital Disputes FAQs
  • Press Releases
  • Announcements/ Statements
  • Events/Photo Gallery
  • Consulate engagement with Local Universities
  • Student Handbook for Studying Abroad
  • Indian International Students Survival Guide
  • List of Educational Institutions in Australia
  • Studying in Australia
  • Details of officer handling students' matters
  • Indian Students-Register with us
  • Right to Information

Consular/Passport/Visa

  • Home > Consular/Passport/Visa > e-Visa

e-Visa has 3 sub-categories i.e., e-Tourist visa, e-Business Visa and e-Medical visa. A foreigner will be permitted to club these categories.

The validity of e-Visa will be 60 days from the date of arrival in India. Double entry is permitted on e-Tourist Visa and e-Business Visa. Triple entry will be permitted on e-Medical Visa.

image

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Hyperlinking Policy
  • Copyright policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Consulate General of India, 344, St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

P.O.Box: 333247 Domain LPO Vic 3004

Tel No for all enquiries: + 61-3-9682 5800 Fax No:  + 61-3- 9696 8251

Consulate closed on Saturdays, Sundays & Public holidays.

General working hours : 09:00 am - 05:30 pm

Consular Consular working Hours (For Public): 09:30 A.M to 12:30 Noon (at the Consulate)

Visitors : 1667238

Visitors : 10110233

Page last updated on : 2021-06-25 06:00 AM

Page last updated on: March 07, 2024

Copyright © 2024 Consulate General of India, Melbourne. All Rights Reserved.

Site is Designed, Developed & Hosted by Ardhas Technology India Private Limited.

High Commission of India, Wellington, New Zealand

  • High Commissioner's Profile
  • High Commission Officers
  • Former High Commissioners
  • Working Hours
  • Holidays at High Commission
  • Right to Information
  • India-New Zealand: Bilateral Brief
  • India-Samoa: Bilateral Brief
  • India-Niue: Bilateral Brief
  • India-Vanuatu: Bilateral Brief
  • India-Cook Islands: Bilateral Brief
  • Commercial Representative
  • Upcoming Trade Events in India
  • List of important Trade Shows/Exhibitions in New Zealand
  • Trade Organisations India
  • Useful Indian Trade & Commerce Websites
  • India New Zealand Trade Organisations
  • New Zealand Trade Organisations
  • Publications
  • Make In India
  • Invest India
  • Consular Services
  • Report on Economic Contribution of NZ Indians
  • FAQs Reg Marriage Dispute & Domestic Violence
  • INTERNSHIP AT THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND ITS MISSIONSPOSTS ABROAD
  • Promotion of KIP
  • ITEC Courses for Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands & Vanuatu
  • Contact at High Commission
  • Education in New Zealand
  • Students Handbook for Studying Abroad
  • Sanskrit Learning App - Little Guru
  • ICCR Scholarships for 2022-2023
  • HCI Tenders
  • GOI Tenders
  • Film Facilitation Office
  • Events/Photo Gallery
  • Press Releases
  • Upcoming Events
  • HCI, Wellington LOGO
  • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM)
  • Ease of doing business in New Zealand
  • Export to New Zealand Handbook
  • 101 Maori Quotes
  • Amrit Mahotsav

tourist visa india

  • Skip to main content
  • Screen Reader Access

High Commission of India Wellington, New Zealand Concurrently accredited to Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands & Vanuatu

About Us

  • Home ›   Consular Services ›   Apply for Visa

VISA SERVICES

I) Introduction II) Regular visa

1) How to apply for regular visa 2) Visa fees and mode of payment of regular visa 3) Common documents required for different types of regular visa  4) Types of visas and documents required in addition to the documents mentioned at serial No. IV.3. above.

4.1) Tourist visa 4.2) Entry visa 4.3) Transit visa 4.4) Business visa 4.5) Student visa 4.6) Employment visa 4.7) Conference visa 4.8) Journalist visa 4.9) Medical visa 4.10) Sports visa 4.11) Other types of visas such as Intern visa, Film visa

5) Visa checklist 6) Transfer of visa from old passport to new passport 7) How to submit the visa application 8) Approximate processing time and status enquiries 9) Jurisdiction of High Commission of India

III) Vaccination requirement before entering India IV) Use of Satellite phones is illegal in India V) Frequently asked questions on visa

I. INTRODUCTION:

  • Please note that all foreign nationals require visa to travel to India. There is no facility for visa on arrival in India and therefore appropriate visa must be obtained before entering India by air, sea or land. Please go through this page carefully for proper understanding of visa procedure in order to ensure that your visa application is complete in every respect. This will help in easy and correct submission of visa application in the first instance and avoid unnecessary delay in processing of your application. An incomplete application is liable to be rejected. The visas issued are valid w.e.f. the date of issue and hence it is advised to apply for visa closer to the travel date.
  • Visa can be applied by any of the following method:

a)  Regular paper visa application - To apply, please visit:  https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html#  and click on “Regular visa application”.   Regular visa are processed at High Commission of India, Wellington.   Details are given below in para II.   After filling online application, the online application form must be printed and duly signed on page 1 and page 2 (declaration) and submitted  to the High Commission for processing, either in person or by post alongwith other required docuemtns, as mentioned below.  

b) e-Visa -  To apply for e-Visa, please visit:  https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html- .   E-Visas are processed and administered by Ministry of Home Affairs of India and High Commission of India has no control over processing of E-Visa applications.  Details of e-Visa is at https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/page/e-visa .

II. REGULAR VISA APPLICATION PROCESSED BY HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA, WELLINGTON

1. How to apply for regular visa

  • The High Commission of India follows Online Visa procedure and  handwritten / manually typed visa applications are not accepted.  To access the online form, applicants must go to the link  https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html#  and click on “Regular visa application”. Select “New Zealand – Wellington” as an option for the “Mission Field”. 

[Note: Please use Google Chrome or Internet Explorer browsers. Online visa form is not compatible with Safari browser. It may not work on mobile phone browsers or Apple devices].

Completely fill up the visa application form, without leaving any column blank.

Please indicate your permanent address as that of your native country. 

Upload your photo vertically and not horizontally. Please save / submit your application and take a printout only after you have uploaded your photograph. You will have to re-fill the application form if you fail to upload your photograph. For detailed photo upload instructions, please visit  https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/VSSIMAGEgidelines.pdf .

Once the online application is completed press ‘submit’ after which an application ID No. starting with NZLWV….will be generated, which should be noted carefully and quoted in all references in this regard made to the High Commission.

Thereafter, the online application form must be printed and duly signed on page 1 and page 2 (declaration) and submitted to the High Commission of India, Wellington along with two latest photographs (2” X 2”), prescribed visa fee, passport in original and the required documents for processing of visas. Procedure for submission and documents required for different types of visas are detailed below.

NOTE:  Kindly provide your latest and complete contact details on the visa form. Suppression of facts and false / incomplete / inaccurate information will not only result in delay / denial of visa but may also debar the applicant from getting visa in future. Visa application may be accepted, modified or refused by the High Commission of India and its decision in the matter shall be final. The High Commission reserves the right to withhold any application submitted for an in-depth examination. Personal interviews by the Visa Officer with applicants may be required in some cases.

Validity of regular visa is effective from the date of issue and not from the date of travel.  Visas are not issued from a future date to match applicant’s itinerary.

2. Visa fees and mode of payment of regular visa: The application fee (in NZD) for common visa categories only for New Zealand passport holders is as below:

* Persons of Indian origin holding foreign passport, their spouses and children must apply for Entry visa to visit India (Refer para 4.2 below for documents required)

Visa Fee for applicants holding other than New Zealand passport is available at the link: https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/1673387915Annexure-Visas.pdf

IMPORTANT: Every visa application must be accompanied by visa checklist :  Click Here To Download Visa Checklist  

Processing Time for Entry/Tourist Visas:

  • New Zealand / Samoa / Niue Passport / The Cook Islands / Vanuatu: 4-6 Working Days

Other than NZ / Samoa / Niue Passport / The Cook Islands / Vanuatu: 6-8 Working Days

Pakistan, PR China & Sri Lankan origin applicants: No Time Limit

NOTE:  Duration of any visa will be decided by the  Visa Officer

Mode of Payment of Fees: 

3. Common documents required for different types of regular visa:

3.1. Common documentation required for all categories of visa:

Completed and signed visa application form with photo uploaded vertically.

Original passport valid for at least six months from the date of travel.

Two photographs (2”X2”). Photographs can be cut with scissor to bring to the required dimension if it is large. If you do not have two identical photographs as you uploaded online, please make sure that you are providing your latest and similar matching photographs. [For detailed photograph specification, visit  https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/Photo-Spec-FINAL.pdf ]

Visa fee as per the fee schedule given at the link: https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/1673387915Annexure-Visas.pdf

Additional form for non-New Zealand nationals / those holding dual nationality available at  https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/Addition-form-to-be-filled-by-Non-NZ-passport-holders.pdf . 

  • Please attach one self-addressed pre-paid return courier bag with tracking facility (required to post back the passport with visa) to the High Commission of India by registered courier (with tracking facility).

3.2. Additional documentation for minors (children under 18 years of age) common to all types of visas

Copy of birth certificate of the minor applicant.

First and last pages of both parent’s current passports. 

If parents are of Indian origin, then copies of current or cancelled Indian passports of parents are required for applying Entry visa. Children of parents of Indian origin are eligible for Entry visa which is in their own interest since Entry visa has far fewer restrictions vis-à-vis other kinds of visas. 

Signature of both parents on the visa application form or no objection letter (letter of consent) signed by the parent not signing on the visa application form.

In case of single parent / guardian, additional documentary proof such as copy of custody orders from a court/ death certificate of the deceased parent / proof of single parent status.

In case the status of minor’s father is unknown, a Statutory Declaration attested by Justice of Peace is required from the mother stating the same. 

4.  Types of visas and documentation required in addition to the documents mentioned at serial No. 3 above:

4.1.  Tourist Visa:

4.2.  Entry Visa:

4.3.  Business Visa:

4.4.  Transit Visa:

4.5.  Student Visa:

4.6.  Employment Visa:

4.7.  Conference Visa:

4.8.  Journalist visa

4.9.  Medical Visa

4.10.  Sports Visa

4.11.  For other types of visas such as Intern visa, film visa, etc.

4.1. Tourist visa:

Note: A person of Indian origin, who does not possess an OCI card, spouse and children of such person must apply for Entry Visa instead of Tourist Visa since Entry Visa has far fewer restrictions than Tourist Visa. Details of Entry Visa are given at Sl. No. 4.2 Tourist visa is granted to foreigners who do not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole purpose of visiting India is sight-seeing, recreation or meeting friends / relatives, attending a short term yoga programme (not exceeding 6 months and not issued with a qualifying diploma / certificate), short duration medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine.

Tourist visa may be granted for a validity up to 5 years but the maximum continuous stay permissible on this visa is 90 days during each visit. Tourist visas are non-extendable and non-convertible except in limited circumstances. No additional documentation other than indicated at Sl. No. 3 above is required for Tourist visa.

Enrolment of biometric features  is required while applying for a Tourist visa for a validity of more than 1 year and / or for multiple entry tourist visa. Biometric enrolment once done is valid for 5 years. Applicants below 12 yrs or more than 70 yrs are exempted from biometric enrolment. For more details on biometric enrolment including for booking an appointment for the same, please go to the link: https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/Website%20Updates.pdf .

NOTE:  Requirement of two months gap between two visits on tourist visa has been done away with for most countries including New Zealand.

A foreigner coming to India on any type of visas will be allowed to avail activities permitted under Tourist visa.

All persons travelling to India on board a cruise ship are advised to obtain “Tourist Visa” in advance. They should clearly write in bold on top of their application “Cruise Trip to India” and request for double / triple or multiple entries depending on the number of entries required to enter the Indian port.

Foreigners of Indian origin, their spouses and children are advised to apply for “ENTRY” visa instead of Tourist visa in their own interest since the Entry visa has fewer restrictions vis-à-vis tourist visa.

All PIOs may also consider applying for OCI Card, which among many other benefits, facilitates easy and visa-free travel to India for life, besides ensuring economy of expenditure in the long run. For detailed information on applying for OCI registration, please visit  https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/eoi.php?id=OCI .

4.2. Entry visa:

  • Persons of Indian origin holding foreign passport, their spouses and children must apply for Entry visa to visit India. Foreign spouse of an Indian national is also eligible for Entry visa.
  • In case applicant was an Indian national before, proof of renunciation of Indian citizenship in the form of Indian Citizenship Renunciation / Surrender Certificate alongwith copy of cancelled passport is required to be attached, else the application will be returned for want of this document. If the applicant has not applied for cancellation of Indian passport, submit the original Indian passport for cancellation along with requisite form and fee as per the procedure given at the link  https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/eoi.php?id=cancellation_passport . 
  • Holding / acquiring Indian passport or travelling on Indian passport after acquiring foreign citizenship is an offence under Indian Passport Act, 1967 and may attracts penalties.

In addition to above documents, other docuemtns required for the application is mentioned at Sl. No. 3 above.

4.3. Business Visa:

Granted to foreigners who intend to visit India for business purpose.

A letter each from the local employer and the sponsoring company in India, stating the purpose of visit, places and organizations to be visited and the duration of the visit.

An additional form given at the link:  https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/1689745106additonalform.pdf   is required to be submitted along with the visa application in addition to documents indicated at Sl. No. 3 above, as applicable. 

Those intending to go to India for student recruitment are required to provide some additional information which will be asked from the applicant by email.

Enrolment of biometric features  is required while applying for a Business Visa for a validity of more than 1 year and / or for multiple entry Business Visa. Biometric enrolment once done is valid for 5 years. Applicants below 12 yrs or more than 70 yrs are exempted from biometric enrolment. For more details on biometric enrolment including for booking an appointment for the same, go to: https://www.hciwellington.gov.in/docs/Website%20Updates.pdf .

4.4. Transit visa:

A visa valid for 15 days and permitting a stay in India up to 72 hours is issued for transiting through India to another foreign destination. Transit visa must be obtained before departure as there is no provision for visa on arrival in India. Evidence of confirmed onward travel to a destination outside India is required in addition to documents indicated at Sl. No. 3 above, as applicable. A person intending to make two entries into India in transit in the course of the same journey may also be granted double entry visa, with each stay in India up to 72 hours.

NOTE: Passengers transferring to a connecting flight who do not intend to leave the airport or pass through the Immigration do not need a Transit Visa.

4.5. Student visa:

Student visa is granted for studying in a recognized educational institution in India.

The applicant should submit proof of admission to an educational institution recognized by the Government of India.

Proof of finances to meet the cost of education in India, in addition to documents indicated at Sl. No. 3 above, as applicable.

4.6. Employment visa:

Employment visa is issued to those who are taking up assignment / employment with companies registered in India.

An authenticated copy of the Employment contract and proof of registration of the employing organization must be furnished, in addition to documents listed at Sl. No. 3 above, as applicable. The contract must provide for a minimum gross salary of INR 16.25 lakhs per annum or its equivalent.

Employment visa is also granted for volunteer / honorary work with registered NGOs in India in which case there is no minimum salary requirement.

4.7. Conference visa:

Conference visais granted to those who are going to India for attending an international conference / seminar. In addition to the documents at Sl. No. 3 above, as applicable.

A copy each of the letter of invitation from the organizer. 

Permission letter from the Government of India for holding of the conference are necessary for the purpose of Conference Visa. 

Letter from the local participant / employer should also be submitted to establish credentials for the applicant.

4.8. Journalist visa:

Journalist  Visa  is issued to journalists and media persons travelling to India on assignment to India, for filing reports, shooting of documentaries, etc. A foreigner who is a journalist by profession will be granted journalist visa irrespective of his purpose of visit. For more information about journalist visa and before applying, kindly send an email at  visa.welllington[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in , giving full details about the purpose of the visit, a synopsis of the project, itinerary and if any permissions from local authorities for the project have already been obtained.

4.9. Medical Visa:

Is granted to those intending to visit India for getting medical treatment in India from a recognized medical institution.

Referral letter from doctor/hospitals both from New Zealand and India. 

Proof of availability of sufficient funds for the duration of stay and the expenses for treatment in India should be submitted in addition to documents listed at Sl. No. 3 above, as applicable.

NOTE: With effect from November 2015, there is a complete ban on surrogacy procedures in India commissioned by foreigners / NRI couples. No visa is, therefore granted for this purpose.

4.10. Sports visa:

All sportspersons going to India for participation in non-commercial sporting events, the officials / coaches and trainers accompanying the players need to apply for Business visa .

A copy of the clearance granted by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Ministry of Home Affairs and Political Clearance by MEA are required in addition to documents indicated at Sl. No. 3 above, as applicable.

Visa for commercial sports events such as Indian Premier League, Indian Soccer League must apply for Business Visa.

Foreign sportsmen who are given contract for a specified period by the Indian Clubs/organizations must apply for Employment Visa .

4.11. For other types of visas such as Intern visa, film visa, etc, or for any other visa related queries, kindly drop an email at  visa[dot]wellington[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in  or  cons[dot]wellington[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in .

5. Visa checklist:

A checklist of documents to be submitted along with the visa application is given at the link here . Please send / submit the checklist along with the application.

6. What to do when the passport with valid visa expires:

There is no provision for transfer of valid visa from old, expired passport to the new passport. In order to travel to India, one must carry both the old, expired passport carrying valid visa along with the new passport.

7. How to submit the visa application

Printout of duly filled and signed visa applications along with the prescribed documentation, two photographs, prescribed fee and one self-addressed pre-paid return courier bag with tracking facility may be sent to the High Commission of India at the following address:

Visa Department, High Commission of India, 72 Pipitea Street, Thorndon, PO Box 12211, Wellington 6011.

The High Commission of India will not accept any responsibility in case the courier is lost / misplaced / damaged or delayed. Do not send the application via ordinary post but only through a registered courier with tracking facility.

Applicants can also submit their applications in person between  9:30 AM and 12:30 PM  from Monday to Friday (on working days of High Commission) at the Reception counter of the High Commission of India, Wellington.

8. Approximate processing time and status enquiries

Applicants are advised to apply for visa sufficiently in advance so that it is processed in time.

Applications which need to be referred to the concerned agencies may take longer for which no fixed timeframe can be given. Applicants should not purchase air tickets before obtaining visa.

The High Commission of India cannot be held responsible for applications which are not finalized in time for your intended date of departure.

At the same time, applications which are registered more than Three months before the expected date of travel are not accepted by the system. Due to huge volume of enquiries, it may not be possible for the High Commission to entertain queries on the status of the visa before expiry of the above timeline. For status of your application, you may drop an email at  visa[dot]wellington[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in  or at  cons[dot]wellington[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in .

9. Jurisdiction of High Commission of India:

The High Commission of India, Wellington has jurisdiction over New Zealand, Republic of Samoa, Niue, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands. It will be able to accept visa applications only from those who are present in its jurisdiction. Those who are not residing in the jurisdiction of this High Commission may contact the Indian Embassy / High Commission / Consulate General having jurisdiction over the area of their residence.

III) Vaccination requirement before entering India

Persons arriving from Yellow Fever endemic countries or those who have visited such countries during the past 6 days immediately preceding their entry into India will be required to possess a valid certificate of Yellow Fever vaccination from an authorized vaccination centre. Persons arriving from a country having public health risk may be required to undergo medical screening or additional measures as decided by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India.

IV. Use of Satellite phones is illegal in India

All foreign nationals visiting India are advised not to carry / use Thuraya / Iridium satellite phones in India. These phones are strictly illegal in India and any violation in this regard shall have serious consequences and the users are liable for prosecution under Indian laws.

V. Frequently asked questions on visa:

1) Do I need a visa to go to India? A) Yes, all foreigners, except citizens of Nepal and Bhutan (in limited circumstances) need a visa to enter India by air, sea or land.

2) Can I get a visa on arrival to enter India? A) No. There is no facility of visa on arrival in India except for nationals of Japan in limited circumstances.

3) Does India have Electronic Visa (E-Visa) facility? A) Yes. E-visa facility is available to nationals of certain countries, which includes New Zealand. For more details including the complete list of countries whose citizens are eligible for E-visa, visit the link  https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html . E-visa facility is not controlled or administered by the High Commission of India. Any queries in regard to e-visa may be addressed to  indiatvoa[at]gov[dot]in . High Commission of India has no control over processing of E-visa applications and accepts and processes only regular visa applications.

4) Can I get medical treatment or do a short time job or attend a business meeting on tourist visa in India?  A) Tourist visa is strictly meant for recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, for attending a short term yoga programme (not resulting in a certificate / diploma at the end of the course) or for short duration medical treatment including treatment under Indian system of medicine. Employment visa should be applied for taking up any job in India and business visa should be applied for any business meetings in India.

5) What is the difference between Tourist Visa and Entry Visa? A) A person of Indian origin, who does not possess an OCI card, spouse and children of such person are eligible for Entry Visa and must apply for Entry Visa instead of Tourist Visa since Entry Visa has far fewer restrictions than Tourist Visa. For example, during each visit a person on tourist visa can stay only upto 90 days whereas there is no such restriction on Entry Visa.

6) Can I study in India? A) Yes, with a valid student visa for a regular study programme conducted by a recognized university / educational institution.

7) Can I work in India? A) Yes, with a valid employment visa.

8) I travel to India frequently for business meetings / to explore opportunities for partnerships with Indian companies. Which visa should I apply for? A) You may apply for business visa with the required documents. For getting long term Business Visa with multiple entries, it is mandatory to enroll your biometric features at the High Commission Reception counter. Without Biometric enrolment you can get Business Visa upto one year validity with up to three entries. You may book an appointment for biometric registration telephonically. Kindly note that a Business Visa does not permit you to work in India. In case you wish to work in India, you should apply for Employment Visa.

9) I have to participate in a Conference / Seminar / Workshop in India. Which visa should I apply for? A) You should apply for a Conference Visa along with an invitation letter from event organizers and clearances from competent authorities for holding the event.

10) Do I need a Transit Visa for changing flights / airports in India in order to travel to my final destination? A) Transit Visa for India is  NOT  required if you are not leaving the plane or the designated transit area of Indian airports. Transit Visa is required if you are going to leave the designated transit area of the airport or going from international to domestic terminal of any Indian airport or if you are having a short stay in India for upto 72 hours enroute to another foreign destination. You should have a confirmed air ticket for the onward journey before applying for Transit Visa. You may check with the airlines whether your travel involves leaving the designated area of an international airport in India or transfer from International to domestic terminal in India.

11) I intend to travel at a much later date. Can my visa be issued to coincide with the date of travel? A) No. There is no system of issuing post dated visas and the validity of regular visas starts from the date of issue and not from the date of entry into India. Validity of E-visas is 2 months starting from the date of entry into India. You cannot apply more than 120 days before your intended date of travel to India.

12) I have to go to India for internship / training in a company / educational institution / NGO in India for a short period. Which visa should I apply for? A) You should apply for Intern Visa along with a copy of a letter from the Indian company / educational institution / NGO, clearly indicating the period of internship. Interns sponsored by AIESEC for social or community work in NGOs and for project-based work in companies may also apply for Intern Visa. For specific queries about Intern Visa, send an email to  visa[dot]wellington[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in .

13) Do I need a visa for my pet who is accompanying me on my visit to India? A) No, you do not need visa for taking your pet to India. However, you need to follow certain customs and vaccination related regulations for taking your pet to India.

14) Can I send one cheque and self-addressed courier bag for multiple visa applications? A) No. Cheuqes are not accepted w.e.f. 01 May 2021. Please make the payment by bank transfer.

15) I had applied for Indian visa but I have changed my mind. Can I claim a refund of the visa fee? A) Visa fees are non-refundable. Once the visa application is accepted, fee cannot be refunded even if the visa is refused / not granted.

16) I have to travel to India on an emergency. Is there any extra charge for urgent processing of visa application? A) Visa application can be processed on emergency basis only under compelling medical and humanitarian emergencies. If the applicant is able to prove the emergency to the visa officer, application can be processed on urgent basis on payment of prescribed expediting fee of NZ$90 per application. Please see the latest notification by clicking here .

17) I will be studying in India for one semester / trimester in an Indian university. Which visa should I apply for? A) You should apply for a student visa along with a copy of the letter from the institute / university confirming your acceptance as a student. You would also be required to submit proof of financial standing to support your stay in India.

18) I will be going to India for work / employment along with my family. Which visa should I apply for myself and my family? Would my children be able to study in India? A) You should apply for employment visa both for yourself and your dependent family members accompanying you. Yes, your children will be able to study in India during the validity of your visas.

NOTE: If your query is still not answered above, you may drop us an email at  visa[dot]wellington[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in  or  cons[dot]wellington[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in . It may be appreciated that because of large volume of telephone calls, it is not always possible to answer telephone calls. However, it is our endeavour to reply to all emails promptly.

  • OCI Misc. Services (Transfer of OCI)
  • Conversion of PIO to OCI
  • Be aware of Fake Indian E-Visa Websites and URLs

tourist visa india

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright Policy
  • Hyperlinking Policy
  • Accessibility Statement

© 2018 High Commission of India, Wellington, New Zealand. All Rights Reserved.

Visitors: 9140490  |  Page last updated on: 12-03-2024

Designed by Jadon Webtech Pvt Ltd

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

The Economic Times

The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

21 indians detained in sri lanka for working illegally while on tourist visa.

Whatsapp Follow Channel

Sri Lankan authorities have detained 21 Indian nationals for running a computer-operated business illegally while on tourist visas. The men, aged 24 to 25, were found in Negombo, operating a business from a rented house. They have been moved to a detention center and face deportation once investigations are completed.

CMS 27

Read More News on

Stealth mode: Suzuki has a game plan up its sle(EV)e for India, and the world:Image

Stealth mode: Suzuki has a game plan up its sle(EV)e for India, and the world

DLF vs. PNB Housing Finance, Hubtown: Mumbai slum redevelopment dispute takes a :Image

DLF vs. PNB Housing Finance, Hubtown: Mumbai slum redevelopment dispute takes a dramatic turn.

Are high interest rates preventing India from replicating China’s double-digit g:Image

Are high interest rates preventing India from replicating China’s double-digit growth?

It's Dara Khosrowshahi vs. Bhavish Aggarwal again, as cab-hailing titans Uber an:Image

It's Dara Khosrowshahi vs. Bhavish Aggarwal again, as cab-hailing titans Uber and Ola lock horns

Stock Radar: Linde India gives breakout from a falling trendline resistance; tim:Image

Stock Radar: Linde India gives breakout from a falling trendline resistance; time to buy?

Barring near-term slack, Coforge looks geared for long-term growth:Image

Barring near-term slack, Coforge looks geared for long-term growth

The Economic Times

Find this comment offensive?

Choose your reason below and click on the Report button. This will alert our moderators to take action

Reason for reporting:

Your Reason has been Reported to the admin.

avatar

To post this comment you must

Log In/Connect with:

Fill in your details:

Will be displayed

Will not be displayed

Share this Comment:

Stories you might be interested in

India TV News

  • You Are At:

21 Indian nationals detained for illegally operating business on tourist visa in Sri Lanka

According to officials, the detained indians were illegally operating a computer-operated business in negombo while on a tourist visa. under sri lanka's law, those who visit the island nation on tourist visas are prohibited from engaging in any paid or unpaid work..

Aveek Banerjee

After a preliminary inquiry, the department raided a rented house in the popular western coast resort town of Negombo, where those arrested were found operating a computer-operated business. “They had rented a house and were involved in some computer-operated business”, said a senior official said, adding that the nature of their business was yet to be identified.

“We have served removal notices on them and moved them to the Welisara detention centre. They will be deported once the investigations are over,” the official added. Under Sri Lanka's law, those who visit the island nation on tourist visas are prohibited from engaging in any paid or unpaid work.

The Indian nationals had used the free-of-charge visa condition that Sri Lanka has granted to a set of countries till March 31 as part of an ongoing pilot project to promote tourism in the cash-strapped country, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported. They had arrived in Sri Lanka in February and March on tourist visas. India is generally Sri Lanka’s biggest inbound tourism market.

Meanwhile, the immigration authorities say they have received many complaints about Russian and Ukrainian tourists doing business in the island nation while on tourist visas. In February, with over 30,000 arrivals, India was placed second to the arrivals from the Russian Federation at over 32,000.

Sri Lanka now has a free visa regime for tourists from India, China, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan. As per the Sri Lankan media reports, the latest decision has been taken in order to give a boost to the tourism industry. " We are expecting to increase tourist arrivals to five million over the coming years,” the ministry said as quoted by the Sri Lankan media. 

Notably, Sri Lanka, an island nation, is majorly dependent on the tourism sector. The industry is considered a significant contributor to the country's GDP.  However, it has been ruined by back-to-back tragedies that occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then bad implementation of agricultural reforms. In fact, this led the country to plunge into a major economic crisis, prompting a shortage of essential items like food, medicine and cooking gas among others.

(with inputs from PTI)

ALSO READ |  Indian Navy rescues six Sri Lankan fishermen from Somali pirates in a joint operation, 3 surrendered

Read all the Breaking News Live on indiatvnews.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from World

  • indian nationals
  • illegal activity

Representational image

Petrol, diesel prices reduced: Check new rates in your city

Aamir Khan

Is Andaz Apna Apna 2 in works? Aamir Khan hints about sequel during social media interaction

Indian cricket team

ICC announces additional tickets for T20 World Cup 2024; includes India's two fixtures

Related World News

TikTok

US pushes TikTok to either sell China-linked ByteDance to American investors or face complete ban

Japan high court same-sex marriage

Japan High Court rules 'denying same-sex marriage is unconstitutional', asks govt to overturn law

Russian President Vladimir Putin

'Putin didn't threaten to use nuclear weapons, US took his statement out of context': Kremlin

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar with deputy prime minister and foreign minister of New Zeala

New Zealand issues clarification over Dy PM's 'Canada doesn't share evidence on Nijjar's' remarks

Paul Alexander dies

Texas man, who lived with an iron lung for almost 70 years after contracting polio, dies I VIDEO

Latest News

Rajasthan cuts VAT on petrol, diesel, hikes DA of employees by 4 per cent

India TV News

  • Aap Ki Adalat
  • Aaj Ki Baat
  • Kurukshetra
  • Haqiqat Kya Hai
  • Entertainment

tourist visa india

Delhi Capitals qualify for WPL 2024 summit clash | March 14th | Sports Wrap

tourist visa india

Defence Ministry signs deal for 34 ALH Dhruv helicopters, here's what these helicopters can do!

tourist visa india

BJP's strategy for Haryana: Why JJP withdrew its support and why Nayab Saini replaced Khattar?

tourist visa india

Ajay Devgn-Starrer Shaitaan becomes third-highest-grossing film of 2024 | Entertainment Wrap

tourist visa india

Yoga: Headache is a sign of how many diseases?

  • Maharashtra
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • West Bengal
  • Jammu & Kashmir
  • Chhattisgarh

Representational image

Petrol and diesel prices cut by Rs 2 across India, announces government

Aaj Ki Baat

Aaj Ki Baat: Full episode, March 14, 2024

electoral bonds ECI

How and where to check electoral bonds data published by EC? Details

Election Commission of India

Election Commission publishes electoral bonds data shared by SBI on its website

Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar, Rabri Devi, 9 others elected unopposed to Bihar Legislative Council

Chaitar Vasava Vs Mansukhbhai Vasava

Bharuch Lok Sabha elections 2024: 6-time MP Mansukhbhai Vasava to take on AAP’s young turk Chaitar

BJP MP Ravi Kishan up against Samajwadi Party's Kajal Nishad

Gorakhpur Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP MP Ravi Kishan up against Samajwadi Party's Kajal Nishad

Porbandar Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP's Mansukh Mandaviya Vs Congress' Lalit Vasoya

Porbandar Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP's Mansukh Mandaviya Vs Congress' Lalit Vasoya in key battle

PM Modi with JP Nadda

Lok Sabha elections: In second list, BJP replaces 25 sitting MPs with new faces

Japan earthquake

Japan earthquake: Tremors of magnitude of 5.8 hit Fukushima- two days after nuclear disaster

TikTok

  • Celebrities

Aamir Khan

Kartik Aaryan adds Range Rover SV worth 6 crores to his car collection | See Photos

Kareena Kapoor and Rohit Shetty

Kareena Kapoor Khan wishes Rohit Shetty on his 50th birthday in style | See Photo

KC Bokadia

'Will die but will not remove...', KC Bokadia responds to Censor's order to remove 'Jai Shri Ram'

Kartik Aaryan

Kartik Aryan hails Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 director Anees Bazmee for this reason | See Photo

  • Live Scores
  • Other Sports

Indian cricket team

MI vs RCB WPL eliminator pitch report: How will surface at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi play?

Mumbai cricket team

'I am lowest scorer in team but I am happiest': Ajinkya Rahane on leading Mumbai to Ranji Trophy win

PV Sindhu

All England Open 2024: PV Sindhu suffers early exit, Lakshya Sen faces tough challenge in 2nd round

Mumbai cricket team

Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma react to Mumbai's Ranji Trophy 2024 triumph

OpenAI Sora text-to-video generator

OpenAI's Sora text-to-video generator will be available later this year reveals Mira Murati

Vivo V30 series

Vivo V30, V30 Pro go for sale in India: Check price, offers, availability

Qualcomm new chip design center

Qualcomm inaugurates new chip design center, 6G research program in India

'One Nation One Election' report

Ram Nath Kovind-led panel submits 'One Nation One Election' report: Here's how to access it online

OTT banned platform

Centre blocks 18 OTT platforms, 19 websites for 'obscene, vulgar, pornographic content'

European Union

What are EU AI regulations and how do they impact generative AI models? Explained

Committee on Digital Competition Act

What is proposed Digital Competition Law and how does it impact digital enterprises? Explained

Explained: From startup star to financial struggle, the

Explained: From startup star to financial struggle, the rise and fall of Byju's

Representational pic

Dog attacks menace: Why is century-old animal-human bonding weakening? Issue & solution | Explained

CAA

CAA implemented in India: Myths and realities linked with Citizenship Amendment Act

Horoscope Today, March 14

Horoscope Today, March 14: Virgo's enthusiasm to remain high; know about other zodiac signs

Horoscope Today, March 13

Horoscope Today, March 13: Scorpio to plan outing with family; know about other zodiac signs

Horoscope Today, March 12

Horoscope Today, March 12: Auspicious day for leo; know about other zodiac signs

Horoscope Today, March 11

Horoscope Today, March 11: Scorpio to go out on vacation; know about other zodiac signs

Weekly Horoscope (Mar 11-Mar 17)

Weekly Horoscope (Mar 11-Mar 17): Taurus to get opportunities in work; know about other zodiac signs

Shy bladder

What is Shy bladder (Paruresis)? Know symptoms, treatment and more

Nopales

Superfood Nopales: Know THESE 5 benefits of Prickly Pear Cactus

World Kidney Day 2024

World Kidney Day 2024: 6 healthy habits to keep your kidneys safe

Healthy eating for women of all ages

Healthy eating habits for women of all ages

Back Pain

March end blues: How to combat increased back pain, stress

  • Relationships

air frying

Is cooking with an air frying healthy? 5 pros and cons of air frying

superfoods for healthy kidneys

World Kidney Day 2024: 5 superfoods for healthy kidneys

World Sleep Day 2024

World Sleep Day 2024: Debunking 5 myths about a good night sleep

long-distance relationship

Here’s WHY ‘long-distance relationship’ can be beneficial for you

Egg Yolks

Do you only eat egg whites? Know 7 vitamins present in egg yolk

Government of India Indianvisaonline.gov.in

banner-slide-1

Online Portal for Visa Application to India

Visa Processing Time

Upon receipt of the Visa Application through Indian Visa Application Center or directly, the Indian Mission/ Post requires a minimum of three working days to process the case and issue a visa depending upon the nationality and excluding special cases.

digital-india

Update January 10, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

  • Travel Advisories |
  • Contact Us |
  • MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents, u.s. visa law & policy.

Judicial Assistance Country Information

Share this page:

The Visa Bulletin

Visa Statistics

Laws & Regulations

Accepting, Serving in, or Performing Duties of a Position with the Government of a Foreign State - Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Sectioin 349(a)(4)

Loss of U.S. Nationality and Service in the Armed Forces of a Foreign State - Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 349(a)(3)

Visa Bulletin For April 2024

Number 88 Volume X Washington, D.C

View as Printer Friendly PDF

A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS

This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during April  for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.

Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at  www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo , individuals seeking to file applications for adjustment of status with USCIS must use the “Final Action Dates” charts below for determining when they can file such applications. When USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the “Dates for Filing Visa Applications” charts in this Bulletin. 

1.  Procedures for determining dates. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; USCIS reports applicants for adjustment of status. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by March 4th . If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. The final action date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. If it becomes necessary during the monthly allocation process to retrogress a final action date, supplemental requests for numbers will be honored only if the priority date falls within the new final action date announced in this bulletin. If at any time an annual limit were reached, it would be necessary to immediately make the preference category “unavailable”, and no further requests for numbers would be honored.

2.  The fiscal year 2024 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants determined in accordance with Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is 226,000.  The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000.  Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620.  The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320.

3.  INA Section 203(e) provides that family-sponsored and employment-based preference visas be issued to eligible immigrants in the order in which a petition in behalf of each has been filed. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. The visa prorating provisions of Section 202(e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or dependent area when visa issuances will exceed the per-country limit. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas:  CHINA-mainland born, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. 

4.  Section 203(a) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Family-sponsored immigrant visas as follows: 

FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

First : ( F1 ) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:  23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.

Second : Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents:  114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:

A. ( F2A ) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents:  77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;

B. ( F2B ) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents:  23% of the overall second preference limitation.

Third : ( F3 ) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:  23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth : ( F4 ) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens:  65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.

A.   FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES

On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below.)

For April, F2A numbers  EXEMPT from per-country limit  are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority dates  earlier  than 15AUG20. F2A numbers  SUBJECT to per-country limit  are authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO , with priority dates beginning 15AUG20 and earlier than 08SEP20. All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit.

B.  DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart below may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date.

The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the listed date may file their application.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 4.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 

5.  Section 203(b) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Employment-based immigrant visas as follows: 

EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES

First :  Priority Workers:  28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.

Second :  Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability:  28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.

Third :  Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers:  28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers".

Fourth :  Certain Special Immigrants:  7.1% of the worldwide level.

Fifth :  Employment Creation:  7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved as follows: 20% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a high unemployment area; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects. The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants.

A.  FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES

*Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category: Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997, as amended by Section 1(e) of Pub. L. 105-139, provides that once the Employment Third Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date has reached the priority date of the latest EW petition approved prior to November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available for a fiscal year are to be reduced by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the following fiscal year. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. Since the EW final action date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002. For Fiscal Year 2024 this reduction will be limited to approximately 150.

B.  DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 5.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 

B .   DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT (DV) CATEGORY FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL

Section 203(c) of the INA provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to permit additional immigration opportunities for persons from countries with low admissions during the previous five years.  The NACARA stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program.  Visa numbers made available to NACARA applicants in FY 2023 will result in reduction of the DV-2024 annual limit to approximately 54,850.  Section 5104 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 amended the NACARA’s provisions on the Diversity Visa program such that the number of visas made available under the NDAA will be deducted from the 55,000 DVs annually allocated.  These amendments will not impact the number of diversity visas available until FY 2025.  DVs are divided among six geographic regions. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year.

For April , immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers  BELOW  the specified allocation cut-off number:

Entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end of the fiscal (visa) year for which the applicant is selected in the lottery. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2024 program ends as of September 30, 2024. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2024 applicants after that date. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2024 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2024. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2024 cannot be taken for granted. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30.

C.   THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANT CATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFS WHICH WILL APPLY IN MAY

For May , immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbers  BELOW  the specified allocation cut-off number:

D.   SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE RELIGIOUS WORKERS (SR) CATEGORY

Pursuant to H.R. 7463, signed on March 1, 2024, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on March 22, 2024.  No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight March 21, 2024.  Visas issued prior to that date will be valid only until March 21, 2024, and all individuals seeking admission in the non-minister special immigrant category must be admitted (repeat admitted) into the United States no later than midnight March 21, 2024. 

The SR category is listed as “Unavailable” for all countries for April.  In the event there is legislative action extending the category, it is likely it will become available effective immediately. If extended, the category will be subject to the same final action dates as the listed Employment-Based Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability.

E.   VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE COMING MONTHS

FAMILY-sponsored categories (potential movement):

Worldwide dates:

F1: Up to three months F2A (excluding Mexico): Up to six months F2B: Up to ten weeks F3: Several months F4: Up to four weeks 

F1: Up to four months F2A: Up to three months F2B: Several months F3: Up to six months F4: Up to three months

Philippines:

F3: Several months F4: Several months

EMPLOYMENT-based categories: Very little to no forward movement is expected in the coming months since the final action dates for many categories advanced for April 2024.

The above final action date projections for the Family and Employment categories indicate what is likely to happen throughout Quarter Three and Quarter Four of FY24.  Readers should never assume that recent trends in final action date movements are guaranteed for the future, or that retrogressions will not be required at some point to maintain number use within the applicable annual limits.  The determination of the actual monthly final action dates is subject to fluctuations in applicant demand and other variables.  

F.   U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS (SIVs)

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, may affect certain current and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad applying for SIVs or adjustment of status, as described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the INA.  This does not affect certain Iraqis and Afghans applying for SQ and SI SIVs.  Applicants should contact the consular section at which they filed their Form DS‑1884 for further information on the impact of that law on their case.

G.   FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

Department of State Publication 9514

CA/VO: March 4, 2024

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

  • Logout Login
  • Adventure Holidays
  • Weekend Getaways
  • Driving Holidays
  • Travel News

Top Searches

Best International Trips

Halal Destinations

World Sleep Day

Bali Travel Destinations

Japan New Rules

World Poor Nations

Reasons why your US visa can get rejected

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL NEWS , UNITED STATES / Updated : Mar 15, 2024, 07:18 IST

You're Reading

img

The US visa application process requires attention to detail. Any mistakes or omissions in the application form can lead to delays or complete rejection. It’s important to go through the visa form carefully, understand each questi … Read more

The US visa application process requires attention to detail. Any mistakes or omissions in the application form can lead to delays or complete rejection. It’s important to go through the visa form carefully, understand each question asked and provide accurate and complete information. Read less

Reasons why your US visa can get rejected

More from Travel News

Japan: 3 recently launched rules that you should be aware of

Comments (0)

tourist visa india

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive . Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.

Comments ( ) Sort: Newest UpVoted Oldest Discussed Down Voted closecomments

userthumb

SIGN IN WITH

Or post without registration.

UK: World’s oldest fossil forest dating back 390 million years discovered

Visual Stories

test

Popular Galleries

What makes Bali the ultimate girls’ trip destination?

What makes Bali the ultimate girls’ trip destination? TRAVEL TRENDS , BALI

In pictures: Karnataka, where scenic beauty and cultural heritage meet

In pictures: Karnataka, where scenic beauty and cultural heritage meet TRAVEL TRENDS , KARNATAKA

World Sleep Day: Exploring top destinations in India for a restful sleep

World Sleep Day: Exploring top destinations in India for a restful sleep TRAVEL TRENDS , INDIA

Trending stories.

tourist visa india

Restorative and unforgettable spa experiences around the world

tourist visa india

Wat Sam Phran: Thailand's Dragon Temple is an architectural marvel

tourist visa india

  • Quick guide on how to plan a quick trip to Mathura-Vrindavan this holi

tourist visa india

These places are so big, they have their own weather systems!

tourist visa india

Japan: 3 recently launched rules that you should be aware of

  • 1 Reasons why your US visa can get rejected
  • 2 UK: World’s oldest fossil forest dating back 390 million years discovered
  • 3 Ahilya Nagar: A complete travel guide to renamed Ahmednagar
  • 4 Snow and rain warnings for several states; Uttarakhand gets yellow alert for thunderstorms
  • 5 The Cabinet approves two new metro routes in Delhi

image42

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO DESTINATIONS, ITINERARIES, THINGS TO DO, RESTAURANTS, NIGHTLIFE and LOTS MORE!

FOLLOW US ON

Places to visit.

  • Places to visit in Bangalore
  • Places to visit in Mumbai
  • Places to visit in Delhi
  • Places to visit in Goa
  • Hotels in Goa
  • Hotels in Jaipur
  • Hotels in Shimla
  • Hotels in Mumbai

Things To do

  • Things to do in Goa
  • Things to do in Mumbai
  • Things to do in Bangalore
  • Things to do in Delhi

Travel Inspiration

  • Visa on arrival for Indians
  • Honeymoon Places in india
  • Hill Stations in India
  • Weekend getaways in Mumbai
  • Weather in Delhi
  • Weather in Chennai
  • Weather in Bangalore
  • Weather in Mumbai

Best Beaches

  • Goa Beaches
  • Mumbai Beaches
  • Pondicherry Beaches
  • Kerala Beaches
  • Restaurants in Bangalore
  • Restaurants in Chennai
  • Restaurants in Pune
  • Restaurants in Jaipur
  • Hill Station near Delhi
  • Winter trip to Ladakh
  • Places to visit in Kerala
  • Winter Honeymoon Destinations
  • UK visa guide for Indians
  • Winter Trip to Manali
  • Vaishno Devi Yatra
  • Special Train Ticket Booking
  • HP inter-state Bus
  • Honeymoon Destinations India

Latest News

  • Wellness journey: Restorative and unforgettable spa experiences around the world

Congratulations!

You have been successfully added to the mailing list of Times of India Travel. To complete the subscription process, kindly open your inbox and click on the confirmation link which has been emailed to you.

Share with friends

Thank You for sharing! Your friend will receive the article link on email mentioned.

  • (For more than one recipient, type addresses separated by commas)

Reasons why your US visa can get rejected

The US visa application process requires attention to detail. Any mistakes or omissions in the application form can lead to delays or complete rejection. It’s important to go through the visa form car...

tourist visa india

IMAGES

  1. India tourist visa from the embassy in 2023: A complete guide

    tourist visa india

  2. Get 1 year Indian Tourist Visa from any Indian Embassy without Hassle

    tourist visa india

  3. Getting an India Tourist Visa for Multiple Entries

    tourist visa india

  4. Applying for a Tourist Visa to India

    tourist visa india

  5. How to Get Your India E Tourist Visa

    tourist visa india

  6. Indian Tourist Visa Requirements

    tourist visa india

COMMENTS

  1. India Visa Online

    Apply for a valid visa from an Indian Mission/Post or eVisa from Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs. Check the eligibility, requirements and fees for different categories of visa and visa on arrival options.

  2. Welcome to Embassy of India, Washington D C, USA

    Learn about the restoration of long duration (10 years) regular tourist visas for USA nationals and the discontinuation of e-tourist visas from 1st April 2022. Find out how to apply for fresh tourist visa from Embassy or online portal and the travel guidelines for India.

  3. Welcome to Consulate General of India, New York (USA)

    3. e-Visa has 5 sub-categories viz. e-Tourist Visa (for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years), e-Business Visa, ... FEVER VACCINATION CARD at the time of arrival in India, otherwise they may be quarantined for 6 days upon arrival in India. 13. You must travel on the Passport which you have applied for eVisa. Entry will be allowed into India on the new ...

  4. E-VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

    Ans- The validity of e-Visa would be according to the e-Visa service you have requested in the application form as - For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years), the validity would be 365 days / 05 years from the date of grant of ETA with Multiple entries and Maximum stay in India during one Calender Year should not exceed 180 days.

  5. India Visa Online

    Collect your passport/visa from. Indian Mission/Visa Application Center. or by post. Applicants may fill the online application form by going to the tab placed below. Once the form is filled and submitted, applicant must print the completed application form and sign and submit the physical copy along with the supporting documents and the ...

  6. Here's how to get a visa to visit India

    Learn about the visa requirements for India, from applying for an e-Visa online or through your local embassy to extending your stay and overland travel. Find out the fees, duration, validity and entry points for tourist visas, as well as the rules and options for non-tourist visas.

  7. Welcome to Embassy of India, Washington D C, USA

    Learn how to apply for e-Visa under different categories (Tourist, Business, Medical, etc.) at Government of India website. Find out the eligibility, requirements, and contact details for e-Visa services.

  8. How To Apply & Get An Indian e-Visa Online

    Learn everything about how to get an Indian tourist visa using the e-Visa India website, including fees, requirements, and steps. See examples of the application form and tips for a successful application.

  9. Indian E-Visa Information: What to Know and How to Apply

    Latest News as of September 2019 . Three types of e-Tourist visas are now available with validity of one-month, one-year and five-years. The one-month e-Tourist Visa permits two entries. The one-year and five-year e-Tourist visas allow multiple entries but are subject to limitations on length of continuous stay. The fee for the one-year e-Tourist Visa has been reduced, while the fee for the ...

  10. Visa Requirements for India

    Visa Requirements for India. All visitors need a visa for India, except citizens of neighboring Nepal and Bhutan. The Indian government has now introduced one-month, one-year, and five-year electronic visas for citizens of most countries. The e-visas are available for tourism, business, medical, and conference purposes.

  11. India Tourist Visa

    An India tourist visa is a travel document that permits foreign nationals to visit India for leisure, sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives, participating in short-term yoga programs, receiving brief medical treatment, and other non-business or non-employment purposes. This visa is suitable for individuals who wish to explore India's rich cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and ...

  12. India International Travel Information

    Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories.

  13. India tourist visa from the embassy in 2023: A complete guide

    The visa fee varies depending on the visa period, the embassy's location and the nationality. For example, the fee for a 10-year India visa for a US citizen applying from the US is $160 plus VFS charges. The fee for a 1 year India visa for Bangladesh nationals applying from Bangladesh is free of charge. —.

  14. India Tourist Visa: How to Apply For Tourist Visa to India?

    The five-year tourist visa must be applied for 120 days in advance from the proposed date of travel. India tourist visa status check. You can check the status of your India tourist visa by following the steps given below: visit the indianvisaonline website. enter your "Application Id" and "Passport Number". enter the Captcha accurately.

  15. Consulate General of India, San Francisco, California : E-Visa

    US$ 10.00. One year e-Tourist Visa. US$ 40.00. Five year e-Tourist Visa. US$ 80.00. 8. Bank transaction charges of 2.5% will be charged additionally on applicable e-Visa fees. The fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel otherwise application will not be processed.

  16. High Commission of India, London, United Kingdom : e-Tourist Visa

    GForeigners having e-Visa are travelling to India on a passport different from the passport mentioned on Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) issued to them. In order to facilitate such applicants it has been decided that such foreigners may be allowed entry into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport ...

  17. India Visa Fees

    Tourist Visa up to 1 year - Single and Multiple Entry. 11,982. 144. Tourist Visa 1 year to 5 years - Multiple Entry. 35,740. 430. Business Visa 1 year - Single and Multiple Entry. 17,870.

  18. India Visa Online

    Online India Visa Application allows the Applicant to upload a digital photograph of self to complete the regular visa application. The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following requirements: The height and width of the Photo must be equal. Photo should present Full face, front view, eyes open.

  19. Entry requirements

    Find out how to apply for a visa, get a regular or e-visa, and check the entry requirements for India from the UK. Learn about COVID-19 rules, passport validity, visa categories, penalties, registration, exit and vaccination requirements.

  20. Consulate General of India

    Consulate General of India was opened on 01st september 2006 in Melbourne to extend consular services and to augment cultural and economic relations between India and state of Victoria and Tasmania. ... e-Visa has 3 sub-categories i.e., e-Tourist visa, e-Business Visa and e-Medical visa. A foreigner will be permitted to club these categories.

  21. High Commission of India, Wellington, New Zealand : Apply for Visa

    4.1. Tourist visa: Note: A person of Indian origin, who does not possess an OCI card, spouse and children of such person must apply for Entry Visa instead of Tourist Visa since Entry Visa has far fewer restrictions than Tourist Visa. Details of Entry Visa are given at Sl. No. 4.2

  22. Visas

    When booking your visa appointment, you must ensure that you, or your representative, submit a properly completed DS-160 form (online visa application). A properly completed DS-160 form contains the complete and correct information (including name, gender, visa class, date of birth, passport number, et cetera.) for the applicant who will appear ...

  23. 21 Indians detained in Sri Lanka for working illegally while on tourist

    Sri Lankan authorities have detained 21 Indian nationals for illegally operating a computer-operated business in the island nation, violating the relaxed tourist visa norms, authorities said on Wednesday. The 21 Indian men in the age group of 24 to 25, who were in Sri Lanka on tourist visas, were detained on Tuesday by the Department of Immigration and Emigration, a senior immigration officer ...

  24. 21 Indian nationals detained for illegally operating ...

    Colombo: At least 21 Indian nationals were detained by Sri Lankan authorities for illegally operating a computer-operated business in the country, in violation of the relaxed tourist visa norms ...

  25. India Visa Online

    Online Portal for Visa Application to India. ... Visa Processing Time . Upon receipt of the Visa Application through Indian Visa Application Center or directly, the Indian Mission/ Post requires a minimum of three working days to process the case and issue a visa depending upon the nationality and excluding special cases.

  26. Visa Bulletin For April 2024

    The visa prorating provisions of Section 202(e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or dependent area when visa issuances will exceed the per-country limit. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. 4.

  27. Reasons why your US visa can get rejected

    The US visa application process requires attention to detail. Any mistakes or omissions in the application form can lead to delays or complete rejection. It's important to go through the visa ...