India Visa - Rules & Regulations

The Government of India grants Tourist Visa to a foreigner who does not have a residence or occupation in India. The only purpose of visiting India should be recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives etc. Any activity other than the aforementioned ones is cognizable.

This visa is normally permitted for 6 months and is non-extendable and non-convertible. In case of extension request, it is decided as per the country of which applicant is citizen. As proof of financial status, the applicant is required to submit the required documents.

Tourists traveling in groups of not less than four members can be considered for allotment of collective tourist visa, only if the group is traveling under the patronage of a recognized travel agency.

In order to curb the abuse or misuse of Tourist Visa, Indian Government has issued certain instructions and restrictions, which are as follows:-

1. In case of foreign nationals holding Tourist Visas with multiple entry facility, there should be a gap of at least 2 months between two visits to the country on such a Tourist Visa.

2.If any foreign national is required to visit the country again within a period of 2 months of his last departure, for this special permission from the Mission / Post concerned needs to be received.

Consents on such requests are approved after duly considering the merits of each case.

In all such cases, the foreign national should register himself with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival. An endorsement to this effect will be made on the visa sticker.

3. If a foreign national applies for Tourist Visa frequently i.e within one month of expiry of the previous Tourist Visa, the Indian Missions/Posts abroad would refer such cases to MHA (Foreigners Division) for clearance before grant of fresh Tourist visa.

This restriction will not be applicable to PIO/OCI card holders and foreigners holding business, employment, student and other categories of visa.