India Travel Simplified
General Guidelines for those travelling to India
- The Citizens of India as well as foreigners are required to obtain Immigration clearance both at the time of arrival as well as departure to/from India.
- Grant of an Indian Visa/Visa Free Regime does not confer the right of entry which is subjected to the discretion of Immigration Authorities.
- Foreigners except certain categories who are travelling to India are required to hold a valid passport and valid visa. Certain foreigners may for one reason or another; travel on travel documents other than a proper national passport, or a Certificate of Identity. Such foreigners are required to hold a valid visa for entry into India.
- After due checks and capture of Biometrics (in case if required), the passports will be duly stamped.
- Foreign Nationals should enter India through Authorized Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) only.
- It is one’s responsibility to make sure that the Arrival/Departure seals get affixed on their passports. In case one misses to get their Passport affixed by us, please get in touch with the nearest FRRO or ICP to make sure the seal gets affixed and enjoy a hassle-free travel.
- Foreign Nationals (including OCI card holders) should, at all times, be in possession of a VALID PASSPORT and a VALID VISA. This applies for ENTRY into, STAY in and EXIT from India.
- Foreigners who are granted a particular type of visa with reference to the purpose of visit shall be required to strictly adhere to the purpose of visit declared while submitting the visa application.
- The stay stipulation for Foreign Nationals holding tourist visas is limited to a total aggregate stay of 180 days within a calendar year.
- Foreign Nationals can visit Protected, Restricted and Cantonment Areas only after obtaining requisite permissions.
- Foreigner granted any type of visa and OCI cards shall not be permitted to engage themselves in preaching religious ideologies, making speeches in religious places, distribution of audio or visual display/pamphlets pertaining to religious ideologies, spreading conversion etc. will not be allowed.
- Persons from Yellow Fever (YF) endemic countries (or if he/she has visited any Yellow Fever (YF) endemic country during past 6 days) will be required to possess a valid certificate of Yellow Fever vaccination from an authorized vaccination centre.
- Indians travelling from Nepal by Air are required to carry either a valid Indian passport or Original Indian Voter ID card with photograph issued by the Election Commission of India.
- If a person or attendant/ family members of the person is arriving from a country which is having public health risk with regard to any condition which has been declared as public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) by WHO DG, then he/ she may be required to undergo medical screening or additional measures as decided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Foreign Nationals travelling to India
Air Crew
Crew members of scheduled/non-scheduled flights operated by scheduled airlines, non-scheduled and chartered flights operated by non-scheduled airlines and special flights are required to obtain Business/e-Business visa for appropriate duration.
Travel Documents for Crew:
- Air crew members of scheduled airlines who operate scheduled services to, or through, India can enter India with the valid `Crew Member Certificate’ or `License’ issued by the country of registration of the aircraft in lieu of passport.
- In all cases of crew of non-scheduled airlines, chartered flights operated by such airlines and Special flights, visa should be endorsed on their national passport only and NOT on the crew member certificate.
Seamen
- Indian and foreign seamen who Sign On/Sign Off in Indian Seaport ICPs should be in possession of valid Passport and Seaman Book/Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC).
- Foreign Seamen who wish to join Foreign Run vessels in Indian Seaport ICPs should be in possession of Transit Visa.
- Foreign Seamen who wish to join Coastal Run vessels should be in possession of Business Visa or X-Misc. Visa with endorsement to join the Vessel or OCI card and Employment Visa in case of Project Crew joining Survey/Rig/Cable-laying/Seismic/Research Vessels etc.,
- Foreign Supernumeraries are not permitted to Sign Off in India without an appropriate visa.
- Shore Leave Pass (SLP) is issued to a foreign Seaman on a daily basis (0800 hrs to 2200 hrs) subject to maximum of 7 days or till the departure of the vessel, whichever is earlier.
- Foreign Supernumeraries are not eligible for Shore Leave Pass (SLP).
Business in India
Foreigners who intend to visit India to establish an industrial / business venture or to explore possibilities to set up an industrial firm/company (or) to attend technical meetings/discussions, Board/general meetings for providing business services support, for Consultations and other business-related activities should arrive on a Business visa.
Foreigners who are engaged in commercial sports events on contract (including coaches) like Indian Premier League, Indian Super League and Indian Badminton League etc., with remuneration are also required to be on a Business visa.
Important Guidelines:
- All Business Visa holders are required to register themselves with the FRRO/FRO concerned in case the aggregate stay in India on Business Visa exceeds 180 days during a calendar year.
- Business visa shall be extended only if the gross sales/turnover from the business activities, for which the foreigner has been granted visa, is not less than Rs. 1 crore per annum (to be achieved within 4 years of setting up of the business or from the date of initial grant of B visa, whichever is earlier).
- If the extension of Visa is denied, the foreigner shall leave India forthwith or expiry of the period of validity of the Visa.
- Foreigner should comply with all taxation rules pertaining to his business in India.
Medical Treatment in India
If a foreigner wishes to seek medical treatment in any of the established / recognized/specialized hospitals or any treatment centres providing medical treatment under the Indian systems of medicine, accredited by the Government of India, must arrive on a Medical Visa. Such Foreigners who accompany the patients or Medical Visa holders should arrive on a Medical Attendant visa.
Country-Specific Guidelines:
- Not more than two persons shall be given Medical Attendant visas in case of foreign nationals other than Pakistan and Bangladesh nationals.
- Only one medical attendant shall be allowed in case of Pak nationals.
- Three medical attendants shall be allowed in case of Bangladesh nationals.
- Pak nationals holding Medical/Medical Attendant visas are required to register themselves with concerned FRO within 24 hours of their arrival in India.
Key points to remember:
- Change of hospital / Place of treatment (endorsed on initial visa) shall be permitted only on case-to-case basis, subject to production of documentary proof justifying such change.
- Foreigners (other than Pak nationals) whose Medical/Medical Attendant visas are valid for more than 180 days should register themselves within 14 days of their arrival in India.
Study in India
Foreigners shall obtain an appropriate Student Visa if their objective is to pursue on-campus, full time structured courses or Research in any of the educational institutions duly recognized by the Government of India.
Foreigners who intend to study yoga, Vedic culture, Indian system of dance, music or Buddhist studies etc., at the institutions approved by Government of India are required to hold a Student (S-3) Visa.
Foreigners arriving in India to pursue internship in Indian companies, educational institutions, NGOs, foreign missions/posts in India and foreign Government Organizations are required to obtain a Student (S-6) Visa.
Important Guidelines:
- Foreigners who wish to apply to top Indian institutes which offer courses can register themselves for Study In India (SII) scheme. For more details, please visit https://studyinindia.gov.in
- Foreigners must ensure that they are not enrolled into any courses offered by franchise Educational Institutes running off-campus centres, Study Centres of Open Universities offering distance learning programmes, Educational Institutes running “outreach” programmes.
- Foreign students are required to open Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) Account in any of the recognized banks in India and the details to be furnished to the FRRO concerned.
- Foreigners on Student visa are must not involve in any Employment/Business activities in India.
- Foreign nationals (except Pak nationals) holding student visas valid for more than 180 days or as per the stay stipulation endorsed on their visa should register themselves with concerned FRRO within 14 days of arrival in India.
- Change of institution shall be allowed only if student has reasonable ground of insufficient infrastructure, paucity of facility, unavailability of the course of their choice or either of them.
- Student should obtain a Restricted/Protected Area Permit (RAP/PAP) in case his/her educational institution falls under any of the Restricted/Protected areas.
- In case of discontinuation of the course, foreigner should intimate the concerned FRRO immediately.
Tourism in India
If the foreigner’s (other than Pakistani national) sole purpose is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short-term yoga programme, short duration medical treatment etc., he/she should arrive in India on a Tourist visa.
Foreign Tourists of such countries eligible for availing Tourist visa and traveling in groups of not less than 4 members under the auspices of recognized Travel Agency should obtain a Group Tourist visa to visit India.
Important Guidelines:
- Maximum aggregate stay by a foreigner in India on an e-Tourist Visa or both should not exceed 180 days in a calendar year.
- Continuous stay stipulation limit applicable after arrival in India on e-Tourist/ Tourist Visa.
- e-Tourist/ Tourist visa shall not be extended and converted.
- Foreign national (other than a Pakistani national) coming to India on any type of visa will be allowed to avail activities permitted under Tourist Visa.
- Short term yoga programme means a yoga programme not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc.
- There shall be a gap of at least 2 (two) months between two visits to India on a Tourist Visa in respect of nationals of Afghanistan, China, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistan origin and Stateless persons.
Work / Employment in India
Foreigners who desire to work in India should arrive on a valid Employment visa. Employment visas will be issued to those who are highly skilled and are qualified professionals, and are being engaged or appointed by an Indian Company/Organization/Industry/Undertaking or foreign Company/Firm/Organization engaged in execution of any project in India.
Foreigners who intend to work with a Non-Profit/Non-Governmental Organizations on a voluntary basis with or without honorarium (up to a ceiling of Rs. 10,000 per month) are also required to obtain an Employment (E-3) Visa.
Foreigner employed in any sector should draw a gross salary in excess of Rs. 16.25 lakhs per annum. However, certain foreigners who are employed in such sectors as notified by the GOI from time to time will be exempted from this annual floor limit.
Keep in mind!
- A foreigner is required to enter India on a Business visa, if he/she is a promoter/owner of a company holding majority stakes/share holdings.
- No change of employer shall be permitted during the currency of the employment visa. If the foreigner desires to change the employer, he/she has to leave the country and apply for a fresh Employment visa.
- FRRO/ FRO concerned to be informed if the person discontinues the employment.
- The foreign national must comply with all legal requirements like meeting the minimum salary payment of tax liabilities etc.
Foreigners are not allowed to work for more than one company simultaneously on an Employment visa.
Visa Free Regime in India
Exemption from the requirement of an Indian visa or Visa Free Entry into India is available for the Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.
Maldives
Visa free entry can be availed by Maldivians whose purpose of visit to India is exclusively for Business/Medical treatment/Tourism and the stay in India does not exceed a period of 90 days.
Key points to note:
- Should be in possession of a valid Passport/Travel Document.
- The 90 days period will be inclusive of all prior stays in India during a period of 6 months immediately preceding the Date of your arrival in India.
- If the visit is for a period of more than 90 days, one should obtain a Regular visa.
- Sign-On facility shall not be available to those Seamen who avail Visa free entry.
Nepal and Bhutan
Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan visiting India from Nepal or Bhutan by land or air are exempted from the requirement of Passport and an Indian visa. However, they are required to hold any such Government approved document authenticating their Nationality which shall bear their Photograph along with information viz., Given Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, Nationality, Issuing Authority, Period of Validity etc.
Key points to note:
- Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan must be in possession of a valid Passport while entering/ exiting India from/ to a place other than their respective country.
- Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan must be in possession of a passport and visa for India if he/she is entering India from China, Macau, Hong Kong and Pakistan.
Visa on Arrival (VoA) in India
Visa-on-Arrival facility is available for the nationals of Japan, Republic of Korea and United Arab Emirates (UAE); who intends to visit India for a period not exceeding 60 days for Business, Tourism, Conference and Medical purposes.
In case of UAE nationals, VoA will be available only to those who had earlier obtained e-Visa or regular sticker/paper Visa of India.
VoA is not available to the Citizens of Japan, Republic of Korea and UAE if the foreigner or either of his/her parents or grandparents (paternal/maternal) were born in, or were permanent residents of Pakistan.
Foreigners can avail the facility of Visa-on-Arrival at the International Airports in Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.
Key points to remember:
- Visa-on-Arrival shall be valid up to 60 days with double-entry facility.
- VoA is non-extendable and non-convertible.
- VoA facility is not available to holders of Diplomatic/Official Passports.
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder
The Government of India had introduced the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card Scheme to benefit the Indian Diasporas in terms of connectivity with the motherland, hassle free travel to India, friendly investment regime and benefits in social, economic and educational fields.
Who is an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder?
A person is said to be an “Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder” if he/she is registered by the Government of India, under Section 7A of The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015.
Eligibility for registration as an OCI Cardholder
- Any person of full age and capacity:
- Who is a citizen of another country, but was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after 26.01.1950; or
- Who is a citizen of another country, but was eligible to become a citizen of India as on 26.01.1950; or
- Who is a citizen of another country, but belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947; or
- Who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or
- A person, who is a minor child of a person mentioned above; or
- A person, who is a minor child, and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India; or
- Spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI cardholder, whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application.
- Children born out of live-in relationship and IVF/Surrogacy are eligible for registration on case-to-case basis subject to merits of the case.
Who are not eligible for registration as an OCI cardholder?
- No person, who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as notified by Government of India, shall be eligible for registration as OCI cardholder.
- Foreign Military/Police Personnel (except Israelis) either serving or retired will not be registered as OCI cardholder.
- Foreign nationals who are undergoing compulsory military/police conscription at the time of application will not be eligible for registration during the period of such conscription.
- Foreign nationals, who are applying for OCI card on spouse basis, shall not be eligible if they have undergone/undergoing any military/police conscription.
- A foreign national holding Diplomatic Passport will not be registered as OCI cardholder.
Merger of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Scheme with OCI
The erstwhile Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card scheme has been rescinded by the Government of India and all the existing PIO cardholders shall be deemed to be Overseas Indian Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders. However, all persons who are still holding PIO cards are advised to apply for conversion of their PIO cards into OCI card through OCI Miscellaneous Services.
Surrender/Cancellation of OCI Card
- If the foreigner gets remarried to another foreigner/Indian, he/she should surrender the existing OCI card to the concerned FRRO/Indian Mission.
- If it is found that the registration as an OCI Cardholder was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact or the registered OCI Cardholder has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India or contravened any provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955, the registration of such person will be cancelled forthwith.
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