Different Types of Indian Visas on Offer for Varying Purposes

Since 01 April 2017, the Government of India introduced some vital changes to the types of Indian visas. Let’s discuss those changes in the following paragraphs. This will help you apply for the right Indian visa and avoid harassment.

Different types of visas that India offers: Entry visa or X visa

At present an X visa or Entry visa is sanctioned only to the following applicants:

• A foreigner of Indian origin

• Spouse and children of an Indian citizen or a foreigner of Indian origin

• Spouse and children of a foreigner, who is coming to India on a long-term  visa (like business visa or employment visa)

• Foreigners who are coming to India to join specific ashrams or spiritual communities (like the Auroville, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Missionaries of Charity and some Buddhist monasteries)

• Foreigners professionally partaking in international sporting events

It is important to note, you can’t work in India with an X-visa. The duration of your X visa can be extended in India and unlike a tourist visa, you don’t have to leave the country every 6 months. If you stay more than 6 months at a stretch, just register yourself at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office.

Employment Visa

This type of visas is meant for foreigners, who are working in India for organizations that are registered in India. Foreigners involved with volunteer work in India for lengthy durations are also granted employment visas. Previously they had to apply for X visas. Highly skilled foreigners coming to India to work particularly in the steel and power sectors are granted Special Project visas.

Usually, employment visas have a duration of 1 year or for the term of your contract with the organization registered in India. You can also get your employment visa extended in India.

In order to apply for an Employment visa, you need to submit a copy of your employment proof with the organization registered in India. Previously an applicant required to earn £18193 (or US$ 23,000) a year or above to apply for an Employment visa. This ceiling has been lowered now to facilitate foreigners to teach in various Central institutes for higher education. Exceptions are also offered to ethnic cooks, volunteers, teachers of non-English language, translators and the members of foreign embassies and high commissions.

Tourist visa

This type of visa is granted to people, who want to visit India:

• To meet friends and family

• For sightseeing or

• To attend yoga programs of short duration

Depending on an applicant’s nationality, tourist visas in India are granted for more than 6 months. But you can’t live in India for more than 6 months at a time on a tourist visa. It is important to note that if you apply for a fresh tourist visa within a month of expiry of the existing one, it may take about 45 days for the processing, which includes obtaining approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Government of India.

Staying abreast with the ongoing drive for digital India, they offer e-visa or electronic visa to citizens of most nations. This scheme allows you to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) online with greater ease. In the next step, you get a visa stamp upon arrival to enter the country. An ETA has a year-long validity and also allows you multiple entries. 

The ETA is applicable if you plan:

• To get short-duration medical treatment

• Partake in short-term yoga courses

• Casual visits or

• Attend conferences in the country

Previously, you had to apply for medical, student and business visas respectively for your intended visits. The e-visa is also applicable if you’re visiting India on a cruise ship.

Business Visa

India issues Business visas to foreign nationals to conduct business or explore business opportunities in India. This type of visas is slightly different from Employment visas. Unlike the Employment visa, you don’t need to be working for and earning remuneration from any Indian organization to get a Business visa.

An Indian organization needs to declare in a letter on its official letterhead that it intends to do business with you. Along with that the type of business, duration of stay, places to be visited and certain other information need to be mentioned too with the visa application.

Business visas are granted either for 5 or 10 years and allow multiple entries. But you can’t stay in India for over 180 days at a time without getting yourself registered at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

Intern visa or I visa

As per the previous norm, a foreign citizen was eligible for an Intern visa for pursuing an internship in any Indian organization. But now the rules have been amended or changed and you must meet certain conditions for your visa.  The gap between the completion of your graduation or post-graduation and the starting of the internship should not be more than 1 year.

The validity of the visa is either a year or the duration of your internship program, whichever is shorter. However, your Intern visa can be converted to any other type of visa including Employment visa.

Demand for Indian visas in the UK is steadily rising. In this circumstance, the changes in the Indian policy are most welcome.

Student Visa

Student visas are granted to foreigners, who want to come to India for long-term study at any recognized educational institution. If you want to study yoga, traditional Indian music, and dance or Vedic culture you’ve to apply for a Student visa.

The papers issued by your academy or institution related to your admission or registration to the course serve as the main document to get your Student visa granted. The maximum duration of student visas is up to 5 years but it is determined by your course duration. Your student visa can also be extended in India if need be.

Conference Visa

Conference visas are meant for delegates, who look forward to attending conferences in India that are organized by any government organization in India. You have to apply for a Business visa if you’re attending a conference organized by any private organization in the country.

Journalist Visa

Professional journalists and photographers visiting India on business should apply for Journalist visas. This type of visas allows you to travel to a particular region in the country or meet certain people easily. Duration of Journalist visas is 3 months but on the flip side, it’s very tough to get this category of visas from the Indian authorities.

Film visa or F Visa

If you are making any TV show or commercial film in India, you have to apply for a Film visa. This visa is valid for a year and is processed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) under the Government of India.  The visa takes about 60 days to get processed.  It is important to note that if you’re shooting a documentary film or an advertisement, you have to apply for a Journalist visa and not an F visa.

Medical visa

This kind of visa is issued to foreigners who look forward to getting long-term medical treatment in India. The treatments must be taken from renowned hospitals and specialized treatment centers.

Research visa

Research visas are meant for academic scholars and professors who’re looking forward to traveling to India for research-related works. These visas are tough to get sanctioned. There are lots of requirements to be fulfilled to get a Research visa sanctioned by the Indian authorities.

Transit visa

This range of visas is meant for visitors staying in India for less than 72 hours. You need a confirmed ticket for onward journey or journey back home to show as a document while applying for the visa. 

These are some of the common types of visas to India that UK citizens seek. For more information on any visa-related issue please feel free to contact us at Visa Genie – one of the most trusted visa agencies in London.