(Newswire.net — September 13, 2018) — In the year 2017, the Government of India has introduced some critical changes in the types of visas issued for the traveler to India. U.S. citizen is eligible for visa on arrival to India for tourist visits. However, the official, business delegates, students and others need to apply for the corresponding visas based on the requirement and get it done to travel to India.
1. Tourist visa
As the most popular type of visa, tourist visas are liberally issued to people who want to visit India for a short term. Even though some tourist visas are granted for up to six months based on the nationality of the applicant, it will not extend more than six months in one entry through tourist visa. A rule was initially introduced as the two-month gap was mandatory between the visits on a tourist visa for next entry. Later it was taken off, but the process may take up to 45 days to get approved on applying for another tourist visa after the expiry of one.
2. e-Visa
India lately introduced a very popular e-Visa (electronic visa) for citizens of some countries. For example, visitors from the United States can apply online for Electronic Travel Authorization and then get the visa stamped only on arrival. e-Visa is valid for 60 days. Apart from tourism, the scope of short-term e-Visa was widened recently by including medical treatment, yoga courses, and causal business visits or conferences.
3. Entry visa
Entry visa or X-visa is issued to those who clearly don’t fall into any other specific categories of applicants (i.e., volunteers, etc.). However, as per the rule of now, X-visa is available only to the following types:
- A foreigner of Indian origin or spouse/children of a foreigner of Indian origin.
- Spouse or children of a foreigner visiting India on a long-term visa like business or employment visa.
- Foreigners are joining as volunteers in any spiritual communities like Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, Missions of Charities in Kolkata, etc.
- Foreigners are participating in international sporting events.
X-visa holders are not authorized to work in India.
4. Employment visa
Issued to foreign nationals who plan to work in India in any registered organization in the country. Special project India Visa is also issued to the highly skilled people coming to India to work in specialized industries. The duration of employment visas is usually one year or for the contract term. This can be extended without leaving the country.
5. Student visa
A student visa is issued to those who want to come to India to join any recognized educational institution for a long-term course. This also covers learning yoga, Vedic studies, or dance and music, etc. Student visas validity is based on the duration of the course or up to 5 years, which also can be extended if needed.
6. Intern (I) Visa
Previously, the foreigners who were coming to India for any kind of an internship had to apply for an Employment visa. However, they can now get an Intern visa; however, the time duration between completing their graduation or post-graduation of studies and the internship should not be more than a year. The validity of intern visa is limited to the specified internship duration or maximum one year.
7. Business Visa
Those who are planning for a business visit or exploring business opportunities in India can apply for business visas. This is different from the employment visa. Business visa applicants should have letters from the ventures which they want to do business with and also state the nature of industry and business to explore, as well as the duration of stay and places to visit.
8. Conference visa
These are issued to the delegates coming for different conferences in India conducted by any government organizations. Those who come for any conferences at the invitation of private institutions should apply for a business visa.
9. Journalist visa
Professional journalist and photographers who are visiting India for any media related purposes can apply for a journalist visa. These types of visas are issues usually for three months. However, these visas may be difficult to get and can only be issued to the neediest.
10. Medical visa
Medical visa, as the name suggests, is issued to those who are planning to take long-term medical treatment in India. The treatment must be significant as heart surgery, neurosurgery, joint replacement, organ transplant, plastic surgery, or gene therapy, etc. The people who accompany the patient can also get special Medical Attendant visas (for a maximum of two people). Those who are coming for short-term treatments can get an e-Medical visa.
Apart from these major types of visa, some other special purposes visas also include:
- Film (F) Visa – for those who plan to make a commercial movie or shoot a TV show in India.
- Transit Visa – The visitors who are planning to stay in the country for less than 72 hours only may get a transit visa. An airline ticket booking for an ongoing journey must be shown for a transit visa.
- Sports visa – to attend sporting events.
- Mountaineering visas – for adventure sporting events.
- Missionary visas – for members of missionary groups for their short-term works.
- Diplomatic visas – for diplomats visiting India for a shorter term.
Hope this guide helped you to understand various categories of Indian visas as specified by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
