Changes have been made in the type of Indian Visas by the Government of India in the recent times. The changes mainly comprise new restrictions that have been imposed in case of X (Entry) visas and Tourist visas to travel India. Every one loves India , Here is a detailed Visa information guide to help you in obtaining Indian visa and which visa type is offered to whom.
Medical Visa
Medical visa is given to people who are seeking specialized medical treatment in renowned and specialized hospitals in India. People who are seeking treatment for ailments that include cardiac problems, organ transplantation, neurosurgery, congenital disorders, renal disorders, joint replacement, plastic surgery, gene therapy, radio therapy and gene-therapy to name a few. Along with the patient, two other family members or people from blood relations are provided with such type of visa. Medical visa is valid up to the time the treatment lasts or for a year, whichever is lesser and this visa allows maximum 3 visits in a year. The validity of the visa starts from the day of issuance.
Journalist Visa
Journalist Visa, as the name suggests is granted to those who are professional photographers or journalists wants to visit India for the purpose of making any kind of documentary or film or for any kind of contact with the Indian Press. With journalist visa, one gets access to visit a particular region of country or an individual. All that is required for this type of Visa is that he/she should be employed by a media company or if one has listed his/her occupation as photographer or journalist. Such type of visa is granted for duration of 3 months.
Business Visa
Business Visa is restricted to only those people who would want to visit India purely for the purpose of business, which include starting business contacts on behalf of any foreign company or for making sales. However, there are certain conditions that have been imposed and on fulfillment of those conditions, Business visa is granted. The conditions include that any person applying for Visa in this category should be a person of guaranteed financial reputation as well should have knowledge in the field of the anticipated business. The applicant should ensure that he/she is not visiting India for business related to inconsequential trading or money lending or for the purpose of full-time employment in India where payment of salary is involved. Business visa is granted on the basis of instructions given by the Government, which is on the base of timely reciprocity with other nations. The applicant must obey the requirements such as tax payment. It is only issued from the country where one originally belongs to or from the domicile country with a condition that the applicant is a permanent resident of that particular nation for a period of more than 2 years. This visa is valid for a year with several visits and each visit should not exceed the time span of 6 months.
Tourist Visa
Tourist Visa is only granted to those foreign nationals who does not have any residence in India or does not have any employment in India and those whose sole purpose of visit is sightseeing, casual visit to meet relatives and friends and leisure. No other activity is permissible on a tourist visa. In general, tourist visa is granted for three months to six months with single, double or multiple entries and is non-extendable and non-convertible. The extent of the visa is depends on the Issuing Authority. One thing that needs to be noted that if one applies for another visa within a month of its expiration, processing may take up to 45 days as approval needs to be taken from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Students Visa
Students Visa, as the name indicates is given only to those who visit India for the purpose of pursuing studies from a recognized institution. This type of visa is granted also to those who want to study Indian Dance and Music, Yoga and Vedic culture. The duration of this type of visa is of up to 5 years or depends on the duration of the course, whichever is earlier. However, the duration of this type of visa can as well be extended, which is at the sole discretion of the Issuing Authority. Important documents that is required for applying for Students Visa is admission and registration papers from the institution.
Entry of X Visa
Entry Visa is granted for a specific purpose, which include short term courses, honorary internships or other non-business related purposes. This Visa is generally applied by those who does not fall in any of the categories and in the year 2010 this type of visa was only granted to an individual who is of Indian origin and is presently a citizen of a foreign nation, children and spouse of an individual who of Indian origin as well as to spouse and children of foreign nationals who visits India for a long term visa that include business and employment visa.
Research Visa
Research Visa is granted to those who want to visit India for the purpose of research. This type of visa is granted mainly to Scholars or Research Professors, who desires to visit the country to carry out research work. This type of visa is restrictive and necessitates lot of paper work and documents. Applicant needs to send an application to the Department of Education, which is then approved by Ministry of Human Resource Development. Applications for this type of visa should be sent atleast 6 weeks before the date of departure as the approval takes about 3 months. The validity depends on the discretion of the Issuing Authority, which might even clash with the period of the research work.
Employment Visa
Employment Visa is granted to those foreign nationals who are either an employee of an Indian Company or for a company registered in India or those who desire to work as an intern or volunteer in India. This type of visa is granted for a year or depends on the time of contract, which can be extended, while in India. Further extension up to 5 years could be obtained from MHA / FRRO in the concerned state in India. Applicants need to provide proof of employment with the concerned organization or company and the applicant’s must earn at least $25,000 per annum or more. However, this rule is not applicable to applicants who are volunteers, translators, members of Foreign High Commissions and Embassies, ethnic cooks and non-English language teachers.
Transit Visa
Transit Visa is issued to those who are required to spend less than 72 hours in India during transit from one nation to other. If someone wants a halt in India for more than 72 hours can apply for Tourist Visa. For applying for Transit visa requires furnishing of confirmed airline booking for onward journey.
Conference Visa
Conference Visa is issued to representative, ambassadors, agents, etc. who will visit India for attending international conference on certain subjects, which is offered by the Government of India. However, for attending conferences organized by private organizations, conference visa cannot be applied rather business visa should be applied.
Medical Visa
Medical visa is given to people who are seeking specialized medical treatment in renowned and specialized hospitals in India. People who are seeking treatment for ailments that include cardiac problems, organ transplantation, neurosurgery, congenital disorders, renal disorders, joint replacement, plastic surgery, gene therapy, radio therapy and gene-therapy to name a few. Along with the patient, two other family members or people from blood relations are provided with such type of visa. Medical visa is valid up to the time the treatment lasts or for a year, whichever is lesser and this visa allows maximum 3 visits in a year. The validity of the visa starts from the day of issuance.
Journalist Visa
Journalist Visa, as the name suggests is granted to those who are professional photographers or journalists wants to visit India for the purpose of making any kind of documentary or film or for any kind of contact with the Indian Press. With journalist visa, one gets access to visit a particular region of country or an individual. All that is required for this type of Visa is that he/she should be employed by a media company or if one has listed his/her occupation as photographer or journalist. Such type of visa is granted for duration of 3 months.
Business Visa
Business Visa is restricted to only those people who would want to visit India purely for the purpose of business, which include starting business contacts on behalf of any foreign company or for making sales. However, there are certain conditions that have been imposed and on fulfillment of those conditions, Business visa is granted. The conditions include that any person applying for Visa in this category should be a person of guaranteed financial reputation as well should have knowledge in the field of the anticipated business. The applicant should ensure that he/she is not visiting India for business related to inconsequential trading or money lending or for the purpose of full-time employment in India where payment of salary is involved. Business visa is granted on the basis of instructions given by the Government, which is on the base of timely reciprocity with other nations. The applicant must obey the requirements such as tax payment. It is only issued from the country where one originally belongs to or from the domicile country with a condition that the applicant is a permanent resident of that particular nation for a period of more than 2 years. This visa is valid for a year with several visits and each visit should not exceed the time span of 6 months.
Tourist Visa
Tourist Visa is only granted to those foreign nationals who does not have any residence in India or does not have any employment in India and those whose sole purpose of visit is sightseeing, casual visit to meet relatives and friends and leisure. No other activity is permissible on a tourist visa. In general, tourist visa is granted for three months to six months with single, double or multiple entries and is non-extendable and non-convertible. The extent of the visa is depends on the Issuing Authority. One thing that needs to be noted that if one applies for another visa within a month of its expiration, processing may take up to 45 days as approval needs to be taken from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Students Visa
Students Visa, as the name indicates is given only to those who visit India for the purpose of pursuing studies from a recognized institution. This type of visa is granted also to those who want to study Indian Dance and Music, Yoga and Vedic culture. The duration of this type of visa is of up to 5 years or depends on the duration of the course, whichever is earlier. However, the duration of this type of visa can as well be extended, which is at the sole discretion of the Issuing Authority. Important documents that is required for applying for Students Visa is admission and registration papers from the institution.
Entry of X Visa
Entry Visa is granted for a specific purpose, which include short term courses, honorary internships or other non-business related purposes. This Visa is generally applied by those who does not fall in any of the categories and in the year 2010 this type of visa was only granted to an individual who is of Indian origin and is presently a citizen of a foreign nation, children and spouse of an individual who of Indian origin as well as to spouse and children of foreign nationals who visits India for a long term visa that include business and employment visa.
Research Visa
Research Visa is granted to those who want to visit India for the purpose of research. This type of visa is granted mainly to Scholars or Research Professors, who desires to visit the country to carry out research work. This type of visa is restrictive and necessitates lot of paper work and documents. Applicant needs to send an application to the Department of Education, which is then approved by Ministry of Human Resource Development. Applications for this type of visa should be sent atleast 6 weeks before the date of departure as the approval takes about 3 months. The validity depends on the discretion of the Issuing Authority, which might even clash with the period of the research work.
Employment Visa
Employment Visa is granted to those foreign nationals who are either an employee of an Indian Company or for a company registered in India or those who desire to work as an intern or volunteer in India. This type of visa is granted for a year or depends on the time of contract, which can be extended, while in India. Further extension up to 5 years could be obtained from MHA / FRRO in the concerned state in India. Applicants need to provide proof of employment with the concerned organization or company and the applicant’s must earn at least $25,000 per annum or more. However, this rule is not applicable to applicants who are volunteers, translators, members of Foreign High Commissions and Embassies, ethnic cooks and non-English language teachers.
Transit Visa
Transit Visa is issued to those who are required to spend less than 72 hours in India during transit from one nation to other. If someone wants a halt in India for more than 72 hours can apply for Tourist Visa. For applying for Transit visa requires furnishing of confirmed airline booking for onward journey.
Conference Visa
Conference Visa is issued to representative, ambassadors, agents, etc. who will visit India for attending international conference on certain subjects, which is offered by the Government of India. However, for attending conferences organized by private organizations, conference visa cannot be applied rather business visa should be applied.
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