Indian Visa Information

General Requirements:

Original passport with your signature and at least 6 months of validity from the date of application. The passport should have at least 2 blank pages.

One original Indian Visa Application form per person, filled online, printed and signed, with one copy of the same. Your signature must be original on the printed visa application. Hand filled forms will not be accepted at the Visa Centers.

Two recent photographs of 2 x 2 inch (50 x 50 mm) with front view, plain/ light background (preferably white). Accessories like hats, caps and glasses are not allowed, unless required by religion.

Other documents:

Proof of Residence with the address mentioned in the Visa Application.

Driver’s Licence, ID or any other major utility bill.

Minors’ application should be supplemented with a copy of the birth certificate, copy of both parents’ signed passports, visa application with signature of both parents.

(information taken from – http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/aboutyourvisas.html )

General Information:

All foreigners, except citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, require a visa to enter India.

Visa fee is non-refundable even if the service requested has been modified or denied. Your Visa will be valid from the day it was issued. The validity period differs depending on the type of Visa granted to you. Foreign nationals planning to stay in India for more than 180 days are strongly advised to follow the required registration formalities offered by their nearest Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival in India.

Tourist Visa:
If your purpose to visit India is sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives, recreation or any other tourism related activity, then you should apply for a Tourist Visa. You are eligible for a Tourist Visa provided you do not have a residence or work in India. Any other activity related to business or work is not permitted on a tourist visa. Generally a Tourist Visa to India is issued for 3 – 6 months with single or multiple entry conditions mentioned specifically. Tourist visa cannot be transferred to another visa or extended further to another date.

Two months gap stipulation-
Tourist Visa limits the re-entry to India within a 2 months gap. This stipulation does not apply to other Visa categories, including PIO and OCI Card holders. If however, you do wish to re-enter India within 2 months of your last departure, you may apply straight at the High Commission of India and ask for permission. Once you have been granted the permission, you will be required to register yourself at the local FRRO/FRO within 14 days of arrival. For more information and download the application form visit http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/news.html

Processing Time:
Usually visa application processing time may vary from 2 days to 2 weeks, depending on the office concerned and mode of application. If the visa is applied by post, you must give at least 7-10 working days from the time of the receipt of the application. Please make your holiday package selection keeping in mind of these visa processing times. For more information – please visit the VFS Global Website.