India

 

There are various categories of visa programs under which a candidate can apply for a permit to visit and reside in India. 

 

Indian tourist visas are designed to allow foreign nationals to travel to India for a limited period for the purposes of tourism or to visit family and friends.

 

A successful Indian tourist visa will usually result in a maximum stay in India of up to six months. However, this is not a fixed duration and the validity of Indian visas of this kind may vary according to the nationality of the applicant. 

 

Tourist visas, often known as a travel visa, visit visa or visitor visa, may be granted to an individual or, where groups of more than four people are travelling together, a collective tourist visa may be issued.

As with visit visas in other destinations, India visa holders are not permitted to work during their time in India and permits of this kind cannot be extended or converted.

 

An Indian Transit visa is also available for applicants who only need to travel to India en route to another final destination. It remains valid for 15 days in order to transfer through the country. To successfully apply for an Indian visa of this kind, it will be necessary to provide evidence of onward travel i.e. tickets.

 

Indian business visas are designed to allow foreign nationals temporary immigration to India for a short period in order to partake in business related activities. 

 

Immigration law requires candidates to fulfil the following criteria:

 

• All applications must include a current passport with a minimum of six months validity. The passport must also contain at least two blank pages. 

 

• A fully completed and signed application form must be submitted, accompanied by the appropriate fee and two passport sized photos. Where applications are being made by Pakistani nationals’ five photographs will be required and it may be necessary to undergo an interview. 

 

• Applications must include a letter from a sponsoring Indian company as well as an introductory letter from the employer in the applicant's country of residence. This letter must give details of the purpose, location and projected duration of the visit. The company in question must take responsibility for expenses incurred by the applicant. 

 

In India, visas of this kind are granted for up to five years and may be valid for a single-entry or for multiple entries.

Business visas allow their holders to attend conferences, engage in negotiations and undertake fact finding missions with regard to potential buyers and suppliers.

 

This business visa does not allow a person to seek employment in this country. 

 

In India, work permits, often referred to as employment visas can be issued either to skilled professionals or to people immigrating to India to fill a specific position for a named company. Both employer and employee can apply for a work permit in India. In India, visas can be applied for by employees of a foreign company who need to transfer to an Indian branch of the same organisation.

 

The Intra Company Transfer is designed to allow the movement of crucial employees between international branches of a company.

 

Indian student visas allow a foreign national to study in India and are issued either for the duration of the course of study being undertaken or for a maximum period of five years. Whilst the duration granted is based upon the length of the course, there is no limit to the amount of consecutive courses of study that can be undertaken under a single grant. The essential requirement for a study visa is an unconditional offer of admission to a recognised Indian educational institute.

 

Medical visas in India are also referred to as M visas. This type of visa is issued to foreign residents willing to visit this country for medical treatments. It is not meant for permanent residency but issued only for a short stay in the country. Indian medical visas remain valid for a period of 1 year. If necessary a medical visa holder can extend its validity.