India’s allure as a tourist-friendly destination lies in its rich cultural diversity, historical wonders like the Taj Mahal, warm hospitality, diverse cuisine, spiritual retreats, and breathtaking landscapes. Affordable and vibrant, India offers a unique and welcoming experience for travellers. Bounded by the majestic Himalayan ranges in the north and edged by a spectacular coastline surrounded by three seas, India is a vivid kaleidoscope of landscapes, magnificent historical sites and royal cities, golden beaches, misty mountain retreats, colourful people, rich cultures and festivities. At any part of the year India can offer you a dazzling array of destinations and experiences. In summer, when the subcontinent is sizzling, there are spectacular retreats amidst the heady beauty of the Himalayas or the lush green heights of the Western Ghats with cool trekking trails and tall peaks to conquer stretches of white water for adventure seekers.
Eligibility
A Tourist visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short-term yoga programme, short-duration medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine etc. and other purposes/activities. Short term yoga programme means a yoga programme not exceeding 6
months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc.
Validity
The validity period of India’s tourist visa varies from country to country. Details validity arrangement is presented below:
- Multiple entry Tourist Visas may be granted for 10 years to the nationals of the USA, Canada and Japan with a stipulation that “continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days and registration not required”.
- In respect of nationals of other countries (except for nationals of 33 countries mentioned below), a multiple-entry Tourist Visa may be granted for 5 years as a default option. Grant of a 5-year Tourist Visa will be with the stipulation “Continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 90 days and registration not required”. However, in the case of nationals of the UK, continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days.
- In respect of nationals of 30 countries i.e. Iran, Egypt, Libya, Qatar, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Tunisia, Kuwait, Yemen, Algeria, Bahrain, Turkey, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Lebanon, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Belarus, Somalia, South Sudan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka, Duration of visa will be decided by the concerned Indian Missions/ Posts subject to a maximum of 5 years with the stipulation “continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 90 days and registration not required”
- In respect of nationals of Bangladesh and China, provisions as available in the bilateral agreements/ policy guidelines, as issued from time to time, will be applicable.
- In the case of foreign nationals of Pakistan origin, a Tourist Visa will be granted for 3 months with a single entry.
Tourist Visa Requirement to India
Individuals wishing to visit India for recreational purposes will have to present the following as they carry out their application:
- Visa application form duly filled online and signed Your form should be signed in the box under the photograph on page 1 and at the end of page 2 Your signatures should match with the signature printed on your passport.
- Original passport valid for a minimum of 6 months
- A photocopy of the data page of the passport
- Old passport, if any
- Two recent photographs of the size of 50mm X 50mm i.e. 2 inch x 2 inch with light background. Photos should be glued on your forms in the box provided on pages 1 and 2 of the online form.
- Introduction LetterInvite from the Indian host with contact details and a scanned copy of PAN/Aadhar card.
- Travel and Hotel Bookings (Detailed itinerary of places to be visited in India)
- Bank Statement for the last six months
- Local profile of the applicant as applicable (Letter from employer, professional documents, businessman to attach basic business documents)
How to apply
The visa procedure is usually completed in the consulate or Indian Embassy of the country applicant following these major steps:
Step 1: Complete and submit the online visa application form.
Step 2: Submit your application with the required documents at the Indian Visa Application Center or the Indian Mission.
Step 3: Collect your passport and visa from the Indian Mission/Visa Application Center or by post.
Tourist Visa fees
Visa Fee: US$ 252.00 including surcharge of US$ 2.00 payable with a debit card or at the visa application centers.
Restriction on a Tourist visa to India
Tourist Visa shall be non-extendable and non-convertible to any other type of visa except in specific cases. Regarding the conversion of Tourist Visas to other categories of visas, please see the general policy guidelines relating to Indian visas on the Indian Home Affairs website.
Repeat visits There shall be a gap of at least 2 (two) months between two visits to India on a Tourist Visa in respect of nationals of Afghanistan, China, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistan origin and Stateless persons. In case any foreign national falling in this category and who has not been issued a 5-year Tourist Visa at the discretion of the Mission is required to visit India again within 2 months after his/her last departure due to any exigent situation, such foreign national may be granted a fresh Tourist Visa.
Group Tourist Visa
Foreign tourists travelling in groups of not less than four members, under the auspices of a recognized travel agency can be granted a Group Tourist visa for group tourism in India. The Group Tourist Visa will be granted only on the online mode under the IVFRT. To avail of this facility, the travel agency concerned shall mandatorily fill in the applications online on the website www.indianvisaonline.gov.in. The Mission/ Post concerned will issue Group Tourist
Visa (T- 2) after necessary checks.