Different Types of India Travel Visas Explained

India boasts of cultural abundance, variety of terrain and spirituality that travelers all over the world have always admired. You may want to visit the magnificent forts in Rajasthan, a business meeting in Mumbai and medical treatment in Delhi, the right travel visa is what you need in order to enter the country legally. It is essential to understand the Types of India Travel Visas so that you get a smooth as well as an organized journey.

Indian government provides a broad range of visa categories which are differentiated with reference to their purposes, hence, it is important to understand the type of India visa available to your travel needs. Be it tourist visa, business visa, medical visa, or student visa, there are different requirements, duration, and meets the eligibility criteria of each visa. Thus, having a guess on how many types of visas are there in the India, this blog is your complete guide.

Here are the Types of India Travel Visas

1. Tourist Visa

• The visa most issued is the Tourist Visa to the leisure traveler. It enables foreigners to visit India to sight see, to have holidays or to meet friends and relatives. It is usually issued in 3 months-10 years (up to the limit of stay on the basis of nationality) and does not allow any form of business or professional activity.
• Length: Not more than 180 days per visit
• Renewable: No, you have to apply again at home country

This is one of the Types of India Travel Visa, which is most appropriate to casual travelers.

2. e-Tourist Visa

• The e-Tourist Visa (eTV) was introduced to make it easier when it comes to visas, and it can be made available to any citizen of more than 160 countries. It is an internet visa application which allows entry based on tourism reasons.
• Validity: 30 days (45 short), or 1 year with several entries
• Processing Time: 3 to 5 business days
• Which Indian visa is the easiest one to obtain? E-Tourist Visa is the most popular and convenient visa to obtain by tourists which is widely considered to be the easiest.

3. Business Visa

• Business Visa is issued to those people, who want to investigate the possibilities of doing business, to meet business partners, or to develop partnership relations in India. It needs a letter of invitation by an Indian company.
• Validity: Six months to five years, and multiple entries
• Limits: No wages or work can be done
• Requirement: Evidence of financial soundness and definite business agenda

This is a suitable visa to the entrepreneurs and investors interested to venture in India, which has a prosperous market.

4. Medical Visa

• The medical tourism in India is gaining popularity because of the high standards of healthcare in India at low costs. Medical Visa is issued to a person who requires treatment in well known wellness centers or hospitals.
• Validity 6 months
• Extension: In some instances it can be extended
• The Required Documents: Medical reports and appointment letters of Indian hospitals
• This is categorized under the Types of India Travel Visas to India that is meant to serve healthcare purposes.

5. Student Visa

• The Student Visa is issued to international citizens who would like to get an education in India and is issued to people who are studying in the educational establishments that are recognized.
• Duration: It depends on the course of study time
• Renewable: Yes, on basis of course duration
• Requirement: An admission letter of a certified Indian Institution

6. Employment Visa

• In case you have acquired a job in an Indian company then you may apply through an Employment Visa. This is a visa intended to embrace foreign professionals who come to work or operate projects in India.
• Validity: A year, or as long as contract lasts
• Renewable: Yes
• Required Documents: Agreement of employment, testament about proficiency

7. Conference Visa

• This visa is issued to the delegates who want to attend the international conference in India but in order to receive this visa, the organizer is required to issue an invitation.
• Validity: 30 days maximum
• Limitations: During the conference only

8. Journalist Visa

• This is meant to be aimed at professional journalists, photographers and media professionals who visit India to either document or cover some events.
• Validity: Mostly 3 months
• Special Permission: This is necessary in areas that are restricted to be filmed in.

9. Transit Visa

• This visa enables the travelers to transit India on their way to another place.
• Validity: 15 days
• Eligibility: Have to demonstrate onward travel

10. Intern Visa

• It is also aimed at individuals who want to do an internship with any of the Indian companies or organizations. It is not similar to the Employment Visa.
• Validity Duration internship or up to 1 year
• Terms: Has to start within a year after the graduation

Which India Visa is Easiest to Get?

The e-Tourist Visa and the Tourist Visa are the easiest to acquire among the others. They do not need much documentation, are electronic and take a shorter time to process. These visas are best applied in case of short visits with intention of leisure or casual visit.

How Many Visa Types Are There in the India?

wondering the number of visas types are there in the India then, it is to be answered that India has more than 10 different categories of visas that are available to suit particular traveling needs like tourism visa, business visa, study visa, medical visa and so on. Also, it has such sub-categories, as Entry Visa (relatives of an Indian citizen), Research Visa, and Project Visa, etc.

FAQ

Q1. Is it possible to change my tourist visa to work one in India?

A: No, in India you can not convert the tourist visas to any other type. You have to leave and get new visa in your mother country.

Q2. What are the required documents in Business Visa?

A: A business visa needs a business invitation letter by an Indian company, an evidence of business operations and financial papers to justify the stay.

Q3. What is the waiting time of the e-Tourist Visa?

A: When it is applied online, it typically can be done in 3-5 working days. Nevertheless, one should be recommended to apply at least a week beforehand.

Q4. Does India have visa-on-arrival?

A: No, India is not providing visa-on-arrival to the majority of nationalities. E-Visa system is however available to more than 160 nations.

Q5. Is it possible to renew my India visa?

A: It is possible to extend some India visa from Oman types such as a medical visa or student visa in some extenuating conditions but, a tourist visa can not usually be extended.

Q6. Are children exempted to travel to India?

A: Yes, all travelers, irrespective of their age, need to possess personal visa in case they want to enter India.

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