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GETTING READY FOR INDIA TRAVEL
IMMIGRATION & PASSPORT
People of all countries, except Nepal & Bhutan, require a valid national passport, valid travel documents and a valid visa granted by Missions abroad for entering India. Citizens of Nepal or Bhutan do not need a passport or a visa but must possess suitable documents for their identification when coming from their respective countries. Pakistan and Afghanistan nationals are advised to apply for their visa much in advance of their intended travel as the procedure and formalities for processing their applications often takes longer than for other countries.
VISAS
Requirement for Visa: Foreigners wanting to visit India can do so after obtaining visa from the Indian Embassy in the country of their residence. They need to possess a valid National Passport.
Tourist Visas: Typically, a multi-entry visa, valid for a period of 180 days, is approved for the purpose of tourism. The visa is valid from the date of issue.
Collective Visas: Collective visas to group tours are also issued consisting of not less than four members and sponsored by a travel agency recognized by the Government of India. Such groups may break into smaller groups for visiting various places in India after obtaining a collective "license to travel" from the immigration authorities in India. Nonetheless, they must regroup and depart as the original group.
Transit Visas: Transit visas are given by Indian Missions abroad for a maximum period of 15 days.
Exemption from Registration: Foreigners visiting India on tourist visas for 180 days or for shorter periods are not required to register themselves with any authority in India. They can move about liberally in the country, except to restricted/protected areas and forbidden places.
Citizens of Bangladesh are exempted from registration up to six months. They need to register themselves if their stay exceeds six months,. Individuals without nationality (stateless persons; IRO refugees, persons receiving legal or political protection, need to possess valid passports, identity documents or sworn affidavits along with the visa for which they should apply two months in advance.
Landing Permit Facility : Tourists may take note that no Landing Permit Facility is available to any foreign tourist landing without a visa. A restricted facility exists only for group tours consisting of four or more members and sponsored by a travel agency recognized by the Government of India.
Children of foreigners of Indian origin below the age of 12 may be granted a landing permit by the immigration authorities up to 90 days period to see their relatives, in case they happen to visit without a visa.
Tourist Groups: A tourist group arriving by ship, air or by a scheduled flight may be granted a combined landing permit for a period of up to 30 days by the immigration authorities on landing, given the group is sponsored by a recognized travel agency and a pre drawn itinerary is on hand along with details of passport etc. of the members, and the travel agency takes the responsibility to conduct the group together.
Extension of Visa: No extension of stay is granted on a Tourist Visa as a rule.
Recreation : Foreigners wishing to take on any international sporting event, trekking, botanical expeditions, yoga, journalists, media men, documentary and feature film makers may acquire visas after due formalities from the Indian Embassy.