Every way into India.

Online tourist visa for recreation, sightseeing, casual visits to friends and relatives, short-term yoga programmes, short courses (language, music, dance, arts, cooking), short-duration voluntary work, and medical treatment including Indian systems of medicine. Three sub-variants exist: a 30-day double-entry visa (USD 25 from July to March, USD 10 from April to June), a 1-year multiple-entry visa (around USD 40), and a 5-year multiple-entry visa (around USD 80); fees vary by nationality and a 2.5% bank charge is added. The 1-year and 5-year variants permit a maximum aggregate stay of 180 days per calendar year; the 30-day variant is valid 30 days from first arrival. Apply online at least 4 days before arrival (up to 120 days ahead, 30 days for the 30-day variant). Not convertible to other categories and not extendable; the holder must leave and re-apply. FRRO registration is not required for tourist e-Visa stays.

Government fee

$25

Processing time

4 days

Max stay

180 days

Validity

365 days

Online business visa for foreign nationals visiting India to sell or purchase goods, attend meetings, set up an industrial or business venture, recruit staff, participate in exhibitions or trade fairs, give expert lectures, or serve as a buyer. Valid 365 days from the date of grant of the Electronic Travel Authorisation, with multiple entries; continuous stay during each visit must not exceed 180 days, and FRRO/FRO registration is required only if the aggregate stay exceeds 180 days in a calendar year. The fee depends on nationality (commonly around USD 80-100) plus a 2.5% bank charge. Apply online at least 4 days before arrival, up to 120 days in advance. It does not authorise employment or money-making business in India and does not convert to a residence status.

Processing time

4 days

Max stay

180 days

Validity

365 days

Online visa to attend a conference, seminar, workshop or similar event organised by a Government ministry/department, PSU, UN/specialised agency, or an officially approved private body. Valid 30 days from arrival with single entry; it cannot be clubbed with any activity other than tourism. Requires an invitation from the organiser plus mandatory political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (and, where applicable, event clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs). Apply at least 4 days before arrival, up to 120 days ahead. Fee varies by nationality plus a 2.5% bank charge. Not available to foreign government officials, who must use a regular Conference Visa.

Processing time

4 days

Max stay

30 days

Validity

30 days

Online visa for foreign nationals seeking medical treatment at recognised and reputed Indian hospitals or treatment centres, including under Indian systems of medicine. Valid 60 days from first arrival with triple entry. Up to two e-Medical Attendant visas may be granted to family members accompanying the patient against one e-Medical visa, with matching validity. The fee varies by nationality plus a 2.5% bank charge. Apply at least 4 days before arrival (up to 120 days ahead). Where treatment requires a longer stay, the patient must convert to or apply for a regular paper Medical Visa, which can be extended; FRRO registration is required for stays beyond 180 days.

• Family: Up to two attendants (e.g. spouse, close relative) via e-Medical Attendant visa.

Processing time

4 days

Max stay

60 days

Validity

60 days

For bona fide foreign students pursuing regular, full-time studies at a recognised Indian educational institution. Issued for the duration of the course up to a maximum of five years, multiple entry, and extendable in India through the FRRO. Full-time or part-time employment is completely prohibited. Students staying more than 180 days must register with the FRRO/FRO within 14 days of arrival. Dependants of student-visa holders may obtain a dependent Student Visa (S-X). Not available as an e-Visa; applicants apply on paper. There is no direct permanent-residence route; study time does not itself confer settlement.

• Study: Full-time study at the recognised institution named in the visa.
• Family: Dependants eligible for dependent Student (S-X) Visa, no work rights.

Processing time

7 days

Validity

1,825 days

For foreign nationals undertaking an internship with an Indian company, educational institution or NGO after completing graduation or post-graduation, where the gap between completing studies and starting the internship does not exceed two years. Valid for a maximum of 12 months (or the internship period, whichever is shorter) and renewable once for a further 12 months, with re-application required after a two-year gap before a fresh intern visa. Internships with companies require minimum remuneration of INR 7.80 lakh per annum; internships with educational institutions and NGOs have no minimum-pay floor. Grants are capped per Indian Mission (50 per year, 100 where the Indian-origin population exceeds one million). FRRO registration applies for stays over 180 days. No PR route.

• Work: Internship work only with the named host; not general employment.

Processing time

7 days

Validity

365 days

For highly skilled and qualified professionals engaged or appointed by an Indian company, organisation or NGO. The core requirement is a gross annual salary above USD 25,000; this floor is waived for foreign specialist chefs/ethnic cooks, non-English language teachers and translators, embassy staff, and is lower for certain teaching faculty (INR 9.10 lakh) and for honorary NGO work. The visa is normally granted multiple-entry for one year initially (or the term of the contract), extendable year-to-year in India up to a maximum of five years from initial issue, subject to good conduct, continued employment and income-tax filing. Holders staying over 180 days must register with the FRRO/FRO within 14 days of arrival. Not a direct path to permanent residence; long-term settlement runs through OCI eligibility for those of Indian origin.

• Work: Work only for the sponsoring employer/assignment named in the visa.
• Family: Dependants may obtain an Entry (X) Visa co-terminus with the employment visa.

Processing time

7 days

Validity

365 days

Min. income / month

$25,000

A dedicated category for highly skilled foreign engineers, technicians and specialists coming to execute projects in the power and steel sectors. It is sponsored by the Indian project company and tied to the specific project, with a validity linked to the project duration (commonly issued for one year and extendable, capped to the project term). It does not permit ancillary work outside the named project, and holders staying over 180 days must register with the FRRO/FRO within 14 days. No path to permanent residence; the visa ends with the project.

• Work: Only the named project in the power/steel sector; no other work.
• Family: Dependants may obtain a dependent Entry (X) Visa.

Processing time

7 days

Validity

365 days

Multiple-entry visa for foreign nationals establishing an industrial or business venture, making investments, travelling frequently for long-term business, recruiting manpower, attending board meetings, or serving as partners/directors of an Indian company. Indian missions can issue it for up to five years (up to ten years with six-month stay cap for US nationals); each continuous stay must not exceed 180 days, and shorter grants can be extended in India up to five years. Applicants must show financial standing and expertise, and the proposed business must be lawful; it does not permit money-making employment. Aggregate stays over 180 days in a calendar year require FRRO/FRO registration. Suited to investors and entrepreneurs rather than employees.

• Family: Family may apply for dependent Entry (X) Visa.

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

180 days

Validity

1,825 days

Family/entry visa for persons of Indian origin without an OCI card, for foreign spouses and dependent children of Indian citizens or of OCI/foreign nationals holding long-term Indian visas, and for certain people coming for purposes not covered by other categories. Typically issued multiple-entry for up to five years (often co-terminus with the principal's visa) and extendable through the FRRO; stays over 180 days require FRRO/FRO registration within 14 days. X-1 holders of Indian origin may take up employment (including with NGOs) without converting to an Employment Visa, on giving 10 days' prior notice to the FRRO. It is the standard dependent visa attached to Employment, Business, Student and Research visa holders. No standalone PR route, though Indian-origin holders may separately pursue OCI.

• Family: This is itself the dependent/family visa for spouse and children.

Processing time

7 days

Validity

1,825 days

For professors and research scholars wishing to pursue research in India, including at universities and recognised institutions. The competent authority for granting the visa is the Indian Mission/Post, but clearance is normally obtained from the Department of Education (or relevant ministry) before issuance, which lengthens processing. The visa period is restricted to the duration of the approved project or five years, whichever is less, multiple entry, extendable through the FRRO; holders staying over 180 days must register with the FRRO/FRO within 14 days of arrival. PhD scholars enrolled in a degree programme generally use a Student Visa instead. No direct permanent-residence route.

• Study: Research at the affiliated institution; degree PhDs use a Student Visa.
• Family: Dependants may obtain a dependent Entry (X) Visa.

Processing time

30 days

Validity

1,825 days

For professional journalists and photographers travelling to India for work, and for film crews making documentaries or films. Granted typically for up to three months' stay. Routine processing is a few days, but documentary/film projects require a two-step process: first a Government of India clearance (often 2-8 weeks) covering synopsis, treatment, locations, schedule, crew and equipment, after which the mission issues a 'No Objection' and the J visa, with customs permits for equipment. Journalists seeking to join an Indian media organisation as staff must instead apply for an Employment Visa. No path to residence; the visa is short-term and non-convertible.

• Work: Only journalistic/filming activity described in the application; not local employment.

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

90 days

OCI is India's principal long-term residence route for the global Indian diaspora (it is not citizenship and confers no voting rights). Eligible: people who were Indian citizens on/after 26 Jan 1950 or eligible to become so, those from territories that joined India after 15 Aug 1947, and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, plus foreign spouses of Indian citizens or OCI holders after two years of continuous marriage; descendants of Pakistani or Bangladeshi citizens are excluded. An OCI card grants a multiple-entry, multipurpose lifelong visa to live, work and study in India with lifelong exemption from FRRO registration, and parity with NRIs in many economic, financial and educational matters (excluding agricultural land purchase). The fee for fresh registration from outside India is USD 275 (INR 15,000 from within India). OCI holders may apply for Indian citizenship after five years as an OCI and one year of residence in India.

• Work: Live, work and study in India without a separate work permit (some restricted/research roles need permission).
• Study: Full study rights with NRI parity for admissions.
• Residency: OCI is itself a lifelong residence right; Indian citizenship possible after 5 years OCI + 1 year residence.
• Family: Spouse (2 years' marriage) and descendants may each hold their own OCI.

Government fee

$275

Processing time

60 days