Going to India for leisure or visiting family or frineds and need to know the latest Indian tourist visa requirements, Indian tourist visa processing time or need to make an India visa appointment? Browse this India visa website to learn more.
India Visa Types
There are several types of Indian visas available and the visa type for India you need to apply depends on the purpose of your trip to India.
Finding out what type of India visa you need to apply for is actually a pretty easy process. You can apply for Indian visa if you are traveling for one of the following purposes:
- Indian Tourist Visa - India visa is issued to foreigners that wish to visit India, for a shorter period like 30 days within a 3-month period
- Indian Visitor Visa - Make it possible for non-Indian family members and friends that live outside of India to come to India and meet their parents, children, spouse or friends.
- Indian Business Visa - To participate in business related activities including attending or conducting meetings or conferences or training, installing equipment or performing other temporary services for a client, local affiliate or branch office in India.
- Indian Transit Visa - To transit through the airport or port in India
Other Indian Visa Types
There are other types of Indian visas available for non-Indian citizens to apply:
- Student Visa
- Journalist Visa
- Retirement Visa
- Permantent Resident Visa
- Work Visa
- Official Visit Visa
- Cultural, Film Crew & Sports Visa
- Merchant Seaman Visa
Indian Entry Visa Types
Single Entry visa for India: A single-entry visa allows its holder to enter India only once, within the given period of time, as mentioned in the visa sticker affixed to their passport. Once the visa holder exits the territory of India or visa region associated with India, he or she can no longer go back, even if they have not spend in India the number of days as permitted by the embassy that issued them the visa.
Double Entry visa for India: In general, a double-entry visa applies the same way as the single-entry visa explained above. The sole difference between a single-entry and a double-entry visa is that the second gives you the chance to go once more back to India
Multiple Entry visa for India: This type of visa allows the holder of the visa to enter India mutiple times with visa validity period.
Steps to Applying for Indian visa To apply for an Indian visa follow the steps given below:
- Check if you need to apply for an Indian Visa.
- Know when is the right time to apply!
- Figure out what type of Indian visa you need.
- Find out where you should lodge your application.
- Fill in the right Indian visa form.
- Collect the documents required for Indian visa.
- Make a visa appointment.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Submit your biometrics.
- Pay the visa fee.
Please Note: Please consult Indian embassy in your country as visa regulations for India can and often change overnight. In individual cases, additional documents required for Indian visa. We accept no responsibility as we have no affiliation with the embassy of India or their visa section.
Going for a visa interview at the embassy? The visa officer at the Indian consulate will look over your application and ask you questions if they wish to clarify anything. It is best to answer these questions honestly.
Typical questions asked at the India visa interview include:
- What is your purpose of your trip to India?
- Do you know anyone living in India?
- What is your current occupation?
- How long have you been in your current occupation?
- If you are a student, when will the studies finsh?
- How will you suuport yourself whilst in India?
- Have you ever travelled to other countries?
- Who will pay for your trip to India?
- What are your plans when you return from your trip?
- What will you do if your visa application is rejected?
- What is your marital status?
- Will you be involved in business in India?
Common reasons why your Indian visa application got rejected include:
- Lack of funds – you must be able to afford your trip India and you must provide documents to show that you can.
- Proof of accommodation not provided – you must be able to show where you will be staying in India and you can easily do this by providing a hotel reservation in India.
- The visa officer thinks you will not return to your home country – you must make it clear that you intend to leave India and return to your home country before the expiry of your visa. You can do this by providing documents that show you have ties where you live, such as an employment letter or proof that you own your home etc.
- No proof of residence – you must be able to prove that you can live in the country of your residence legally, so you must provide proof of residence.