| Visa |
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Foreign nationals desirous of coming to India are required to possess valid passport of their country and a valid Indian Visa.
The Consular Passport and Visa (CPV) division of the Ministry of External Affairs is responsible for issuance of Indian Visas to the foreign nationals for their visit for various purposes. This facility is granted through various Indian missions abroad.
There is no provision of ‘Visa on Arrival' India and no fee is charged for immigration facilities at the airports. Foreign passengers should ensure that they are in possession of valid Indian Visa before they start their journey to India, except nationals of Nepal and Bhutan who do not require visa to enter India and national of Maldives who do not require visa for entry in India for a period of up to 90 days (a separate visa regime exists for diplomatic/official passport holders).
An immigration check is done for all passengers Indians of foreigners, both at the time of arrival and departure. The passports are duly stamped at arrival as well as departure. Passengers should be careful to see that their passports are duly stamped before leaving the immigration counter. |
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| Type of Visas |
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| Following visas are available from the Indian missions abroad: |
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| Tourist Visa |
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Normally given for six months but sometimes specifically depends on the country of residence. The applicant is required to produce/submit documents in proof of his financial standing. Tourists travelling in groups of not less than four members under the auspices of a recognised travel agency may be considered for grant of collective tourist visa. |
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| Business Visa |
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Valid for one or more years with multiple entries. A letter from the sponsoring organisation indicating nature of business, likely duration of stay, places and organisations to be visited, incorporating there in a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses, etc. should accompany the application. |
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| Student Visa |
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Are issued for the duration of the academic course of study or for a period of five years, whichever is less, on the basis of bonafide letters of admission from Universities/recognised colleges or educational institutions in Indian. Change of purpose and institutions are not permissible. |
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| Transit Visa |
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| Are issued for a maximum period of 15 days with single/double entry facilities to bonafied transit passengers only. |
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| Visa to Missionaries |
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| Are valid for single entry and duration as permitted by Government of India. A letter in triplicate from the sponsoring organisation indicating intended destination in India, probable length of stay, and nature of duties to be discharged should be submitted along with guarantee for applicant's maintenance while in India. |
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| Journalist Visa |
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Are issued to professional journalists and photographers for visiting India. The applicants are required to contact on arrival in New Delhi, the External publicity Division of the Ministry of External Affairs and in other places, the office of the Government of India's Press Information Bureaus. |
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| Conference Visa |
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Are issued for attending conferences/seminars/meetings in India. A letter of invitation form the organiser of the conference is to be submitted along with the visa application. Delegates coming to attend conferences may combine tourism with attending conferences. |
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| Employment Visa |
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Are issued to skill and qualified professionals or persons who are engaged or appointed by companies, organisations, economic undertakings as technicians, technical experts, senior executives, etc. Applicants are required to submit proof of contract/employment/engagement of foreign nationals by the company or organistion. |
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| Extension of Visas |
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| Following documents are required for extending visas in case of: |
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| Employment Visa |
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• Request letter from the company
• Copy of contract with the company
• Company registration with whom he/she is working |
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Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRRO) can convert the category of the visa from Tourism to Entry visa in case of foreigners of Indian origin and grant extension upto 5 years with multiple entry facility. For other foreign nationals, only Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is empowered to convert the category of the visa. |
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| The powers of visa conversions and visa extensions to foreigners present in Indian, vests with the MHA. For this purpose the foreigners can approach the following: |
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The charge of visa status from one category to another category is normally not allowed. It can be considered by MHA only in extraordinary circumstances. For this purpose, the foreigner should normally come in person to the office. In exceptional cases and where allowed, a duly authenticated representative may be sent. Foreigners not residing in Delhi may approach the FRRO/Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO)/Foreigners Registration Officers (FROs) concerned who would forward their case in MHA for approval. Applications for extensions/conversions should be made well in advance. |
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For the convenience of the foreigners, however, the FRROS/CHIO/FROs are empowered to make extensions/conversions for certain types of visas without referring the same to MHA. The details of such powers vested with FRROs etc. are: |
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• In case of foreigners of Indian origin/foreigner married to Indian citizen/foreigner staying in India for more than 20 years, extension can be given on entry visa by FRROs for a period of 5 years.
• FRRO can grant 15 days extension of stay on all types of visas on production of confirmed ticket for departure.
• For research visa holders: FRRO can extend the visa on the accreditation of the Ministry of Human Resource Development till the completion of research work. |
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| Restricted/Protected Areas |
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| In certain areas of the country tourist movement is restricted or not allowed due to various security and other reasons. These areas are as follows: |
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• Whole of Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Whole of state of Manipur
• Whole of State of Mizoram
• Whole of State of Arunachal Pradesh
• Whole of State of Nagaland
• Parts of State of U.P.
• Parts of State of J&K
• Parts of State of Rajasthan
• Parts of State of Himachal Pradesh
• Parts of State of Sikkim
• Power to issue permit to foreigners for visiting the restricted/protected areas vests with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). However, FRRO/FRO/CHIP have been delegated these powers in respect of some specified areas. |
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| Visa Fees |
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| Visa Fees Categories: |
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• Rs. 1,860 (US$ 40) All kinds of visa other than transit and student visa valid up to 6 months (multiple entry)
• Rs. 3,005 (US$ 65) All kinds of visa other than transit and student visas valid fir over 6 month and up to 1 year (multiple entry)
• Rs. 6,050 (US$ 130) All kinds of visa other than transit and student visas valid for over 1 year and up to 5 years (multiple entry)
• Rs. 470 (US$10) Transit visa (valid for 15 days-single/double entry)
• Rs. 3,490 (US$ 75) Student visa (valid for the duration of the course or for a period of 5 years, whichever is less–multiple entry)
• Rs. 1,395 (US$ 30) Overstay or Late Registration Charges
• Rs. 1,860 (US$ 40) Services charges in case of Russians (No Visa Fees)
• Rs. 135 VISA fee for single entry for Sri Lankans
• Rs. 270 VISA fee for double entry for Sri Lankans
• Rs. 405 VISA fee for multiple entry for Sri Lankans
• Rs. 390 VISA fee for Japanes
• Rs. 300 Services Charges for Romanian nationals (No Visa fees) |
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| Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO's) |
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FRRO Delhi
Tel: 011-26711384
Fax: 011-26711348
Email: frrodelhi@hotmail.com
Address: East Block–VIII, Level-II, Sector-I, RK Puram, New Delhi - 110 066 |
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Airport FRRO
AFRRO (Departure): Tel: 011-25652389
AFRRO (Arrival): Tel: 011-25696075
Foreigners Registration: Tel: 011-26711443
Office Address & Tel: East Block – VIII, Level-II, Sector-I, RK Puram, New Delhi – 110 066 |
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FRRO, Mumbai
Tel: 022-22621169
Fax: 022-22620721
Email: dcpsb2.frro@indiatimes.com
Address: 3rd Floor, Special Branch Building, Badruddin Tayabji Lane, Behind St Xavier's College, Mumbai - 400 001
AFRRO (Departure/Arrival)
Airport Tel: 022-26829335 |
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Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai
Tel: 044-28240338
Address: Shastri Bhawan, 26, Haddows Road, Chennai - 600 006
SIO (Departure/Arrival)
Airport Tel: 044-22560311 |
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Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Kolkata
Tel: 033-22470549
Address: 237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata - 700 020
AFRRO (Departure/Arrival)
Airport Tel: 033-25208100 |
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Foreigner Regional Registration Officer, Amritsar
Tel: 0183-2508250
Address: 23-D, Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar - 143 001
AFRRO (Departure/Arrival)
Airport Tel: 0183-2592986 |
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| Duty Free |
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Allowances and Entitlements for Tourists Articles Allowed Free of Duty |
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Used personal objects and travel souvenirs, if these goods are for personal use of the tourist, and these goods, other than those consumed during the stay in India, are re-exported when the tourist leaves India for a foreign destination.
Import of cigarettes, cigars and tobacco products and alcoholic drinks, as baggage within the duty free allowances is permissible in the following limits: |
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• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gms of tobacco
• Alcoholic liquor and wine up to 1 liter each |
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| Import of Foreign Exchange |
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Any person can bring into India from a place outside India foreign exchange without any limit. However, declaration of foreign exchange/currency is required to be made in the prescribed Currency Declaration From in the following cases: |
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• Where the value of foreign currency notes is US$ 5,000 or more.
• Where the aggregate value of foreign exchange (in the form of currency notes, bank traveller cheques, etc.) is US$ 10,000 or more. |
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| Import of Gold as Baggage |
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| Conditions |
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• The weight of gold (including ornaments) should not exceed 10 kg per passenger.
• Such passenger is coming to India after a period of not less than six months of stay abroad. However, short visits during these six months shall be ignored if the total duration these six months shall be ignored if the total duration of such short visits does not exceed 30 days and the passenger has not availed of the exemption under this scheme, at the time of such short visits.
• The duty at the rate of Rs 250 per 10gm will be paid by the passenger in convertible foreign currency.
• Ornaments studded with stones and pearls are not allowed to be imported under the scheme mentioned above.
• The passenger can either bring the gold himself at the time of arrival or import the same within fifteen days of his arrival in India as unaccompanied baggage.
• The passenger can also obtain the permitted quantity of gold from Customs bonded warehouse of State bank of Indian and Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation subject to conditions (i) and (iii). He is required to file a declaration in the prescribed form before the Customs Officer at the time the Customs bonded warehouse and pay the duty before clearance.
The export of foreign currency is otherwise prohibited. |
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| Special Information |
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• Trafficking in Narcotic drug like Heroin, Charas (Hashish), and Cocaine or in Psychotropic substances is prohibited and is punishable with imprisonment.
• Import of Firearms as baggage is prohibited.
• Export of most species of wildlife and articles made from flora and fauna such as lvory, Musk, Reptile skins, Furs, Shahtoosh, etc. is prohibited. For any clarifications passenger should approach the Regional Deputy Director (Wildlife Preservation) Government of Indian or the Chief Wildlife Wardens of State Governments posted at Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.
• Non-declaration, wrong declaration and concealment of imported goods is an offence under the Customs Act, which may result in confiscation, fines penalties and even prosecution.
• Export of Antiquities is prohibited.
• In case of any difficulty or complaints, passengers may contact the Deputy or the Assistant Commissioner of Customs in the Baggage reclaim area. |
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| Green and Red Channels |
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| Channel of Clearance: There are two channels for Customs clearance. |
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• Green Channel for passengers not having any dutiable goods.
• Red channel for passengers having dutiable goods. Passengers walking through the Green Channel with dutiable\prohibited goods are liable to prosecution/penalty and confiscation of goods. |
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| More Information |
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Detained Baggage: A passenger may request the customs to detain his baggage either for re-exports at the time of his departure from India or for clearance subsequently on payment of duty. The detained baggage would be examined and full details will be inventoried. Such baggage is kept in the custody of the Customs.
Mishandled Baggage: In case the baggage has been lost or mishandled by an airline, the passenger is required to obtain a certificate to that effect from the airline and get it countersigned by Customs indicating specifically the unutilised portion of the free allowance. This would enable the passenger to avail the unutilised portion of the duty free allowance when his baggage is delivered by the airlines.
Import of baggage of deceased person: Used, bonafide personal and household articles of a deceased person and household articles of a deceased person are allowed free of duty, subject to the condition that a Certificate from the concerned Indian Embassy/High Commission is produced regarding the ownership of the goods by the deceased person.
Import of unaccompanied baggage: Provision of baggage rules are also extended to unaccompanied baggage except where they have been specifically excluded.
The unaccompanied baggage had been in the possession abroad of the passenger and is dispatched within one month of his arrival in India or within such further period as the Assistant Commissioner of Customs may allow.
The unaccompanied baggage may land in Indian up to two month before of the passenger or within such period, not exceeding one year, the Assistant Commissioner of Customs may allow, for reasons to be recorded, if the is satisfied that the passenger was prevented from arriving in India within the period of two months due to circumstances beyond his control, such as sudden illness of the passenger or a disturbed disruption of the transport or travel arrangements in the country or countries concerned on reasons, which necessitated a change schedule of the passenger. |
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| Note: No free allowance is admissible in respect of unaccompanied baggage. |
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