Tourist Visa to India

A Indian Tourist Visa is given to those visiting India for tourism or other non-business related purposes.

Applicants volunteering, working with charities or working with non-profit organizations must apply for an Employment visa.

5 year and 10 year Tourist visas are available only to US citizens under a bilateral arrangement.

There should be a gap of at least 2 months between two separate visits to India on a Tourist visa. For Tourist visa holders who wish to visit India within 2 months of their last visit, an application for a Permit to Re-enter India is necessary. No Permit is needed if the visa holder is traveling to multiple countries on the same itinerary and the trip follows the itinerary exactly. The visa holder must carry a copy of the itinerary to show the Immigration Officer.

All non-US passport holders are only eligible for up to a Six (6) month Tourist visa.

Irrespective of the duration of validity of visa, on each visit maximum period of stay in India is limited to 6 months (180 days). Please note the visa is valid beginning on the day it is issued. So a 6 Month visa issued on January 1 would be valid until June 30.

Tourist Visa to India Requirements

• Passport: Provide your signed original passport book. NOTE: Your valid passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your planned departure and have at least one blank page in it. The amendment pages in the back of the passport are not suitable for visa stamps. If you do not have any blank visa pages in your passport, you must first amend your passport to have pages added. If your passport expires within six months, you must first renew your passport. We can assist you in obtaining a new US passport, renewing your current one, or obtaining additional visa pages for your current valid passport. We will secure your visa using the added pages or new passport
• One (1) completed Visa Application Form: The visa application must be completed online.
  http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/info.jsp
  Print out two copies of the completed application. NOTE: Improperly completed forms may delay the processing of your visa. The signature on each Indian visa application must be original.
• Two (2) passport photos in color or black and white, front view and with a plain/light background, taken not more than three (3) months from the date of submission of the application. NOTE: Glasses may not be worn in the photos.
• Proof of Travel: A copy of your round-trip tickets or itinerary.
• Two (2) copies of the IAG Letter of Authorization
  For Adult Applicants: Click here
  For Minor Applicants Click here
• Complete the IAG Customer Order Form
• Proof of Address: Applicants must submit a photocopy of both sides of their state-issued Driver’s License or State ID. The address on the ID must match exactly the address written on your India Visa online application. For minors: Photocopies of the Proof of Address of both parents or guardians may be submitted instead.
• For Minors Only: One (1) Copy of your Birth Certificate or any other government-issued document that shows your parents’ names, your date of birth and nationality. Acceptable documentation depends on your nationality at birth:
  NOTE: Indian Born applicants can use their Indian Birth Certificate, an old Indian passport or a school leaving certificate.
  All Others: Those not born in the US or India should submit a birth certificate or any government document from the country of origin that has parents name, date of birth and nationality. The document must be translated into English and notarized.
  For Minors Only: Photocopies of the passports of both parents.
• Proof of Renunciation of Indian Citizenship:
  • If the applicant has already renounced Indian citizenship, one of the following must be produced as proof:
  • A certificate of renunciation issued by a Consulate of India; or,
  • The cancelled Indian passport with a stamp stating the passport is cancelled due to obtaining US (or any non Indian country) citizenship.
  • If the applicant has already renounced Indian citizenship, one of the following must be produced as proof:
  • A certificate of renunciation issued by a Consulate of India; or,
  • The cancelled Indian passport with a stamp stating the passport is cancelled due to obtaining US (or any non Indian country) citizenship.
  • If the applicant has NOT renounced their Indian citizenship, or cannot show proof, the following must be provided:
• Two (2) copies of the completed Renunciation Form
  • Copy of your naturalization certificate
• Most recent Indian passport:
• If you do not have your most recent passport you must provide an Affadavit of Loss, and either a copy of your birth certificate or a school leaving certificate.
• If you were naturalized over 10 years ago and do not have your most recent passport, you can obtain a deemed surrender certificate: Two (2) copies of a separate renunciation form, a copy of the naturalization certificate and a $20.00 renunciation fee must be submitted.
• Copies of the first three pages and the last two pages of the most recent Indian passport.
• Renunciation Fee:
• Naturalized before June 1, 2010: $20.00 renunciation fee
• Naturalized on or after June 1, 2010: $175.00 renunciation fee
• Naturalization Certificate: A copy of the Naturalization Certificate is required:
• If your most recent Indian passport expired or is due to expire on or after January 1, 2005.
• If your US passport is issued on or after June 1, 2010 while naturalization took place on or before May 31, 2010.
• If a minor gained naturalization through his/her parents and possesses no separate naturalization certificate then a notarized written statement signed by both parents is required stating the circumstances that their child received his/her naturalization status and why the child does not possess his/her own certificate.
• A copy of the Naturalization Certificate is required for all applicants applying in the Houston jurisdiction.
• Proof of Relationship:
• Spouses, Children or Grandchildren of Persons of Indian Origin:
• The Non Indian spouse must submit a marriage certificate, copy of the Spouse’s Indian passport, or a naturalization certificate that shows previous nationality is Indian.
• Non Indian children must submit a birth certificate, copies of the parent’s Indian passport(s), or a naturalization certificate that shows previous nationality is Indian.
• Non Indian grandchildren must submit a copy of the grandparents’ passports or government-issued documents showing that their grandparents held Indian citizenship, and their parent’s birth certificate. This proves that the Non Indian grandchild is related to the person who has held Indian Nationality.
• Spouses and Dependent Children of Long Term India Visa Holders:
• Spouses and dependent children of a foreign national coming to India on a visa such as Employment, Business, Research or Student must produce proof of relationship. The spouse must provide a marriage certificate. Non Dependent children must provide a birth certificate. The spouse and dependent children must provide a copy of the passport and a copy of the visa issued to the principle visa holder.
• NOTE: Please see “Special Registration Instructions for Spouses and Dependent Children of Long Term Visa Holders” below.
• Dual Citizenship:
• Applicants who have dual citizenship with the US and another country must apply on their US passport, if living in the US.
• NOTE: Applicants with dual citizenship to Pakistan have special instructions. Please contact us for more information: 1-866-727-7362.

Special Registration Instructions for Spouses and Dependent Children of Long Term Visa Holders

Upon arriving in India, Long Term Visa Holders and their accompanying family members or dependants must register with the Foreign Registration Office. Present the following documents to the Foreigners Registration Officer:

Photocopy of the passport and initial visa.

Four photographs of the applicant.

Details of residence in India.

A copy of the marriage certificate, for those seeking extension of stay on grounds of being married to an Indian national.

An original certificate from the University/college/institution for those seeking a student visa.

An accreditation certificate from the Press Information Bureau for those seeking a Journalist visa.

Approval of the Department of Company Affairs in the case of board level appointees in Public limited companies.

Two copies of the approval document from the Government of India in case of a joint venture or a collaboration.

The terms and conditions of appointments and a copy of the contract or agreement, for those seeking an employment visa.

A letter of Undertaking (in the format given below) from the concerned Indian company on the following lines in case of employment/business visa:

UNDERTAKING

We take full responsibility for the activities and conduct of Mr./Mrs. ___________________ national of ____________ during his/her stay in India. If anything adverse comes to notice during this period, we undertake to repatriate him/her on our cost.

Date: Signature of competent authority

Seal: (of the Company)

NOTES:

The Renunciation Declaration and payment of $175.00 is required for all Indian citizens who have acquired foreign nationality after May 31, 2010, even if the Indian passport is claimed to have been lost.

Once a person acquires citizenship of another country, it is obligatory to surrender Indian citizenship, and the Indian passport should not be used for travel 3 months beyond the date of acquisition of citizenship. If the Indian passport is retained for more than 3 years after acquisition of citizenship of another country, a penalty of $250.00 will be charged except where the Indian passport expired before January 1, 2005. In addition, a penalty of $250.00 will be charged for each case of misuse of the Indian passport for travel after 3 months of acquisition of citizenship of another country subject to a maximum penalty of $1,250.00.

Visa Fees

To complete the process of hiring IAG, you must place your order online and make your payment. Once your order has been processed, you will immediately receive a call from one of our visa specialists, who will personally walk you through the application process and send you our step-by-step information package via email.

*Note: If you place your order outside of our business hours you will receive a call the following business day at 8:00 am.