List of Visa Types Available in India

1. Non-Convertible/Non-Extendable: It is crucial to note that e-Visas generally cannot be extended or converted to any other visa type. 

1. Designated Entry Points: e-Visa holders can enter India through 28 designated airports and 5 seaports. 

1. Quick Processing: The processing time is typically between 24 and 72 hours, delivering an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to your email. 

1. Completely Online: Apply from the comfort of your home. The application, document upload, and fee payment are all done digitally. 

e-Visa – Categories and Validity

The different e-Visa are mentioned in the table below: 

e-Visa – Documents

The various documents that must be submitted are mentioned below: 

Regular Visas

Given below is a list of the types of Visa, eligibility conditions, validity, restrictions, etc. for the various types of Visas that allow entry into India: 

Tourist Visa

Intended for tourism and non-business-related travel. 

1. Eligibility: For individuals visiting for recreation or sightseeing. 

1. Validity: Up to 10 years for some nationalities (like the USA), but each continuous stay is limited. For US and UK nationals, a stay cannot exceed 180 days. For others, it's typically 90 days. 

1. Restrictions: Cannot be used for employment or business. It is non-convertible and non-extendable. 

Business Visa

For engaging in business activities in India. 

1. Eligibility: Individuals wishing to establish or explore business ventures, conduct trade, or attend technical/business meetings. 

1. Validity: Granted for up to 5 years with multiple entries. 

1. Restrictions: Continuous stay during each visit should not exceed 180 days. This visa cannot be used for full-time employment. 

Employment Visa

For skilled professionals who have been offered a job in India. 

1. Eligibility: Highly skilled individuals employed by an Indian company. The applicant must have a confirmed employment contract with a gross salary exceeding a specified threshold. 

1. Validity: Granted for up to one year or the term of the contract, whichever is less. It can be extended in India. 

1. Restrictions: This visa is not granted for jobs for which qualified Indians are readily available. 

Medical Visa and Medical Attendant Visa

For patients seeking medical treatment in India and their companions. 

1. Eligibility: For patients with a recommendation for treatment from their home country and an acceptance letter from a recognized Indian hospital. 

1. Validity: Initially granted for up to one year. Can be extended for a further period upon recommendation from the hospital. 

1. Attendants: Up to two attendants (blood relatives) can accompany the patient on a separate Medical Attendant Visa. 

Student Visa

For students enrolled in full-time courses at recognized Indian educational institutions. Requires proof of admission. 

Research Visa

For foreign scholars pursuing post-doctoral research at recognized institutions. Requires a detailed research proposal. 

Entry Visa

A versatile visa for persons of Indian origin, spouses and children of Indian citizens/OCI cardholders, and for those coming for specific purposes not covered elsewhere. 

Startup Visa

A new category to attract foreign entrepreneurs to set up their ventures in India. Linked to the Startup India initiative, it requires a letter of recommendation from a designated incubator. 

Project Visa 

For foreign nationals employed for the execution of projects in the power and steel sectors. 

Intern Visa

For foreign students to pursue an internship in Indian companies, educational institutions, or NGOs. 

Documents Required

Tourist Visa on Arrival 

Currently, nationals of the following countries can acquire a Tourist Visa on Arrival in India: Albania, Anguilla, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Belgium, Brazil, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Island, Chile, China, China- SAR Hong Kong, China- SAR Macau, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Colombia, Comoros, Cote d'lvoire, Cuba, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Greece, Guinea, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Malta, Malaysia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mongolia, Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Namibia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tonga, Tuvalu, Turks & Caicos Island, UAE, United Kingdom, Ukraine, USA, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Tourist Visa on Arrival can only be taken from the international airports at Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Trichy, Trivandrum and Varanasi.

The Tourist Visa on Arrival is valid for a period of 30 days. This Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible. Only two visits per calendar year are allowed through this Visa.

An online application must be submitted and a fee must be paid, after which the applicant will receive an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization).

Eligibility for Tourist Visa on Arrival

1. Only those whose passports have over 6 month's validity will be eligible for Visa on Arrival.
2. Diplomatic or Official Passport holders are not eligible for Visa on Arrival in India.
3. International travelers are eligible for Visa on Arrival if their stated purpose for travel is sightseeing, holidaymaking, recreation, casual medical treatment or casual business meetings.
4. Pakistan nationals are not eligible for Visa on Arrival.

Process To Be Followed For Tourist Visa On Arrival

Online applications for this Visa will be accepted a minimum of 4 days before the date of planned travel to India. There is a window of 30 days allowed for travel, for example, if the application has been submitted on the 1st of January, the applicant can travel any time between the 5th of January and the 4th of February.

The online application must be submitted along with a recent front-facing photograph which has a white background, and the first page of the applicant's passport which contains: full name, photograph, nationality, date of birth, passport expiry date, etc.

There is a fee of $60 that must be paid online a minimum of 4 days before traveling. This is a non-refundable fee.

An ETA will be sent to the registered email ID, and this ETA must be printed and carried to India.

A group Visa can be issued for tourists travelling to India from any of the above-mentioned countries. Usually, the Tourist Visa on Arrival is presented as an individual Visa, but if the entire travelling group of 5-50 members is entering, living, moving about, and leaving India together, group Visas can be issued.