US nationals should have a valid passport and visa in order to visit India. Passports should have at least six months remaining validity beyond the duration of the intended trip. Visas should be secured prior to leaving the country since India doesn’t issue visas on arrival at the airport.
India allows all foreign visitors holding tourist or business visa to stay in the country for up to six months or 180 days. The Indian government does not grant visa extension. When your visa is a tourist visa, you should not participate in any religious activities or do any business while in the country. If you need to stay for more than six months, you should apply for an entry (x) visa. With the exception of Diplomatic and Official visa application, the embassy and consulate of India in the United States outsource their visa application processing to Travisa Visa Center. Overstaying in India will result in a visitor’s being fined and may require clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs in order for him or her to be allowed to leave the country. There are some cases wherein foreign nationals who overstay are put in jail until deportation can be arranged. As a tourist, you cannot re-enter India within two months of your departure. You will only be allowed to do so if given a specific permission by the Indian government officials. The letter should indicate the urgency and purpose of the visit. The visit should be limited to tourism and visit only.
For an individual whose purpose is to study in India or who is intending to stay for more than 180 days, he or she is required to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days upon arrival. You can register at any FRRO nearest your place of residence in India. Information regarding study or work visa and offices of FRRO can be found at the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs Bureau of Immigration website.
Requirements for Visa Application
Tourist Visa
- Valid passport with at least 2 blank pages
- 1 Fully accomplished and signed visa application form
- 2 Passport size pictures
- Proof of address: proof of address or billing that matches the address of the applicant on the visa application form
- Photocopy of state issued ID such as Driver’s License or ID
- Photocopy of utility bill such as water, gas, electric and sewage
- Round trip/Onward airline ticket
Note: Credit card or bank statement and cell phone bills are not accepted.
Fees:
Six Months Multiple Entry: US$60.00
Five Years Multiple Entry: US $150.00
Ten Years Multiple Entry: US $150.00
Business Visa
- Valid passport with at least 2 blank pages
- 1 Fully accomplished and signed visa application form
- 2 Passport size pictures
- Proof of address: proof of address or billing that matches the address of the applicant on the visa application form
- Photocopy of state issued ID such as Driver’s License or ID
- Photocopy of utility bill such as water, gas, electric and sewage
- Round trip/Onward airline ticket
- Letter from company sponsor in India stating the nature of trip, duration of stay, validity of the visa applied for, the places or organizations to be visited and proof of sufficient funds
- Letter from employer in US stating the nature of the trip, duration of the stay, validity of the visa applied for, the places and organizations to be visited
Note: Credit card or bank statement and cell phone bills are not accepted.
Fees:
One Year Multiple Entry: US $160.00
Five Years Multiple Entry: US $240.00
Ten Years Multiple Entry: US $240.00
For a more detailed visa requirements and application procedure, you may contact the Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of India assigned to your state.
Embassy of the Republic of India
2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC
20008
USA
Telephone: (202) 939-7000
Fax: (202) 265-4351
Bahamas, Bermuda, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia
Consulate General in San Francisco
540 Arguello BI.
San Francisco, California
Telephone: (415) 668-0662
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming
Consulate in Chicago
455 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr., Suite 850,
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri North Dakota, South Dakota and Winsconsin
Consulate in New York
3 E. 64th St.,
New York, NY 10021
Telephone: (212) 774 0600
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virgin Islands
Consulate in Houston
1990 Post Oak Bl., Suite 600
Houston, TX 77056
Telephone: (713) 626 2148
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas