When planning to visit India, all foreign nationals are required to hold the possession of an approved Indian visa along with a valid Indian passport. Visitors can obtain an Indian visa from an Indian diplomatic mission in their native country or can apply for an Indian e-visa through the official online e-visa portal. Moreover, foreign nationals can also apply for different types of Indian visas as per their purpose of travel. Foreign nationals from around the globe opt for an Indian visa online when their desired period of stay in a single entry is sixty days and apply for a regular Indian visa if the period of stay exceeds sixty days. Despite having clear instructions available on the Indian visa online website, many applicants get confused as for which type of Indian visa, they are eligible. So, here’s a brief guide of different types of Indian visa and the purposes they serve.
1- Tourist visa– Tourist visa is applied for when the purpose of the visit is sightseeing, recreational activities, or a visit to friends and relatives. This visa type holds the validity of six to twelve months as per the nationality, with a permissible stay of six months on a single visit.
2- Business visa– When the purpose of the visit is to conduct business in India, a business visa is applied for. An Indian business visa is issued for five to ten years where the visa holder can stay for maximum 180days on each visit.
3- Medical visa– If foreigners seek long term medical treatment, they should opt for regular medical visa, while for short term medical treatments requiring a stay of maximum sixty days, they should opt for an e-medical visa.
4- Student visa– Foreign students who want to pursue long-term educational courses of yoga, Vedic culture, or Indian music and dance, should apply for a student visa. This visa type is valid for five years and is extendable if required.
5- Employment visa– When the purpose of the visit is to work as an employee in an Indian registered organization, this visa is applied for. This visa is issued for one year or period of the contract, whichever is less and can also be extended.
6- Journalist visa– If the applicant is a professional journalist, photographer, or works in a media company, no matter what the purpose of stay is, he shall apply for a journalist visa to enter India. Once acquired, they can stay in India for three months.
These are just a few of many types of visa for India and applied by most of the foreigners. Several other India visa types include film visa, conference visa, research visa, transit visa, entry visa, interim visa, sports visa, mountaineering visa, diplomatic visa, and missionary visa. Although the name itself gives a quick insight into the purpose they serve, it is recommended to check out the detailed eligibility for each visa type on the official visa website of the government of India.
