U.S.
citizens, including U.S. government officials, must have a valid
passport and valid Indian visa to enter and exit India. Visas must be
granted by the Indian Embassy or consulate prior to travel, and cannot
be secured upon arrival. The Indian Embassy currently outsources its
visa services to Cox and Kings Global Services. A tourist visa allows a
U.S. citizen to stay in India for six months, a period which is rarely
extended.
In a hurry? Apply online for expedited visa service
Those
traveling solely for tourism purposes and planning on staying no more
than 60 days may apply for an electronic travel authorizaton (ETA) in
lieu of a tourist visa at least 4 days prior to arrival in India.
Those arriving without a valid passport and valid
visa/ETA are subject to immediate deportation. The U.S. Embassy and
Consulates in India are unable to assist when U.S. citizens arrive
without proper documentation.
Each visitor should carry photocopies of
the bio-data page of the traveler's U.S. passport and the page
containing the Indian visa and immigration stamp in order to facilitate
obtaining an exit visa from the Indian government in the event of theft
or loss of the passport. Replacing a lost visa in order to exit the
country takes up to three business days.
Americans must know and request the correct type of visa for
their visit, since visas types cannot be changed after arrival. The
Indian Embassy and Consulates in the U.S. outsource the visa
application process. Diplomatic and official visa applications,
however, are still accepted directly at the Indian Embassy and
Consulates.
Foreign citizens whose primary purpose of travel is to
participate in religious activities should obtain a missionary visa
rather than a tourist visa. Indian immigration authorities have
deported American citizens who entered India with a tourist visa and
conducted religious activities.
American travelers to India who work in "designated institutes
and technology areas" will be subject to a two week waiting period in
the visa application process and will be required to submit
supplemental information with their visa application.
Scholars planning
to conduct research in India often need research clearances in addition
to their visas. Specific information is available at the Indian Embassy
and Consulates.
Foreign citizens who visit India to study, do research, work or
act as missionaries, as well as all travelers planning to stay more
than 180 days are required to register, generally within 14 days of
arrival, with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)
closest to where they will be staying. The FRRO maintains offices in
New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai (known as the "Chennai Immigration Office"),
Kolkata and Amritsar.
In smaller cities and towns, the local police
headquarters will normally perform this function. General information
regarding Indian visa and immigration rules, including the addresses
and telephone numbers for the FRRO offices, can be found at the Indian
Ministry of Home Affairs web site for its Bureau of Immigration at
http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in.
If a foreign citizen (e.g., an American) overstays his or her
Indian visa, or otherwise violates Indian visa regulations, the
traveler may require a clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs in
order to leave the country. Such travelers generally must pay a fine,
and in some cases, may be jailed until their deportation can be
arranged.
Visa violators seeking an exit clearance can visit the
following office any weekday from 10 a.m. - 12 noon: Ministry of Home
Affairs, Foreigners Division, Jaisalmer House, 26 Man Singh Road, New
Delhi 110 011 (tel. +91-11-2338-5748).
For the most current information on entry and exit requirements, please contact the Embassy of India
at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202)
939-9806 or the Indian Consulate in Chicago, New York, San Francisco or
Houston. Outside the United States, inquiries should be made at the
nearest Indian embassy or consulate.
In a hurry? Apply online for expedited visa service
U.S.
citizens, including U.S. government officials, must have a valid
passport and valid Indian visa to enter and exit India. Visas must be
granted by the Indian Embassy or consulate prior to travel, and cannot
be secured upon arrival. The Indian Embassy currently outsources its
visa services to Cox and Kings Global Services. A tourist visa allows a
U.S. citizen to stay in India for six months, a period which is rarely
extended.
In a hurry? Apply online for expedited visa service
Those
traveling solely for tourism purposes and planning on staying no more
than 60 days may apply for an electronic travel authorizaton (ETA) in
lieu of a tourist visa at least 4 days prior to arrival in India.
Those arriving without a valid passport and valid
visa/ETA are subject to immediate deportation. The U.S. Embassy and
Consulates in India are unable to assist when U.S. citizens arrive
without proper documentation.
Each visitor should carry photocopies of
the bio-data page of the traveler's U.S. passport and the page
containing the Indian visa and immigration stamp in order to facilitate
obtaining an exit visa from the Indian government in the event of theft
or loss of the passport. Replacing a lost visa in order to exit the
country takes up to three business days.
Americans must know and request the correct type of visa for
their visit, since visas types cannot be changed after arrival. The
Indian Embassy and Consulates in the U.S. outsource the visa
application process. Diplomatic and official visa applications,
however, are still accepted directly at the Indian Embassy and
Consulates.
Foreign citizens whose primary purpose of travel is to
participate in religious activities should obtain a missionary visa
rather than a tourist visa. Indian immigration authorities have
deported American citizens who entered India with a tourist visa and
conducted religious activities.
American travelers to India who work in "designated institutes
and technology areas" will be subject to a two week waiting period in
the visa application process and will be required to submit
supplemental information with their visa application.
Scholars planning
to conduct research in India often need research clearances in addition
to their visas. Specific information is available at the Indian Embassy
and Consulates.
Foreign citizens who visit India to study, do research, work or
act as missionaries, as well as all travelers planning to stay more
than 180 days are required to register, generally within 14 days of
arrival, with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)
closest to where they will be staying. The FRRO maintains offices in
New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai (known as the "Chennai Immigration Office"),
Kolkata and Amritsar.
In smaller cities and towns, the local police
headquarters will normally perform this function. General information
regarding Indian visa and immigration rules, including the addresses
and telephone numbers for the FRRO offices, can be found at the Indian
Ministry of Home Affairs web site for its Bureau of Immigration at
http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in.
If a foreign citizen (e.g., an American) overstays his or her
Indian visa, or otherwise violates Indian visa regulations, the
traveler may require a clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs in
order to leave the country. Such travelers generally must pay a fine,
and in some cases, may be jailed until their deportation can be
arranged.
Visa violators seeking an exit clearance can visit the
following office any weekday from 10 a.m. - 12 noon: Ministry of Home
Affairs, Foreigners Division, Jaisalmer House, 26 Man Singh Road, New
Delhi 110 011 (tel. +91-11-2338-5748).
For the most current information on entry and exit requirements, please contact the Embassy of India
at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202)
939-9806 or the Indian Consulate in Chicago, New York, San Francisco or
Houston. Outside the United States, inquiries should be made at the
nearest Indian embassy or consulate.
In a hurry? Apply online for expedited visa service
