PASSPORT AND VISAS

Passport : All travelers to India except nationals of Nepal & Bhutan must possess a valid passport. It is advisable to carry your passport with you while you are in India for possible identification requirements. Always place a photocopy of your passport in each and every checked-in baggage that you give at the airport. This helps in case you lose your luggage.

Visa : All foreign tourists to India except nationals of Nepal, Bhutan & Bangladesh, must possess a valid visa. You are not issued a visa on your arrival in India. The cost of a visa is US$ 30 for up to six months, US $ 50 for up to one year and US $ 100 for more than one year and up to five years. Contact the Indian embassy or Indian consulate in your country for issuing of Visas. A tourist visa is valid for three to six months. tourists visas allow multiple entry to simplify visits to neighboring countries. You will be required to fill in a disembarkation card on your arrival in India which will have to be submitted at the Immigration counters at the airport.

Transit Visas : Transit visas are granted by Indian Missions abroad for a maximum period of 15 days.

Exemption from Registration : Foreigners coming to India on tourist visa for 180 days or a shorter period are not required to register themselves with any authority. They can move about freely in the country, except to restricted / protected areas and prohibited places. Nationals of Bangladesh are exempt from registration for up to six months. If their stay exceeds six months, they have to register themselves. Family passports issued by other governments are recognized with discrimination.

Extension of Visa : As a rule, no extension of stay is granted on a tourist visa. tourist visa are available for a maximum period of 180 days. No charges are levied for visa extension within the maximum period of 180 days. Identical passport photographs are required. However in case of an extension beyond 180 days, which is allowed only in exceptional cases, an extension fee which varies from country to country is charged. In case a foreign tourist has obtained extension beyond three months of stay in India, he will have to surrender his certificate of Registration and Residential Permit before leaving India.