GENERAL INFORMATION ON VISA

EVERY FOREIGN NATIONAL MUST OBTAIN A VALID VISA TO TRAVEL TO INDIA
(EXCEPT BHUTAN AND NEPAL NATIONALS)

Note: Violation of visa rules, including overstay, indulging in activities other than the stated purpose of the visa, non-registration, etc. are treated very seriously and may lead to fines, debarment from future entry and even detention and imprisonment. Visa fees once deposited cannot be refunded.

The Consulate General of India, Sydney issues Tourist/Student/Business/Employment and other types of visas to applicants who are residents of Australia. Australian passport holders can normally obtain a visa in 7 working days when applying in person at the counter subject to the application being complete and fulfils Consular requirements. Applications can also be lodged by post and through travel agents/couriers; however, these may take up to 10 working days to process.

All applicants are required to apply in the prescribed Application form along with-

• one recent passport size photograph,
• passport in original (must be valid for a minimum period of six months),
• flight details/itinerary,
• prescribed Fee

Note: Visa Applicants from NSW and South Australia should lodge/ send their applications at/to the Consulate General of India Sydney. All other Visa Applicants should lodge their applications at the High Commission of India, Canberra or at Consulate General of India, Melbourne or at Honorary Consulates in Pert & Brisbane.

TOURIST VISA

Tourists wishing to visit India for sightseeing, casual visits to friends and relatives are normally granted Tourist Visas for up to six months, with multiple entries effective from the date of issue.

Tourist visas are non-extendable and non-convertible Applicants are required to indicate the place(s) of visit, duration of stay and flight details/itinerary.(Visas will be valid only upto 6 months): Applicants are required to lodge application forms indicating the place(s) of visit, duration of stay and flight details/itinerary. Visas for minor children (under 15 years): Application MUST be furnished with following documents

• Copy of Date of Birth certificate,
• No Objection Letter from both the parents along with the photocopy of the relevant pages of their passports to verify signatures,
• Both parents MUST sign the visa application for minor children.

• Correct visa fee payable by Cash (exact amount), Bank Cheque, or Money Order drawn in favour of VFS Services Australia Pty Ltd - strictly no personal cheques please. (Fee Schedule*).


BUSINESS VISA

Business Visas are normally granted for upto 6 months. Applicants are required to provide a letter/ invitation from Indian company / trade partner or alternatively a Letter from the Australian company (the employer) explaining the purpose of visit. For one year business visa letter from both Indian company / trade partner and Australian company is required. The company in India / Australia should also furnish an undertaking as given below. Applicants applying for 5 years business visa are required to provide documents regarding the Australian company's joint venture with the local company in India, Long-term business visas (up to 5 years) are issued only in case of joint venture companies.

Undertaking for Business visas : We take full responsibility for the activities and conduct of Mr/ Mrs/Ms.___________ national of __________ during his/her stay in India. If anything adverse comes to notice during this period, we undertake to repatriate him/her on our cost.

EMERGENCY VISA

Visas issued - for emergency travel on extreme compassionate grounds (death in the family) - only after office hours or on holidays.

VISA FOR NON RESIDENTS

Visas can also be issued to applicants (visitors) who are normally not residents of Australia and hold non¬-Australian passports. An additional form is to be filled in along with a visa application form. However, in such cases clearance from the Indian Missions/Posts in countries of their normal residence needs to be obtained. Generally it could take up to 14 working days to process the applications.

STUDENT VISA

Student Visas are issued to bonafide students to pursue studies in recognised educational institutions in India for the duration of the academic course of study or for a period of five years, whichever is less, on the basis of firm letters confirming admission of the applicant and duration of the course.

JOURNALIST VISA

Journalist visas are issued to professional journalists and photographers for a period of up to 3 months (single or double entry). Please furnish details on a separate sheet, of places to be visited and the persons to be interviewed. For shooting documentaries in India please fill in the additional form for the purpose. Please allow one month ‘s time for processing documentary proposals

EMPLOYMENT VISA

Employment visas are generally issued for a period upto one year initially. Extensions, if required, can be granted by the concerned authorities in India ( MHA / State Governments/ FROs). Applicants are required to provide proof of employment, i.e. copies of contract and the terms & conditions with the company in India. Spouses and children accompanying the applicant are granted entry visas on request upto the validity period of Employment Visa.

CONFERENCE VISA

Conference visas are issued for attending conferences or seminars in India. A letter of invitation from the organisers of the conference/seminar is to be submitted along with the visa application. For participation in certain conferences, approval of the concerned authorities in India may be essential and would, therefore, require a longer processing time

Visa for New Zealand nationals: Proof of residency in Australia is required – Drivers License and a photocopy of Medicare Card

* Visa for Pakistani / Bangladeshi nationals: Pakistani / Bangladeshi nationals are required to fill up separate applications forms.

Pakistani Nationals:

Visitor visa is granted to Pakistani nationals and Australian nationals of Pakistan origin, who have relatives in India or wish to visit India for any other legitimate purpose, and should furnish documentary proof in support thereof. Applicants should give complete verifiable addresses of the relatives/sponsors in India. Application should in particular indicate port of arrival as well as details of previous visits to India, if any. If the applicants had visited India earlier copies of the visas may be enclosed.

Visa to Pakistani nationals with dual nationality would be issued on Pakistani passport only*. In other cases the applicant has to submit a Statutory Declaration duly attested by competent authorities stating that the applicant is not holding a Pakistani passport.

* Visa application should be in quadruplicate (four sets)

Visa to Pakistani nationals with dual nationality would be issued on Pakistani passport only*. In other cases the applicant has to submit a Statutory Declaration duly attested by competent authorities stating that the applicant is not holding a Pakistani passport.

* Visa application should be in quadruplicate (four sets)

Bangladeshi nationals:

Bangladeshi nationals are required to fill up separate applications forms

Visa for Sri Lankan nationals: Sri Lankan passport holders are required to furnish a letter from the Sri Lankan Mission in Sydney/Canberra certifying genuineness of their passports. They will also have to fill in a separate additional form available at the Consulate website.

Visa transfer: Visas can be transferred from old to new passport, where an old passport contains a valid Indian visa.

If applicant has already been granted a valid visa on an old/damaged passport, the visa can be transferred to a new passport if the visa is valid for more than six months. However, this service is rendered only if the visa on the old passport was issued by the High Commission/ Consulates General.
 

YOGA VISA

Visas to foreigners to pursue studies in yoga, vedic culture, Indian system of music, dance, etc., are issued on production of admission letters from recognised Indian institutions.

RESEARCH VISA

Individual research projects can be undertaken in Indian Universities/Institutions of Higher Learning after obtaining a Research Visa. It is necessary that the scholar should be affiliated to a university/ Institution in India and a Certificate in this regard should be obtained and enclosed along with the Application for the Approval of Research Project and Authorisation of Visa.. If the applicant has the approval of the Department of ___ ____ the same may be submitted. The scholar is required to submit seven copies each of the following:

• Application for the Approval of Research Project and Authorisation of Visa duly filled in.

• Certificate of Affiliation duly signed and stamped by the Registrar/Vice Chancellor of the University or Head
of the Institution for Higher Learning

• Passport size photographs.

• Synopsis of the research project as approved by the affiliating University/Institution.

• Itinerary in India.

As prior approval of the Department of Secondary & Higher Education of Government of India is required for such visas, applicants are advised to apply at least 4 months in advance.

Research Visa Form click here


VISA TO MISSIONARIES

Visas to Missionaries are issued valid for single entry and duration as permitted by Government of India. A letter from the sponsoring organization indicating intended destination in India, probable length of stay, and nature of duties to be discharged should be submitted along with the application. As prior approval of the Government of India is required for such visas, applicants are advised to apply well in advance.

TRANSIT VISA

Transit visas are valid for halts of up to 72 hours in India within 15 days from the date of issue of the visa and must be obtained before departure. Transit Visas cannot be obtained from immigration counters at ports of entry in India. Evidence of onward travel to a destination outside India is required.


Registration

All persons who hold Student Visa, Employment Visa and Research Visa which are valid for more than 180 days are required to get themselves registered with the nearest Foreign Registration Office (FRO) or Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival in India. At other places, the Superintendents of Police of the Districts are Foreigners Registration Officers.

For all other types of visas which are valid for more than 180 days registration is required only if the person plans to stay more than 180 days on any single visit. This registration should be done at the earliest but definitely before expiry of 180 days from the date of entry into India.

Children below 16 years are exempted from Registration formalities.

Click here for Registration Formalities

Visits to Restricted and Protected Areas

Certain areas in India have been designated as protected area or restricted area. Entry of foreigners to such areas is limited to certain tourist locations only. For such tourist visits, special endorsements/permits are required. For certain locations only group travel is allowed.

Protected Areas
1. Whole of Nagaland
2. Whole of Manipur
3. Whole of Mizoram
4. Whole of Arunachal Pradesh
5. Part of Sikkim
6. Part of Himachal Pradesh
7. Part of Uttarakhand
8. Part of Rajasthan

Restricted Areas
1. Whole of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
2. Part of Sikkim

Visa Forms: Visa Application Form.pdf
Visa Fee Information: Visa_fee_Schedule.Pdf

Note: All visas commence from the date of their issue. All applicants should ensure that the visa sticker contains accurate details. Any discrepancy in name or duration of visa should be brought to the notice of the counter staff before travel, for correction or clarification, as maybe applicable.