Frequently Asked Questions

Visa

Please check the website of the agencies for timings of submission of application etc.

S$9/- per application would be charged by Visa Application Center as service charges in addition to prescribed visa fees

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Do I need a Visa to go to India?

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Yes.

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Yes, the application can be submitted at the Visa application centre on applicant’s behalf, but the applicant should be in Singapore. The application should not be mailed or couriered and messengers/dispatch people should not handover the documents at the reception.

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No, the applicant has to be in Singapore while applying visa.

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Please Check the Visa Fee Schedule.

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1 latest passport size (3 X 5cm) colored photograph. 

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Singapore passport holders have to submit application forms duly filled and signed at Visa Application center with 1 latest colored photograph, necessary documents, passport and requisite fee. Processing time - 2 working days The passport must be valid for more than 6 months and should have two blank pages.

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Applicant holding any passport other than Singapore can apply for visa if resident in Singapore. The passport must be valid for more than 6 months and should have two blank pages. Please submit application forms duly filled and signed at Visa Application center with 1 latest colored photograph, necessary documents, passport and requisite fee. Processing time - 5 working days. (Not applicable for PRC categories and persons going to restricted/ special permit areas.

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No, non-Singaporean who is not-resident i.e. visiting Singapore will not be provided visa services. They should obtain visa from the country of their normal residence or country of origin.

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Application forms, 1 photograph and requisite fee.

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The application forms for Business Visa and Employment Visa are available on the website and/or offices of the Indian Missions in respective countries.

FAQs clarifying details in respect of these types of visas can also be viewed either on the Indian Mission’s website or on Ministry of Home Affairs website: www.mha.nic.in.
In case of any difficulty relating to obtaining a visa, the applicant may contact the Indian Mission concerned or Joint Secretary (CPV), Ministry of External Affairs on the e-mail address: jscpv@mea.gov.in.
For general queries or clarifications regarding visa issues, the applicant may (where necessary information is not available with the Mission) also contact Deputy Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs on the e-mail address: pvsivaraman@nic.in.

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Business visa is granted to a foreign national who wants to visit India to establish an industrial/business venture or to explore possibilities to set up industrial/business venture, or wants to purchase/sell industrial products in India. This Visa is granted subject to following conditions:-
i) The applicant is a person of assured financial standing and expertise in the field of the intended business.
ii) The applicant is not visiting India for the business of money lending or petty trading, or for a full time employment in India involving payment of salary in India etc.
iii) The facility of Business Visa will also be extended to senior executives of films, experts, tour conductors and travel agents, etc., visiting India in connection with work related to projects of national importance, including those undertaken by public sector undertakings, and conducting business tours of foreigners or business or business relating to it, etc.
iv) A foreign national will have to comply with all other requirements like payment of tax liabilities etc.
v) The grant of Business Visa is subject to any instructions issued by the Government of India on the basis of reciprocity with other foreign countries from time to time.
vi) The Business Visa must be issued from the country of origin, or from the country of domicile of the foreigner provided the period of permanent residence of that applicant in that particular country is for more than 2 years.

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i) Foreign nationals who want to visit India to establish industrial/business venture or to explore possibilities to set up industrial/business venture in India.
ii) Foreign nationals coming to India to purchase/sell industrial products or commercial products or consumer durables.
iii) Foreign nationals coming to India for technical meetings/discussions, attending Board meetings, general meetings for providing business services support.
iv) Foreign nationals coming to India for recruitment of manpower.
v) Foreign nationals who are partners in the Business and/or functioning as Directors in the company.
vi) Foreign nationals coming to India for consultations regarding exhibitions, for participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, business fair, etc.
vii) Foreign buyers who come to transact business with suppliers/potential suppliers at locations in India, to evaluate or monitor quality, give specifications, place orders, negotiate further supplies etc., relating to goods or services procured from India.
viii) Foreign experts/specialists on a visit of short duration in connection with an ongoing project with the objective of monitoring the progress of the work, conducting meetings with Indian customers and/or to provide some high level technical guidance.
ix) Foreign nationals coming to India for pre-sales or post-sales activity not amounting to actual execution of any contract or project.
x) Foreign Trainees of multinational companies/corporate houses coming for in-house training in the regional hubs of the concerned company located in India.
xi) Foreign students sponsored by AIESEC for internship on project based work in companies/industries.

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A Business Visa with multiple entry facilities is granted for a period up to 5 years or for a shorter duration as per the document. A stay stipulation may be prescribed for each visit by the concerned Indian Mission.

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i) The foreign national must have a valid travel document and a re-entry permit, if required under the law of the country concerned.
ii) Proof of financial standing and expertise in the field of intended business.

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The Visa is to be transferred from old passport to new passport.

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Yes, if the existing Visa is still valid. If the visa is issued in Singapore it will take 2 working days with but if visa is issued by other Indian Mission, then it will take 5 working days. Please submit the application form, old passport, new passport and requisite fee. Additional charges of S$20/- will be charged for verification. For US passport holders additional S$40/- will be charged.

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Yes, if the applicant is traveling to third country via India and stays in India for less than 72 hours. Documents required are application forms with 1 photo, travel itinerary and requisite fee. For Singapore national processing time - 2 working days and for other foreign nationals - 5 working days. Additional fee of S$20/- will be charged.

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The registration is to be done at any Foreigners Regional 
Registration Office (FRRO) or at Foreigners cell at district police headquarters. 

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If the visa is ‘X’ category, employment visa or student’s visa, it could be extended by the FRRO subject to local checks. However tourist Visa cannot be extended under any circumstances.

List of FRRO’s office in India are;

1)

Delhi - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Level – II, East Block VIII,
R. K. Puram Sector – I,
New Delhi 

2)

Mumbai: Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Annexe-II, Commissioner of Poilice, 
Crawford Market,
Mumbai – 400001.

3)

Kolkata: Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road,
Kolkata – 700020.

4)

Amritsar: Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Additional Deputy Director,
Bureau of Immigration,
Ranjeet Avenue, Amritsar.

5)

Chennai : Chief Immigration Officer,
Bureau of Immigration,
Shastri Bhavan Bhavan Annexe No. 26,
Hoddows Road, Chennai – 600006.

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Employment Visa is granted to foreigners desiring to come to India for the purpose of Employment, subject to following conditions:-
i) The applicant is a skilled and qualified professional or person who is being engaged or appointed by a company, organization, industry, or undertaking, etc. in India on contract or employment basis at a senior level, skilled position such as technical expert, senior executive, or in a managerial position, etc.
ii) Employment Visa is not granted for jobs for which large numbers of qualified Indians are available.
iii) Employment Visa is not granted for routine, ordinary or secretarial/clerical jobs.
iv) The Employment Visa must be issued from the country of origin, or from the country of domicile of the foreigner provided the period of permanent residence of that applicant in that particular country is for more than 2 years.
v) The Indian company/organization engaging foreign nationals for executing projects/contracts would be responsible for the conduct of the foreign national during their stay in India and also for the departure of such foreign national upon expiry of Visa.
vi) A foreign national will have to comply with all other requirements like payment of tax liabilities, etc.

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Subject to the conditions enumerated above, the following will be eligible for Employment Visa.:-
i) Foreign national coming to India for execution of a project/contract [irrespective of the duration of the visit].
ii) Foreign nationals who are coming to India on short visits to customer location to repair any plant or machinery as part of warranty or annual maintenance contracts.
iii) Foreign engineers/technicians coming to India for installation and commissioning of equipments/machines/tools in terms of the contract for supply of such equipment/machine/tools.
iv) Foreign experts coming to India for imparting training for the personnel of the Indian company.
v) Foreign personnel deputed for providing technical support/services, transfer of know-how, services supplies for which the Indian company pays fees/royalty to the foreign company.
vi) Foreign nationals coming to India as consultant on contract for whom the Indian company pays a fixed remuneration, (may not be in the form of monthly salary).
vii) Foreign artists engaged to conduct regular performances for the duration of the employment contract given by Hotels, Clubs, other organizations.
viii) Foreign nationals who are coming to India to take up employment as coaches.
ix) Foreign sportsmen who are given contract for a specified period by the Indian Clubs/organizations.
x) Self-employed foreign nationals coming to India for providing engineering, medical, accounting, legal or such other highly skilled services in their capacity as independent consultants.

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A foreign national coming to India for employment may initially be granted an Employment Visa by the Indian Missions abroad up to one year. The first extension, if necessary, would be granted by MHA. Further extensions, if required, can be granted by concerned State Government/FRO up to maximum period of five years from the date of issue of the Visa. Foreigners coming on Employment Visa are required to register with concerned FRRO/FRO within two weeks from the date of arrival.

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i) The foreign national must have a valid travel document and a re-entry permit, if required under the law of the country concerned.
ii) The foreign national must submit proof of his/her employment or contract or engagement by the company/organization, etc. in India.
iii) The foreign national must submit documentary proof of his educational qualifications and professional expertise.

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A foreign national coming for executing projects/contracts will have to come only on an Employment Visa.

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No. A foreign national who is already In the country on Business Visa and engaged in executing project/contract should leave the country by 31.10.2009.

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No.

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Indian Missions may grant an ‘X’ Visa [i.e. a Dependent Visa] to the family members of a foreign national granted a Business Visa at their discretion, subject to usual security checks provided the family members are otherwise eligible for grant of such a Visa.

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In respect of family members of a foreign national who is granted ‘E’ Visa, Indian Missions may grant an ‘X’ Visa [i.e. Dependent Visa]. The validity of the ‘X’ Visa could be co-terminus with the validity of the Visa of the principal Visa holder or for such shorter duration as may be considered necessary by the Indian Mission, subject to usual security checks provided the family members are otherwise eligible for grant of such a Visa.

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No.

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Yes.

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No.

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Employment Visa.

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Employment Visa.

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Employment Visa.

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The documents required are the same as for tourist as well as Business visa from the applicant’s side. Processing time will be longer. The visa is issued upon approval from concerned Authorities. 

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This visa is issued to students who are enrolled for regular academic courses in India. The documents required are as follows; proof of admission to an educational institution recognized by the Government of India, Registration documents of the institution, application forms duly filled and signed, 1 photo and requisite fee. The visa will be issued for one year and further extension should be obtained from FRRO.

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This visa is issued to applicants going to India for journalism purposes. Applicants may contact Mr. Vasanth Kumar, First Secretary on Tel. 62382549 Fax: 67326909 or Email : hciss@pacific.net.sg with the letter from their company giving details of their visit. Non - Singaporeans must also submit visa application form at the Visa application centre simultaneously for necessary clearance with payment of fee of S$20/-.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS RELATING TO TOURIST VISA

As per the extant instructions of the Government of India, a Tourist Visa can only be granted to a foreigner who does not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives etc. No other activity is permissible on a Tourist Visa. The Tourist Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.

2. It has come to the notice of the Government that there has been abuse/misuse of the Tourist Visa. With a view to curb the abuse/misuse of the Tourist Visa, instructions have been issued by the Government  imposing the following restrictions:

  (a) In respect of foreign nationals holding Tourist Visas, with multiple entry facility, there should be  a gap of at least two months between two visits to the country on such a Tourist Visa.

  (b) If any foreign national is required to visit the country again within a period of 2 months of his last departure, such foreign national should obtain special permission from the Mission/Post concerned. The Mission/Post may consider such requests on merits of each case.

  (c) In all such cases, the foreign national should register himself with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival. An endorsement to this effect will be made on the visa sticker.

  (d) If a foreign national applies for Tourist Visa frequently i.e. within one month of expiry of the previous Tourist Visa, the India Missions/Posts abroad would refer such cases to MHA (Foreigners Division) for clearance before grant of fresh Tourist visa.

3. Frequently asked questions with regard to the above issues and replies thereto are outlined below for information, guidance and compliance of all concerned:

Q.1       Whether the gap of two months between two visits would apply to all Tourist Visa holders?

Ans.       The gap of two months between two visits would apply to all Tourist Visa holders.

Q.2       Whether the gap of two months between two visits would apply irrespective of the duration of stay in India during the previous visit?

Ans.       The intention behind the stipulation of the gap of two months between two visits on a Tourist Visa is to curb the abuse/misuse of the Tourist Visa. With the view to ensure that the genuine tourists are not affected by the recent guidelines, the following clarifications are furnished:

1. Foreigners holding Tourist Visas, who after initial entry into India plan to visit another country largely on account of neighbourhood tourism related travel and re-enter India before finally exiting, may be permitted two or three entries, as the case may be (need based), by the Indian Missions/Posts subject to their submission of a detailed itinerary and supporting documentation (ticket bookings). If they are already outside of their country of origin, they can also get such an endorsement from the nearest Indian Mission/Post.
   
   
2. The immigration authorities in all the Immigration Check Posts may also allow such foreign nationals on Tourist Visas arriving in India without the specific authorization from the Indian Missions/Posts to make two or three entries into the country (need based) subject to production of an itinerary and supporting documentation (ticket bookings).
   
   
3. The total period of stay in the country counted from the date of first entry into the country shall not exceed the stay stipulation period of 180 days or 90 days, as the case may be.
   
   
4. Once such a foreign national finally exits the country after availing the facility of two or three entries (within the stay stipulation period of 180 days or 90 days as the case may be), there should be a gap of at least two months before he/she can come again into the country.
   
   
5. If any foreign national falling in the category as mentioned in sub-para (IV) above is required to visit India again within a period of two months after his/her last departure, such foreign national should obtain special permission from the Mission/Post. Such re-entry within the stipulated gap of two months may be permitted only in emergent situations like death/serious illness in the family, non-availability of connecting flights to return to his/her country of origin or travel to another country or any other exigent situation which can be duly justified with proper documentation to the satisfaction of the Mission/Post granting the permission. The Mission/Post will have to examine each case on merits before grant of requisite permission subject to the following conditions:
   
   
6. The applicant should furnish an undertaking on the following lines:
1. That the purpose of his/her visit is because of emergency situation.
2. That he is not engaged in Business activities, nor in Employment or pursuing studies/research etc.
   
   
7. In all such cases i.e. those covered by sub-para V above, the foreign should register himself with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival. This registration may be done with the FRRO/FRO concerned preferably at the first place of entry. An endorsement to this effect will be made on the visa sticker.
   
   
8. If a foreign national applies for Tourist Visa frequently i.e. within one month of the expiry of the previous Tourist Visa, the Indian Missions/Posts abroad should scrutinise the  application thoroughly and refer such cases to MHA
   (Foreigners Division) for clearance before grant of fresh Tourist Visa.

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