PASSPORT
Citizens of all countries, except Nepal & Bhutan, require a valid national passport or valid travel documents and a valid visa granted by Missions abroad for entering India. Nepalese or Bhutanese citizens need no passport or visa but should possess suitable documents for their identification when proceeding from their respective countries. It is advisable for all foreign national visiting India to carry the passport in person for identification as ands when required.

VISA
The general policy of the Government of India is to encourage tourism. Foreigners desirous of visiting India should obtain visa from the Indian Mission in their country. They should possess a valid National Passport-except in the case of Bhutan & Nepal, who may carry only suitable means of identification.

Tourist Visa
Visa is valid for one or more years up to 5 years with multiple entries. A letter from a sponsoring organization indicating nature of business, probable duration of stay, places and organizations to be visited, incorporating therein a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses, etc. should accompany the application

Student Visa
Are issued 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 of admission from Universities / recognized colleges or educational institutions in India. Change of purpose and institutions are not permissible.

Transit Visa
Are issued for a maximum period of 15 days with single/ double entry facilities to bona fide transit passengers only.

Journalist Visa
Are issued to professional journalists and photographers for visiting India. The applicants are required to contact on arrival in New Delhi, the External Publicity Division of the Ministry of External Affairs and in other places, the Office of the Government of India’s Press Information Bureaus.

Recreation
Foreigners wishing to undertake any international sporting event, trekking, botanical expeditions, yoga, journalists, media men, documentary and feature film makers may obtain visas after due formalities from the Indian Embassy.

Exemption from Registration
Foreigners coming to India on tourist visa for 180 days or shorter period are not required to register themselves with any authority in India. They can move about freely in India, except to restricted protected areas and prohibited places. Nationals of Bangladesh are exempted from registration up to six months. If their stay exceeds six months, they have to register themselves. Individuals without nationality (stateless persons; IRO refugees, persons receiving legal or political protection, holders of Nansen passport etc.) should have valid passports, identity documents or sworn affidavits along with the visa for which they should apply two months in advance. Pakistan nationals are required to register themselves within 24 hours of their arrival with the nearest police station. Those holding a long-term multiple entry visa do not require ‘Intended Departure Clearance’ from the city office when leaving the county. Accredited journalists a re given the ‘Intended Departure Clearance’ at the airport. Family passports issued by other governments are recognized without discrimination.

For those who are not residing in the areas mentioned above, they should contact the following office:
Joint Secretary (Foreigners),
Ministry of Home Affairs,
1st Floor, Lok-Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market,
New Delhi-110003

Landing Permit Facility
Tourists may note the no Landing permit Facility is available to any foreign tourist landing without a visa. A limited facility exists only for group tours consisting of four or more members and sponsored by a travel agency recognized by the Government of India. Children of foreigners of Indian origin below the age of 12 may be granted a landing permit by the immigration authorities up to a period of 90 days to see their relatives, in case they happen to come without a visa.

Tourist Groups
A tourist group arriving by air, ship or by a chartered or scheduled flight may be granted a collective Landing permit for a period of up to 30 days by the immigration authorities on landing, provided the group is sponsored by a recognized travel agency and a pre-drawn itinerary is presented along with details of passport etc. of the members, and the travel agency gives an undertaking to conduct the group together.

Extension of Visa
As a rule no extension of stay is granted on a Tourist Visa. However, in exceptional case if extension is allowed an extension fee is levied which varies from country to country.

Special Permits
Some areas in India, usually border districts, are out of bounds for normal travelers due to political and security reasons. However, some of these to political and security reasons. However, some of these are extremely beautiful and fascinating places, their remoteness lending them a special quality, and special permits may be procured if one wishes to visit them. Permits are usually provided to groups and for a limited number of days. There is no extra charge for acquiring the permits and they may be obtained from the Indian Mission abroad or governmental agencies within India.