Types of Visas for India : India offers a range of visas tailored to different purposes of travel, such as tourism, business, medical treatment, study, and more. This guide outlines the main types of visas available for India, like Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Employment Visa, Student Visa etc, including its eligibility, requirements, application process, and specifics for travelers interested in activities like shopping for business purposes in Jaipur’s markets.
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Types of Visas for India
India’s visa system caters to diverse needs, primarily divided into e-Visas and regular visas. Here’s an overview of the key categories:
1. e-Visas
Available to citizens of over 160 countries (e.g., USA, UK, Canada, Australia) for short-term visits.
Applied online via indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Types of e-Visas:
- e-Tourist Visa: For tourism, sightseeing, or visiting friends/relatives.
- Validity: 30 days (double entry), 1 year, or 5 years (multiple entries, max 90 days per visit; 180 days for UK, USA, Canada, Japan).
- e-Business Visa: For business meetings, trade, or setting up ventures (detailed below).
- e-Medical Visa: For medical treatment (60 days, triple entry).
- e-Medical Attendant Visa: For accompanying medical patients (60 days, triple entry).
- e-Conference Visa: For attending seminars or workshops (30 days, single entry).
Entry: Via 31 designated airports (e.g., Delhi, Jaipur) and 6 seaports (e.g., Mumbai, Cochin).
2. Regular Visas
Applied through Indian embassies, consulates, or agencies (e.g., VFS Global) for purposes not covered by e-Visas or for non-eligible nationalities (e.g., Pakistan, Afghanistan).
Types of Regular Visas:
- Tourist Visa: For extended tourism (6 months to 10 years, depending on nationality).
- Business Visa: For long-term business activities (detailed below).
- Student Visa: For academic programs at recognized institutions.
- Employment Visa: For work with an Indian employer.
- Medical Visa: For prolonged treatment.
- Journalist Visa: For media-related activities.
- Research Visa: For academic research.
- Transit Visa: For layovers (up to 72 hours).
- Entry Visa: For OCI cardholders’ families or other special cases.
- Other Visas: Include diplomatic, missionary, and project visas.
3. Visa on Arrival (VoA)
- Available only for Japan, South Korea, and UAE nationals (UAE requires prior e-Visa/regular visa).
- Valid for 60 days, double entry, at 6 airports (e.g., Delhi, Mumbai).
- Non-extendable; fee ~INR 2,000.
4. Visa-Exempt Entry
- Nepal, Bhutan: No visa or passport needed for unlimited stays (except if arriving from China, Hong Kong, Macau, or Pakistan).
- Maldives: Visa-free for 90 days.
- OCI Cardholders: Indefinite stay without a visa.
