A brief summary of types of visas and requirements is given below.For detailed information regarding all types of visas,Please refer to the website: https://www.mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/AnnexIII_01022018.pdf

Tourist Visa (‘T’ Visa)

Tourist visa is granted to foreigners whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, meeting friends or relatives, attending a short term yoga programme (not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/diploma etc.), short duration medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, short term courses in local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/programme (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/diploma etc.) and voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which does not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return) etc. and no other purpose/activity.

Tourist visa is non-extendable and non-convertible (except under certain conditions for which Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) may be contacted).

Registration with FRRO/FRO is not required provided continuous stay in India does not exceed 180 days. For five-year duration visa, registration is required if continuous stay exceeds ninety days.

Documents required

• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit
• https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.


• Printout of the online application form duly signed.

Note : There should be a gap of at least two months between two visits to India on a Tourist Visa on re-entry of nationals of Afghanistan, China, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistan origin and Stateless persons.

Business Visa (‘B’ Visa)

Business Visa (‘B’ Visa)

B 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. 

Business visa holders are required to register themselves with the FRRO/FRO in case the aggregate stay in India exceeds 180 days during a calendar year.

Foreigners intending to visit India for employment purposes may note that in cases where they are paid salary/ remuneration outside India, they would be granted Business Visa.

Documents required

1.https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.Printout of the online application form duly signed on BOTH pages.

2.Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.

3.Two photograph. For photo requirements, visit India Visa Online (indianvisaonline.gov.in)

4.A Letter of invitation from the Indian company stating the purpose and duration for which visa is requested.

5.Business card of the applicant.

6.A letter from the company on whose behalf the applicant is travelling, precisely stating the purpose, duration and the financial obligations of the visit, the expertise of the applicant and the length of his employment with the company.

7.Certificate of Incorporation of the company in India.

For FAQs regarding Business Visa, Please click here

Journalist Visa (‘J’ Visa)

Single entry visas are given to professional journalists and photographers for up to three months. Journalists, editors/writers/crew of television networks and radio stations are required to apply for visas along with a copy of their Media Accreditation Card and/or a document from their organization describing the nature of their work and whether they are travelling on work. If Journalists are going for tourism purposes, they will be granted a "J" Tourism Visa. Visa is granted for a period up to three months. For longer-term visas, please apply in advance with full justification.

Those going on assignments need to fill up online application for J-visa and fix an appointment with the Press Officer of the Embassy at email Id :, pni.berlin@mea.gov.in, pni1.berlin@mea.gov.in.

Documents required

• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit
• https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.Printout of the online application form duly signed.
• Letter from the employer stating the purpose of travel.

Film Visa (‘F’ Visa)

F Visa is issued for the purpose of shooting a feature film/reality TV & Web Shows/Series, Commercial TV Serials/Shows and Web Shows/Series in India. The application for such cases will be processed only after approval from the Indian Embassy, Berlin or the Consulate as per jurisdiction on case to case basis.

Film visa processing time may be longer depending upon the case.

Those interested in making documentaries in India may contact Indian Embassy, Berlin or Consulates as per jurisdiction. For visa applicants residing in Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, please fix appointment at email ID: pni.berlin@mea.gov.in and pni1.berlin@mea.gov.in. Please also fill up the  application and furnish details as mentioned therein along with an undertaking. An approval for documentary filming may take up to 8 weeks from the date of submission of application complete in all respects.

No registration will be required with Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)/ Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) if the stay during each visit does not exceed 180 days. If the intention of the foreigner on Film visa is to stay for more than 180 days, he/she should get himself/herself registered with the FRRO/FRO concerned within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days. Further, if the aggregate stay in India on Film Visa exceeds 180 days in a calendar year, the foreigner will have to get registered with the FRRO/FRO concerned.

Documents Required

• Printout of the online application form duly signed.
• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Four copies of the detailed shooting script in case of feature film and detailed concept in case of TV show/TV serials, details of visiting film crew and location of film shooting.
• A letter of intent regarding the shooting of the film in India, mentioning the production schedule or the dates of shooting, particulars of the cast and crew coming to India for the purpose of the shoot/production, chosen location, list of filming equipment (if any) that is being brought into the country and other relevant details.

Student Visa (‘S’ Visa)

S visa is given to bona fide students to pursue on-campus, full time (structured) courses at educational institutions duly recognized by statutory regulatory body and have acquired statutory authorization to conduct the course(s) complying with GST regulations for regular studies at recognized institutions in India and to persons going for studying Yoga, Vedic Culture, Indian systems of dance/music/Buddhist studies, etc. The visa is valid for the period of study up to a maximum period of five years.

Registration with FRRO/FRO having jurisdiction over the place where the foreigner intends to stay is required within 14 days from the date of arrival, if visa is issued for more than 180 days.

S Visa is also granted to those intending to pursue internship in Indian companies/educational institutions/NGOs/foreign Missions or Posts in India/foreign Government organisations sponsoring the foreign national/Indian and foreign media organizations valid up to a period of one year.

S Visa will be granted (a) at any time during the course of study ; or (b) after completion of graduation/ post graduation but the gap between completion of graduation/post graduation and the commencement of the internship should not be more than two years.

In case the internship is with a Company, the internee should draw a minimum remuneration of INR 3,60,000 per annum. There will be no minimum salary limit in the case of internship in educational institutions and NGOs.
Earnings from internship with Indian Companies/Educational Institutions/NGOs will be subject to the Indian Income Tax regulations.

Registration with Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)/Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) is required within 14 days of arrival in India, if continuous stay is for more than 180 days.

Documents required

• Valid Passport for at least 6 months duration and two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Printout of the online application form duly signed.
• Letter of admission from a recognised Indian educational institution with duration of the course.
• Invitation letter from the company/organization/agency based in India sponsoring the applicant for the internship programme.
• A letter from the concerned institute in Germany.
• Proof of registration of the company/organisation in India.
• A letter of financial support from parent/guardian.
• No objection letter from Parents to study abroad for applicants below 18  years.
• To note : Grant of Intern visa for those intending to pursue internship in NGOs will be subject to prior clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Please apply for the visa well in advance, as the process can take time.

S Visa is also granted for Research work up to a maximum period of three years.

The Visa can also be issued to foreign professors, teachers and scholars who are invited as visiting faculty on an invitation from a Central educational institution or publicly funded State University.

Grant of S Visa to the members of Botanical, Scientific, Anthropological etc., expedition would be subject to approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The applicants are advised to apply at least four months in advance, giving full information on the following points :

(A) : Name, nationality and bio-data of the persons forming the party ; (b) the areas which the party desires to visit in India ; (c) the purpose of the expedition ; (d) the proposed duration of stay in India ; (e) details of the manner in which the expedition is proposed to be financed ; (f) if any foreign organization is sponsoring the expedition, full background material about the sponsor ; and (g) the name of the Indian collaborator/institution, if any, connected with the organization of the expedition. 

(B) : Members of the expedition may be required to take with them a liaison officer deputed by the agency concerned of the Government of India. Approval of the designated agency of the Government of India will also be necessary to take out of India any specimens collected during the expedition as per conditions prescribed by the Ministry of Science & Technology and other agencies concerned. 

(C) : Such expeditions will NOT be permitted to visit any protected, restricted or tribal area without the specific permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Registration with FRRO/FRO having jurisdiction over the place where the foreigner intends to stay is required within 14 days from the date of arrival if visa is issued for more than 180 days.

Additional documents required for Research related work

• Submission of subject of research project, details of places to be visited, previous visits, whether the scholar has secured admission to a recognized or reputed institution and evidence of financial resources along with the application.
• Letter of admission from the Indian institutions.
• In cases which involve research on subjects related to the foreigner’s own country, the research scholar will be required to furnish a brief synopsis of the research proposal in about 150 words and giving full justification (including the benefit he/she would get) for doing the research in India.
• Invitation letter for foreigners who are invited as visiting faculty.

Conference Visa (‘C’ Visa)

Foreign nationals are granted Conference Visas on production of an invitation to a conference/seminar/workshop being organized in India.
For business meetings or board meetings, to discuss business matters of a particular company/organization, a foreigner may obtain Business Visa.

May refer to https://conference.mha.gov.in for more details.

Documents required

• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Printout of the online application form duly signed.
• A copy of the Letter of Invitation for the Conference from organizers in India.
• A copy of the letter from the Institution represented in Germany.

Medical Visa (MED-1)

Medical visa for the purpose of medical treatment is granted for up to one year with maximum of three entries. If Medical visa/Medical Attendant visa is issued for a period of 180 days or less, no registration with FRRO/FRO would be required. Minor children accompanying a parent, who intends to come for medical treatment on a Medical visa would be given Entry (‘X’) visa co-terminus with the Medical visa of the principal visa holder.

Documents required

• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Printout of the online application form duly signed.
• Relevant letters from the hospital concerned in India.
• Recommendation letter from a doctor/hospital in Germany.

Medical Attendant Visa (MED-2)

A Medical Attendant visa is given to those who are accompanying a patient. Maximum of two persons(attendant or family member) are permitted with a patient. The duration of the visa is co-terminus with the medical visa of the patient.

Documents required

• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Printout of the online application form duly signed.

Transfer of long-term visa

If the passport on which visa has been endorsed lapses, the visa will still be valid if the old passport is carried along with the new passport. However, for transferring a long term visa from an old passport to a new passport, applicants are required to submit the old passport which holds the valid Indian Visa and the current valid passport.

• Printout of the online application form duly signed.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.

Entry Visa (‘X’ Visa)

Entry Visa is mainly given to a person of Indian origin and spouse & children of an Indian citizen/person of Indian origin/OCI cardholder or for specific purposes as decided by the Mission/Consulate. Registration is required within 14 days of arrival in India if the stay is more than 180 days.

Documents required

• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Printout of the online application form duly signed.

Employment Visa (‘E’ Visa)

Employment visa is granted to a foreigner for a maximum period of five years. The salary of the foreign national should not be less than INR 16,25,000 per annum. Exemption from the salary is granted to (a) ethnic cooks (b) foreign language teachers (c) staff working for foreign diplomatic Missions (d) teaching faculty employed in the South Asian University & the Nalanda University, and (f) circus artists sponsored by Indian Circus Federation. Persons of Indian origin and spouse/children of an Indian citizen/Person of Indian origin/OCI cardholder (other than those who are registered as OCI cardholder) must draw a minimum salary of INR 3,60,000 per annum for being eligible for taking up employment. Foreign nationals who wish to come to India for honorary work (without salary) with NGOs registered in India are granted employment visa upto one year duration. However, the foreign national can draw a monthly remuneration not exceeding Rs. 10,000/- per month for honorary work, extension is done by the State governments/Union Territories/Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)/Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO). Employment visa is also granted for execution of projects in the power and steel sectors. Period of visa is initially for a period of one year or for the actual duration of the project/contract. The visa is issued only for skilled/highly skilled persons. The person who has been issued visa for a specific power or steel project is not allowed to take up employment in the same Indian company for a period of two years from the date of commissioning of the project. In case the person has to come for attending to any emergent maintenance/commissioning issues, he/she can apply for Business Visa. There is no minimum salary requirement for grant of Employment visa for execution of projects in the power and steel sectors. The Indian company engaging the foreign national for executing the project/contract would be responsible for the conduct of the foreign national during his/her stay in India and also for the departure of such foreign national upon expiry of visa. Registration with FRRO/FRO having jurisdiction over the place where the foreigner intends to stay is required within 14 days from the date of arrival if visa is issued for more than 180 days. Foreigners seeking Employment Visa may note that in cases where salary/remuneration is paid in India, Employment Visa would be granted.

For FAQs on Employment visa, please CLICK HERE.

Transit Visa (TR)

A Transit visa granted for travel through India is valid for entry within 15 days of date of issue for a maximum stay of 3 days. For a stay in India beyond 3 days, an appropriate visa should be obtained.

A foreign national (other than a Pakistani national) on Transit visa will be allowed to avail facilities provided under Tourist Visa. However, if the foreigner intends to perform some work or business in India, irrespective of the duration of his/her proposed stay, he/she should obtain a visa of the appropriate category.

A person who desires to make two entries into India in transit in the course of the same journey can be granted a transit visa valid for two entries and for stay in transit for a period not exceeding 3 days for each journey.

A Transit visa is not required by a foreigner passing through, in direct transit by air, and travelling onward through India, provided he/she does not leave the specified precints of the airport.

A Transit visa is not required by a foreigner who does not leave the ship while it halts at an Indian port.

Documents required

• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Printout of the online application form duly signed.
• Valid travel documents for the country of destination and the countries en route.
• Evidence of onward travel outside India - confirmed air ticket for onward journey.

Visa for Pakistani passport holders

• Printout of the online application form duly signed.
• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Visa is issued only after clearance is received from MHA.

Visa for German/Foreign passport holders of Pakistani origin

• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Printout of the online application form duly signed.
• Relevant documents as per visa category.
• Visa will be issued only after clearance is received from MHA.

Visas for Afghanistan passport holders

• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Printout of the online application form duly signed.
• Relevant documents as per visa category.
• Except for Tourist visa/Transit visa/Medical visa, Visa is issued only after clearance is received from MHA (subject to fulfillment of other conditions).

Visa for Chinese passport holders

• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Printout of the online application form duly signed.
• Relevant document as indicated under visa categories.
• Except for Tourist visa/Transit visa/Medical visa/Business visa/Conference visa/Sports visa, Visa is issued only after clearance is received from MHA (subject to fulfillment of other conditions).

Visa for Stateless passport holders

• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.
• One photograph. For photo requirements, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html.
• Printout of the online application form duly signed.
• Relevant document as indicated under visa categories.
• It is advised that applicants, apply for visa much in advance as the processing takes longer than usual.
• In certain cases, Visa will be issued only after clearance is received from MHA.
• Faq Business
• Faq Employment