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Tourist Visas :-
Multi-entry visa, valid for a period of 180 days, is granted for the purpose of tourism.
Business Visa :-
foreigner can obtain one from an Indian Embassy abroad. A multiple entry visa is valid for 5 years, provided he wishes to come for some business.
Student Visa :-
student visa can be obtained from the Indian Embassy on the production of proof of admission and means of sustenance while in India, etc. The visa is valid for 1 year but can be extended in India for the duration of the course.
Transit Visas :-
Transit visas are granted by Indian Missions abroad for a maximum period of 15 days.
Collective Visas :-
The facility also exists for the issue of collective visas to group tours consisting of not less than four members and sponsored by a travel agency recognised by the Government of India. Such groups may split into smaller groups for visiting different places in India after obtaining a collective "licence to travel" from the immigration authorities in India. However, they must reassemble and depart as the original group.
Tourist Groups :-
A tourist group arriving by air, ship or by a chartered or scheduled flight may be granetd a collective landing permit for a period of upto 30 days by the immigration authorities on landing, provided the group is sponsored by a recognised travel agency and a predrawn itinerary is presented along with details of passport etc. of the members, and the travel agency gives an undertaking to conduct the group together.
If a foreigner wishes to come to India for a purpose other than tourism, he should come after obtaining one of the following visas
Conference Visa :-
Delegates coming to attend international conferences in India can be granted Conference Visa to cover the conference as well as for tourism in India. Delegates are advised to apply to Indian Embassies well in advance.
Employment Visa :-
Foreigners desirous of coming to India for taking up employment should apply for an Employment Visa, which are issued by Indian Missions abroad. Initially granted for a period of one year, it can be extended in India upto the period of contract. ** 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.
Visa Extensions :-
ATourists visas are available for a maximum period of 180 days. No charge are levied for visa extension within the maximum period of 180 days.
Identical passport photographs are required. However, in case of an extension beyond 180 days, which is allowed only in exceptional cases, an extension fee is charged.
Tourists from other countries are advised to check current applicable visa fee/visa extension fees with government of India Tourist Offices or Indian Consular Offices located in their respective countries.
Customs Formalities And Regulations :-
The usual duty free regulations of one bottle of whisky, i.e. 950 ml or less and 200 cigarettes apply for India. If the tourist brings in more than $ 1000 in cash or in traveller's cheques, it must be declared by completion of currency declaration form.
While small items like perfumes, cosmetics etc., are allowed into the country, larger items like video cameras are likely to be entered on a "Tourist Baggage Re-export' form to ensure that the article is taken away on departure. The TBRE form should be re-submitted on departure.
Goods brought in excess of this are chargeable to duty as per prevailing law.
Foreign Travel Tax :-
For international travel from Indian airports Airport Travel Tax must be paid for travel to all other countries. This tax is also applicable to infants who may not be occupying seats.
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