Restoration of Tourist/e-Tourist Visa for Foreign Tourists 

Travel/Entry Guidelines for international travellers arriving to India as on October 20, 2021 

Relaxation on Visa and Travel Restrictions for Foreign Tourists 

Update on Visa & Travel restrictions in response to COVID 19 

Revised Travel Advisory 

Update on COVID-19: revised travel advisory 

Notification for e-Visa seekers/holders 

Please beware of fake websites claiming to offer Indian Visa/e-Tourist related services on behalf of Government of India 

It has been noticed that few fake websites apparently similar to Government of India's official websites claim to provide services to Indian visa applicants desiring to travel to India.

All the people who intend to seek Indian visa and apply online are to be careful while accessing such websites which has no authorization of the Embassy of India, Panama or Government of India. The correct and authorized website for Indian Visa Online application is indianvisaonline.gov.in

Online visa application system and visa guidelines

Embassy of India, Panama has introduced online submission of visa applications with effect from July 01, 2014.  

With effect from 19.10.2016 the Mission has introduced biometric procedures whereby Visa applicants need to be physically present at the Embassy for completing finger-printing formalities.

Advisory on Biometrics

Applications should be filled at the following

indianvisaonline.gov.in and presented to the Embassy in person.

All incomplete and wrongly filled applications for consular services will be returned at the applicant’s cost as this leads to undesirable and avoidable delays. Applicants are advised to read the instructions carefully before submitting them.

Travelers visiting India must possess a valid “Yellow Fever Vaccination” card if they are transiting or have transited through a yellow Fever Zone.

Travellers from the Yellow Fever endemic countries must posses a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate at least 10 days prior to the arrival in India.

List of Yellow Fever endemic countries 

For more details please visit the link http://boi.gov.in/content/health-regulation

SATELLITE PHONES: public advisory for visitors to India

Under the law, Satellite telephone services are not permitted in India.  If any unauthorized use of such satellite telephone sets, such as Thuraya/Irridium etc. is detected, these sets will be seized and the holder will be prosecuted under Section 6 of Indian Wireless Act and Section 20 of Indian Telegraph Act.

Under the liberalized Visa regime of Government of India, nationals of  all countries including Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, will  be granted multiple entry Tourist and Business visa for a period of 5 years.( (Except USA, Canada and Japan who are covered by 10-year Tourist and Business Visa regime and the following  33 countries: 

 1.Iran 2. Iraq 3. Egypt 4.Libya 5. Qatar 6.Syria 7.Sudan 8. Tunisia 9. Kuwait 10.Yemen 11.Algeria 12. Baharain 13.Turkey 14. Morocco 15. Kyrgystan 16. Turkmenistan 17. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea(North Korea) 18. Lebanon 19. Pakistan 20. Afghanistan 21. Saudi Arabia 22. Uganda 23. Congo 24. Ethiopia 25. Nigeria 26. Belarus 27. Somalia 28. Bangladesh 29. South Sudan 30. Kazakhstan 31. China 32. Uzbekistan 33. Sri Lanka). 

Biometric enrolment is mandatory for issue of long term 5 years Tourist/Business visas. 

Applicants applying for visa for more than 1 year  will have to apply/submit their visa applications in person in the Embassy of India, Panama as registration of biometrics is mandatory.

Five year validity Tourist visa will be granted with the condition that stay during each visit shall not exceed 90 days and no registration will be required for stay upto 90 days.

Fiver year validity Business visa will be granted with the condition that stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days. No registration will be required for stay upto 180 days.

General information about the new Visa Procedure

Applicants are henceforth required to fill online visa applications according to the instructions given on the online visa application link http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa.

It is mandatory to upload digital photograph on the visa applications filled online. Applications without uploaded photographs will be summarily rejected.

A printout of duly submitted online form should be signed by the applicant and presented in person at the Embassy during Consular Service Hours along with requisite fees, two recent photographs (5.08X5.08 cm (2”X2”) and all other required documents.

Separate visa form is required to be filled in respect of each child travelling with the parent even where name of the child is included in the passport of the parent.

Once the online application form has been submitted by the applicant, further modifications are not permitted. Hence, applicants are requested to double check the details before submitting the online application form.

Applicants are requested to note down the File Number (generated automatically after submission of online form) for further communications and reference.

Passports should have a minimum validity of 6 months and at least 3 blank pages, otherwise applications should be submitted with a new passport.

The passport should be in good condition. Damaged passports will not be accepted for issue of visa.

Photographs should not be stapled under any circumstances but pasted neatly in the given boxes.

Applicants should submit a copy of the air ticket for forward journey only in respect of transit & long term visas, and copies of return air tickets in respect of short duration visas of a period less than one year.

The time frame for visas is indicative only and subject to fulfillment of all essential requirements for specific type of visa applied for and payment of prescribed fees. Issue of visa may take little longer in certain cases.

"Please note that the validity of visa starts from the date of issue and not from the date of travel". This aspect may, therefore, be kept in mind while applying for visa and purchase of air tickets. Application once submitted to the Embassy and fees paid cannot be withdrawn/ refunded even if applicant cancels his plans to visit India or is denied visa by the Embassy.

Applicants may be required to submit proof of sound financial standing such as a bank statement – for some categories of visas.

The Embassy reserves the right to interview visa applicants and visa will be granted subject to the applicant clearing the interview.

New machine readable visa stickers issued by the Embassy will be valid for entry into India. As per the new format, these stickers will not carry the signatures and stamp of the Embassy.

The applicant can submit the printed application at the embassy only the next day after the online application has been registered, and within maximum of one week.

Consular Jurisdiction

Types of Visa:

e-Visa is to be applied by the applicant directly online, visa fee is paid online and the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization is also issued online. There is no requirement to visit the Embassy This is for International Travelers whose sole objective of visiting India is a recreation, sightseeing. casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit. Panama Costa Rica and Nicaragua is included in this scheme

1.  e-Visa is admissible only under the following categories

1)  e-Tourist visa

2)  e-Business Visa

3)  e-Conference Visa

4)  e-Medical Visa

5)  e-Medical Attendant Visa

6)  e-Ayush Visa

7)  e-Ayush Attendant Visa

2.  e-Visa is not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment areas.

3.  Not available to Diplomatic Official passport holders or Laissez-passer travel Document holders.

4.  Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's Spouse's passport each individual should have a separate passport.

5.  Not available to International Travel Document Holders

6.  Applicant of the eligible countries/ territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 120 days Example: if you are applying on it Sept. then applicant can select arrival date of Sth Sep to 2nd Jan.

7.  International Travelers having Pakistani passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian mission.

8.  Passport should have at least 6 months validity from the date of arrival in India the passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.

9.  e-Visa facility is in addition to the existing Visa service

10.  Applicant should carry a copy of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) along with him/her at the time of travel

11.  For complete information on e-Visa and online application procedure, eligibility instructions and the Nationals of countries for which e-Visa facility is available. please visit the link https//indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

12.  For any assistance call e-Visa support center at +91-11-24300666 or send email to indiatvoa@gov.in

II. REGULAR VISA

Tourist Visa (T): Multy-entry, valid for 6 months up to 5 years, it is non-extendable and non-convertible to other types of visas. Proof of financial solvency and confirmed return tickets may be required.

Business Visa (B): Multy-entry, valid for 6 months up to 5 years, it is non-extendable and granted for short visits for doing business or attending business meetings/negotiations. Seeking employment on a business visa is illegal. Additional requirements for a business visa are: i) a formal, signed, invitation letter (no email communication etc.) from the Indian company, on the company’s letterhead, referring to the applicant’s passport details and indicating the duration for which the visa is needed, ii) on request, a copy of the Indian company’s Letter of Incorporation/Memorandum of Article / Memorandum of Association/Registration with Registrar of Companies/ any other proof of being legally registered, and iii) a letter from the company which the applicant represents, detailing the company’s area of activities  and the business interests in India and also the professional position of the applicant and the work being handled. For business visa valid for up to one year, visa fee prescribed for one year business visa is charged even when the validit of visa issued is less than one year.

Proof of financial solvency is required.

For  nationals of other countries resident in Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, period of residence of the applicant should be at least 2 years.

Employment Visa (E): Valid initially for one year; subject to certain conditions, can later be extended by a Foreigners´ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in India if the job contract continues. Spouse and children get co-terminus visas(Entry visa). The following supporting documents are required: i) a formal appointment letter (no email communication etc.) from the company / organization in India to be submitted with the application form, ii) evidence of financial arrangements for stay in India, iii) the original contract for employment (along with its photocopy), iv) a formal, signed letter on the Indian company / organization concerned on its letterhead, addressed to the Embassy`s Consular Section, detailing the reasons/justifications of the employment, also referring to the applicant’s passport details and the duration for which the visa is needed, and v) on request, a copy of the Indian company’s Letter of Incorporation/Memorandum of Article/Memorandum of Association/Registration with Registrar of Companies/ any other proof of being legally registered with the relevant body in India.

One year employment visas for first- time employment in India is processed by the Embassy. All cases of renewal of Employment Visa or change of Employer in India need to be processed in India as per the requirement of the concerned FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office. (http://boi.gov.in/). The Embassy will not entertain any renewal cases.

Project Visa: Project visa is a sub-set of employment visa and is granted to foreigners employed for executing Steel and Power sector projects.

Students Visa (S): Multy-entry student visa is issued to bona fide students to pursue regular studies at recognized educational institutions in India, the validity of the visa depending upon the duration of the course. A letter confirming admission from such a recognized educational institution along with evidence of financial arrangements for stay in India should accompany the application. In   case of admission in medical or para-medical courses in India, a letter of approval or No Objection Certificate from Ministry of Health, New Delhi, is also required. Likewise for admission in   graduate or post-graduate courses in Engineering  or Technical Institutions  in  India, a letter  of approval or a No Objection from   Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department  of Education), New Delhi, is required.

Research Visa (R): Research visa is granted on an ad hoc, case by case basis, with validity as per the research project requirements. Before applying, the applicants must first contact the Embassy to discuss their research proposal. The application needs to be accompanied by certain supporting documents: i) a formal admission letter (no email communication etc.) from a recognized institution or college, ii) evidence of financial arrangements for stay in India, and iii) for research with a technical institute such as in medical and para-medical or engineering field, clearance from Indian Ministry concerned (Ministry of Health / Ministry of Human Resources). For research not university/ institution of higher learning but with a commercial organization, the following would be required: i) a formal invitation letter (no email communication etc.) from the organization/institution concerned, ii) evidence of financial arrangements for stay in India, iii) a letter from the organization/institution addressed to the Embassy of India explaining the research, its envisioned scope and purpose, and recommending the applicant for a Research visa, also referring to the applicant’s passport details. Research visas issue may take up to three months, and should be applied for well in time.

Journalist Visa (J): Journalist visas are given to a professional journalist or photographer for a three-month stay in India. Foreign journalists desiring to go to India on long term assignments (i.e to be based in India) should fill up the online form (http:77pibaccreditation.nic.in/ under New users- select option- ” I am applying through Indian Mission abroad”) for issuance of PIB cards accreditation simultaneously with submission of their “J” visa applications . For making a documentary in India, the Embassy should be contacted first for discussion.

Conference Visa (C): Conference visa for attending international conferences, seminar, workshops, etc will be issued to the participants subject to submission of the following documents along with the application:

1. Invitation letter from the organizer/s

2. No objection/ Clearance of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India

3. Administrative approval of the concerned Ministry of Government of India

4. Political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs and clearance from the State government concerned wherever applicable

Conference visa is issued to applicants attending International Conferences/ Seminars organized by the Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments etc. and the maximum duration for the Conference Visa is 3 months. Applicants attending business Conferences/seminars/workshops organized by the private business organizations in India are required to apply for Business visa only.

Transit Visa (TR): For the sole purpose of enabling the holder to travel through India, valid for direct transit for a maximum period of 3 days; ordinarily valid for single/double journey and for entry within 15 days of the date of issue. Confirmed airline ticket for onward journey and valid visa for final destination are required.

Entry Visa (X): Applicable for people of Indian origin or persons married to Indian nationals, with validity from 1-5 years, with multiple entries. It is extendable in India. Entry visa is also issued for learning Yoga/Vedic culture in recognized institutions. All Indian origin people should apply for this visa when going to visit their relatives and friends in India along with tourism.

Missionary Visa: to foreign missionaries, other than those holding No objection to return to India endorsements, are granted only after clearance by concerned Ministry/Department in  India.

Mountaineering Visa: Visa for mountaineering expeditions is granted only after clearance by concerned authorities in India.

Medical &Medical Attendant Visa: Maybe issued valid for one year or the period of treatment, whichever is less, to foreign nationals visiting India for medical treatment in reputed/recognized specialized hospitals/treatment centres in india. Visa is permissible for treatment under Indian system of medicine also. Applicants/family members of patients coming to India for medical treatment shall be granted medical Attendant Visa(MEDX) co-terminus with the medical visa of the patient. Attendants should be spouse/children or those having blood relations with the patient. Not more than two attendants are allowed. A letter from the hospital in India giving details about the treatment, its expenditure and  duration along with evidence of financial arrangements for stay in India should accompany the application.

Ayush Visa (AY-1) & Ayush Attendant Visa(AY-2): Issued with validity of one year or for the period of treatment, whichever is less, to foreign nationals visiting India who seek treatment through Ayush systems/Indian systems of medicine like therapeutic care and wellness in a Hospital/Wellness centre accredited and registered with any Government authority(ies) concerned or NABH/NCH/NCISM accredited hospitals providing Ayush services. Applicants/family members of patients coming to India for medical treatment shall be granted medical Ayush Attendant Visa(AY-2) co-terminus with the Ayush visa of the patient. Attendants should be spouse/children or those having blood relations with the patient. Not more than two attendants are allowed. A letter from the hospital in India giving details about the treatment, its expenditure and duration along with evidence of financial arrangements for stay in India should accompany the application.

Intern Visa 

An Intern Visa is granted for pursuing internship in Indian companies, Educational Institutions and NGOs.  

The period of visa is restricted to the duration of the internship programme or one year, whichever is less. 

Requirements:- 

The intern visa will be granted immediately after completion of graduation/post graduation but the gap between the completion of graduation/post graduation and the commencement of the internship should not be more than one year. 

A letter is required from the Indian company/educational institution/NGO concerned sponsoring the foreign national for the internship programme clearly indicating the period of internship. 

In case the internship is in a Company, the foreign national being sponsored for internship should draw a minimum remuneration of Indian  Rs.7.80 lakhs per annum. There will be no minimum salary limit in the case of internship in Educational Institutions and NGOs. 

Intern visa will not be issued for internship in certain vital sectors like Defence, Telecom, Space Technologies, Construction/strategic infrastructure projects, Mining, Civil Aviation, Petroleum& Natural Gas exploration, Private security agencies, Human Rights, Nuclear Energy, Environmental issues and Dams. 

Grant of Intern Visa for pursuing internship in NGOs will be subject to prior clearance of the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA), Government of India. Prior clearance of MHA, Govt. of India is also required if the internship programme involves visits to Protected, Restricted and Cantonment areas, State of Jammu & Kashmir and North Eastern States.

Foreign nationals granted visa for doing internship will have to register themselves with the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) concerned with 14 days of arrival in India if continuous stay is for more than 180 days. 

The foreign national will have to exit the country before the expiry of the visa. An undertaking should be obtained from the company/organization concerned that they will ensure departure of the foreigner on completion of the internship. 

Under no circumstances, the foreign national will be allowed to take up employment in India immediately after completion of the internship programme. Conversion of the Intern visa into Employment visa or any other types of visa will not be permitted. In case the foreign national receives any offer for employment in India, he/she will  have to go back to the country of his/her origin/domicile and apply for Employment Visa at the Indian Mission/Post concerned. 

Earnings from internship of the foreign nationals with Indian companies/Educational institutions/NGOs will be subject to the Indian Income Tax Regulations. 

Grant of visa to interns sponsored by AIESEC will also be governed by the above mentioned guidelines. 

Film Visa 

Film Visa is given for the shooting of a feature film or television/cinema and reality TV show/commercial serials.  For more details, please contact the Embassy.

Registration:

Compulsory Registration for Long-term Stay:

A foreigner who intends to stay in India for more than 180 days on a single visit, needs to register himself / herself with the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of his / her first arrival in India. Pakistani Nationals are required to register within 24 hours and Afghanistan Nationals are required to register within 7 days of their arrival in India.

Children below 16 years of age do not require registration on any type of visa. For further details regarding the FRROs, procedures, forms etc., please visit the website of Bureau of Immigration, Government of India (http://boi.gov.in/)

Pakistani Nationals and Foreigners of Pak Origin: Visa is granted to Pakistani nationals and foreigners of Pak origin only after clearance by concerned authorities. Pakistani nationals holding visitors visa are required to register themselves at the check post of entry within 24 hours of their reaching the specified places. Pak nationals are permitted to enter and exit from India only through designated check posts.

Chinese nationals: Only single entry Tourist and Business visas valid upto 3 months are granted to Chinese nationals.

Extension of Visa: Extension of visa, while in India, is dealt by Foreigners Regional Registration offices, Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs(http://boi.gov.in).

Gratis Visas: In view of the existing bilateral agreements/arrangements, all types of visas are  issued on gratis basis to the nationals of Afghanistan, Argentina(only Business,Tourist and Transit Visa) Bangladesh, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, South Africa and Uruguay(only Tourist visas). In respect of Seychelles nationals, all type of visas except for work/employment will be issued on gratis basis. ICWF charges of US$3 will be applicable.

Any person seeking visa to India for purpose of entering into a surrogacy arrangement must ascertain beforehand whether the law of that country permits surrogacy and will provide appropriate travel documents to the child for accompanying the surrogate parents.  Entering into surrogacy arrangement under any other visa not sought for surrogacy is punishable under the India law.

Visas for Diplomatic/ Official Passport/ Laissez-Passers/UN Passport holders

Applicants should fill in the application form online http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa and the hard copy of application is to be submitted along with the supporting documents required :

Diplomats/Officials assigned to their countries Missions/Posts in India or Diplomatic/Official/UN passport holders working in UN or international organizations located in India and their spouses/children holding any type of passport are granted diplomatic/official visas. Note Verbale should clearly indicate the name of the person who is being replaced and the duration of assignment.

Such Diplomatic/Official/UN passport holders working in UN or international organizations travelling to India on short term official duties may also be issued gratis visa depending on the purpose of visit.

All requests for visa are to be accompanied invariably by a Note Verbale issued by the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama or Costa Rica or Nicaragua or from the respective Diplomatic/UN Mission and copies of diplomatic ID/Cedula, Original passport and copy of passport, 2 photos.

2. *there will be different Business Visa fee for the nationals of the following 13 countries on reciprocal basis at the rates indicated, Owing to bilateral arrangements, :

3. **   THERE WILL BE DIFFERENT EMPLOYMENT VISA FEE ON RECIPROCAL BASIS  FOR THE FOLLOWING 10 SPECIFIED COUNTRIES AT THE RATES INDICATED, OWING TO BILATERAL ARRANGEMENTS :

4. Gratis Visas: In view of the existing bilateral agreements/arrangements, all types of visas are  issued on gratis basis to the nationals of Afghanistan, Argentina(only Business,Tourist and Transit Visa) Bangladesh, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, South Africa and Uruguay(only Tourist visas). In respect of Seychelles nationals, all type of visas except for work/employment will be issued on gratis basis. However, ICWF charges of US$3 will be applicable. 

5. Visa Free Countries: Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan do not require visa to enter India. However, Nepali nationals require visa if they enter India from China, which may be granted gratis. 

6. Visas Fee for Pakistani Nationals: As per visa agreement dated September 08, 2002, signed between India and Pakistan, a fee of Indian Rs.100/- is to be charged  for an Indian visa of all types.

7. Special Visa Fee Categories: In view of the existing bilateral agreements/arrangements, visa fee in respect of following countries will be as follows:

a) Singaporean Nationals: The charges for Tourist visa (Multiple Entry) and valid up to six months in respect of Singapore nationals will be US$28. However, fee for all other types of visas will be same as  mentioned n the visa fee table.

b) Japanese Nationals: A fee of US$4 for Transit Visa and US$11 for all other types of visas will be charged from the nationals of Japan. 

c) U.K. Nationals: The fee for U.K.nationals for different types of visas will be as follows:-

d) Nigerian Nationals:  Nigerian nationals will be charged a uniform fee of US$ 588 for all types of visas valid for any duration. 

e) USA Nationals

The revised fee for Tourist and Business visas is inclusive of Visa application fee.  However, for other categories of visas, Visa application fee of US $ 20/- (US Dollars Twenty only) will be charged in addition to prescribed visa fee.

Fee for all other types of visas will be same as applicable for other countries mentioned in para 1 above.

f) Ukrainian Nationals: The fee for Ukraine nationals for different types of visas will be as follows:-

g) Russian Nationals: Normal visa fee schedule does not apply to Russian nationals. Service charges to be charged from the Russian nationals as per details given below:-

h) Sri Lankan Nationals: The existing rates of visa fees for Sri Lankan nationals remain unchanged. Details are as given below:-

i)  Mozambique Nationals: The visa fee  to be charged from  the Mozambique nationals are given below:

8. GRATIS BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT VISAS FOR COUNTRIES MENTIONED BELOW: 

Business and Employment visas (where applicable) to the applicants from the following 48 Countries will be  issued on gratis basis. However, Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) charges of US$3.00 will be charged from the business and employment visa applicants.

9. CANADIAN NATIONALS:

10. Transfer of Visa: When an Indian visa affixed on an old passport is transferred to a new one, a service fee of US$8.00 is to be charged. This fee will not be charged from the nationals of the countries mentioned in para 4, 5 and 6.

Visa fee for nationalsother than Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, may kindly be checked with  Embassy of India, Panama from the Reception Desk: phone 00-507-2643043/email:ra@indempan.org

Note: There is additional charge of US$20.00 for outstation bank draft/bankers cheque.