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Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in India
You can stay in India for the time and purpose allowed by your visa.
An X-1 entry visa for a person of Indian origin without an Overseas Citizen of India card may last up to five years.
Business visas may last up to five years; student visas last no longer than the course or five years, whichever is shorter.
Study in India
A student visa lets you study full-time on campus in the recognised course and institution named in your visa.
Do business in India
A business visa can allow you to explore or set up a business, buy and sell commercially, recruit, or direct or partner in a company.
It can also allow technical or board meetings, trade fairs and supervision of Indian suppliers.
Travel to India
Your visa lets you travel to India through an authorised immigration checkpoint, but an officer can still refuse entry.
Your visa says whether and how often you can leave and return.
How to apply
From outside IndiaFrom outside India
Find your consulate
Find the Indian consulate that serves the place where you live. It may use an authorised visa application centre to receive applications.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Indian consulate handles Entry visa applications for people living in your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your consulate or its authorised visa application centre.
See required documentsOpen the application form
Open the regular visa application form on the Indian Visa Online portal.
Open the formFill in your application
Complete the regular visa form online and upload the requested scans. The documents you upload must be in English.
Fill in the formSubmit the online form
Submit your completed form online, then print and sign it for your visit.
Submit the formBook an appointment
Follow the portal's instructions to book a visit if your consulate or its authorised visa application centre requires an appointment.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an India Entry visa appointment at the consulate or visa application centre serving your city?”
Pay the visa fee
Pay the applicable visa and service fees using the payment method specified by your consulate or its authorised visa application centre.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the India Entry visa fee at the consulate or visa application centre serving your city?”
Hand in your application
Bring your printed, signed form, passport and supporting documents to your consulate or its authorised visa application centre. Hand them in and provide your fingerprints and photograph if asked.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I hand in an India Entry visa application at the consulate or visa application centre serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Track your application online and respond if the visa office asks for more information or documents.
Track your applicationGet your passport back
Collect your passport and visa from the consulate or visa application centre, or receive them by post as arranged. You can then prepare to travel to India.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my passport after an India Entry visa application at the consulate or visa application centre serving your city?”
Complete your arrival card
Complete the e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before you arrive in India. The card is not a visa.
Complete the cardOnce in IndiaOnce in India
Enter India
Enter through an authorised immigration check post with your valid passport and visa. You can then stay in India under the conditions of your visa.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I enter India with an Entry visa and a valid passport?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificate
Provide your registered marriage certificate or other evidence of your legal marriage. For a visa conversion after marrying an Indian citizen, provide a copy of the registered marriage certificate.
Spouse's status documents
Provide your spouse's Indian passport, evidence that they are a person of Indian origin, or their OCI card, as applicable. This spouse visa is for a legally married spouse of an Indian citizen, person of Indian origin or OCI cardholder; it is not for an unmarried partner or someone whose spouse is an ordinary foreign resident. You cannot use this route if you are already registered as an OCI cardholder. Item 49 is a separate scheme for qualifying investors and their families.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Immigration records and checks
Keep your passport and visa valid, report required arrival and departure details, and register when required.
Follow immigration directions and rules for restricted or protected areas, and give fingerprints or other identity details when required.
Purpose and work limits
You must follow your visa's purpose.
A business visa does not allow full-time employment, petty trade or money-lending.
Other work needs a separate employment visa or an approved change of visa.
Permission can end
Your visa ends when it expires and can be shortened or cancelled, or become unusable if you break its conditions.
Apply for an extension before expiry; an extension is not automatic.
Overstaying or breaking visa conditions can lead to a fine, up to five years in prison, removal and problems with future immigration.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
OCI Card Application Help UK
English Facebook group for people interested in Indian visas
Join on FacebookOverseas Citizens of India
English Facebook group for people interested in Indian visas
Join on FacebookOCI, Indian Passport Renewal, POA, INDIA EVisa, Renunciation help
English Facebook group for people living in India interested in Indian visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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