A plain-language breakdown of how visas, entry, and immigration actually work for foreign nationals
visiting India — whether you’re coming for a holiday, business, study, medical treatment, or to see family.
13 topics, one place, kept current.
IMPORTANT
This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Visa rules, fees, and
eligible-country lists change and vary by nationality. Always confirm your specific situation on the
official Indian government portals — indianvisaonline.gov.in
(e-Visa), boi.gov.in (Bureau of Immigration),
or the nearest Indian embassy/consulate — before making travel plans or relying on anything here.
175+Countries e-Visa eligible
9e-Visa sub-categories
72 hrse-Arrival Card window (new, Oct 2025)
6 monthsMin. passport validity needed
Not sure where to start?
A rough first pointer by purpose of visit — the full Visa Categories page breaks down every option in detail.
If you’re visiting for…You likely need…
Tourism / visiting familye-Tourist Visa (30-day, 1-year, or 5-year options)
Business meetings, tradee-Business Visa — not the same as an Employment Visa; doesn’t authorize being paid by an Indian entity
Medical treatmente-Medical Visa (plus e-Medical Attendant Visa for up to two companions)
Studying at an Indian institutionStudent Visa (regular, not e-Visa) — apply through an Indian mission
Working / being paid in IndiaEmployment Visa (regular, not e-Visa)
A conference, film shoot, or mountaineering expeditionDedicated e-Visa sub-categories exist for each — see Special-Purpose Visas
You’re OCI, PIO, or of Indian originOften visa-free with an OCI card — see OCI & PIO
Browse by topic
Each topic gets its own in-depth page. We’re building these out one at a time to keep the facts verified and current — check back as more go live.
01
Visa Categories
All 9 e-Visa sub-types plus regular visas, explained side by side.
02
How to Apply
Step-by-step for e-Visa and regular visa routes, documents, fees, timing.
03
Short-Term Visits
Tourist and business e-Visas — stay limits, entries, designated ports.
04
Long-Term Stay & Extensions
1-year/5-year visas, what “extendable” actually means, exit-and-reapply rules.
05
FRRO Registration
Who must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, and when.
06
Studying in India
Student Visa eligibility, institution requirements, registration rules.
07
Doing Business in India
Business Visa vs. Employment Visa — what each actually permits.
08
Special-Purpose Visas
Conference, Film, Mountaineering, Transit, Journalist, Missionary & Research.
09
Overstay & Visa Violations
What happens if you overstay, and the realistic steps to sort it out.
10
OCI, PIO & Indian Origin
Overseas Citizen of India cards, eligibility, and rules for children.
11
Medical Tourism
e-Medical & Medical Attendant visas, hospital-side requirements.
12
Restricted & Protected Areas
Extra permits needed for parts of Sikkim, Ladakh, Arunachal & the Andamans.
13
Arrival & Immigration
The new e-Arrival Card, what happens at immigration, and customs basics.
Official sources — bookmark these
We link to these throughout every page on this topic. When in doubt, these are the only sources that matter.
e-Visa applications
indianvisaonline.gov.in
The only official portal for e-Visa applications. Avoid third-party sites charging extra “service fees.”
Bureau of Immigration
boi.gov.in
Entry/exit rules, immigration policy, and official notices.
FRRO / FRO registration
indianfrro.gov.in
Mandatory registration portal for longer stays.
Find your nearest mission
mea.gov.in
Ministry of External Affairs — locate an Indian embassy/consulate for regular (non-e-Visa) applications.
