India
Explore India visa options and requirements.
14 visa types · 9 guides · 9 forms
Immigration to India — at a glance
India's immigration system splits between three institutions. Indian missions abroad — the embassies, high commissions, and BLS/VFS application centres in countries with bilateral arrangements — issue visas, overwhelmingly through the e-Visa platform run by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Inside India, the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) handles entry and exit at the airport. The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) handles registration, visa extensions, and conversions for stays beyond 180 days. Long-stay applicants will deal with all three.
The e-Visa is now the headline route. India offers e-Visa categories for tourist, business, medical, conference, and employment purposes — issued in 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year variants for many nationalities. For longer or specialised stays, traditional visa stickers and paper applications still apply: Employment visa for salaried workers earning above the prescribed threshold (currently US$25,000/year minimum); Project visa for project-specific contracts in defined sectors; Student visa for universities and research institutions; Entry (X) visa for Persons of Indian Origin and certain spouses; and the OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card for people of Indian origin with multi-generation ties.
What stands out about India is the way registration thresholds shape the experience. Any foreign national staying more than 180 days on a single visa must register with the FRRO within 14 days of arrival. Some categories — Employment, Student, Research, Medical Attendant, Project — must register regardless of length. Tourist visa holders are exempt only for short stays. The guides in this hub focus on the documentation flows between the consulate, BOI, and FRRO that make or break long-stay outcomes.
After arrival, the post-arrival sequence varies by visa category. Tourist-visa holders simply pass through immigration and receive their stamp; long-stay categories must register at the FRRO within 14 days, often using the e-FRRO portal that has replaced most in-person filings. Employment-visa holders typically register their local Indian address at the FRRO and the employer simultaneously files a labour-department notification. e-Visa users receive their permitted stay duration as a stamp at the airport — confirm the period granted matches your e-Visa class before leaving the immigration counter, because errors at this stage are difficult to correct later.
Main pathways into India
Pick your route based on whether you need short tourism, work for an Indian employer, project-based work, study, or family-of-Indian-origin connections. Most non-tourist long-stay routes will require FRRO registration, a sponsorship document, and (for work visas) salary thresholds.
- e-Tourist Visa30-day, 1-year, or 5-year multi-entry tourist visa available online for many nationalities.
- Business VisaFor meetings, negotiations, technical visits; available as e-Business or sticker visa.
- Employment VisaFor salaried roles with an Indian employer; minimum salary US$25,000/year typically required.
- Project VisaSpecific to listed power and steel projects; tied to the project duration and sponsor.
- Student VisaFor full-time enrolment at recognised institutions; allows up to course duration plus 1 year.
- OCI CardLifetime visa for Persons of Indian Origin; not a citizenship grant.
Key facts about India immigration
Quick reference for the agencies, currencies, and rules that govern most applications.
As of
Issuing authority
Indian missions (consular) + Bureau of Immigration (entry) + FRRO (in-country registration)
Currency
INR (₹)
Visa fees set in USD for most foreign nationals.
e-Visa portal
indianvisaonline.gov.in (Ministry of Home Affairs)
FRRO requirement
Mandatory within 14 days of arrival for stays >180 days; immediate for Employment, Student, Research, Project, Medical Attendant.
Employment visa salary threshold
US$25,000/year minimum (with limited exemptions for ethnic cooks, language teachers, embassy staff).
OCI eligibility
Persons of Indian origin (and spouses of Indian citizens or OCIs); not available to citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh by descent.
Typical fees and processing windows (India)
Indicative ranges drawn from official authority pages. Confirm the exact figures on the agency website before applying.
As of
| Pathway | Typical fee | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist visa (30-day double-entry) | US$10–US$25 depending on nationality and season | 72 hours typical; recommended 4 days before travel |
| e-Tourist visa (1-year and 5-year) | US$40–US$80 depending on nationality | 72 hours typical |
| e-Business visa (1-year) | US$80 typical | 72 hours typical |
| Employment visa (sticker, multi-entry) | Tiered by nationality (US$80–US$300+ typical) | 5–15 working days at most posts |
| OCI card | US$275 + service fees | 8–12 weeks typical at most posts |
Start with your goal
Choose what you want to do in India and get a tailored guide.
Explore visa types
14 visa types with step-by-step guides, requirements, and official sources.
Which Indian route fits your situation?
Pick the situation that best matches you to see the most common starting point in India.
Situation 1
I am visiting India for tourism for less than 90 days.
Apply for the e-Tourist visa (30-day, 1-year, or 5-year). Book at least 4 days before travel to allow for the 72-hour processing window.
Situation 2
I have a job offer from an Indian company at US$25,000+ per year.
Apply for the Employment visa at the Indian mission in your country of legal residence. Confirm the offer letter, salary, and qualifications match the role and prepare for FRRO registration on arrival.
Situation 3
I am attending business meetings, conferences, or making short technical visits.
Use the e-Business visa for stays of up to 180 days per visit. Do not engage in any salaried work — this is not a work-permit substitute.
Situation 4
I am of Indian origin or married to an Indian citizen.
Apply for an OCI card for lifetime multi-entry rights. Note that OCI is not citizenship and excludes voting and certain land-purchase rights.
Situation 5
I am admitted to an Indian university or research institution.
Apply for a Student or Research visa with the institution's admission letter. Plan to register at the FRRO within 14 days of arrival.
Recent India immigration updates
Editorial summaries of policy changes our team has tracked. Always confirm details with the relevant agency before submitting an application.
e-Visa eligible nationalities list updated
The Ministry of Home Affairs continues to expand and adjust the list of nationalities eligible for the e-Visa scheme. Always check the live MHA notification before applying.
Strengthened FRRO registration enforcement
FRRO offices in major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad) tightened the 14-day registration window and started imposing higher overstay penalties for Employment and Student visa holders.
India immigration FAQ
The questions readers ask most about applying to live, work, study, and visit India.
How does the Indian e-Visa work?
The e-Visa is applied for online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. The traveller fills out the form, uploads a photo and a passport bio-page scan, pays the fee, and receives an Electronic Travel Authorization by email — usually within 72 hours. The authorisation must be presented at the airport on entry; immigration officers stamp the actual visa on arrival. e-Visas are available in tourist, business, medical, conference, and employment categories with varying durations.
When do I have to register with the FRRO?
If you are entering on an Employment, Student, Research, Project, Medical, Medical Attendant, or Missionary visa — and your stay exceeds 180 days — you must register at the FRRO within 14 days of arrival. Tourist visa holders generally do not register unless their stay exceeds 180 days. Penalties for late or missed registration can include fines and visa-cancellation risk.
What is the difference between OCI and a long-term visa?
The OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card is a lifetime, multi-entry visa for Persons of Indian Origin. It allows full residence and most economic rights, but it is NOT citizenship and does not include voting, public-office, or land-purchase-of-agricultural-land rights. A long-term visa (Employment, Student, etc.) is tied to a specific purpose and sponsor and must be renewed.
Can I work in India on a Business visa?
No. Business visas allow short-term meetings, negotiations, and technical or trade visits but do not permit employment. To work in India for an Indian employer, you need an Employment visa, which has a minimum salary threshold of US$25,000/year (with limited exemptions). Working on a Business or Tourist visa risks deportation and a visa ban.
How does the Employment visa salary threshold work?
The Ministry of Home Affairs requires Employment visa applicants to earn at least US$25,000 per annum (gross) from the Indian sponsoring company. Limited exemptions cover ethnic cooks, language teachers (subject to education-ministry approval), embassy staff, and certain volunteer or honorary roles. Salary in INR is converted at the prevailing rate at application; sponsoring companies must show payroll capacity.
Can OCI holders sponsor family members?
OCI holders can sponsor a spouse for an OCI card after 2 years of marriage, and they can sponsor children of Indian origin for an OCI as well. Non-OCI spouses cannot work in India without a separate Employment visa.
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