Tourist Visa ('T' Visa)
Tourist visa is granted to foreigners whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, meeting friends or relatives, attending a short term yoga programme (not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate / diploma etc.), short duration medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, short term courses in local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/programme (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/diploma etc.) and voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which does not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return) etc. and no other purpose/activity.
Tourist visa is non-extendable and non-convertible (except under certain conditions for which Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) may be contacted).
Journalists intending to travel India for tourism and similar purposes are advised to apply for Journalist visa.
Important points to be noted during visa application:- When applying for an Indian visa, applicants are requested to disclose details of all passports (current / old) held by them. Failure to do so may result in rejection of their applications.
- Applicants are requested to ensure details entered on the Visa application form must be exactly as in the Passport or else the visa application will be rejected.
- When applying for a visa, the passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months or more. The passport must have at least three blank pages and should not be mutilated / damaged / tampered in any manner.
- Suppression of facts and information will not only result in delay or denial of visa applied for but may debar the applicant from applying under this system in future.
- Visa processing fees are not refundable. Fee should be deposited only after ascertaining that all correct and relevant details are entered in the application form.
- The acceptance of a visa application does not automatically guarantee grant of a visa. The visa application may be modified or refused by the Indian Embassy / Consulate at their discretion. Decision of the Embassy / Consulate on the matter shall be final.
- The duration and number of entries granted to the applicant will be solely at the discretion of Embassy / Consulate. No claims and correspondences shall be entertained in this regard.
- Visa is valid from the date of issue and not from the date of travel.
- It is strongly advised that applicants do not make any travel arrangements before obtaining an Indian visa. The Embassy of India or its Consulates cannot, under any circumstance, be held responsible for visa not issued in time.
- All Visa applicants including those applying for multiple entry Tourist and Business Visas are advised to give their biometrics at the time of submission of their applications.
- In case of a Minor child, a consent letter signed by both parents / if one parent, a copy of custody letter from local court is needed.
- Know your correct jurisdiction before applying, and ensure you apply at the correct Alankit Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC). For more details, refer to the "How to Apply" section or "Jurisdiction" section.
- Applicants coming to the Alankit ICAC for application submission must have a prior appointment, and must visit Alankit ICAC at the designated date and time only, as per the appointment letter. Applicants coming in without an appointment will not be entertained.
- Fees submission at Alankit ICAC can be made through cash.
- Consular surcharge of EUR 3 shall be levied on all visa services (except Gratis cases) and must be paid along with visa fee and Alankit service fee, as specified in the "Fees Details" section.
- Applicants must ensure that they have all the supporting documents, as mentioned in the "Documents Checklist" section. Incomplete applications will not be accepted at Alankit ICAC.
- For travel to India a valid visa along with passport is mandatory. Only categories exempted under bilateral arrangements may not need a visa. For persons of Indian origin (all categories), OCI card is mandatory.
- Foreigners can visit restricted / prohibited areas only after getting a valid permit as visa alone is not enough to visit such places.
- There should be a gap of at least two months between two visits to India on a Tourist Visa on re-entry of nationals of Afghanistan, China, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistan origin and Stateless persons.
