Type of Visa

Purpose

Required Documents

Tourist

A tourist visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, short duration medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine etc. and no other purpose/activity. [Short term yoga programme means a yoga programme not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc.]

Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages..

Two recent identical 5x5 cm-size photographs.

Online registered application form. 

There shall be a gap of at least two months between two visits on a Tourist Visa granted to nationals of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistan origin and Stateless persons.

Business

Foreign nationals who wish to visit India to establish an industrial/business venture; purchase/sell industrial products or commercial products or consumer durables; technical meetings/discussions, Board / general meetings for providing business services support; recruitment of manpower; partners in the business and/or functioning as Directors of the company; consultations regarding exhibitions / participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, business fairs etc; buyers to transact business with suppliers/ potential suppliers in India; evaluate/ monitor quality, give specifications, place orders, negotiate further supplies etc., relating to goods or services procured from India; experts/specialists on a visit of short duration in connection with an ongoing project with the objective of monitoring the progress of the work, conducting meetings with Indian customers and/or to provide technical guidance; pre-sales or post-sales activity not amounting to actual execution of any contract or project; trainees of multinational companies/corporate houses coming for in-house training in the regional hubs of the concerned company located in India; tour conductors and travel agents and / or conducting business tours of foreigners or business relating to it, etc; academicians/ experts coming under GIAN (Global Initiative for Academic Networks); Crew members of scheduled/non-scheduled flights operated by scheduled airlines, non- scheduled and chartered flights operated by non-scheduled airlines and special flights; participants in cultural events/ activities with remuneration; engagement in commercial sports events in India on contract (including coaches) like Indian Premier League, Indian Soccer League, etc. with remuneration.

The foreign national should not be visiting India for the business of money lending or for running a petty business or petty trade or for employment in India, etc.

Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.

Two recent identical 5x5 cm-size photographs.

An original signed letter from the company/institute/organization etc explaining the nature and duration of visit.

A signed Letter of invitation from the company/institute /organization etc. in India on their official company letter head clearly stating the purpose and duration for which visa is requested.

Proof of financial standing and expertise in the field of intended business.

Proof of registration of the inviting Indian Company/Firm.

Online registered application form.

Applicants holding passports, other than German, must have a valid stay permit for at least two years in Germany for grant of Business visas. Foreign nationals in Germany having less than two years stay in Germany are advised to apply Business visa from their home countries.

Journalist

A foreigner who is a professional journalist, photographer, documentary film producer or director (other than of commercial films), a representative of a radio and/or television organization, travel writer/ travel promotion photographer etc; professional journalist working for an association or a company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio news or audio visual news or current affairs programmes through the print media, electronic or any other form as defined in clause (R) of sub- section (1) of section 2 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 or any other mode of mass communication; correspondent /columnist/cartoonist/editor/ owner of the association or company referred to above; journalist visiting India for any other purpose, such as attending a Conference, tourism, meeting relatives etc

Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.

Two recent identical 5 cm x 5 cm - size photographs

Letter from the applicant and/or his employer company/organization/institute stating the purpose and the duration of visit.

Online registered application form.

Film

To shoot a feature film/ reality TV show and/ or commercial TV serials or a documentary film/advertisement film in India.

Processing of visa may take up to 8-10 weeks or more from the date of submission of completed application

Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.

Two recent identical 5 cm x 5 cm - size photographs

Type of shoot (feature film/ reality TV show/ serials/documentary/advertisement etc) and whether its commercial or not.

Synopsis of the intended content,

Location List with places where shooting is planned with a timeline.

Crew list with name, address and passport numbers

Detailed equipment list that the crew plan to take with it.

Additional documentation, like letters from institutions supporting the project or letters from local partners in India.

Additional information and undertaking (please check the format here)

Online registered application form.

Student Visa

To pursue on-campus, full time (structured) courses (including English and other language courses and vocational education) at educational institutions (Central/ State Government Educational Institutions & Private Educational Institutions) duly recognized by statutory regulatory body and have acquired statutory authorization to conduct the course(s) complying with GST regulations.

Student Visa will not be issued to foreign nationals sponsored by franchise Educational Institutes running off-campus centres; Study Centres of Open Universities offering distance learning programmes, Educational Institutes running “outreach” programmes and offering courses without any statutory sanction from regulatory authorities. Student Visa will also not be issued for pursuing ‘Short Term Courses’ in India which are not recognized.

Valid Passport to cover duration of course with at least two blank pages.

Two recent identical 5x5 cm-size photographs

Letter of admission from a recognized Indian educational institution with duration of the course

Document to prove the assured financial standing (A letter of support from the parent/guardian accompanied by a bank guarantee/ certificate may be accepted for this purpose)

No objection letter from Parents to study abroad for applicants below 18 years.

Online registered application form.

Intern

To pursue internship in Indian companies, Educational Institutions and NGO immediately after completion of graduation/ post graduation. The gap between the completion of graduation/ post graduation and the commencement of the internship should not be more than two years. Intern is not allowed to take up employment in India immediately after completion of the internship. Earnings from internship of the foreign nationals with Indian companies/ Educational Institutions/ NGOs will be subject to the Indian Income Tax Regulations.

Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.

Two recent identical 5x5 cm-size photographs

Invitation letter from the company/organization/institute/NGO sponsoring the internship.

Proof of registration of company/organization/institute/NGO in India.

A letter from the concerned company/organization/institute/NGO in Germany.

For students, letter from their institutions and letter of financial guarantee either from parents or Bank.

If the applicant is a foreign national he/she needs to have a residential proof (Meldebescheinigung) from the German government.

Online registered application form.

Conference

Conference/seminar/workshop being organized in India by a ministry or department of the Government of India; public sector undertaking; central educational institution; public funded universities; organizations owned and controlled by the Government of India/State Government/Union Territory/United Nations or its specialized agencies. Private institution/NGO/private organizer requires prior permission from Government of India to organize conference/seminar in India.

For Business meetings, to discuss business matters of a particular company/ organization and Board meetings, a foreigner may obtain either a Business Visa or e-Business Visa.

Conference Visa will not be issued for events which involve politically and/ or socially sensitive subjects

Passport valid for minimum 180 days with at least two blank pages

Two recent identical 5x5 cm-size photographs

A copy of the signed Letter of Invitation for the conference  from organizers in India.

Permission by the Government if Conference is organized by a private institution or NGO etc.

A copy of the letter from the Institution represented by the applicant in Germany.

Online registered application form.

Medical

To seek medical treatment in established/recognized/specialized hospitals/treatment centres in India including under Indian systems of medicine.

Passport valid for minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.

Two recent identical 5x5 cm-size photographs.

Filled online application form. Letter of invitation / appointment signed and stamped by the concerned hospital authorities to the applicant (please see the format) and sent on the official email cons.frankfurt@mea.gov.in

Recommendation letter from a Doctor/Hospital in Germany. (optional)

Online registered application form.

Medical escort

A Medical Escort visa is given to those who are accompanying a patient. Maximum of two escorts are permitted with a patient

Passport valid for minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.

Two recent passport-size photos.

Filled online application form.

Research

For doctorate and equivalent studies/research

Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.

Two recent identical 5x5 cm-size photographs.

Subject/topic of the research project.

Original admission letter of recognized university. (emails or photocopies of admission letters will not be accepted)

In case the research proposal relates to the applicant’s own country a brief synopsis (150 words) and justification for doing research in India should also be submitted along with the application.

Evidence of financial resources.

Filled online application form.

Employment

Employment Visa is issued for a maximum period of one year or the term of contract, whichever is less. It is issued to highly qualified/skilled/specialized professionals. Applicants who wish to volunteer or work for charities with non-profit organizations/NGO also require employment visa.

Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.

Two recent identical 5x5 cm-size photographs.

A comprehensive and detailed original Appointment Letter specifying the terms and conditions of employment including the pay structure, nature of job, period

Recommendation letter from the present employer wherever applicable

Bio-data/CV/Resume (qualification and work experience) of the applicant

Certificate of Registration of the Company with the Registrar of Companies in India and justification letter from the employer for the need to hire a foreigner.

Filled online application form

Transit

This is granted for the sole purpose of enabling the holder to travel through India to reach his/her ultimate destination. The visa will be valid for a single or maximum double entry within fifteen days from the date of issue. The Transit visa is valid for direct transit only for a maximum period of 03 days of stay in India. Confirmed Air Ticket for onward journey and valid visa for final destination are required. For stay in India beyond 03 days an appropriate visa should be obtained.

Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.

Two recent identical 5x5 cm-size photographs.

Evidence of onward travel outside India - confirmed air ticket for onward journey.

Filled online application form.

Entry

Entry Visa is granted to foreigners who are spouse/children of an Indian citizen. An Entry Visa is also given for specific purposes as decided by the mission.

Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.

Two recent identical 5x5 cm-size photographs.

Any other document required by the Consulate depending upon the necessity of granting Entry visa.

Filled online application form.

Missionary

A Missionary visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is Missionary work not involving proselytization. Visa shall NOT be granted to preachers and evangelists who desire to come to India on propaganda campaigns, whether on their own or at the invitation of any organization in India.

Recognition of Government of India for the Missionary Society/Centre.

A letter of sponsorship by a responsible official of the society.

Document showing the outstanding qualifications or specialized experience in his/her line, for which no suitable Indian national is available for the job.

Filled online application form.

Mountaineering

A Mountaineering visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective is climbing, mountaineering and Trekking Peaks that fall within Indian territory. The mountaineering visa should be applied at least 5-6 months in advance.

Mountaineering visa should be applied at least 5-6 months in advance.

Name of the peak to be climbed and the approach area

List of the members of the expedition along with a brief description of their experience on Mountaineering expeditions.

Filled online application form