India Tourist/Business/Medical Visas

India offers a range of short stay visas which apply to those visiting the country as tourists, to conduct business activities and for the increasingly popular practice of travelling overseas to undergo medical treatment. In India, visas for short term visits are generally issued for a period of six months with the exception of medical visas which are issued for one year. Short stay visas do not provide a route to permanent residency in India and all applicants must depart India on or before the expiration of their visa. However, it is important to note that all foreign nationals entering India will require a visa to do so.

You can begin your Indian visa application today by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area. Just complete one of our straightforward assessment forms and a specialist Indian immigration consultant will contact you.

Indian Tourist Visas

Indian tourist visas may be issued to an individual or where four or more people are travelling together, as a group visa. Indian tourist visas are variously referred to as travel visas and visit visas and encompass not only those applicants visiting India as tourists but also those visiting family and friends. Visas of this type are usually issued for a maximum period of six months.

All applicants must be able to provide a passport from their country of residence and must be able to support themselves financially whilst in India. For very short term visits to India as part of a continuing journey to another destination, India also issues a transit visa which is valid for a maximum of 15 days. Return or onward travel documentation must be provided as part of an Indian transit visa application.

Indian Business Visa

Indian business visas are issued for anything from one day to a maximum validity of five years and may be granted as either a single entry visa or a visa for multiple entries to India. The exact duration awarded will depend on the individual case, and although the maximum period allowable is five years, applicants should note that in most cases it is not permitted to work in India on this type of visa. Business visas are designed for those who need to visit the country to engage in a range of business activities, including attending meetings and conferences and sourcing suppliers or potential clients. However, living and working in India on a temporary business visit visa is usually not permitted.

Business visa applicants must provide a current valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity and must provide letters from both a sponsoring company in India and their employer in their country of residence. The letters must give details of the purpose and duration of the trip to India and must establish who will be responsible for the financial support of the candidate whilst in India.

Indian Medical Visas

The Indian Medical visa, or M visa, is granted for a period of 1 year and is issued for the specific purpose of travelling to India in order to undergo medical treatment. In India, medical visas are issued as a temporary immigration service and applicants must return to their country of residence when their permit has expired, unless their condition is shown to require extra leave to remain in India. In such cases, an Indian visa extension of a further 12 months may be available however, any such extension must be granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs which will review the medical evidence which shows the need for the patient to stay in India for longer.

Generally, a medical visa will be issued for the time taken to complete the proposed treatment and a candidate may enter India on three occasions during he validity of their visa, though where circumstances require it a fourth visit may be permitted.

Indian Medical Visa – Eligibility

In India, visa applications for medical treatment are carefully examined to ensure that the applicant has a genuine need of, and intention to undergo the specified medical treatment in India. It must be demonstrated that the applicant has sought advice in their home country which has led to the recommendation of specialist treatment. Applicants must be treated at a medical institution whose expertise in the field is recognised and all foreign nationals entering India for treatment must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of their arrival. It is also important to note that priority will be given to applicants with certain conditions including cardiac issues, ophthalmic disorders and those requiring organ transplants or neurosurgery.

Spouse and Dependent Immigration

Indian visas for tourism and business visits are issued as temporary visa services and as such they do not make any provision for the spouse, partner or dependent children of an applicant to join them in India. Any such dependents wishing to join a principle applicant must apply for an Indian visa in their own right. However, in the case of medical visas, applicants may be accompanied by up to two blood relations who will be granted an MX visa and will be permitted to stay in India for the same duration as the medical visa holder.

Visit the Global Visas online assessment area today to let Global Visas obtain the right Indian visa for you.