Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a visa to go to India?

2. Can I get a visa on arrival to enter India?

3. I want to visit India for tourism/to attend a friend's marriage/ to meet my friends. Which visa should I apply for?

4. I travel to India frequently for business meetings/to explore opportunities for partnerships with Indian companies. Which visa should I apply for?

5. I will be changing flights/airports in India to travel to my final destination (say Nepal, Thailand etc.) Do I need a visa to change flights/airport terminals?

6. I have to participate in a conference/seminar/workshop in India. Which visa should I apply for?

7. I have to go for internship/training in a university/institute/company in India for a short period. Which visa should I apply for?

8. I will be going to India for work/employment along with my family. Which visa should I apply for? Would my children be able to study in India?

9. I will be studying in India for one semester/trimester in an IIT/IIM/IISc/Indian university. Which visa should I apply for?

10. I have to travel to India on an emergency. Is there any extra charge for the same?

11. I had applied for a visa for India but I have changed my mind about visiting the country. Can I claim a refund of the visa fee?

12. Do I need a visa for my pet that I'm taking to India?

13. It's been a while since I submitted my application and passport. How can I find out the status of my application?

14. Can I study in India?

15. Can I work in India?

16. How do I know when my passport is ready for collection from the India Visa Application Center?

17. Can I collect my passport from the High Commission of India, London or the consulates in Edinburgh and Birmingham?

18. Do I have to submit my passport and visa application only at the India Visa Application Center?

19. How do I pay for the visa and service charges?

20. Will I be allowed to carry liquor to India?

21. Do all the applicants need to be present at the time of submitting an application?

22. Will I be seen at the appointed time if I book an appointment online – It is a processing group or a time slot?

1. Do I need a visa to go to India?
Yes, all foreigners except for nationals of Nepal and Bhutan need a visa to enter India.

2. Can I get a visa on arrival to enter India?
No, you must obtain a visa before taking a flight to India. You cannot obtain a visa on arrival in India, and immigration authorities will not permit any foreigner to enter the country.

3. I want to visit India for tourism/to attend a friend's marriage/ to meet my friends. Which visa should I apply for?
You should apply for a tourist visa which is normally valid for multiple entries and a maximum stay of six months in India. Note that the tourist visa is non-extendable and cannot be converted into any other type of visa.

4. I travel to India frequently for business meetings/to explore opportunities for partnerships with Indian companies. Which visa should I apply for?
You may apply for a business visa valid for multiple entries for either six months or one year along with the requisite documents as per the checklist. Note that a business visa does not permit you to work in India. If you want to work in India, you should apply for an employment visa.

5. I will be changing flights/airports in India to travel to my final destination (say Nepal, Thailand etc.) Do I need a visa to change flights/airport terminals?
You need to apply for a transit visa if you are going to change from an international terminal to a domestic terminal of any Indian airport or if you are going to stay in an airport hotel even for a few hours. You don't need a transit visa if you stay in the waiting area reserved for international transit passengers in an Indian airport. Note that you can stay for a maximum period of 72 hours in India on a transit visa. You should have a confirmed air ticket for the onward journey.

6. I have to participate in a conference/seminar/workshop in India. Which visa should I apply for?
You should apply for a conference visa along with an invitation letter, details of the conference etc. Clearance from competent authority from India is required.

7. I have to go for internship/training in a university/institute/company in India for a short period. Which visa should I apply for?
You should apply for an entry visa along with a copy of the offer letter stating the terms of internship. You may also be required to submit a copy of the inter-university student exchange agreement if the proposed internship is a component of such an agreement. If you receive any monetary compensation/salary from the Indian organisation, you will have to apply for a business visa.

8. I will be going to India for work/employment along with my family. Which visa should I apply for? Would my children be able to study in India?
You must apply for an employment visa along with the requisite documents. Once your visa application is approved, your wife and children may apply for entry visas . Your children will be able to get admission in schools/colleges in India once they have been granted entry visas. Note that you have to undergo mandatory registration formalities at the nearest office of the FRRO/FRO within 14 days of your arrival in India if you are planning to stay in the country for more than 180 days.

9. I will be studying in India for one semester/trimester in an IIT/IIM/IISc/Indian university. Which visa should I apply for?
You should apply for a student visa along with a copy of the letter from the institute/university confirming your acceptance as a student.

10. I have to travel to India on an emergency. Is there any extra charge for the same?
Visas are granted on holidays and after service hours in case of a genuine emergency like death or medical emergency subject to production of sufficient documentary proof. The decision of the Consular officer in this regard shall be final.

11. I had applied for a visa for India but I have changed my mind about visiting the country. Can I claim a refund of the visa fee?
Visa Fees are non-refundable once the visa application is accepted and visa fee cannot be refunded even if the visa is refused.

12. Do I need a visa for my pet that I'm taking to India?
You do not need a visa for your pet. But you have to comply with certain customs and vaccination-related regulations. Consult your airline/travel agent for details of these regulations and the necessary documents needed to take your pet.

13. It's been a while since I submitted my application and passport. How can I find out the status of my application?
You can trace your application online by visiting our website http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk or by calling our helpline Mondays to Fridays between 0900 hrs to 1500 hrs

14. Can I study in India?
Yes. With a valid student visa.

15. Can I work in India?
Yes. With a valid employment visa.

16. How do I know when my passport is ready for collection from the India Visa Application Center?
Please track your passport either by logging on http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk You can also call our helpline number to check the status of your passport.

17. Can I collect my passport from the High Commission of India, London or the Consulate General in Edinburgh and Birmingham?
No. You have to collect your passport from the India Visa Application Center where you made the application.

18. Do I have to submit my passport and visa application only at the India Visa Application Center?
Yes. However, diplomatic and official passport holders can submit visa applications to the High Commission of India/Consulate directly.

19. How do I pay for the visa and service charges?
You can pay by cash or through debit cards or credit cards (only Visa, Mastercard), postal order or bank drafts.

20. Will I be allowed to carry liquor to India?
Yes. But if you are traveling to Gujarat, you will have to apply for a liquor permit along with your visa application. Please check with your airline for other restrictions on alcohol.

21. Do all the applicants need to be present at the time of submitting an application?
No, you can submit the application of your family / friend / colleague’s behalf as long as you have all the requisite documents.

22. Will I be seen at the appointed time if I book an appointment online – It is a processing group or a time slot?
You may have to wait before you are served at the counter.