Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS RELATING TO TOURIST VISA
As per the extant instructions of the Government of India, a Tourist Visa (‘T’ Visa) can only be granted to a foreigner who does not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives etc. No other activity is permissible on a Tourist Visa. A Tourist Visa can not be extended nor can it be normally converted to another category.
Instructions have been issued by the Government of India for Tourist Visa as follows:
(a) In respect of foreign nationals holding Tourist Visas with multiple entry facility, there should be a gap of at least 2 months between two visits to India on such a Tourist Visa.
(b) If any foreign national is required to visit India again within a period of 2 months of the last departure, such foreign national should obtain special permission from the Indian Embassy/ Consulate concerned. The Indian Embassy/ Consulate may consider such requests on merits of each case. For those who need to seek such re-entry permission while in Thailand, applications are accepted at Indian Visa Application Centre, Bangkok of VFS Global (see www.ivac-th.com) or Consulate of India, Chiang Mai.
(c) In all such cases, the foreign national should register himself/herself with the concerned Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) / Foreigner's Registration Officers (FRO) in India within 14 days of arrival. An endorsement to this effect will be made on the visa sticker. See the list of FRROs / FROs in India under ’Contact us’ link of website of Bureau of Immigration, India, www.immigrationindia.nic.in
Frequently asked questions with regard to the above issues and replies thereto are outlined below for information, guidance and compliance of all concerned:-
Q.1: Whether the gap of two months between two visits would apply to all Tourist Visa holders?
Ans.: The gap of two months between two visits would apply to all Tourist Visa holders, who have been granted multiple entries.
Following clarifications may be noted:
(I) Foreigners holding Tourist Visas, who after initial entry into India plan to visit another country largely on account of neighbourhood tourism related travel, and re-enter India before finally exiting, may be permitted two or three entries, as the case may be (need based), by the Indian Embassies/Consulates subject to their submission of a detailed itinerary and supporting documentation (ticket bookings). If they are already outside of their country of origin, they can also get such an endorsement from the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.
(II) The Immigration authorities in all the Immigration Check Posts may also allow such foreign nationals on Tourist Visas arriving in India without the specific authorization from the Indian Embassies/Consulates to make two or three entries into the country (need based) subject to production of an itinerary and supporting documentation (ticket bookings).
(III) The total period of stay in India counted from the date of first entry into the country shall not exceed the stay stipulation period of 180 days or 90 days, as the case may be, wherever specified on the visa.
(IV) Once such a foreign national finally exits the country after availing the facility of two or three entries (within the stay stipulation period of 180 days or 90 days, as the case may be, wherever specified on the visa), there should be a gap of at least 2 months before he/she can come again to India.
(V) If any foreign national falling in the category as mentioned in sub-para (IV) above is required to visit India again within a period of 2 months after his/her last departure, such foreign national should obtain special permission from the Indian Embassy/Consulate. Such re-entry within the stipulated gap of two months may be permitted only in emergent situations like death/serious illness in the family, non-availability of connecting flights to return to his/her country of origin or travel to another country or any other exigent situation which can be duly justified with proper documentation to the satisfaction of the Indian Embassy/Consulate granting the permission. The Indian Embassy/Consulate will examine each case on merits before grant of requisite permission subject to the following conditions:-
(a) The applicant should furnish an undertaking on the following lines:-
(i) That the purpose of his/her visit is because of emergency situation.
(ii) That he/she is neither engaged in Business activities, nor in Employment or pursuing studies/research etc.
(b) In all such cases i.e. those covered by sub-para V above, the foreign national should register himself/herself with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival. This registration may be done with the FRRO/FRO concerned preferably at the first place of entry. An endorsement to this effect will be made on the visa sticker.
Q.2: Whether the permission for the second visit within the period of 2 months in respect of foreign nationals falling in the category mentioned in sub para (V) in reply to Question (2) can be granted by the Indian Consulates?
Ans.: Yes.
Q.3: Whether the Indian Embassy/Consulate in any country can grant permission for the second visit within the period of 2 months in respect of foreign nationals falling in the category mentioned in sub para (V) in reply to Question (2) or whether this can be granted only by the Indian Embassy/Consulate in the country of origin of the applicant.
Ans.: The requisite permission can be granted by the Indian Embassy/Consulate in any country on merits of each case and subject to the conditions mentioned in sub-para (V) in reply to Question (2) above.
Q.4: In cases mentioned in sub para (V) in reply to Question 2, where will the foreigner register himself?
Ans.: The registration should be done with the FRRO/FRO concerned preferably at the first place of visit on re-entry.
Q.5: If a tourist’s passport is not stamped to indicate no re-entry within two months, can the tourist assume that he will be allowed to re-enter India within two months?
Ans.: No. Even if the tourist’s passport is not stamped, the restrictions as laid down will be applicable, if he/she has multiple entry Tourist Visa.
Q.6: Whether the restriction of two months gap for re-entering India is applicable to PIO/OCI card holders and foreigners holding business, employment, student and other categories of visa?
Ans.: No. The stipulation for two months gap is applicable only to Tourist Visa holders, who have been granted multiple entries. It is not applicable to any other visa category.
Q.7: Whether any fee is required to be charged for making the requisite endorsement on the Passport.
Ans.: Miscellaneous Consular Service fee will be charged for making an endorsement. Applications to this effect are also to be submitted at Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) of VFS (Thailand) alongwith following documents:-
(a) Passport in original alongwith its photocopy.
(b) Re-entry application form duly filled.
(c) Photocopy of India Visa Sticker page.
(d) Photocopy of page showing last departure date from India.
(e) A self explanatory letter from applicant justifying request for re-entry permit.
Q8: How will medical tourists who return regularly to India for onward treatment be handled?
Ans.: For persons coming for medical treatment, there is a separate category of Medical Visa. Foreign nationals coming for medical treatment must apply only for Medical Visa and not on Tourist Visa. In case they are accompanied by an attendant, the attendant should apply for a medical attendant visa.
Q.9: Under what category would family members of diplomatic households who do not qualify for diplomatic visas (e.g. older children or domestic partners) be eligible ?
Ans.: The family members of diplomatic households who do not qualify for diplomatic visas may have to come on an ‘Entry(X)’ Visa if eligible. If they come on Tourist Visa, the restrictions as laid down will be applicable.
Q.10: How will individuals who come to India to volunteer for various charity organizations or NGO be treated? Many of them travel around the region while volunteering in India for extended periods on tourist visas.
Ans.: Tourist Visa is not the appropriate visa in such cases. A person coming for voluntary work can apply for ‘Employment’ Visa, indicating name of registered NGO and place of work which will be endorsed by the Mission on the visa sticker. Also, See Question NO. 9 on FAQ on Employment Visa.
Q.11: Can spouse and dependent family member of foreign national coming on long term visa to India for Business/ Employment/ Research apply for Tourist Visa?
Ans.: No. Such cases should apply for Entry (X) Visa, co-terminus with the period of principal visa holder.
Q.12: What does “Person of Indian Origin” mean?
Ans.: For the purpose of Visa, it means :-
A person, who at any time held Indian Passport
A person or either of his/her parents or grand parents or great grand parents was born in, and was permanently resident in India, provided neither was at any time a citizen of any of the excluded Countries viz; Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
A person who is the spouse of a citizen of India or a person of India Origin as covered in (a) and (b) above.
Q.13: What documents are required to be submitted as proof of being PIO?
Ans.: Indian Passport of applicant / spouse / parents / grand parents / great grand parents is primary documentary proof of Indian origin. In case where this is not available, secondary proof (such as House Registration / Domicile Certificate / Revenue records / Education Certificate/foreign country passport showing place of birth in India) may be submitted, which will be subject to verification from issuing authorities. Applicants are advised to have secondary proof attested from concerned government authorities before applying for visa.
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