Visa : All foreign tourists must possess a valid visa. For a visa, contact the Indian embassy or consulate in your country; Nationals of Maldives are permitted to enter India without Visa upto a period of three months. Visas are not issued on arrival. A visa costs US$ 40 for up to six months, US$ 65 for up to one year and US$ 180 for more than one year and up to five years. Tourist visas, valid for three to six month entry to simplify visits to neighboring countries.

Collective Visas:

Foreign tourists travelling in group of at least four, and under a recognized travel agent, may be granted tourist visas or collective visas without prior reference The procedure:

1) At least three days before departure the agency sponsoring the group must submit to the Indian Mission in that country four copies of a list. Containing particulars of each member of the group;

2) After checking, the Mission stamps a collective visa- it is not necessary to stamp individual passports - and returns three copies of the list to the sponsoring agency;

3) The person in charge of the tourist group lands over two copies of the list to the immigration authority on arrival in India;

4) Indian agents must furnish a list of group members to the immigration authority at least four hours before the flight arrives;

5) If the tourist group is to split into smaller groups to visit different parts of India, the immigration authority grants a collective 'license to travel', listing the particulars of the members of the smaller groups.

Visa provisions

Tourist visa up to five years may be granted if the foreigner is connected with the tourism trade. If visa is for more than 180 days, registration is compulsory within 14 days' of arrival in India.

Extension of visa in Delhi -Ministry of Home Affairs

Director (F), Lok Nayak Bhawan, (1st Floor) Khan Market, New Delhi -110003

Exemption from Registration:

Foreigners coming to India on tourist visas for 180 days or less do not need to register with any authority; they may visit any part of the country except restricted/protected areas and prohibited places. Family passports issued by other governments are recognized without discrimination.

Landing Permit Facility (for group tourists):

Foreign tourists in groups of four or more arriving by air or sea, sponsored by recognized Indian travel agencies and with a pre-drawn itinerary, may be granted a collective landing permit for a specified period of time on the written request of the travel agencies. The Immigration Officer will need personal and passport details of group members, their itinerary and an undertaking that the itinerary will be followed by the entire group, with no drop-outs.

Extension of Visa:

As a rule, no extension of stay is granted on a tourist visa beyond 180 days, except in exceptional cases. If a foreign tourist obtains extension beyond three months, he must surrender his Certificate of Registration and Residential Permit before leaving India. To extend a tourist visa contact MHA, Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi.

Other Types of Visas:

Business Visa:

Foreigners must obtain a visa from an Indian Embassy abroad. Foreigners can use this five-year, multiple-entry visa only for business trips.

Student Visa: Proof of admission and means of sustenance while in India must be provided to the Indian Embassy; a visa may be extended in India for the duration of the course or five years, whichever is less. Foreigners who want to study yoga, music, Vedic culture, dance, etc, must apply well in advance. Indian Embassies may grant visas for up to five years.

Employment Visa:

Issued to foreigners by Indian missions, initially for one year, but extendable in India up to the period of contract.

Conference Visa:

Delegates to international conferences in India can get a visa for the conference and for tourism. Delegates should apply to the Indian Embassies well in advance.