1. What types of Visas can be obtained to visit India and what are their requirements?

Ans: Eligibility Conditions and Supporting Documents for Different Visa Categories are as follows:

Tourist Visa:

Tourist Visa is 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. No other activity is permissible on a Tourist Visa. The Mission would be issuing six months validity multiple entry Tourist Visa for eligible Visa applicants including Malaysian nationals. The Tourist Visa will be issued with the conditions that “each stay should not exceed 45 days”. The Tourist Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible. Applicant should submit printouts of the online Visa application forms, original passport, 2 colour photographs (Size 2” X 2”) with white background, Malaysian IC copy, passport copy and requisite fee. Processing time – 3 working days. The passport must be valid for more than 6 months and should have at least two blank pages.

Business Visa:

The Business Visa is granted to a foreign national who wants to visit India to establish an industrial/business venture or to explore possibilities to set up industrial/business venture, wants to purchase/sell industrial products in India. The applicant should be a person of assured financial standing and has the expertise in the field of the intended business. It is not granted for petty trading. For more information on Business Visa click on the link

The Business Visa must be issued from the country of origin, or from the country of domicile of the foreigner, provided the period of permanent residence of that applicant in that particular country is for more than two years. Documents required for Business Visa: Local company letter and company registration, Invitation letter from India and the company registration along with forms, two colour photos in white background ( Size 2” X 2”), original Passport.

Student Visa:

Original Passport, with duly filled-in Visa application form as per the student Visa guidelines. Two colour photos in white background (Size 2” X 2”).

Entry Visa:

Entry Visa is granted to person’s spouses and dependent family members of a foreign national coming to India on long term Visas like Employment and Research etc. It is also granted to Persons of Indian Origin, his/her spouse and dependent children subject to production of proof of the PIO status, marriage certificate (in respect of spouse) and birth certificate (in respect of children). Spouses of an OCI/PIO card holders and dependent children can also apply for Entry Visa subject to production of necessary proof.

Supporting documents:

For those married to Indian nationals, Original Indian Passport of Spouse along with a photocopy, marriage certificate and photocopy. For children of either parent being an Indian passport holder, children’s birth certificate, one of the parents’ Indian passport original and photocopy. Two colour photos in white background( Size 2” X 2”).

Employment Visa:

The Employment Visa is granted to foreigners desiring to come to India for the purpose of employment. The applicant should be a skilled and qualified professional or person who is being engaged or appointed by a company, organization, industry or undertaking, etc. in India on contract or employment basis at a senior level, skilled position such as technical expert, senior executive, or in a managerial position. For more information on Employment Visa click on the link

The Employment Visa must be issued from the country of origin, or from the country of domicile of the foreigner, provided the period of permanent residence of that applicant in that particular country is for more than two years. Employment contract for the company in which they will be working, Indian company registration, academic certificate, application forms. Two colour photos in white background (Size 2” X 2”).

Journalist Visa

ALL foreign journalists, regardless of the purpose of their visit, should apply for a "J" (journalist) Visa, for up to three months' stay in India. "Journalists" for this purpose would include a professional journalist, columnist, cartoonist, editor, photographer, film producer or director (other than that of commercial films), a representative of a radio and/or television organization, travel writer/travel promotion photographer etc or any professional journalist/owner working for an association or a company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio visual news or current affairs programs through the print, electronic or any other electronic form. All such applicants are required to apply along with a letter from their organization describing clearly the job title of the applicant and the nature of their work and whether they are travelling on work or as tourists.

Foreign journalists seeking to work in Indian media organizations

Journalists or intern journalists who intend to travel to India to work in Indian media organizations should apply for Employment ‘E’ Visas.

Foreign media assigned to India/to be based in India on long /permanent assignments

Correspondents/Journalists of foreign newspapers, news agencies, going to India as resident representatives should apply for a single entry ‘J’ Visa valid for initial stay of three months in India. A letter from the organization which the applicant is going to represent should also be provided clearly stating the status of the applicant (whether permanent full time employee or not) and name of the person whom the applicant is going to replace in India office of the organization. Such a journalist is required to contact OSD(PR)/XP division in the Ministry of External Affairs upon first arrival in India. No change of employer is permitted while the journalist is still in India. In case the foreign journalist intends to change his/her employer, he/she is required to return to the country of origin and re-apply for issue of fresh "J" Visa.

Visa application for Journalism courses:

Applications for full time courses in journalism in educational institutes/universities recognized by Government of India should apply for student Visas.

Documentary related work

Prior authorization of the Indian Government is mandatory for any audiovisual reporting/ shooting of documentary films in India, regardless of their subject, category or duration.

Transit Visa:

To produce confirmed air ticket for onward journey along with form and two colour photos in white background (Size 2” X 2”).

Conference Visa:

Letter of invitation from the organizer of the conference, nomination letter from Malaysian organization along with form and two colour photos in white background (Size 2” X 2”).

Note:  

• Visa fee and service fee are non-refundable irrespective of the outcome of the Visa application and duration granted.
• Visa applicants are required to complete all fields in the online Visa application from correctly and accurately. Incorrect/incomplete applications are liable to be rejected. After completing and submitting successfully the online Visa application from, the printout of the form along with prescribed support documents and fees is to be submitted at one of the Indian Visa Application Center.
• The Mission would be issuing six months validity multiple entry Tourist Visa for eligible Visa applicants including Malaysian nationals. The Tourist Visa will be issued with the conditions that “each stay should not exceed 45 days”.
• Non-Malaysian Foreigners have to produce copy of Passport, including the Malaysian Visa page proving two years continuous residency in Malaysia along with the application.
• The validity of Indian Visa starts from the date of issue and not from the date of travel to India.
• Applicants should apply for appropriate category of Visa. Tourist Visa holders found to be travelling for other purposes such as business, study or medical treatment are liable to be cancelled.
• To refer to guidelines for foreigners visiting India please click here.
• For information on e-Tourist Visa please click here.

Please note:

• Persons holding long term Visa (having validity exceeding 6 months) are normally not expected to stay in India more than 6 months during each visit. For visits for a period longer than 6 months, the Visa holder is required to register with the Foreigners’ Registration Office (FRO)/Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
• Visa Exemption Letters previously granted to children of Indian origin (for a maximum validity of 90 days from the date of issue) have been discontinued since 1 July 1999. Visa Exemption Letters issued in the past are hence no longer valid. All children holding separate passports are now required to obtain regular Visa.

2. Can I apply Visa for a family member who is not in Malaysia?
Ans :No, the applicant has to be in Malaysia while applying for Visa.
3. How many photographs are required for Visa?
Ans :Two latest colour photo size (2”X2”) with white background (5 photographs in case of Pakistani nationals.

4. What is the procedure to apply for Tourist Visa for Malaysian Passport holders?
Ans : Malaysian passport holders have to submit printouts of the online Visa application forms duly filled online form, two latest colour photographs, Malaysian IC copy, passport and requisite fee. Processing time – 3 working days. The passport must be valid for more than 6 months and should have at least two blank pages.
5.  What is the procedure to apply for Tourist Visa for holder of non-Malaysian foreign Passport? (Non Malaysian)
Ans : Non Malaysian (Foreign ) Passport holders with valid Employment/ Business /Student/Resident/MMH21/ Long Term Social Visit Pass (2YEARS +ABOVE) can apply for Indian Visa. Non Malaysian (Foreigners) are not required to submit their passport at the time of submission of their Visa application. The applicant would be informed by M/S IVS to submit their passport for stamping of their Visa only clearances have been obtained. Non Malaysian (Foreigners) are therefore should not their flight ticket in advance.
6.  What if I hold a Valid Visa in an expired Passport?
Ans : The Visa can be transferred from old passport to new passport on payment of requisite fee. (RM32.56).
7.  Can the Visa be transferred from old passport to new passport?
Ans : Yes, if the existing Visa is still valid. If the Visa is issued in Malaysia it will take 3 working days with but if Visa is issued by other Indian Mission, then it will take longer days. Please submit the application form, old passport, new passport and requisite fee. However tourist Visas are not transferred to new passport.
8.  If I have to register myself in India, where do I go and register?
Ans :  The registration is to be done at any Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or at Foreigners cell at district police headquarters. Please see the website link:http://www.boi.gov.in/
9.  Can my Visa be extended in India if I have to stay longer than required?
Ans : If the Visa is ‘X’ category, employment Visa or student’s Visa, it could be extended by the FRRO subject to local checks. However tourist Visa cannot be extended under any circumstances.
10. What is the procedure to apply for Students Visa and procedures for Extension of student Visa?
Ans : Original Passport, with duly filled-in Visa application form as per the student Visa guidelines. Two colour photos in white background (Size 2” X 2”), Malaysian identity card (photo copy ) , flight ticket ( photo copy) .
11. What is the procedure to apply for journalist Visa?
Ans: ALL foreign journalists, regardless of the purpose of their visit, should apply for a "J" (journalist) Visa, for up to three months' stay in India. "Journalists" for this purpose would include a professional journalist, columnist, cartoonist, editor, photographer, film producer or director (other than that of commercial films), a representative of a radio and/or television organization, travel writer/travel promotion photographer etc or any professional journalist/owner working for an association or a company engaged in the production or broadcast of audio visual news or current affairs programs through the print, electronic or any other electronic form. All such applicants are required to apply along with a letter from their organization describing clearly the job title of the applicant and the nature of their work and whether they are travelling on work or as tourists, Malaysian identity card (photo copy ) , flight ticket ( photo copy) .
Foreign journalists seeking to work in Indian media organizations
Journalists or intern journalists who intend to travel to India to work in Indian media organizations should apply for Employment ‘E’ Visas.
Foreign media assigned to India/to be based in India on long /permanent assignments
Correspondents/Journalists of foreign newspapers, news agencies, going to India as resident representatives should apply for a single entry ‘J’ Visa valid for initial stay of three months in India. A letter from the organization which the applicant is going to represent should also be provided clearly stating the status of the applicant (whether permanent full time employee or not) and name of the person whom the applicant is going to replace in India office of the organization. Such a journalist is required to contact OSD (PR)/XP division in the Ministry of External Affairs upon first arrival in India. No change of employer is permitted while the journalist is still in India. In case the foreign journalist intends to change his/her employer, he/she is required to return to the country of origin and re-apply for issue of fresh "J" Visa.
Visa application for Journalism courses:
Applications for full time courses in journalism in educational institutes/universities recognized by Government of India should apply for student Visas.
Documentary related work
Prior authorization of the Indian Government is mandatory for any audiovisual reporting/ shooting of documentary films in India, regardless of their subject, category or duration.
12. Where can I get information on procedure/ eligibility for Conference Visa ?
Ans. You may please read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Conference Visa under the link ‘Foreigners Division’ in the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India website http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/ForeigD-FAQs-on-ConferenceVisa.pdf.
13. What is the fee for various types of India Visa?
Ans. You may please click here for details on Visa fees
14. How do I get the information about Tourism offices in India and abroad?
Please visit :
http://www.incredibleindia.org/tourofficeindia.htm for India tourism Officials
http://www.incredibleindia.org/tourofficesabroad.htm for Indian tourist offices abroad.