The Indian Peninsula is one of the most popular tourist destinations – every year the Indian Republic receives millions of tourists from all over the world. The golden beaches of Goa and Kerala, the mysterious temples, the virgin beauty of the Himalayas, the unique culture of the cradle of Buddhism and Hinduism attract lovers of the most diverse recreation.
For US citizens, visiting this country are possible only after obtaining a visa for India. For this purpose, it is necessary to prepare a package of documents, the composition of which is determined by the category of the entry permit received.
Types of visas
There are several types Indian visa for US citizens:
Tourist: Issued to US citizens who plan to visit the country for recreation, the implementation of excursion group programs and individual tours, sightseeing, etc. The 30-day tourist visa in India permits visitors to stay in the country for one month from the date of admission. A one-year tourist visa to India is valid for 365 days from the date of issuing. It’s worth noting that, unlike the 30 Day Visa, the validity of the 1 Year Visa is decided by the date of issue. The 5 Year India Tourist Visa is a Multiple Entry Visa that is valid for 5 years from the date of issuing.
Working: An Indian visa of this category is intended for employees of international corporations, qualified specialists who have formalized labor relations with representatives of Indian companies.
Educational: Who have received an invitation from an educational institution in India to take a course of study. These are for those who desire to study in the country.
Transit: Has a validity period of 72 hours and ensures legal passage through the country, being in the transit zone of an airport, sea station, etc. when traveling to another country.
Business: It is necessary for private entrepreneurs to conduct corporate negotiations and organize business in India. The Indian Business Visa allows you to stay in the country for a maximum of 180 days. It is, however, a Multiple Entry Visa that is valid for one year or 365 days. Any other Visa, such as a Tourist Visa, would be ineffective if you were travelling for business.
Required documents
The list of documents for a visa to India and how much it costs depends on the purpose of the trip. A tourist permit requires a minimum number of certificates and confirmations, since it involves a short stay in the country – up to 6 months. A longer stay for the purpose of studying and working involves the collection of additional documents, including from the host country.
The list common to all types of Indian visas includes:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of return.
- A copy of the pages of the passport.
- Visa application form (downloaded from the official website of the Indian Visa Application Center and filled out electronically).
- 2 color photographs 3.5×4.5 cm.
- Air tickets in both directions.
