How long do you have to register to visit India?
Foreign citizens who visit India to study, do research, work, or act as missionaries, as well as all travelers and residents planning to stay more than 180 days, are required to register their visit or residency within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) closest to where they will be staying in addition to having the appropriate visa when they enter India. The FRRO maintains offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru (Bangalore), Lucknow, Calicut, Goa, Cochin, Trivandrum, and Amritsar. District Superintendents of Police serve as Foreigners Registration Officers (FROs) in all other places. We recommend all U.S. citizens review the entry requirements described on the Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section on the Indian Bureau of Immigration website.
What happens if you overstay your Indian visa?
If you overstay your Indian visa, or otherwise violate Indian visa regulations, you may require clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs in order to leave the country. Generally, you will be fined and, in some cases, may be jailed for months. Visa violators seeking an exit permit must visit the Foreigners Regional Registration Office portal to submit the application and pay any levied fines. Processing of an exit permit under these circumstances can take up to 90 days and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
How old do you have to be to drink alcohol in India?
Alcohol: Each of India’s states has independent regulations concerning alcohol purchase and consumption. Legal drinking ages range from 18 to 25 and can vary by beverage type. Some states permit alcohol use for medicinal purposes only, others require you to hold a permit to buy, transport, or consume alcohol. Penalties for violation can be harsh.
What are the effects of a bandh?
Beyond the threat from terrorism and insurgencies, demonstrations and general strikes, or “bandh,” often cause major inconvenience and unrest. These strikes can result in the stoppage of all transportation and tourist-related services, at times for 24 hours or more. U.S. citizens caught in such a strike may find they are unable to make flight and rail connections, as local transportation can be severely limited. Local media generally give an idea of the length and geographical location of the strike. Large religious gatherings that attract hundreds of thousands of people can result in dangerous and often life-threatening stampedes. Local demonstrations can begin spontaneously and escalate with little warning, disrupting transportation systems and city services and posing risks to travelers. In response to such events, Indian authorities occasionally impose curfews and/or restrict travel. You are urged to obey such curfews and travel restrictions and to avoid demonstrations and rallies as they have the potential for violence, especially immediately preceding and following political rallies, elections, and religious festivals (particularly when Hindu and Muslim festivals coincide). Tensions between castes and religious groups can also result in disruptions and violence. In some cases, demonstrators specifically block roads near popular tourist sites and disrupt train operations in order to gain the attention of Indian authorities; occasionally vehicles transporting tourists are attacked in these incidents. India generally goes on “High Alert” status prior to major holidays or events. You should monitor local television, print media, Mission India’s American Citizens Services Facebook page, and enroll with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for further information about the current situation in areas where you will travel.
How to be a good citizen?
citizens should always practice good personal security and situational awareness. Be aware of your surroundings (including local customs and etiquette) and keep a low profile. Monitor local news reports, vary your routes and times in carrying out daily activities, and consider the level of security present when you visit public places, including religious sites, and when choosing hotels, restaurants, and entertainment and recreation venues.
What is the number for emergency after hours?
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: (0) 44-2857-4000. Ask for
Why is religious violence so common in India?
Religious violence occasionally occurs in India, especially when tensions between different religious communities are purposefully exacerbated by groups pushing religiously chauvinistic agendas. There are active "anti-conversion" laws in some Indian states, and acts of conversion sometimes elicit violent reactions from Hindu extremists. Foreigners suspected of proselytizing Hindus have been attacked and killed in conservative, rural areas in India in the past.
Do Bhutanese need a visa to enter India?
Bhutan – Bhutanese citizens do not require a visa to enter India or even live and work in the country, for an indefinite period, unless they depart from mainland China.
Do I need a visa to travel to India?
Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) – Foreign citizens with an Overseas Citizen of India registration certificate do not require a visa and are allowed multiple entries to the country and have the right of domicile here. You can learn more about OCI and register for a certificate here. (Citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, mainland China, Nepal or Pakistan are generally not entitled to hold Overseas Indian Citizenship.)
Is it hard to get a visa for India?
What one can infer from this is that it is probably not that difficult to obtain an Indian visa. Just follow the guidelines laid down for your country and apply for a visa well in advance. Or if you are from Nepal, Bhutan or Maldives, just walk in!
Do you need a visa to visit Maldives?
Maldives – Maldivian citizens arriving from anywhere, except mainland China, and staying for a maximum of 90 days, do not require any visa.
Is India a tourist destination?
Out of 196 countries in the world, India was ranked #40 in tourism by the United Nations World Trade Organization Barometer, according to a press release released by the Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Being such a popular destination for foreign tourist arrivals, the country cannot do away with the process of issuing visas entirely. Thus, the Indian government requires all foreign nationals to have a valid visa issued in their name prior to their arrival, although there are some exceptions to this formality. Read on to understand who needs an Indian visa and who doesn’t.
Documents Required for Visa Application
Before you even apply for an Indian visit visa, here are some important documents that you should keep handy:
Detailed Travel Plan
You should be able to provide a complete plan of your trip to India. Documents required for this can include your flight tickets, hotel booking receipts, etc. In case you haven’t booked a ticket yet, you can provide the approximate dates of travel.
Proof of Address
You can provide any three documents to verify your US address, but make sure that no document is more than 3 months old. These are
Application Fees
To apply for a 10-year visa with multiple entry, the total fees is $157.70. For a 6-month, multiple entry visa, the total fee is $67.70.
How many days do you have to stay in India to get an ETA?
Those traveling solely for tourism purposes and planning on staying no more than 60 days may apply for an electronic travel authorizaton (ETA) in lieu of a tourist visa at least 4 days prior to arrival in India.
Can a foreigner travel to India with a missionary visa?
Foreign citizens whose primary purpose of travel is to participate in religious activities should obtain a missionary visa rather than a tourist visa. Indian immigration authorities have deported American citizens who entered India with a tourist visa and conducted religious activities.
What determines what type of visa is required?
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
How to request an expedited appointment?
How to Request an Expedited Appointment: Applicants can request an expedited appointment through our online appointment system at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/expedited-appointment.html. You must already have a confirmed interview appointment date in order to request an expedited appointment. If your expedited appointment request is approved, you will be notified with instructions via email. You should not cancel your existing appointment unless you receive a confirmation that your request for an expedited appointment has been approved. If you have not yet received an approval or denial, your request is still under consideration.
How long is a visa application valid for?
There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid. The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law.
What is business traveler?
Business traveler, we will establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate business travel and expedite cases of particular concern to American business.
How to prepare for an interview?
Prepare for your interview by being able to clearly and concisely describe your intentions.
What are the exceptions to the suspension of entry?
There are certain exceptions to the suspension of entry, including exceptions for certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, among other exceptions listed in the proclamations.
When did Biden suspend travel to India?
On April 30, President Biden signed Presidential Proclamation 10199 suspending most nonimmigrant travel from India. In light of the travel suspension and due to the current pandemic situation in India, most other routine nonimmigrant visa and VAC appointments at U.S. Embassy New Delhi and the consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, ...
Documents Required For Visa Application
Detailed Travel Plan
- You should be able to provide a complete plan of your trip to India. Documents required for this can include your flighttickets, hotel booking receipts, etc. In case you haven’t booked a ticket yet, you can provide the approximate dates of travel. Also, keep in mind that you will not be allowed to visit certain sensitive regions in India with a normal visit visa. Such regions include the northeast…
Proof of Address
- You can provide any three documents to verify your US address, but make sure that no document is more than 3 months old. These are 1. Water, gas or electricity bills that have your name on it. 2. Lease documents, signed by your landlord, if you live in a rented home. 3. Driver’s license with validityof 6 months or any other state-issued ID. 4. Information about Past Trips If you have trav…
Application Fees
- To apply for a 10-year visa with multiple entry, the total fees is $157.70. For a 6-month, multiple entry visa, the total feeis $67.70. Make sure you apply for the Indian tourist visawell in advance, so that there are no unnecessary delays to your trip. Accurate documentation from your side will prevent any roadblocks to visa approval.