do you need a visa for india from us

Full Answer

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Why is India cited in the State Department report?

India was cited in the State Department’s 2020 Annual Report to Congress on International Child Abduction for demonstrating a pattern of non-compliance with respect to international parental child abduction. Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in India.

When will India resume tourism?

Yes. On November 15, 2021, India will resume entry of individuals on e-tourist or tourist visas issued on or after October 6, 2021.

Is the suspension of entry to India a proclamation?

U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPR), and immigrants are not subject to the proclamation. The suspension of entry also does not apply to non-U.S. ...

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 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.

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, ...

Is there a drop box for visa renewal in India?

Drop Box Appointments: Consular sections across India are now accepting a limited number of drop box applications for renewals of H, L, C1/D, O, I, F, M, and J visas at our Visa Application Centers. Please visit our website to determine whether you are eligible for drop box processing and schedule an appointment for document drop-off. A list of drop-off locations is available on our website.