Get an India Visa

US Cities where you can get an India Visa

Sample of the Business Travel Requirements for an India Business Visa for US Citizens

1. Passport

   You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:

   • Be valid for six months beyond the validity of your requested visa
   • Contain at least two blank visa pages for the visa stamp
   • Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way

   If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact CIBT at for further details.

2. Photographs

   You must provide two color, passport-type photographs. The photographs must:

   • Be printed on photo paper
   • Be two inches by two inches
   • Have a white background
   No glasses are to be worn in the photographs.  Please follow the instructions on the India visa application on how to affix the photographs.

3. Birth Certificate - Minors Only

   For children 17 and younger only: You must provide a photocopy of your government-issued birth certificate. Your birth certificate must display both of your parents’ names.  Your birth certificate must be provided in English. If it's not available in English then a notarized translation is required. The birth certificate must match the passport name, otherwise you are required to provide a copy of your marriage certificate, court decree, divorce document, etc showing when your name changed.

4. Driver's License

   You must provide a copy of your driver's license: Your copy must display your home address as it appears on your visa application form.

5. Business Introduction Letter

   You must provide an original letter of introduction from your US based employer. Please word the letter in the same way as the attached sample business introduction letter. The letter must:

   • Be printed on your company’s official letterhead
   • Display your full name, nationality, and job title
   • Display your company’s US address
   • Specify the exact purpose of your trip
   • Specify the number of entries requested and the length of each stay
   • Include your specific entry and exit dates
   • Include the validity of your requested visa
   • Be signed by your supervisor or your company’s Human Resources department
   Included in this kit is a sample Business Introduction Letter for your reference.  Please use the exact language found in the sample when completing your own business introduction letter and include any special requirements listed above.

6. Invitation Letter

   You must obtain a letter of invitation. The organization you will be visiting is responsible for obtaining the invitation. A copy is acceptable. This letter must:

   • Be written on company letterhead
   • Include the full local address and phone number of the organization or person to be visited
   • Request the same validity of visa as in the Business Introduction Letter.

7. Visa Application Form

   The Embassy of India has instituted a web-based visa application form. The application must be completed online and can be found at  http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/. We cannot process your visa request if you do not complete the application form online. If you currently hold a valid India visa, you can use the same link listed above and select "Transfer of Visa" as your option on page three of the online form. Your completed online application must:

   • Be signed under the photo and on the second page; both signatures must match the signature in your passport
   • Display your name as it appears in your passport
   • Display the same visa type and validity as on any other supporting documents (if applicable)
   • Include answers for all fields
   • Include your Indian reference's name, full address with postal code, also called the Postal Index Number (PIN), and telephone number in the Indian Reference information section
   • Include the two barcodes found at the top of your completed application form
   • Be printed single sided on two separate pages

    

8. CIBT Order Form

   You must provide one completed CIBT Order Form. The form must:

   • Include a valid email address and payment information
   • Include your signature in blue or black ink

9. Photocopy of All Application Materials

   You must provide photocopies of all items that you submit to CIBT. Your photocopies must be provided along with the original version of each document. If you prefer that CIBT make photocopies for you, additional fees will be applied to your order. We recommend that you retain a copy of all items that you submit for your own records. Any documents that are specifically addressed to the consulate will not be returned to you.

10. Persons of Indian Origin Only

    If you are of Indian origin you are required to renounce your Indian citizenship in order to apply for an Indian visa. The overall processing time for your order will be increased as a result of this process. If you have already renounced your Indian citizenship, you must provide proof of your renunciation as one of the following:

    • A Certificate of Renunciation issued by a Consulate of India
    • An Indian passport that containing a stamp of Renunciation

    If you have not renounced your Indian citizenship or have but cannot provide proof, you must provide the following:

    • One completed Renunciation Form (you must work directly with the Indian Consulate to complete your renunciation as CIBT is not able to assist in this process)
    • A copy of your Naturalization Certificate
    • Your actual Indian passport (If you do not have your Indian passport, you must provide a police report showing your passport as lost or stolen)

11. Persons of Pakistani Origin Only

    You must make a personal appearance at the Indian Consulate to process your visa if you are a person of Pakistani origin and/or formerly held a Pakistani passport.  The consulate requires additional procedures in order to process your visa and CIBT is unable to assist in these procedures.

12. Conference Visas

    If traveling to India for a conference, the traveler does not qualify for a business visa. They will require a conference visa. Please contact us for further information.

13. Spouses Accompanying a Business Traveler

    The spouse and dependent family members accompanying the business visa applicant must apply for an entry visa (NOT a tourist visa). Please contact us for more information on an "Entry Visa".

14. Born in China or Hong Kong SAR

    If you are a US citizen born in China or Hong Kong SAR, the embassy will require 30 days to process your application.

Sample of the Tourist Travel Requirements for an India Visa for US Citizens

1. Passport

   You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:

   • Be valid for six months beyond the validity of your requested visa
   • Contain at least two blank visa pages for the visa stamp
   • Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way

   If your passport does not meet these requirements, please contact CIBT at for further details.

2. Photographs

   You must provide two color, passport-type photographs. The photographs must:

   • Be printed on photo paper
   • Be two inches by two inches
   • Have a white background
   • Not be stapled or show any staple holes
   No glasses are to be worn in the photographs.  Please follow the instructions on the India visa application on how to affix the photographs.

3. Birth Certificate - Minors Only

   For children 17 and younger only: You must provide a photocopy of your government-issued birth certificate. Your birth certificate must display both of your parents’ names.  Your birth certificate must be provided in English. If it's not available in English then a notarized translation is required. The birth certificate must match the passport name, otherwise you are required to provide a copy of your marriage certificate, court decree, divorce document, etc showing when your name changed.

4. Driver's License

   You must provide a copy of your driver's license: Your copy must display your home address as it appears on your visa application form.

5. Visa Application Form

   The Embassy of India has instituted a web-based visa application form. The application must be completed online and can be found at  http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/. We cannot process your visa request if you do not complete the application form online. If you currently hold a valid India visa, you can use the same link listed above and select "Transfer of Visa" as your option on page three of the online form. Your completed online application must:

   • Be signed under the photo and on the second page; both signatures must match the signature in your passport
   • Display your name as it appears in your passport
   • Display the same visa type and validity as on any other supporting documents (if applicable)
   • Include answers for all fields
   • Include your Indian reference's name, full address with postal code, also called the Postal Index Number (PIN), and telephone number in the Indian Reference information section
   • Include the two barcodes found at the top of your completed application form
   • Be printed single sided on two separate pages

    

6. CIBT Order Form

   You must provide one completed CIBT Order Form. The form must:

   • Include a valid email address and payment information
   • Include your signature in blue or black ink

7. Photocopy of All Application Materials

   You must provide photocopies of all items that you submit to CIBT. Your photocopies must be provided along with the original version of each document. If you prefer that CIBT make photocopies for you, additional fees will be applied to your order. We recommend that you retain a copy of all items that you submit for your own records. Any documents that are specifically addressed to the consulate will not be returned to you.

8. Persons of Indian Origin Only

   If you are of Indian origin you are required to renounce your Indian citizenship in order to apply for an Indian visa. The overall processing time for your order will be increased as a result of this process. If you have already renounced your Indian citizenship, you must provide proof of your renunciation as one of the following:

   • A Certificate of Renunciation issued by a Consulate of India
   • An Indian passport that containing a stamp of Renunciation

   If you have not renounced your Indian citizenship or have but cannot provide proof, you must provide the following:

   • One completed Renunciation Form (you must work directly with the Indian Consulate to complete your renunciation as CIBT is not able to assist in this process)
   • A copy of your Naturalization Certificate
   • Your actual Indian passport (If you do not have your Indian passport, you must provide a police report showing your passport as lost or stolen)

9. Persons of Pakistani Origin Only

   You must make a personal appearance at the Indian Consulate to process your visa if you are a person of Pakistani origin and/or formerly held a Pakistani passport.  The consulate requires additional procedures in order to process your visa and CIBT is unable to assist in these procedures.

10. Frequent Travelers to India

    Re-Entry Permit Requirements: The Indian Government has introduced a new policy which requires frequent travelers to obtain a 'Re-Entry Permit.'
    Cruise or Tour Group Travelers: Cruise or tour passengers making frequent entries into India as part of their overall cruise/tour experience do not need to obtain the re-entry permit but must show a round trip ticket or booking back to their country of residence. (Re-entry into India each time is at the discretion of the Indian Immigration officials)
    Non-Cruise or Tour Group Travelers: If you intend to travel from the US to India more than once within a two month period, special approval in the form of a 're-entry permit' is required from the Consulate. In this situation, you will need to complete and submit two documents, in addition to your visa application: the Reentry Permission Form and the Permit Support Letter. Please see details on these two forms below:

    • Reentry Permission Form: One copy of the reentry permission form. This form will generate automatically as a part of the application process. After printing, answer the questions not covered by the online application form, and then sign. A blank form is available here: https://www.indian-visa.com/pdf/Permit_Form.pdf
    • Permit Support Letter: A letter is needed to support two points: A) The letter must highlight the urgency of the visit and the purpose of the visit must be for recreation/sight seeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives/others (to be specified). B) The applicant may not be engaged in business activities/employment or pursuing studies/research, etc. In such cases, registration would be required within 14 days of arrival. Sample Letter available here: https://www.indian-visa.com/pdf/Permit_Letter.pdf

11. Spouses Accompanying a Business Traveler

    The spouse and dependent family members accompanying the business visa applicant must apply for an entry visa (NOT a tourist visa). Please contact us for more information on an "Entry Visa".

12. Born in China or Hong Kong SAR

    If you are a US citizen born in China or Hong Kong SAR, the embassy will require 30 days to process your application.