Courts Should Refrain From Staying Conviction of Public Servants in Corruption Cases: Supreme Court Reiterates
28 Jun, 2025
By Online Legal India
Published On 27 Jun 2025
Category Other
India offers different types of visas in India for people coming from other countries. Each visa has a specific purpose, like visiting for a holiday, studying in a school or college, doing business, getting medical treatment, or working in a job. The rules for each visa are different, and it depends on why someone is coming to India and how long they plan to stay. In this article, we will explain the main visa types in India, what each one is used for, and who can apply for them. This will help people choose the right visa based on their reason for visiting.
Regular visas are the traditional permits issued by Indian embassies, while e-Visas are fully digital travel authorizations you apply for online. You do not need to visit.
This visa is a sticker stuck inside your passport. You apply at the Indian embassy or consulate, provide your passport, photos, and documents in person, and wait for approval.
You apply online, pay the fee, and the visa comes via email. You print it and show it when you land in India. You don’t need to visit the embassy.
Here is a short and simple look at the different visa types:
For holidays, visiting family, or attending short yoga courses up to six months, the Tourist / e-Tourist visa is ideal. The e-Tourist visa is applied for online, while the regular Tourist visa is issued at an embassy. Both are for leisure and casual visits only no work or long-term study allowed
For meeting business partners, discussing deals, or visiting company offices, the Business / e Business visa is the right choice. The e Business visa is applied for online, valid for one year with multiple entries, and allows up to 180 days total stay. But remember, it is only for business visits, not for taking up paid jobs in India
For people coming to work in India, an Employment Visa is required. Applicants must hold a valid job offer or employment contract from an Indian company or organization. This visa is intended for highly skilled professionals and managers, not for unskilled or clerical roles. Applicants must generally earn over Rs.16.25 lakh per year. The visa is typically valid up to one year and can be extended
For those planning to study in Indian schools, colleges, or take part in research or internships, the Student / Research / Internship visa is the right choice. You need a confirmed admission or official invitation letter from an Indian institution. This visa stays valid for the course duration or up to five years, and allows internships tied to your studies, but not regular paid work.
For those coming to India for treatment, the Medical / e Medical visa is available. The online e Medical visa, valid for 60 days with triple entry, lets patients receive care at recognised hospitals. Patients must have a hospital invitation letter, proof of funds, and a valid passport. This visa is meant only for medical purposes, not tourism or work
For attending official meetings, workshops, or seminars, the Conference / e Conference visa is the right option. You can apply online for the e Conference visa, which allows a single entry and a stay of up to 30 days from your date of arrival. Applicants must provide an invitation from the event organiser and political clearance from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
For travelers passing through India to reach another country, the Transit Visa is used. It is valid for entry within 15 days of issue and allows a stay of up to 3 days per visit, including double entries. You need a confirmed onward ticket and must leave the immigration limits. Don't use it for work or tourism.
For researchers coming to India for field studies or special projects, the Research Visa is ideal. It is issued for up to three years or project duration, whichever is shorter, and can be extended once more for up to six months. Applicants need an invitation from a recognized Indian institute, financial proof, and must register with FRRO/FRO upon arrival.
For family members of long-term visa holders, the Entry (X) Visa is suitable. It is issued to spouses, children, or dependents of those on Employment, Business, Research, or Student visas. Valid for up to five years, usually matching the primary visa, it allows multiple entries. Applicants must show proof of relationship and may need to register with FRRO/FRO upon entry.
For special roles like reporters, film crews, missionaries, or specific project workers, India issues targeted special visas. Journalists receive a J-Visa valid up to three months with a single entry and must have accreditation and an invitation letter. Film teams need a Film
Visa for shooting projects, approved by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and valid up to one year.
An e-Visa is a digital permit for tourism, business, or medical visits to India. You apply online, no embassy needed. Citizens of around 167 countries can apply from 4 to 120 days before their trip.
You visit the official e-Visa website, fill in your details, upload your passport page and photo, and pay the fee. Within about 72 hours, you will get an Electronic Travel Authorization by email. Print it and show it at the airport with your passport.
Tourist e-Visas come in three choices: a 30-day visa with two entries, or long-term visas valid for 1 year or 5 years with multiple entries. Most visitors may stay up to 90 days per visit, but people from the US, UK, Canada, and Japan can stay for 180 days per visit.
Business e-Visas are valid for one year, allow multiple entries, and each stay can be up to 180 days. Medical e-Visas are valid for 60 days with three entries and may be extended up to six months in India through FRRO/FRO, if treatment continues.
e-Visa holders must enter India through one of the 28 approved airports or five seaports covering cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, and Port Blair. You may leave from any immigration checkpoint.
Tourist and business e-Visas cannot be extended or changed once in India, except for medical visas, which can be renewed for ongoing treatment. Each person can apply up to two times per calendar year for tourist or business e-Visas. Recent updates include bringing back 1-year and 5-year tourist e-Visas, expanding the business and medical options to more countries, introducing the Ayush medical category, and adding seaport entry points.
When you get a visa to India, each type comes with its own validity period. For example, a Tourist visa can be valid for up to five years with multiple entries, while a Business visa is usually valid for up to five years, and an Employment visa typically lasts one to three years, depending on your contract. Student visas are valid for the length of your course or up to five years, and Medical visas cover the treatment period plus any invited attendant.
Foreigners staying more than 180 days on any visa except for short-term categories like Transit or single-entry Intern visas must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO/FRO) within 14 days of arrival. Visas that allow long stays, such as Employment, Business, Student, and Research visas, may be extended by the FRRO every year until they reach a set limit, typically up to five years.
Tourist and Transit visas cannot be extended within India and must be renewed by applying for a new visa outside the country. You are allowed to re-enter India if your visa type and validity permit multiple entries, such as Tourist, Business, or Employment visas, but each entry must follow the visa’s rules, like the maximum stay per visit.
Here are some practical tips and warnings for Indian visa holders:
A Tourist visa is only for holidays or visiting; using it for business meetings is not allowed. A court once cancelled a Tourist visa because the person was attending work discussions instead of sightseeing.
If you are on a Business or Employment visa and in India for more than 180 days, it is mandatory to register with the FRRO/FRO within 14 days of arriving. Not registering can cause visa issues or trouble leaving India.
For tourist stays, people from the US, UK, Canada, and Japan may stay up to 180 days per visit. Everyone else usually has a 90-day limit. Staying longer than allowed can lead to being barred from re-entry.
Conclusion
To sum up, India’s visa system is thoughtfully designed to match each travel purpose, whether it is leisure, education, business, work, medical care, or special activities. With the various types of visa in India, from easy online e-Visas to longer sticker-style Regular Visas, the choice depends on why you are visiting, how long you will stay, and what activities you will undertake. Recent enhancements like the e-Ayush visas, expanded eligibility, and streamlined online tools have made it easier for travelers worldwide to legally and comfortably visit India. Whether you are a student, professional, tourist, or patient, selecting the right visa and following the rules will help ensure a smooth and worry-free journey.
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