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How to Obtain Business Visa to India
Requirement of Visa
Foreigners desirous of visiting India
can obtain a visa from the Indian Mission in the country of
their residence. They should possess a valid National Passport
– except in the case of nationals of Bhutan and Nepal, who may
carry only suitable means of identification.
The Consular Passport and Visa
Division of the Ministry of External Affairs is responsible for
issuance of Indian visas to foreign nationals for visits for
various purposes. This facility is granted through various
Indian missions abroad.
The Indian High Commission/Embassy usually issues
the visas in the applicant’s country of residence with
supporting documents.
The following types of visas are normally granted
for entry to India by foreigners:
(a) Temporary Visa
Visitors to India need visas to enter
the country unless they are Indian citizens. Non-resident
Indians holding citizenship of another country are also required
to obtain visas before arriving in India unless they hold a
Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card issued by the Indian
Government. Visas must be obtained from the Indian Embassy or
Consulate in the applicant’s home country. Special permits are
required for visiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bhutan,
Lakshadweep, remote Northeastern states and Sikkim. Tourist
visas are valid for one to six months, generally beginning on
the date the visa was issued and not on the date of entry into
India. Tourist visas are generally multiple-entry visas,
however, this option must be specifically requested at the time
of application.
(b) Business Visa
This visa is required by persons visiting India
on business. It is necessary to provide a letter from the
applicant’s overseas employer stating the exact purpose of the
visit, and the expected duration with the application. A letter
of invitation from the Indian company should also be provided.
Business visas are normally Multiple Entry and may be granted
for up to two years.
Business visas are issued for visits of more than
180-days with multiple entries. Although Business visa is
usually valid for a period of up to five years, there is no hard
and fast rule for the same. Business visa valid for up to ten
years with multiple entries is available to foreign businessmen
who have set up or intend to set up joint ventures having
governmental approval in India.
(c)Employment Visa (Work
Permits)
A Multiple Entry employment visa is granted on a
case by case basis to foreign nationals wishing to take up an
employment in India. Indian companies are allowed to engage the
services of foreign nationals without any approval. An
employment visa must be obtained from the Indian Consulate in
the country of residence of the applicant, prior to departure
for India.
Normally following main papers are required to be
filed with the application for employment visa:
·
An invitation letter from the overseas company
and an employment letter from the Indian company.
·
Expected duration of the employment.
(d) Entry Visa/X-Visa
This visa is granted to those persons
who wish to visit India for long term or permanent residence but
do not belong to any of the above categories. Foreign nationals
coming to India on an employment visa may obtain an X-visa for
their spouses before coming to India. If such a spouse decides
to take up any employment in India, then the spouse will be
required to go back to the port of origination and obtain the
requisite employment visa.
According to the rules currently in force, a
change of category of visa is not permitted. Any breach in the
purpose / category of the visa granted to a foreign national is
illegal and can result in his/her deportation.
The foreign nationals can however apply for an
extension of visa duration. The application is to be made to
the Ministry of Home Affairs through the concerned FRRO/Office
of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) along with required
documents for getting visa extension.
Spouse
Work Rights
Generally spouse of foreign nationals
arrive on an X-visa, which does not allow any employment or
business in India. In cases where the spouse wants to work in
India, then an appropriate visa (i.e., a business or employment
visa) is required. Once the spouse reaches India with an
X-visa, and decides to take up any employment, then the spouse
would need to go back to the port of origination and obtain the
requisite employment visa.
Registration Requirements
Foreign nationals entering India for
the first time on a visa (whether tourist, business or any
other) which is valid for a period of more than 180 days, would
be required to register themselves with the appropriate
Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within fourteen
days of arrival in India. Such a visa holder would be required
to register with the relevant FRRO not withstanding the fact
that the visa holder intends to remain in India for a period
that is less then the duration of the visa in question.
Therefore, the implication of such a visa is that the foreign
national holding the visa would be deemed to have the intention
of remaining in India for the entire duration of the visa.
In case foreign nationals are required to move
around the country to comply with the demands of their
jobs/profession, they would be required to obtain registration
with the “relevant FRRO”, i.e., either in the first port of
entry or where the residential address has been provided.
Conversion/Extension of Visa
In the event that a foreign national holding a
visa valid for a period of less than one year desires to convert
it into a visa valid for a period of more than one year, then
he/she would be required to approach the Ministry of Home
Affairs for conversion/extension of the said visa.
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