Get in India

Citizens of most countries with a few exceptions like Bhutan and Nepal need a visa to get in. Depending on your purpose of visit, you can get a tourist visa (six months normally), a business visa (one year or more, multiple entries) or a student visa (up to 5 years).

There are other categories for specialised purposes . Of particular importance is the missionary visa that is mandatory for anyone who is visiting India “primarily to take part in religious activities”. This rule is meant to combat religious conversion, particularly of Hindus to Christianity.

There have been cases where preachers have been deported for addressing religious congregations while on a tourist visa. You don’t need to be worried if you are just on a religious tour of churches in India.

Rules and validity of visas will differ based on citizenship. Check the website of the Indian embassy, consulate or high commission in your country or contact the local office .

If you are on a Student, Employment, Research or Missionary visa, you need to register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office where you will be staying. If the place you are staying at doesn’t have one, you need to register at the local police station [5]. All visitors who intend to stay more than 180 days also need to be registered. Addresses and telephone numbers of the FRROs can be found here .