Traveling to India requires you to select the proper visa type according to the objective of your journey. The Indian Government provides various types of visa for foreign citizens, such as NRIs and other visitors. Each visa class has certain stipulations, valid duration, and activities allowed. Choose a suitable visa to have a convenient entry and stay in India, whatever the purpose of your visit be - tourism, business, family, or treatment.

Following are some of the popular visa classes for visiting India:

Entry Visa: For persons of Indian origin and their relatives going to India for family-purpose or long-stay reasons.

Business Visa: For travelers visiting India for conducting business meetings, trade, seminars, or business activities.

Employment Visa: For working professionals who have obtained jobs in India and can legally stay and work there.

Medical Visa: For visiting India to receive medical treatment, operations, or specialized medical services.

Student Visa: Issued to foreign students studying in Indian institutions for undertaking academic courses.

Emergency Visa: Issued for emergency purposes such as death or serious illness of an immediate family member, which allows for travel to India on an urgent basis.

OCI Card Holders: Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) need not carry any form of visa to come to India. A valid OCI card itself acts as a lifetime visa, permitting them to enter and reside in India without the need for further documentation.

An Entry Visa is planned for individuals of Indian origin living overseas, yet without an OCI card but yet want to be in India on a long term basis. It is granted pursuant to the policies of the Government of India and has lesser terms and conditions vis-à-vis other visas. It is preferable for long-duration family visits or personal stay. 

Key Points about Entry Visa:

• Entry Visa is more for those of Indian origin who are living abroad. Even if they don't have an OCI card, they can go in for an Entry Visa, which is essentially a more lenient choice with fewer restrictions.

• An Entry Visa has a longer validity period compared to a normal Visitor Visa and facilitates longer periods of stay within India without the hassle of repeated renewals.

• Applicants who formerly had Indian citizenship need to submit a Renunciation Certificate of their Indian passport in order to qualify for an Entry Visa. This shows that their Indian citizenship has been duly relinquished.

• When a person has failed to relinquish their Indian passport, the status of their Indian citizenship cannot be confirmed, and their visa application would be affected. The Indian government would regard the passport as invalid or expired by default.

• Indian citizenship automatically terminates after an individual attains foreign citizenship. Thus, voluntary renunciation of Indian citizenship is required to travel freely under an Entry Visa.

A Visitor Visa is granted to foreign nationals who intend to travel to India on a visit for tourism, visiting family and friends, or for short-term personal activities. A Visitor Visa is usually adopted by people who are not originally of Indian descent but want to visit India temporarily. It has certain regulations devised by the Indian Government on the duration and objectives of the trip.

Key Points About Visitor Visa:

Visitor Visa is for Foreign Nationals:

• This visa is appropriate for individuals who are not of Indian origin but need to visit India temporarily for the purpose of tourism, social visitation, or visiting family and friends.

Validity and Stay Duration:

• A Visitor Visa is for a maximum validity of 5 years. Still, during one visit, the foreigner is permitted to remain in India for a period not exceeding 90 days even though the visa remains valid for a longer time.

Short-Term Stay with Multiple Entries:

• Depending on the purpose and profile of the applicant, the Visitor Visa can be granted with single, double, or multiple entry options, but the duration of each visit should not cross the allowed 90 days.

Not Valid for Employment or Long-Term Purpose:

• The Visitor Visa is not for employment, long-term business, or residential purposes in India. It is for temporary and personal visits only.

Visa Extension Is Restricted:

• Visitor Visas are not usually extendable. Extensions can be made only in exceptional cases with the approval of the Indian authorities.

OCI Card Holders Do Not Need Visitor Visa:

• OCI cardholders are not required to have a Visitor Visa to enter India, as the OCI card is a lifetime visa for multiple entries.

An Indian Visa is a legal authorization by the Government of India, granting a foreign national an entry into, residence in, or travel through India for a particular reason and duration. Depending on travel reasons such as leisure, business, medical attention, studies, or visits to meet family members, foreign nationals have to procure the right visa to enter India. Every visa classification has varying eligibilities, time limits, and requirements according to the travel reason.

Key Points Regarding Indian Visa:

Purpose-Specific Visa:

• Indian Visa is granted according to the purpose of visit, i.e., tourism, business, work, medical treatment, study, or visiting family. The right type of visa has to be chosen by the applicant according to the purpose of the visit.

Compulsory for Foreign Nationals:

• Any individual with a foreign passport who wants to visit India needs to apply for an Indian visa except if they are an OCI cardholder or exempted under special arrangements.

Validity and Duration:

• The validity of an Indian Visa ranges from short-term (30 days) to long-term (10 years), depending on the visa type. The duration of stay per visit is usually specified within the visa, e.g., 90 days per visit for tourism.

OCI Card Holders are Exempt

• OCI cardholders are not needed to obtain an Indian visa. Their OCI card itself acts as a lifelong visa for travel to India numerous times without any time limit.

Strict Compliance Required:

• Visa holders are required to adhere strictly to the conditions of their visa, such as length of stay and purpose. Any overstaying or abuse of visa can result in fines, deportation, or even prohibition from further travel to India.

Travel on an Indian Passport After Gaining Foreign Citizenship:

• If an Indian-origin person takes foreign citizenship and possesses a foreign passport, but has not surrendered the Indian passport, they can enter India on their Indian passport for a period of 90 days. But using the Indian passport for more than 90 days is illegal according to Indian law. After this phase, the person has to submit their Indian passport and either opt for an OCI card or suitable visa to come to India at a later point in time.

Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is a document issued by the Indian authorities declaring that the applicant has no criminal record in India. NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) usually need PCC while applying for foreign citizenship, permanent residence, long-term employment, student visa, or marriage registration overseas.

Important Points for NRIs for PCC:

Who Needs PCC:

• NRIs seeking permanent residency, employment, spouse visa, or citizenship in a foreign nation might be asked to provide a PCC obtained from India.

Where to Apply:

• You can apply for PCC online through the official website of the local Indian Consulate or High Commission in your current country of residence.

• PCC can also be applied for through Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) if you are traveling to India.

Application Process:

• Complete the online application form provided on the Consulate/High Commission website.
• Print the form and sign it.
• Include a self-addressed prepaid envelope with your application for return posting.
• Send all the documents required such as a copy of your Indian passport, evidence of present foreign residence, OCI card copy (if any), and passport-size photos.
• If you previously had a canceled Indian passport, authorities might request you to provide a copy for verification.

Delivery of PCC:

• As soon as your PCC is processed and granted, it shall be delivered right to your door step through the pre-paid envelope.

Validity of PCC:

• The validity of PCC remains 6 months from the issue date.
• Ensure your Indian passport remains valid for minimum 3 to 6 months while making a PCC application.

Processing Time:

• The process of releasing PCC takes 7-30 days subject to police verification and the station from where the application is sent.

Purpose of PCC for NRIs:

• It is done for immigration purposes, employment in a foreign nation, study purposes, marriage registration, or grant of permanent residence in a foreign nation.