Visitors travelling to India on business are generally granted multiple entry Business Visas valid for up to 6 months. It is also possible to obtain longer term multiple entry Business Visas, valid for up to 5 years. The period of stay in India for each visit is generally limited to 180 days.

Together with the General Requirements applications should be supported by:

Documents from Indian companies/firms confirming a business relationship
A letter from the sponsoring organization, detailing
i) The nature of applicant's business
ii) The probable duration of stay
iii) The length of visa required
iv) The places and organizations to be visited
v) A guarantee to meet maintenance expenses

2 Employment Visas

The Employment Visa is issued to skilled and qualified professionals who are appointed by organizations as technicians, technical experts, senior executives, etc. In addition to the General Requirements, applicants are required to submit proof of employment by the company or organization. An appointment letter, contract letter, applicant's resume and proof that the organization is registered in India are required. For additional details, please contact info@elsirelo.com.

3 Tourist Visa

Granted for 6 months,not extendable. There has to be a gap of two months between two visits. In the midst of the introduction of new guidelines on tourist visas, the government announced tourist visa on arrival for citizens of five countries, including Japan, New Zealand and Singapore, in an effort to promote tourism.

The ministry of external affairs said that the visa on arrival plan for Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore would be implemented from Friday and would continue for a year on an "experimental basis."

The visa is aimed at foreign tourists from these countries who plan their trips on a short notice, the MEA said. "Tourists can also procure their visas from the Missions/Posts in the normal course," the ministry added.

The visas given on arrival for the nationals of these five countries will have a maximum validity of 30 days with single entry facility which will be given initially by the immigration officers at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata airports.

While announcing the new visa on arrival policy, the government also attempted to clarify the way the new visa guidelines would be implemented. Foreign missions here have sought clarification on the new visa guidelines complaining that tourists were being inconvenienced.

4 Student Visa

Granted on the basis of the admission secured or for a period of 5 years whichever is less. Proof of admission mandatory.

5 Transit Visa

Granted for a maximum period of 15 days, proof of onward destination of travel outside India Mandatory.

6 Conference Visa

Issued for the duration of conference / Seminar. Letter of invitation from the organization Mandatory.

7 Dependant / Entry Visa

Also known as the 'X' Category, this visa is granted to spouse and children of foreigners on employment visa and also to those people of Indian origin for a long stay in India.

8 Missionary Visa

Granted to those people coming for Missionary work, generally issued for 3 months and single entry.

9 Journalist Visa

This visa is granted by the Ministry of External affairs, you are initially granted a visa for 3 months only. Subsequently you need to extend it in India, for more details you can contact info@elsirelo.com.

CHECKLIST OCI

Applications are also accepted at F.R.R.O. Mumbai office for which detailed information is available on website: www.mha.nic.in

In brief the eligibility is as follows:
The person who were citizen of India on or at anytime after 26th January 1950 or were eligible to become Indian citizen on 26th January 1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August 1947 and their children and grandchildren, whose present nationality is such that the country of nationality allows dual citizenship in one form or the other under local laws, will be eligible to be registered as OCI.

Applicants are requested to kindly register online at the above site and come to this office after obtaining online registration number for eg. INDMI0264504 for speedy process.

The documents required for OCI are as follows in three sets.

• 1. Application form duly filled.
• 2. Application's present passport with at least 6 months validity and 3 months valid Indian visa.
• 3. Applicants or applicantss parents or applicant's grand parents previous or current Indian passport.
• 4. Applicant's birth certificate, if applied on the basis of parents (if applied on the basis of grand parents then parents birth certificate as well present passport showing proper linkage).
• 5. Applicant's Marriage Certificate if applied on the basis of Indian passport on maiden name.
• 6. Three photographs of 51mm x 51mm size on light colour background (not on white background, with ears distinctly visible without spectacles and cap).
• 7. If difference in name or alphabet on the Indian passport, Gazette copy for change of name.
• 8. Demand draft of Rs. 14,230/- for each applicant drawn in favour of "Pay & Accounts officer (Secretariat) MHA payable at New Delhi." Those already holding PIO card may submit DD of Rs. 1,290/-.