NEW YORK INSTRUCTIONS FOR VISA APPLICANTS:

Application form for visa duly filled in. Special forms have to be filled by citizens of Pakistan (4 copies with 5 photos) and Bangladesh (2 copies with 3 photos).
Passports in original valid for a minimum of six months beyond date of intended departure from India should accompany visa applications.
One photo pasted firmly on the form.

Specific additional requirements, if any, are mentioned in the section on different types of visas.

Please also check instructions on how to apply by mail , if sending applications by mail.

Normally, U.S. passports are processed the same day. Applicants holding other than United States passports should submit proof of long term-stay (at least three years)/ permanent residence (copy of green card) in the United States to expedite issuance of visa. Such applicants as well as US passport holders ordinarily receive visas the same day in the evening if the application has been received earlier in the day (before 1215 hrs) and if the application does not fall in the category where clearances are required from authorities in India or elsewhere.

For Applicants, who do not normally stay in the U.S., references have to be made to their country of residence for which an additional $20 fee over and above normal visa fee is applicable. These applications take five to seven working days processing time after receipt in the Consulate. Please refrain from making inquiries about the status of such applications during this time.

Chinese, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan nationals who are not permanent residents of U.S.A. have to apply for visa in the country of their residence. Application from Pakistani/Pakistani origin passport holders may take about 3 months to process. Applications of Chinese nationals may take one-three months time to process depending on the purpose of the visit. Bangladesh and Sri Lankan passports (including persons of Sri Lankan origin) will take 7 working days to process. A reference fee of $20.00 is to be paid by all categories/nationalities in this para also.

Visas are issued valid from the date of issue, for period applied for by the applicant. It is the responsibility of the applicant to apply in time and for validity as per their requirement. Visas once issued cannot be changed into another type of visa. Parents can sign for minor children.

TYPES OF VISAS AVAILABLE

TOURIST VISA: Tourist visas valid for six-month and one year (six months stay each time) are available. Ten-year Tourist visas permitting a stay of maximum of six-month on each visit are available to U.S. citizens who are frequent visitors to India. A person desirous of visiting India frequently but not intending to stay for more than six months at a time is advised to apply for this type of visa. Please note that it is not possible to extend your stay in India beyond 6 months if you are visiting India on this visa. For non-US nationals, who are permanent residents of US 5 year tourist visa with six months stay each visit is available.

ENTRY VISA: Valid for six months to one-year stay with multiple entries for legitimate purposes only. Five-year long-term stay visas are available only for US citizens of Indian origin. The five-year entry visa allows the holder to stay in India for up to 5 years after they have registered themselves with the authorities in India. This visa is advisable for people who intend to live in India on a long-term basis and for more than six months at a time. There is no Ten-year entry visa.

BUSINESS VISA: Valid for six months and one year with multiple entries. A letter from Sponsoring Organization indicating the nature of applicant's business, probable duration of stay, places and organizations to be visited incorporating therein a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses, etc. may accompany the application. Ten-year Business visas are available to U.S passport holders. A business letter from India or US may accompany the application.

STUDENT VISA: Depending upon the duration of the course, multiple entry student visas for bonafide students to pursue regular studies at recognized institution in India are available. Visa is valid for up to five years or the duration of the course whichever is less. A letter confirming admission from such an institution along with evidence of financial arrangements for stay in India should accompany the application. In case of admission in medical or para-medical courses in India, a letter of approval or No Objection Certificate from Ministry of Health, Government of India, New Delhi, is mandatory. Likewise for admission in graduate or post-graduate courses in Engineering or Technical Institutions in India, a letter of approval or a No Objection from Ministry of Human Resources Development (Dept. of Education), Government of India, New Delhi, should be submitted. For research purposes detailed synopsis of the research project, countersigned by the sponsoring institution in India should be submitted. Processing of applications for research may take about three months.

TRANSIT VISA: Valid for single/double entry for short stop over for travelling to a third country is available. Confirmed onward tickets must accompany the applications.

MISSIONARIES: Valid for single entry and duration as permitted by the Government of India. A letter in triplicate, from sponsoring organization indicating intended destination in India, probable length of stay, and nature of duties to be discharged should be submitted along with guarantee for applicant's maintenance while in India. Processing of applications for missionaries may take up to three months.

JOURNALIST VISA: Journalist visas are given to professional journalists and photographers for three months stay in India.

EMPLOYMENT VISA: Employment visas are initially issued for one-year stay. A copy of the contract with the employer has to be enclosed. Kindly note that Employment Visa is given only for jobs that require very high level of skills and expertise. This can be extended by Foreigners Regional Registration Office in India, if the job contract continues. Spouses and children are granted co-terminus entry visas on request.

CONFERENCE VISA: Letter of invitation from the organizer of the conference and approvals of Indian authorities are to be submitted along with the visa application.

TRANSFER OF VISAS: To transfer visas from an expired passport to the new passport, application form duly filled in along with one photo and the required fees. It is possible to travel with expired old passport with valid Indian visa and valid new passport issued subsequent to issue of Indian visa.

Besides the above-mentioned categories, visas are also available for learning Yoga, Music and Dance in India from the institutions approved by the Government of India.

For visit to Restricted or Protected Areas, a request in the form of a letter should accompany the application.

A list of Restricted and Protected Areas is available here .

Detailed information on registration with authorities in India from the website of Indian Immigration.