India Immigration

Immigration

Visa

There are three kinds of visas for tourists.

The 15- day single/ double entry transit visa. This visa is valid for 30 days from the date of its issue.

The 3-month multiple-entry transit visa. This visa is valid for 90 days from the date of first entry into India, which must be within 30 days from the date of its issue.

The 6-month multiple entry visa. This visa is valid for 180 days from the date of entry into India.

Visa Extension

It is virtually impossible to get the 15 day or 3 month visa extended. Only the 6 month tourist visa can be extended. It can be quite a bother to extent it beyond a 15 day period. Avoid it unless there is an emergency. A 15 day extension on the 6 month visa is issued by the Foreigner's Regional Registration Office (FRRO) Hans Bhawan, 1st floor, Bhahadurshah Zafar Marg Tel: 3319781. It is open on weekdays, 9.30 am to 1.30 pm and 2pm to 4pm. A 15 day extension is given only if confirmed air tickets are not available. No fee is charged. The 6- month visa can be extended for a maximum period of one month, but any extension beyond 15 days is a complicated matter.

Remember, it is a three-step procedure.

Step1
Collect the long term visa extension form from the Ministry of Home Affairs Office located on the 1st floor of the Lok Nayak Bhawan behind Khan Market Tel: 4697648 / 4697018.

Step 2
After filling up the form, take it, along with four passport-size photographs, to the FRRO for authorisation. A fee of Rs. 775 is levied on a 1- month visa extension.

Step 3
After authorisation for visa extension is stamped on the form by the FRRO, take it back to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lok Nayak Bhawan. Here you will receive the actual visa extension.