VISA TYPES

1. Tourist visa

Persons wishing to visit India as tourists or for meeting friends and relatives or for non-business related purposes, can apply for a tourist visa, the validity of which is normally six months. Estonians and other nationalities will be granted visas according to their travel dates up to six months. 

Documents Required:

a) filled-in and signed online visa application form
b) passport valid for a minimum of 6 months with at least two blank pages
c) visa fee (see Visa Fees)
d) one colour photo pasted on the application form (Photo-Spec-PDF)
e) certificate of a valid travel insurance

Tourists visiting restricted areas of India (e.g. Sikkim, Andaman Islands) are required to enclose a Restricted Area Permit Application to the visa application. The fee of this permission is 36€.

2. Business visa 

Business visas are granted to applicants who wish to visit India to establish an industrial/business venture or to explore possibilities to set up industrial/business venture, or want to purchase/sell industrial products in India. Business visas are valid for up to 1 year. Long-term business visas valid for up to 5 years with multiple entries can also be granted to Finnish and Estonian nationals. Each application will be examined on merit. Please note that business visas are granted to citizens other than Finnish or Estonian only after the applicant has been residing permanently in Finland or Estonia for a minimum of two (2) years. Applicants are required to submit written proof of permanent residence along with their visa application.

Documents Required:

a) filled-in online visa application form
b) passport valid for a minimum of 6 months with at least two blank pages
c) visa fee (see Visa Fees)
d) one colour photo pasted on the application form
e) guarantee letter from employer
f) invitation letter from India

3. Employment visa

Employment Visa is granted to foreigners desiring to come to India for purpose of employment. The Embassy may grant Employment visa valid for up to one years depending upon the duration of the contract. Further extension up to 5 years can be obtained from Ministry of Home Affairs/Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs) in the concerned state in India. Employment visas are granted subject to following conditions:

(i) Foreign nationals being sponsored for an Employment Visa in India should draw a minimum salary of US$ 25,000 per annum. This amount should be reflected in their work contract.

(ii) The applicant is a skilled and qualified professional or person who is being engaged or appointed by a company, organization, industry, or undertaking, etc. in India on contract or employment basis at a senior level, skilled position such as technical expert, senior executive, or in a managerial position etc.

(iii) Employment Visa is not granted for jobs for which large numbers of qualified Indians are available.

(iv) Employment Visa is not granted for routine, ordinary or secretarial/clerical jobs.

(v) Employment Visa must be issued from the country of origin, or from the country of domicile of the foreigner provided the period of permanent residence of that applicant in that particular country is for more than 2 years.

(vi) The Indian company/organization engaging foreign nationals for executing projects/contracts would be responsible for the conduct of the foreign national during their stay in India and also for the departure of such foreign national upon expiry of Visa.

(vii) A foreign national will have to comply with all other requirements like payment of tax liabilities, etc.

Documents Required:

a) filled-in online visa application form
b) passport valid for a minimum of 6 months with at least two blank pages
c) one colour photo pasted on the application form (Photo-Spec-PDF)
d) visa fee (see Visa Fees)
e) copy of employment contract
f) guarantee letter from employer

More information on Business and Employment Visas at: http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/work_visa_faq.pdf

4. Student visa 

Student visas are granted to students pursuing regular studies at recognized educational institutions in India. The visa is valid for the period of study as approved by the educational institution in India.

Documents Required:

a) filled-in online visa application form
b) passport valid for a minimum of 6 months with at least two blank pages
c) one colour photo pasted on the application form (Photo-Spec-PDF)
d) visa fee (see Visa Fees)
e) guarantee letter from school
f) invitation letter from Indian school 

5. Conference/seminar visa

Applicants attending conferences or seminars in India will be granted a conference visa.

Documents Required:

a) filled-in online visa application form
b) passport valid for a minimum of 6 months with at least two blank pages
c) one colour photo pasted on the application form (Photo-Spec-PDF)
d) visa fee (see Visa Fees)
e) invitation letter to conference/seminar
f) copy of conference/seminar programme
g) No Objection letter from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs

More information on Conference Visas at: http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/FAQs-on-ConferenceVisa.pdf

6. Transit visa 

Transit visas are granted for people travelling via India to another destination. Transit visa is valid for a single/double entry and are valid 15 days starting from the date of issue. The transit visa allows for a continuous stay for up to 72 hours in India.

Documents Required:

a) filled-in online visa application form
b) passport valid for a minimum of 6 months with at least two blank pages
c) one colour photo pasted on the application form (Photo-Spec-PDF)
d) visa fee (see Visa Fees)
e) copies of flight tickets

7. Entry visa

Entry visas will be granted depending on the purpose of visit and eligibility on a case by case basis. For example spouses of Indian nationals and family members of a person employed in India are eligible for entry visas.

Documents Required:

a) filled-in online visa application form
b) passport valid for a minimum of 6 months with at least two blank pages
c) one colour photo pasted on the application form (Photo-Spec-PDF)
d) visa fee (see Visa Fees)
e) documentation clarifying the purpose of visit

8. Journalist visa: Journalists can obtain single entry visas valid for three months and they should submit supporting documentation, i.e., an employment card or original letter from a reputed news/media agency which has given them the assignment in India. Journalist visa can be applied with Journalist Visa Application Form.

9. Medical visa: A medical visa is given to those who are travelling to India for a medical treatment. The visa can be single/multiple entry. Please note that relevant documents explaining details of the treatment and confirming the need for an escort are also required.

10. Medical escort visa: A medical escort visa is given to those who are accompanying a patient travelling to India for a medical treatment on a medical visa. This visa can be given to a close relative/family member or a friend of the patient. Please note that relevant letters/documents explaining details of the treatment are also required.

11. Missionary visa: Applicants planning to visit India for religious purposes shall be issued single entry missionary visa valid for the duration approved by the Government of India. A letter from the sponsoring organization in Finland/Estonia and India indicating intended destination in India, expected length of stay, and nature of work to be discharged should be attached with the application form along with a guarantee for the applicant's maintenance while in India. Missionary visa can be applied with Missionary Visa Application Form.

12. Research visa: Research Visas are given to professors or scholars, who wish to conduct research work in India. Applicants are required to obtain prior permission to conduct research project in India from the concerned authorities. Applicants are requested to apply at least six weeks before their date of departure to India and visas will be valid for entry into India four weeks after issue. Validity of the visa would coincide with the research period.

13. Express visa: In case of an emergency, an express visa can be granted to Finnish or Estonian citizens during one working day. The express fee is 43€+20€ IGCS fee, which will be added to the normal visa fee. A written English clarification (Application for Emergency Visa) must be included to the visa application. NOTE: We do not accept express visa applications sent by mail.

14. On arrival visa: On Arrival- Tourist Visa is available for Finnish citizens at the following airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai and it will be granted for a maximum of 30 days. More information on the On Arrival –visa at: http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/visa_on_arrival2.htm

Please note: Grant of visa does not confer the right of entry to India and is subject to the discretion of the Immigration Authorities.