Indian Visa Requirements, Explained
Four requirements apply to every Indian visa. After that, each category stands on one defining document. Here's the whole picture — with the full guide for each category one click away.
Requirements that apply to every category
Whatever visa you apply for — e-Visa or paper — these four fundamentals decide whether your application is even considered cleanly:
Passport validity
At least six months' validity at the time of application, with a minimum of two blank pages for stamping.
Compliant photograph
Square format, plain white background — the e-Visa wants a JPEG between 350×350 and 1000×1000 pixels; paper applications want 2×2 inch prints.
Exact photo specsFees (set by government, vary by nationality)
Fees differ by nationality, category and validity, and change — always check the current figure on the official portal rather than third-party sites that add margins.
Official portals directoryTruthful, consistent information
Details must match your passport exactly across every document. Mismatches and vague purpose statements are the most common, most avoidable rejection triggers.
Rejection reasons guideThe defining requirement, category by category
Beyond the universals, each category stands on one anchor document. Click through for the complete requirements, documents and process for each:
Invitation letter from the Indian company you're visiting + your employer's letter
Employment contract with an Indian sponsor meeting the ₹16.25 lakh salary threshold (2026 E-1/E-2/E-3 rules)
Relationship documents (marriage/birth certificates) + the principal visa holder's status
Not a visa — the mandatory post-arrival registration for qualifying stays over 180 days
Category-specific supporting letters (employer, institution or hospital) filed via e-FRRO before your stay ends
Departure ticket + written explanation (and FIR for lost passports) for overstay/expiry cases
Proof of Indian origin — or a marriage registered and subsisting 2+ years for foreign spouses
Invitation letter from a recognised Indian hospital confirming diagnosis and treatment plan
Company registration documents + sponsorship paperwork for each foreign employee
Tourist, Conference and Research visas don't have service pages — see the Tourist Visa guide, Conference Visa guide and Research Visa guide. Not sure which category fits? Use the Visa Finder (free, 2 minutes).
Requirements differ by nationality
e-Visa eligibility, fees and tourist-visa validity vary by passport — US citizens can receive 10-year tourist visas, UK citizens 5 years, Japanese citizens have Visa on Arrival. Check what's specific to yours:
Guides by nationalityRequirements don't end at the border
Long-stay visa holders (over 180 days on qualifying categories) must register with the FRRO within 14 days of arrival, and every foreign guest's stay is reported under Form III. Compliance failures surface at extension or exit.
FRRO registration explainedIndian visa requirements — common questions
What are the basic requirements for an Indian visa?
Every category requires a passport valid at least six months with two blank pages, a compliant photograph (square, white background), the government fee for your nationality and category, and truthful details matching your passport. Each category then adds its defining documents — an Indian company's invitation letter for business, a sponsoring employment contract for work, a recognised hospital's letter for medical treatment, and so on.
Are Indian visa requirements the same for all nationalities?
The core requirements are the same, but eligibility (e-Visa vs regular), fees, and tourist-visa validity differ by nationality — US citizens can receive 10-year tourist visas, UK citizens up to 5 years, and per-visit stay caps vary. See our nationality guides for what's specific to your passport.
What is required after arriving in India?
Foreign nationals on Student, Employment, Medical, Research or Missionary visas valid over 180 days must register with the FRRO within 14 days of arrival. Your accommodation also reports your stay under Form III. Overstaying or skipping registration creates compliance problems that surface at extension or exit.
Do I need an invitation letter for an India visa?
For Business, Conference and Medical visas — yes, and it's the anchor document: from the Indian host company, the cleared event organiser, or the recognised treating hospital respectively. Tourist visas don't need one; employment needs a contract rather than an invitation.
Where do I check current fees and apply?
Only on official government portals — indianvisaonline.gov.in for e-Visas and the Indian mission (often via VFS/BLS) for regular visas. Lookalike sites charge inflated service fees for the same application. Our verified portals directory lists every official channel.
Official government sources
We base our guidance on official Indian government sources and update it as rules change. Requirements are set by the authorities and can change — always verify the current position directly before you apply:
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