Reference Guide
India Visa Types, Compared
India issues a different visa for each purpose. Here's how the main categories compare — and where to get expert help with each. Not sure which you need?
| Visa | Best for | Typical stay | Entries | Extend in India? | e-Visa? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Visa | Meetings, conferences, investment, client visits (no salaried work in India) | Commonly up to 180 days per visit | Usually multiple-entry | Generally not extendable | e-Business Visa available for eligible nationalities | |
| Employment Visa | Foreign nationals taking up paid employment with an Indian company | Linked to the employment contract; renewable | Multiple-entry | Extendable via FRRO (conditions apply) | Not available — apply at an Indian mission abroad | |
| X (Dependent) Visa | Spouse and dependent children of a qualifying long-stay visa holder | Usually co-terminus with the principal visa holder | Multiple-entry | Extendable alongside the principal visa (via FRRO) | Not available | |
| Medical Visa | International patients seeking treatment at Indian hospitals | e-Medical Visa up to 60 days; regular Medical Visa longer | e-Medical: triple entry; regular: multiple-entry | Regular Medical Visa extendable via FRRO | e-Medical Visa available for eligible nationalities | |
| OCI Card / Entry Visa | Persons of Indian origin and their spouses | OCI: lifelong, multiple-entry | OCI: lifelong multiple-entry | OCI holders are generally exempt from FRRO registration | N/A — OCI card / Entry (X) Visa |
Business Visa
- Best for
- Meetings, conferences, investment, client visits (no salaried work in India)
- Typical stay
- Commonly up to 180 days per visit
- Entries
- Usually multiple-entry
- Extend in India?
- Generally not extendable
- e-Visa?
- e-Business Visa available for eligible nationalities
Employment Visa
- Best for
- Foreign nationals taking up paid employment with an Indian company
- Typical stay
- Linked to the employment contract; renewable
- Entries
- Multiple-entry
- Extend in India?
- Extendable via FRRO (conditions apply)
- e-Visa?
- Not available — apply at an Indian mission abroad
X (Dependent) Visa
- Best for
- Spouse and dependent children of a qualifying long-stay visa holder
- Typical stay
- Usually co-terminus with the principal visa holder
- Entries
- Multiple-entry
- Extend in India?
- Extendable alongside the principal visa (via FRRO)
- e-Visa?
- Not available
Medical Visa
- Best for
- International patients seeking treatment at Indian hospitals
- Typical stay
- e-Medical Visa up to 60 days; regular Medical Visa longer
- Entries
- e-Medical: triple entry; regular: multiple-entry
- Extend in India?
- Regular Medical Visa extendable via FRRO
- e-Visa?
- e-Medical Visa available for eligible nationalities
OCI Card / Entry Visa
- Best for
- Persons of Indian origin and their spouses
- Typical stay
- OCI: lifelong, multiple-entry
- Entries
- OCI: lifelong multiple-entry
- Extend in India?
- OCI holders are generally exempt from FRRO registration
- e-Visa?
- N/A — OCI card / Entry (X) Visa
General guidance only, not legal advice. Exact stay, entries, fees and extendability depend on your nationality, visa sub-category and current government rules — we'll confirm the right category and requirements for your case.