A visa is an indication that the person holding the document is allowed to enter the country that issued it.  Yet, the possession of a visa is not in itself a guarantee of entry.  Rather, the issuing country may retract a visa at any time.  The principal function of a visa is to enable the host country to corroborate the identity of the visa applicant before their entry into the country. 

Indian Business Visas

Southeast Asia has become a common area for U.S. companies to do business, and travel there is often necessary.  India requires that United States travelers show a valid passport and a valid Indian visa when both entering and exiting the country.  These visas must be obtained at an Indian Embassy or Consulate prior to entering the country as there is no way to have a visa issued upon arrival and anyone who does not have both of these items in their possession will be subject to immediate deportation upon arrival.

Indian business visas are provided to U.S. citizens by Travisa Outsourcing. Processing time depends on the method of delivery.  In person applications must be submitted to the outsourcing office between 9 AM and 11 AM, for which the applicant can make an appointment at the end of the online application form.  Applications sent by mail can take seven to nine days from the date of receipt. 

Indian business visas may be valid for one year or more with multiple entries, however, the period of stay must be limited to 6 months.  Some business visas can be valid for up to ten years with multiple entries if a foreign citizen has set up, or intends to set up, a business operating out of India.

How to Apply

In order to qualify for an Indian business visa, you have to first fill out the aforementioned application.  After the application has been completed, you must print and sign it.  Other requirements are as follows:

Passport - Your passport must have a minimum validity of six months from the date of application and have two visa pages left blank.  It must also be the actual passport, not a copy. 

Photographs – The Indian consulate requires two identical passport size photographs taken from the front against a light background.  Glasses are not allowed in the photo.  Instructions on the application describe how to attach the photo.

Proof of Address – Applicants must provide a photocopy of either a state issued identification or a major utility bill for proof of address.

Copy of Birth Certificate – The specifics of this requirement vary based on the applicant’s nationality at birth.  U.S. born applicants require a birth certificate; Indian born applicants require either a birth certificate, an old Indian passport, or a school leaving certificate; and all others may submit any government document (including birth certificates) from the country of origin that has their parents’ names, date of birth, and nationality.  For applicants born outside the U.S. and India, the document must be translated into English and notarized.

Fees – Fees vary based on the type of visa and the citizenship of the applicant.  Most U.S. applicants will have to pay $173 for a 1 year multiple-entry visa and $253 for a five or ten year multiple-entry visa.

Applicants for an Indian business visa must include two letters – one from the sponsoring organization in India, and another from the parent company in the United States.  These letters should be on company letterhead and should explain the nature and duration of the applicant’s business in India, the visa the applicant applied for, places and organizations the applicant will visit, as well as a guarantee to meet any maintenance expenses on behalf of the applicant.

Please visit this FAQ to determine if a business visa or an employment visa is appropriate.