Besides your passport, you will need a visa to travel to India. Requests for visas are now handled by Travisa Outsourcing, a private contractor to the Indian Embassy. For US citizens applying for a tourist visa, you will need the following.
- The online visa application form.
- Your passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of application with at least two blank visa pages. (Last 2 amendment pages are not acceptable.)
- 2 current identical passport size photographs (black/white or color) depicting front pose against light background on photographic paper.
- Proof of residence/address. Photocopy of driver license or utility bill is acceptable.
The tourist visa fees for US nationals as of 2008 are 6 months for US $73, US $98 for 1 year, and US $163 for 5 to 10 years. Irrespective of the duration of validity of visa, the maximum period of stay in India is limited to 6 months (180 days) with multiple entries allowed. But you MAY be able to bypass this limitation by taking copies of your visa and your passport along with four passport size photos to the Foreigner Registration Office at the Mysore district police (see “Directory”) and applying for a registration certificate and residential permit within 15 days of arrival. This way there is no need to leave the country every 6 months. Upon finally exiting India, every foreigner must surrender the certificate of registration either to the original Registration Office or to the Immigration Officer.
There are also different types of visas such as for business or study, but the most hassle-free way is with the tourist visa. For detailed information on applying for your visa, visit the India Visa website.
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