VISA QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

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1. Entry, stay and exit of foreigners into India is governed by the Passport (Entry into India) Act 1920, Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950, Foreigners Act 1946 and the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1992. The policy, acts and rules relating to entry of foreigners into India are framed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) , Government of India.(website:http://mha.nic.in)
2. Visa regime is implemented abroad by Indian missions & posts and in India by Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs), home departments & district administrators in the states besides immigration posts. PV-II Section of CPV Division provides the interface with MHA in formulation and implementation of visa policy and is also entrusted with advising Indian Missions/Posts on visa matters. PV- II also formulates policy on grant of diplomatic and official passports. Other important functions and responsibilities of PV-II are appended.(Appendix I )
3. The basic principle of the visa policy is non-discrimination, subject of course to underlying considerations of reciprocity, security and national interests. While a large majority of foreigners is covered under general visa rules, specific visa rules and procedures apply to certain categories of nationals.
4. Visa is not a matter of right and it is entirely up to the competent authority to decide on issue of visa to any foreigner.
5. Visa like passport and consular services is a service and a fee is charged for grant of visa in accordance with the scale laid down by the Government of India. Visa Fees, once charged, are not refundable. Details of visa fees applicable since 1st July 2008, are appended. (Appendix II). However, it is advisable to also consult the website of the concerned Indian Mission/Post for scale of visa fees applicable.
6. General provisions:
   1. All foreigners entering India must have a passport or any other internationally recognized travel document and visa.
   2. Nepalese or Bhutanese nationals entering by land must have some Photo Identity Papers as proof of their nationality. But in case of entry by air directly from Nepal/Bhutan or from a country other than China, they must have a passport. No visa is required. However, they must have visa if they are traveling from China
   3. The visa applicant should ordinarily be within the jurisdiction of the mission/post or else it is necessary to make a reference to the Indian mission/post in the country to which the applicant belongs. Additional fee is chargeable for making reference to the concerned mission/post.
   4. Gratis visa is granted to diplomats and officials , UN officials traveling on duty or those traveling to India on invitation of Government of India as its guest. Those granted scholarship under Cultural Exchange Programmes are also granted gratis visa.
7. The following types of India visa are issued to foreign nationals in accordance with the purpose of their visit. Details of requisite documentation may please be accessed at the website of concerned Mission/Post or Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.

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