Going for the necessary tourist visa:
As understood from the name itself, a tourist visa is mainly issued to those people willing to visit India to go sightseeing, visit someone residing in India and also for attending some of the short-term yoga programs. It is one the safest and most natural forms of Indian visa you can get your hands on. Even though tourist visas are granted for 6 months, based on the nationality of the applicant, it is not possible to remain in this country for longer than the designated 6 months at one time with the tourist visa.It was in late 2009 when India started introducing new rules for curbing misuse of this visa in India. It was made a law that a minimum of 2 months gap is required between your visits to India.
Later, this requirement was removed in late November 2012. But, there are some exceptions, which still remain as good as new!
Also remember that if you are applying for another tourist visa within a month of the expiration of the old one, the processing might take up a longer time like 45 days. It is mainly because the approval needs to be procured from the Ministry of Home Affairs now.
India now comprises a popular e-Visa scheme designed for citizens of most countries. Under this present scheme, visitors have to apply for the electronic travel authorisation only online and procure a visa stamp for entering the country upon arrival. This type of service is valid for 860 days and can be up to three entries.
Your visa scope under this program can be widened for including some of the short-term medical treatments and also for incorporating yoga courses. It can also be associated with casual business visits and even some conferences. For many countries you can now check your visa eligibility online, for example, you can check Kosovo visa eligibility at Kosovo e visa.
Previously, this form of visa was used to add separate business, medical or student visas to it. If you are planning to tour India on a cruise ship, then an e-visa might help you big time.
Entry of the X Visa for you:
Is this your first time ever hearing about X Visa? It is mainly used for issuing to people who did not clearly fall into any of the other categories of the current visa applicants just like volunteers. But, from the time of mid-2010, X Visa is mainly designated for a few people only. They are a foreigner of Indian origin, children and spouses of a foreigner of the Indian origin or the Indian citizen, dependent children and spouses of a foreigner visiting India on long-term visas like business or employment visas and more. This form of visa is also designed for foreigners willing to join specified ashrams or spiritual communities like Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, Missions of Charities in Kolkata, or even any of the Buddhist monasteries. You can get these X visas for foreigners willing to participate in professional international sporting events now.
If you are planning to work in India, you can’t do that with an X Visa in your pocket. On the other hand, X-visas can also be extended in India, and you don’t have any time limit, like 6 months, as associated with tourist visas. However, if you are planning to stay over 6 months at one period in India, you might have to register your name at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office as a mark of your stay in India.
Running towards employment visa:
This form of permit is issued to foreigners who are already working in India for an organization registered with the Indian government. Foreigners associated with long-term volunteer work in India can now be granted employment visas, which was not the case with X Visas beforehand.There are some Special Projects visas, which are issued to some of the highly skilled foreigners visiting India to work in steel and power sectors.
Employment visas are designed to be used for a year or as per the contract term. If needed, those visas can be extended to India.
To apply for these visas, you will always need employment proof with an organisation or company in India. For example, you can take a contract that states the important terms and conditions.
Right from April 1st, 2017, one rule clearly stipulates applicants must be earning around 17 lakhs rupees every year or even more. It has been lowered for allowing foreigners to teach in some of the Central Higher Educational Institutes.
There are some other exceptions made for the ethnic cooks, volunteers, translators, Non-English language teachers and even for some of the members of the embassies and foreign high commissions.
Intern of the I Visa:
Before the rules were made on April 1st, 2017, it was mandatory for the foreigners pursuing an internship in Indian org to procure an employment visa. But, foreigners, who meet some conditions can now apply for the “I” or the Intern visa easily. The gap between completion of graduation and the post-graduation and commencement of internship must not exceed 1 year. The validity of such a visa is only restricted to the duration of the internship program or just one year.Be sure to get these types covered first and then apply for the visa you want. It will be a much easier task then!
