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About USA Embassy |
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USA - Embassy of India
2107 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C.
(202) 939-7000 | Fax: (202) 265-4351
Consular Wing
2536 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 939-9806/9832
Fax: (202) 387-6946
Counter Timings:
For submission of documents:
9.30 am to 12.30 pm (Monday thru Friday) (Check Embassy Holidays)
Documents delivery:
4.30 pm to 5.30 pm (Monday thru Friday) (Check Embassy Holidays)
- Visa & Misc. services are delivered normally on the same day except in cases where references are required to be made to other Missions or Offices in India.
- Indian Passports are processed and delivered normally on the next working day except in cases of renewal of a short validity passport and duplicate/damaged passport.
Emergency Services: Visas are granted on Saturdays and Indian National Holidays (Check Embassy Holidays) to persons of Indian origin between 11am and 1pm in case of a genuine emergency like death or illness of a blood relation, subject to production of proof and confirmed air tickets. No other service is available on holidays. The decision of the Consular Officer in this matter shall be final.
Guidelines for Visa Applicants
All Indian Nationals who have acquired either US or Foreign citizenship are advised to surrender their Indian Passport to the nearest Indian Mission for cancellation and return.
Processing Time:
Applications received at the counter between 9.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. are normally processed the same day and serviced documents can be collected from the counter between 4.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Applications sent in mail will normally take about 10 working/business days to process from the date of receipt in the Embassy. This time schedule does not apply to services where prior approval is required from authorities in India, or other Indian embassies for non US Resident applicants. During this period the applicants are advised to refrain from making telephonic/written/ email inquires about the status of the application.
Following documents are required to be submitted for visa:
1. "Visa application Form"
a) Visa application form should filled in legibly and clearly, in bold (capital) letters in black/blue ink only. Incomplete and illegible applications may not be processed.
b) Name and other relevant particulars should be filled in as per details in the passport in expanded form.
2. Passport, it should have a minimum validity of six months on the date of application with at least two blank pages.
3. Photographs ; 2 latest identical passport size photographs (black/white or color) depicting front pose against light background
4. Supporting documents, if the visa being applied for is other than a Tourist Visa, the visa application should be accompanied with supporting documents on type of visa applied for. For details, please see categories of visa given below.
5. Visa Fee, Please see "Fee Schedule" for the amount of fee. In case the applications are deposited in person at the counter, visa fee can be paid in cash or by Cashier's Check/Certified Check or Money Order made payable to the Embassy of India, Washington (PERSONAL CHECKS / CREDIT CARDS are not accepted)
6. Persons of Indian Origin applying for a visa for the FIRST time on US passport must submit their Indian passport along with the application form for cancellation and return. If the visa is required on a new US passport booklet, either previous US passport or photocopy of Indian visa are to be submitted with the application.
Note: All persons of Indian origin who have acquired US citizenship are advised to surrender their Indian passports to the nearest Indian mission for cancellation and return. The cancelled Indian passports will be needed at the time of applying for Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card or Indian visa for the first time on a US passport.
Non-US Citizens: Additional requirements
1. Applicants who are not Citizens of USA, but hold long term US visa or a Green Card should submit a copy of the visa or the Green Card.
2. Applicants who are not citizens/ residents of the USA and hold a tourist or other short-term visa for USA should normally apply for Indian visas in the countries of their permanent residence. In case of emergency or special circumstance, an application could be made at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC or Consulates General of India in the US. In addition to the relevant visa fee they should remit an additional US $ 20 for reference to be made to the country of their original residence. The processing time in such cases is usually 5-7 working days.
Note-
(a) Please read the relevant instructions carefully before applying to avoid any inconvenience;
(b) kindly note that the validity of the visa starts from the date of issue and not the date of entry into India)
Special Visa application forms should be filled in by citizens of Pakistan (4 copies with 4 photos) and Bangladesh (2 copies with 2 photos). (It usually takes 3-4 months to process visa applications of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Chinese passport holders).
Category of Visas
Note: Change of purpose is not permitted once you have reached India. Depending on the nature of your journey, apply for the correct visa category.
Tourist Visa:
Valid for 6 months to 10 years. Ten (10) year visa is available only to US citizens under a bilateral arrangement. Irrespective of the duration of validity of visa, on each visit maximum period of stay in India is limited to 6 months (180 days). Multiple entry visas are given.
Transfer Of Visa
For transferring an Indian visa from an old passport to a new passport. The regular visa application form with 2 photographs is required along with a fee of $25.
Transit Visa
A transit visa is granted for the sole purpose of enabling the holder to travel through India to reach his/her ultimate destination. Change of purpose is not allowed. The visa will ordinarily be valid for a single/double journey and for entry within three months of date of issue. The Transit visa is valid for direct transit only for a maximum period of 3 days. Confirmed airline ticket for onward journey and valid visa for final destination are required. For a stay in India beyond 3 days, an appropriate visa should be obtained.
Entry Visa
Valid for six months to five years stay with multiple entry is given only to persons of Indian origin. However, members of the family of a person employed in India are also eligible for Entry visa.
Business Visa
Valid for six month or one/more years with multiple entries. However, the period of stay in India (for each visit) under this category is limited to six months only. A letter from the sponsoring organization indicating nature of applicant's business, probable duration of stay, validity of visa, places and organizations to be visited and also a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses etc. should accompany the application. Business visa valid for ten years with multiple entries is available to foreign businessmen who have set up or intend to set up joint ventures in India.
Employment Visa
An appointment letter, contract letter, applicant's resume and proof that the organization is registered in India are required. Duration of visa would depend on the period of the contract.
Student Visa
(Valid for the period of study in India). Multiple-entry visas are given to bona fide students to pursue regular studies at recognized institutions in India. A letter confirming admission from such an institution along with evidence of financial arrangements for stay in India should accompany the application. In case of admission in medical or paramedical courses in India, a letter of Approval or No objection certificate from the Ministry of Health, Government of India, is also required. Similarly, for admission to graduate or post-graduate courses in engineering/ technical institutions in India, a letter of approval or a No objection certificate from the Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Education) is required.
Research Visa
Approval of Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Education), New Delhi, should accompany the visa application. The validity of the visa would coincide with the research period.
Missionaries
ingle entry visa valid for the duration approved by the Government of India is issued. Three copies of the letter from the sponsoring organization indicating intended destination in India, expected length of stay, and nature of work to be discharged should be attached along with a guarantee for applicant's maintenance while in India. (Note: Processing of application for a Missionary Visa may take up to three (03) months.)
Journalist Visa
Journalist visa is given to professional journalists and photographers for up to three months' stay in India. (If you are intending to make a documentary in India, kindly contact the Press and Information wing in the Embassy /Consulate General of India). The contact details of the Press and Information Wing of the Embassy of India are available on the web site.
Conference Visa
A letter of invitation from the organizer of the conference is to be attached along with the visa application. Visas for international conferences, or on certain subjects, as decided by the Government of India from time to time, can be issued only after clearance for the said conference is received from the Government of India.
Visa Fee Schedule
Personal Checks and Credit Cards are not accepted. Payment can be made with Money Order/Certified Check/Cashier's Check drawn in favor of Embassy of India/Consulate General of India.
Cash is accepted only at the Consular Counter.
Note: Since visa fees are fixed on the basis of reciprocal arrangement/ or special agreements between governments, the fees could differ for citizens of different countries. Visa fee once received is not refunded even if the visa application is withdrawn or visa not granted. The current schedule of visa fees is given below. If you have any doubts, please enquire from the Embassy/Consulate before remitting the amount.
Fee Structure for Visa Services
| Type of Visa |
US Nationals |
Other Nationals |
| Transit Visa (Single/Double Entry) Validity 15 days only |
$ 30 |
$ 10 |
| All types of Visa other than transit Visa valid up to 6 months (Multiple Entry) |
$ 60 |
$ 40 |
| Student Visa (Valid for over 1 year to 5 years) Multiple Entry |
$ 95 |
$75 |
| All type of Visa other than transit Visa valid for over 6 months and up to 1 year (Multiple Entry) |
$ 85 |
$ 65 |
All types of Visa other than transit Visa valid for over 1 year and up to 5 years (Multiple Entry)
|
$ 150 |
$ 130 |
| Tourist/Business Visa – (for US Nationals only) valid for over 5 years and up to 10 years |
$ 150 |
N/A |
| Transfer of Visa to New Passport |
$ 25 |
$ 5 |
Non-US Nationals, holding US tourist or short term visa should submit an additional $ 20/- for reference to be made with the Indian mission in their country of origin/permanent residence (Processing time: 5 – 7 working days).
Visa fee schedule applicable to Sri Lankan Citizens
| Type of Visa |
Period of Validity |
No. of Entries |
Visa fee |
| Transit Visa |
15 days |
Single/Double |
$ 3 |
| Business Visa |
6 months |
Single |
$ 3 |
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6 months/1 year |
Multiple |
$ 9 |
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5 years(effective from December 1, 2002) |
Multiple |
$75 |
| Employment Visa |
6 months |
Single |
$ 3 |
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6 months |
Multiple |
$ 6 |
| |
1 year |
Multiple |
$ 9 |
| All other Visas including Tourist/Student Visa |
6 months |
Single Entry |
$ 3 |
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6 months/1 year |
Multiple Entry |
$ 6 |
In addition to above charges, an additional processing fee of US $ 20 is required with each application. Processing time: 10 days
Visa fee schedule for Japanese Nationals
| Type of Visa |
Fee |
| Transit Visa (Valid for 15 days only) |
$ 1 |
| All other kinds of visa |
$ 8 |
Visa fee for:
a) Pakistani Nationals: $ 2/- (In addition to the above, an additional processing fee of US $ 20/- is required with each application.)
b) Russian Nationals: $ 40
c) Romanian Nationals: $ 6
d) Bangladesh Nationals: Gratis
(However, an additional processing fee of US $ 20/- is required to be submitted with each application)
The Nationals of following countries are granted Gratis Visa:
Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Jamaica, Mauritius, Mongolia, Maldives, North Korea (DPRK), Poland, Slovak Republic, South Africa and Uruguay.
No visa is required for nationals of Nepal & Bhutan.
Registration formalities for foreigners visiting India on Long Term Visa
List of documents required at the time of registration with the Foreigners Registration Officer.
(i) Photocopy of the passport and initial visa.
(ii) Four photographs of the applicant.
(iii) Details of residence in India.
(iv) HIV test report from one of the WHO recognized institutions from people in the age group of 15 to 60 years, if the foreigner is visiting India on a visa for more than one year.
(v) Copy of the marriage certificate in case of those seeking extension of stay on grounds of being married to an Indian national.
(vi) Bona-fide certificate from the University/college/institution in case of student visa.
(vii) Accreditation certificate from the Press Information Bureau in case of Journalist visa.
(viii) Approval of the Department of Company Affairs in the case of board level appointees in Public limited companies.
(ix) Two copies of the approval of Government of India in case of a joint venture or a collaboration.
(x) Copy of permission from the RBI in case of business/joint venture etc.
(xi) Terms and conditions of appointments and copy of contract or agreements, in case of employment visa.
(xii) Undertaking (in the format given below) from the concerned Indian company on the following lines in case of employment/business visa:-
NOTE : The following categories of foreigners are exempted from registration.
List of Government of India Holidays : 2004
| Holiday |
Date |
Day |
| Republic Day |
26th January |
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| Idu'l Zuha (Bakrid) |
2nd February |
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| Muharram |
2nd March |
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| Mahavir Jayanti |
3rd April |
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| Good Friday |
9th April |
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| Milad-Un-Nabi (Prophet Mohammed's Birthday) |
2nd May |
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| Buddha Purnima |
4th May |
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| American Independence Day |
4th July |
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| Independence Day |
15th August |
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| Labor Day |
6th September |
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| Mahatama Gandhi’s Birthday |
2nd October |
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| Dussehra (Vijaya Dasami) |
22nd October |
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| Diwali (Deepavali) |
12th November |
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| Idu’l Fitr |
15th November |
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| Thanksgiving Day |
25th November |
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| Guru Nanak’s Birthday |
26th November |
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| National Day of Bhutan |
17th November |
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| Christmas |
25th December |
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