Like most global destinations, one has to go through numerous rules and regulations while planning an India travel. Arranging tickets, passports, and visas can prove to be an overwhelming task for the novice traveller. In fact, arranging a visa alone without proper understanding emerges as a pretty daunting task. Help yourself to some of the fine points of visa requirements.
Visa Categories
Travellers should obtain the right visa before boarding their flights to India. The different visa categories include.
- Tourist Visa
- Business Visa
- Employment Visa
- Student Visa
- Entry Visa
- Long Term Entry Visa
- Conference Visa
- Journalist Visa
- Research Visa
- Transit Visa
- Medical Visa
- Medical Escort Visa
- Transfer of Visa
Transit Visa Policy
Travellers who are not looking for flights to India but are transiting through India to visit a farther destination require a transit visa. Such a visa is valid for 15 days for both single and double journeys. Transit visas exclusively cover a direct transit not stretching more than three days and stays extending beyond this period necessitate a different visa.
Visa Violation Penalty
Some visitors booking cheap flights to India, finally end up paying more than what they actually pay on airfares. This can happen when someone overstays the visa and gets penalised. Penalties range from fines to legal proceedings, and detention, to deportation at a later date. Defaulters can also be required to personally appear at the Ministry of Home Affairs. In such scenarios, the High Commission/Deputy High Commission may also not be able to mediate.
Visa Stamping Rule
While leaving the country, visitors are required to get a stamp upon their passports. This stamp bars such travellers from coming back to the country within two months of departing. This clause does not apply for someone visiting certain neighbouring countries subject to the provision of certain documents by such a traveller. More information on this can be accessed by clicking on http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/FAQ-TVisa170510.pdf
When and How to Apply for Visa
1. Travellers looking for cheap flights to India need to be aware of the fact that a visa is compulsory for entering the country. The service of ‘visa on arrival’ is not available for citizens of Britain as well as many other nationalities.
2. UK based travellers are required to fill up the online visa application form at the website http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/ and fulfil certain other requirements. This is the website of the India Visa Application Centre website and it has been officially authorised to accept the requests for different visas, except Emergency and Diplomatic/Official visas.
Mandatory Requirement for Multiple Entry Visa Holders
Foreign nationals visiting India on long term multiple entry visas have to register themselves with the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Officer within 14 days of reaching India. This facility is available in most cities ranging from small places like Goa to major big cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi.
