Types of visas
Travellers to India from Norway are encouraged to apply for e-visa in case of travel for the purpose of tourism, business, medical or conference. For more details visit the website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
For all other categories of visas, regular paper visa needs to be obtained from Embassy. Please see the following weblink for the steps for obtaining regular paper Visas: https://www.indianembassyoslo.gov.in/page/visa/
Please note the following before coming to the Embassy for applying for visas:
i. For all types of visas, a printout of filled online visa application (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/) form needs to be brought which is duly signed.
ii. Your passport must be valid for minimum 6 months from the date of commencement of journey to India.
iii. All Non-Norwegians (i.e. other foreign passport holders) should submit the copy of their residence permit.
iv. If non-Norwegian passport holder from EU / EEA, then submit your Registration certificate from the police instead of residence permit.
v. If an applicant holds dual nationality, then he/she should submit both the passports or copy of the second passport (first & last page, visa pages)
vi. Your passport, at the time of submission, must have at least two empty adjacent pages.
vii. Passport size photograph should be in color with white background and 50 * 50 mm in size. More details on the specifications of photo is mentioned in the following weblink:
Requirement of Photograph for IndianPassport
viii. If your name has Scandinavian alphabets, then please use the English version of your name mentioned in the last line of the passport. (ø is OE, æ is AE and å is AA).
ix. All incomplete applications will be summarily rejected; passport and other documents returned; and fee not refunded.
x. Walk-in for submission of visa application is not permitted. Please obtain a prior appointment after registering in the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_mXmHc_F3lkS6jfo2j3arZ9Y0XlmwGnkyIH8LLvmQW0/viewform?edit_requested
Please read the following specific instructions for the type of visa one intends to apply:
1. TOURIST VISA
This category of visa will be applicable to foreign nationals whose sole objective of visiting India is for recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, short duration medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, short term courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/ programme (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc.), and voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return). etc. and no other purpose/ activity.
Instructions:
• Norwegian passport holders should preferably apply for e-tourist visa
(at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html) unless you fall in the following category:
Travellers having Pakistani origin.
Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders
Laissez-passer travel document holders
individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. not having a separate passport.
Holding an International Travel Document other than Passport.
• For these, as well as foreign nationals, who are not in the list of countries to whom e-visa service is available, please apply for regular paper tourist visa at the Embassy of India, Oslo.
• All journalist should apply for journalist visa even if the purpose of visit is Tourism. Hence please fill in the visa type as Journalist Visa and mention the purpose of visit to be Tourism. The fee to be paid will be that of Journalist Visa fee, not tourist visa fee.
• Applicants, who are photographers, media professionals (other than journalists) or freelancers, but going for tourism purpose, should also apply for Journalist Visa and pay the fee applicable for journalist visa.
• The above two categories of visa applicants also need to submit an undertaking that their visit is only for tourism and he / she will not take part in activities related to their profession, while in India. The format of this undertaking is here (Click here)
• If you are travelling to any neighboring country(ies) of India, then you should enclose copy of the tickets with your application.
• If you are applying for multiple entries, then a detailed letter needs to be addressed to the Visa officer, the Embassy of India, Oslo, stating the reason for applying for multiple entry tourist visa.
• Application for children: a) All children need their own passport while applying for Indian visa; b) copy of birth Certificate/fødselsattest or any proof of guardianship needs to be attached as proof of relationship with parents.
2. BUSINESS VISA:
This category of visa will be applicable to foreign nationals who wish to visit India to/for:-
• establish an industrial/business venture or to explore possibilities to set up an industrial/business venture, other than Proprietorship Firms and Partnership Firms, in India.
• purchase/sell industrial products or commercial products or consumer durables.
• technical meetings/discussions, attending Board meetings or general meetings for providing business services support.
• recruitment of manpower.
• Foreign nationals who are partners in the business and/or functioning as Directors of the company.
• consultations regarding exhibitions or for participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, business fairs etc.
• transact business with suppliers/potential suppliers at locations in India, to evaluate or monitor quality, give specifications, place orders, negotiate further supplies etc., relating to goods or services procured from India.
• Foreign experts/specialists on a visit of short duration in connection with an ongoing project with the objective of monitoring the progress of the work, conducting meetings with Indian customers and/or to provide technical guidance.
• pre-sales or post-sales activity not amounting to actual execution of any contract or project.
• Foreign trainees of multinational companies/corporate houses coming for in-house training in the regional hubs of the concerned company located in India.
• Foreign nationals coming as tour conductors and travel agents and /or conducting business tours of foreigners or business relating to it, etc.
• Foreign academicians/ experts coming under GIAN (Global Initiative for Academic Networks).
• Crew members of scheduled/ non-scheduled flights operated by scheduled airlines, non-scheduled and chartered flights operated by non-scheduled airlines and special flights.
• Foreign nationals intending to visit India to participate in cultural events/ activities with remuneration.
• Foreign nationals who are engaged in commercial sports events in India on contract
Instructions:
• Norwegian passport holders should preferably apply for e-Business visa
(at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html) unless you fall in the following category:
Travellers having Pakistani origin.
Holding an International Travel Document other than Passport
Other foreign nationals, who are not in the list of countries to whom e-visa service is available.
• Above category of travellers may please apply for regular paper business visa at the Embassy of India, Oslo.
• Please note that only one year multiple entry e-business visa is issued. In case any Norwegian national has a regular engagement with India, he / she may consider applying for 5 year (regular paper) business visa at the Embassy.
• While applying for regular paper business visa at the Embassy, in addition to the general instructions above, an invitation letter from the Indian company mentioning the duration and purpose of travel also needs to be enclosed.
• In addition, a Guarantee letter from the Norwegian company mentioning that the company will take care of the expenses arising out of the travels to India, as well with the duration of the visit.
3. EMPLOYMENT VISA
This visa allows you to travel to India to work for an Indian company, to become an expatriate in an international company or organisation, NGO and for Intra company transfer.
Sub-categories of Employment visa:-
• E-1: All cases of employment (except intra company transferees and NGOs)
• E-2: For intra company transferees
• E-3: For employment in NGOs
• E-4: For those coming to execute projects in Power & Steel sectors
• E-1X/E-2X/E-3X/E-4X: For dependents of Employment visa holders
Instructions
• e-visa facility is not available for employment purpose.
• Please apply for regular paper visa at the Embassy.
• In addition to the general instructions mentioned above, the following additional documents will be required:
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A signed contract with the Indian company, which clearly mentions the salary (which should not be less than $25000 per annum, and other benefits, including tax which needs to be paid on income in India.
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An invitation letter from the Indian company as well as a brief profile of the company.
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In case the inviting company is a foreign company then RBI permission in order to establish business/office in India.
• It is obligatory for any visa extension or renewal of Employment visa to be requested in India at the FRO (Foreigner's Registration Office in Delhi) or the FRRO (Foreigner's Regional Registration Office).
• This visa permits unlimited stay during the validity of the visa but any stay exceeding 6 months requires a registration at the FRO/FRRO within 14 days of arrival in India.
• Persons of Indian origin or foreign nationals who are spouses or children of Indian citizens or persons of Indian origin and holding X-1 visa, can undertake employment (including in NGO) on their X-1 visa without having to convert the Visa to Employment Visa. The individual shall intimate his / her intention to take up employment to FRRO / FRO concerned at least 10 days before taking up the employment.
4. STUDENT VISA
This category of visa allows you to travel to India to study at a university or technological institute, take part in an academic exchange program, follow a course in Yoga, Vedic culture, Indian systems of dance and music, professors or scholars intending to conduct research work in India and applicants intending to pursue internship in an Indian Company/Educational Institution/ NGO, Foreign Missions/ Posts and foreign government organizations in India.
SUB CATEGORIES OF STUDENT VISA:
• S-1: For higher education (including in South Asian University and Nalanda University), provisional student visa, for short term courses and those coming under Student Exchange Programme.
• S-2: For school education
• S-3: For studies in Yoga, Vedic culture and Indian systems of Music and Dance and Buddhist studies
• S-4: For Theological studies and for Missionary students
• S-5: For Research scholar, visiting Research faculty, research scholar on bilateral exchange programme, members of Botanical, Scientific, Anthropological etc expeditions
• S-6: For those coming for internship in India (including those coming under French VIE programme).
• S-1X/S-3X/S-5X: For dependents of those coming under S-1 and S-3 and S-5 visas.
• The Internship Visa will be granted at any time during the course of study; or immediately after completion of graduation/ post-graduation (masters level) but the duration of the internship should not be more than two years.
• Visa will be granted only on the basis of a letter from the Indian Company/Educational Institution/ NGO, Foreign Missions/ Posts in India and foreign government organizations concerned sponsoring the applicant for the internship programme and clearly indicating the period of internship.
• In case of internship in a Company, the applicant being sponsored for internship should draw a minimum remuneration of Rs.3.60 Lakhs (US $ 4,500) per annum.
• There will be no minimum salary limit in case of internship in Educational Institutions, NGOs, Foreign Missions/Posts in India and foreign government organizations.
• Earnings from internship of the applicant with Indian companies/Educational Institutions/ NGOs will be subject to the Indian Income Tax regulations.
• Under no circumstances, the intern will be allowed to take up employment in India immediately after completion of the internship programme.
• All applicants who want to do internship on their own and not arranged by any Institution from Norway should apply Business visa and not a student visa.
Instructions:
• e-visa facility is not available for student visa.
• Please apply for regular paper visa at the Embassy.
• In addition to the general instructions mentioned above, the following additional documents will be required:
• Admission letter signed by the Director, International Students Centre or by the International Students Advisor of a recognized Universities/institutions/ colleges in India along with duration of the academic course of study (scanned letter by e-mail will accepted)
• Proof of having deposited tuition fee
• Letter from the Norwegian Institute/Organisation/ School confirming that the applicant is a current student and is travelling to India for the Study Course (if applicable)
• Proof showing that the applicant has a minimum bank account balance of US $ 1000 if the duration of the course is less than one year and US $ 2000 if the duration of the course is more than one year, in order to meet his/her day to day expenses in India or a Letter from Lånekassa (in English).
• All applicants applying for a Student Visa need to write a declaration stating that, they will not be taking up any job/or will earn any Income during the study period in India. (Medical students need also to state that they will not be earning any money in India and will not be undertaking any surgical activities during the study period).
5. MEDICAL VISA
This category of visa will be applicable to foreign nationals whose sole purpose is to seek medical treatment in established/recognized/ specialized hospitals/ treatment centres in India.
Any person seeking a visa to India for purpose of entering into a surrogacy arrangement must ascertain beforehand whether the law of that country permits surrogacy and will provide appropriate travel documents to the child for accompanying the surrogate parents.
Entering into surrogacy arrangement under any other visa not sought for surrogacy is punishable under the Indian law.
Applicants are advised to contact the Visa Section of the Embassy before making surrogacy arrangement.
For details click http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/Surrogacy-111013.pdf
Instructions:
• For short medical treatment or procedure, Norwegian passport holders should preferably apply for e-tourist visa (at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html) unless you fall in the following category:
Travellers having Pakistani origin.
Holding an International Travel Document other than Passport
Other foreign nationals, who are not in the list of countries to whom e-visa service is available.
• Above category of travellers may please apply for regular paper medical visa at the Embassy of India, Oslo.
• While applying for regular paper medical visa at the Embassy, in addition to the general instructions above, the following may also be enclosed:
• Letter from the doctor on the hospital letterhead stating the purpose of your travel to India
• the same letter has to be sent to the Embassy directly by the hospital to the email address visa.oslo@mea.gov.in.
• Copies of insurance and bank statement for the last three months.
• copy of the return ticket and a copy of valid travel insurance.
6. JOURNALIST VISA
This category of visa will be applicable to foreign nationals:-
• who are professional journalists, photographers, documentary film producers or Directors (other than of commercial films), representatives of a radio and/or television organization, travel writers/ travel promotion photographers etc;
• who are Journalists visiting India for any other purpose, such as attending a Conference, tourism, meeting relatives etc.
Instructions:
• e-visa facility is not available for journalist visa.
• Please apply for regular paper visa at the Embassy.
• In addition to the general instructions mentioned above, the following additional points be noted:
• Journalists on tourism to India should also apply only for Journalist Visa only.
• The processing time however in this case will be same as any normal tourist visa applications.
• The processing time of journalist visa is strictly at the discretion of the Embassy.
• All journalist should apply for journalist visa even if the purpose of visit is Tourism. Hence please fill in the visa type as Journalist Visa and mention the purpose of visit to be Tourism. The fee to be paid will be that of Journalist Visa fee, not tourist visa fee.
• Applicants, who are photographers, media professionals (other than journalists) or freelancers, but going for tourism purpose, should also apply for Journalist Visa and pay the fee applicable for journalist visa.
• The above two categories of visa applicants also need to submit an undertaking that their visit is only for tourism and he / she will not take part in activities related to their profession, while in India. The format of this undertaking is here (Click here)
7. CONFERENCE VISA
This category of visa will be applicable to foreign nationals whose sole objective for visiting India is to attend a conference / seminar or workshop.
Instructions:
• Norwegian passport holders should preferably apply for e-conference visa
(at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html) unless you fall in the following category:
Travellers having Pakistani origin.
Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders
Laissez-passer travel document holders.
Holding an International Travel Document other than Passport.
• For these, as well as foreign nationals, who are not in the list of countries to whom e-visa service is available, please apply for regular paper tourist visa at the Embassy of India, Oslo.
• In addition to the general instructions mentioned above, the following additional documents will be required:
• Invitation letter from the host conducting the conference, which clearly mentions the duration of the stay and description of the conference.
• Political Clearance from Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Government of India
• Event Clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) government of India
• A Letter of Guarantee from the Local Company (Employer), stating that, the Applicant is an Employee in the Company and that the applicant is going to represent the organization in India in (name of the Conference), and that the Organisation guarantees all the costs borne in this trip.
8. ENTRY VISA
This visa category is for applicants who is/are:-
i. A person of Indian origin (X-1).
ii. Spouse and children of a person of Indian nationality or origin (X-1).
iii. Applicants coming to join Auroville Foundation / Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry / Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata / similar approved organizations, temples and foreign Buddhist monks coming to join Buddhist Monasteries/other Buddhist organizations for charity work (X-2).
iv. Foreigners owning property in India (X-Misc).
Instructions:
• e-visa facility is not available for X entry visa.
• Please apply for regular paper visa at the Embassy.
• In addition to the general instructions mentioned above, relevant document needs to be enclosed while submitting visa application.
• Please write to visa.oslo@mea.gov.in and reception.oslo@mea.gov.in clearly elucidating your visa request and the Embassy will guide you with the exact list of documents which needs to be submitted with the visa application.
9. TRANSIT VISA
This category of visa will be applicable to foreign nationals whose sole purpose of enabling him/ her to travel through India to a destination outside India.
Instructions:
- Air tickets to the destination via India or Visa for the final destination.
- Transit Visas are valid for maximum 15 days and are utilizable for a maximum stay of 3 days in India. Validity of the visa starts from the date of issue. If the journey is not performed within this period, a fresh transit visa will be required.
- Double Entry Transit Visas can be granted for stay in transit up to 3 days on each visit.
- A transit visa is not required by a foreigner passing through, in direct transit by air, and traveling onward through India, provided he/she does not leave the specified precincts of the airport.
10. FILM VISA
This category of visa will be applicable to foreign nationals who wish to visit India to shoot a feature film/ reality TV & Web Shows/Series, Commercial TV Serials/ Shows and Web Shows/ Series in India.
Please write to visa.oslo@mea.gov.in and reception.oslo@mea.gov.in clearly elucidating your visa request and the Embassy will guide you with the exact list of documents which needs to be submitted with the visa application.
11. MOUNTAINEERING VISA
This category of visa will be applicable to foreign nationals whose sole purpose of visiting India is for mountaineering/trekking expeditions.
Instructions:
12. MISSIONARY VISA
This category of visa will be applicable for foreign nationals whose sole objective of visiting India is Missionary work.
Please write to visa.oslo@mea.gov.in and reception.oslo@mea.gov.in clearly elucidating your visa request and the Embassy will guide you with the exact list of documents which needs to be submitted with the visa application.
