Documents Required

To avoid delays when lodging the visa application should include the following:

1.     Completed and signed visa application form

2.     Correct visa application and visa fee

3.     A valid current passport (at least 6 months validity with 2 adjacent blank pages for affixing visa).

4.     Photocopy of the passport

5.     Photocopy of the data page of the passport (passport page with photo / extension of validity / endorsement if applicable)

6.     Previous passport (if any)

7.     Photocopy on National Identity Card (N.I.C) / Driving License or Birth Certificate (For Srilanka national only) should enclosed.

8.     No objection letter from either of the parents if the child is traveling with one parents or both parents  should sign the visa application form.

9.     Two recent photographs (3.5cm X 3.5cm)

10. Supporting documents

11. Instructions 

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH VISA CATEGORY:   

I  TOURIST VISA (T):

·       It is non-extendable and non – convertible to other types of visas and its misuse would entail deportation by Indian authorities.  It may also entail denial of visa by the .Mission.    

·       Proof of financial solvency and proof of confirmed return  tickets  may be sought in some cases.     

II BUSINESS VISA (B):

·       It is generally granted for short visits to India for engaging in business or attending business meeting/negotiations.  Stay or seeking employment in India under Business visa is illegal.  This visa is to be used for short visits and not for continuous stay in India for engaging in business.  It is non-extendable.    

·       Appropriate endorsement of occupation/profession on the passport as businessman is necessary. 

·       Also, documents such as company registration certificate, position held by the applicant in the company, invitation letters from company in India or a letter from applicant’s company sponsoring the business visit to India indicating nature of applicant’s business, probable duration of stay, places and companies in India to be visited, are to be enclosed.    

·       Copy of Business Registration Certification issued by the Sri Lankan authorities should be enclosed along with application. Applicants desiring Multiple entries should enclose the recent copy of “Bill of Lading” issued by Indian/Sri Lankan authorities

III STUDENT VISA (S):

·        It is granted for study only in Government of India recognized educational institutions/Colleges for foreigners to pursue a recognized course.  Before seeking admission, Students are advised to confirm these two aspects, as production of documents relating to recognitions of the institute/college for study by foreigners and recognition of the course will be necessary for grant  of student visa.  Please also note that some new courses run by a few established colleges have not yet been recognized by the Government.  

·        Tourist Visa is not convertible to Student Visa. Seeking admission /studying in India under Tourist visa is illegal.   

·         Student visa would be granted only for full term of the course.           Student visa for primary school education will not be entertained . Bonafide certificate, issued by the educational authorities in India , should indicate the full term of the course as well as the relevant year in which the applicant would be pursing the course.  

·         Submission     of     proof   of  Academic  records  in  respect  of         education completed  will  be  necessary.  Evidence of admission to the Institute/Course from recognized  University / Board ( Indicate name of Institution/address/Tel & Fax no. & e-mail/website address);  bonafide certificate as a  student  if already  pursuing studies in India,  Photocopies  of  relevant  academic  certificates  on the basis of which  admission is sought or has  been  obtained  and  Satisfactory evidence  of financial  support -  bank guarantee / letter of support from parent / guardian. The Student  should also produce  evidence  of  transfer of  funds for at least 4 months sustenance  in  India  or  show  Travelers  Cheques  for  a  similar  amount.  

·        No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Government of India (G.O.I.) is necessary for grant of student visa to pursue a medical/ para-medical course in recognized medical colleges and diploma/degree/post-graduate courses in recognized engineering institutions/polytechnics.  Aspiring students are advised to obtain  G.O.I’s  NOC from the institution before applying for visa. It may please be noted that admission to professional courses is regulated by GOI and institutions cannot grant admission directly without the consent/approval of the GOI/concerned state Government.

·        As regards institutions/procedures, aspiring students may take guidance form the Education Wing of the High Commission. (Details on our website).     

IV  EMPLOYMENT VISA (E)

·        Contract/Agreement of Employment with the Indian employer for a minimum period of One Year in Senior Managerial/Executive positions or jobs needing very special skills, will be necessary.  

·        Proof of registration of the company under relevant provisions of the Government of India rules,     

·        A  letter from the employer indicating nature of the job, salary structure and duration of hire  

·        Justification letter from the  employer for proposing to hire a foreigner should  be submitted.  Proof of  qualifications  and work experience of the applicant also need to be enclosed .  

·        The spouse and children accompanying the applicant would be issued the visa only after the applicant obtains employment visa. The copy of the applicant ‘s employment visa should be attached with the spouse/children application along with a copy of marriage/birth certificate/s.  

·        Employment visa is extendable in India by Immigration Department. Registration is mandatory.     

·        Non-residents of Sri Lanka will not be issued Employment visa by our Mission .

V  TRANSIT VISA (TR)          

·        It is granted for the sole purpose of enabling a foreigner to travel through India to reach his ultimate destination 

·        For stay in India beyond 3 days, appropriate visa must be obtained.  

·        Applicant must submit detailed travel plans along with his/her form and produce confirmed tickets.     

·        No transit visa is required  for a person passing  through in direct transit by air, where then is no through flight, provided he/she does not leave the specified precincts  of the Airport.

VI  RESEARCH VISA (R)

·     Foreigners desiring to undertake research work in India must apply (6 copies)in the prescribed format, at least three months in advance, to the Secretary, Department of Education, Ministry of Human resource development, Govt. of India, New Delhi, giving full bio-data and synopsis of the thesis. Research visa needs prior clearance form the Government of India.

·        Acceptance letter from the Indian institution and details such as period of proposed research in India , educational  qualifications, arrangement for stay and meeting expenditure towards boarding/lodging, must accompany the Application Form.

IX Entry Visa (X)

* It is granted to spouse of Indian nationals, particularly those who want to live in India with their Indian wife/husband. Permanent place of residence of the Indian national in India is necessary.

* The spouse of the Indian national must enclose along with the application form, a copy of the Indian passport of his/her spouse with the applicant's name duly endorsed in the Indian passport, along with a copy of the marriage certificate. Original marriage certificate should be shown at the time of visa
application.

* It is extendable in India . Return to Sri Lanka is not necessary to renew the visa.

* Foreigners coming to India for learning Yoga/Vedic Culture in recognized institutions in India      will also get Entry Visa.

X MEDICAL VISA (M ) & MEDICAL ATTENDANT VISA (MX):

Applicants going to India for medical treatment need to submit the following:

      Original medical papers indicating appointment in India and treatment in Sri Lanka

      Bank statement for 6 months and solvency certificate from bank.

      May fill up addition  proforma  as below, on a separate page.

* MX Visa will be issued for spouse/children/blood relations of the patient who has been issued M Visa . Not more than 2 attendants will be issued

* MX visa with each patient. The MX visa will be co-terminus with the M visa issued to the patient.