What visa do I need for my business trip to India?

If you are travelling to India on business, you will need to apply for the Business Visa (Type B). The requirements for obtaining the visa may differ slightly for foreigners, depending on the specific country of origin, but there are general documents and procedures that are the same for most applicants. We have listed the main points for you.

General documents for your India visa application

• Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in India and have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
• Completed Visa Application Form: You can find the official Indian visa application form online at the Indian Visa Online website. Make sure you fill it out accurately and completely, otherwise you may experience significant delays.
• Passport Photos: Two recent passport-sized photographs with a white background are required.
• Travel Insurance: Specifically, travel insurance that covers emergency medical care and repatriation.

Company specific documents

• Introduction: A letter (if applicable, from your employer) describing the purpose of your business visit to India and your expected activities.
• Invitation: A letter from your Indian business partner or the organization supporting your trip, inviting you to come to India for business purposes. This letter should include details of the nature of your business relationship and the activities you will be undertaking in India.
• Proof of financial capacity: Documents such as bank statements or business financial statements to show that you are able to support yourself during your stay in India.
• Proof of business expertise: Documents such as certificates, licenses or other qualifications that show that you are an expert in your business.

Application procedure for an Indian visa

You can start your Indian visa application online via the Indian Visa Online website or in person at an Indian embassy or consulate in your home country. We recommend that you choose the online route as you do not have to wait for an opening at the embassy or consulate and you can pay the visa fee directly online.

The processing time for business visa applications is on average 6 weeks but can vary. It is therefore best to start planning your trip well in advance and apply for your visa as soon as possible.

Please note that you may be invited for an interview about your trip at the consulate or embassy in your home country even if all your paperwork is in order. The interview will focus on your business, your travel plans and planned activities in India. Be prepared for this.

After submitting your application, either online or in person, the embassy/consulate will process your details and make a decision within the timeframe specified by the embassy. If you have submitted your application online, you can also track the status of your application online. Once the application is approved, you can collect the visa stamp from the embassy/consulate or, if applicable, receive it by courier.

Please note!

This information is intended to give you insight into the general steps that every applicant must take in the visa process and may not be applicable to all countries. It is always best to contact the Indian embassy or consulate in your country to get insight into the latest and specific requirements for the visa in your country.