Conference Visa - India Visa Requirements

Visas for international conferences, or on certain subjects, may be issued to delegates if they are able to produce an invitation to a conference/seminar/workshop being organized in india by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings, Central Educational Institutions, Public Funded University or an organization owned and controlled by the Government of India or State Government, UN or its specialized agencies and reputed NGOs. If the conference/seminar/workshop is being organized in India by private companies, the applicant should apply for the shortest duration Business visa available. If approved, a 3 month single entry Business visa will be granted. Please note the visa is valid beginning on the day it is issued. So a 3 month visa issued on January 1 would be valid until March 31.

  1. Application: Complete the online India Visa Application.(must be submitted on 2 sheets of paper) After the application has been completed, you must print and sign the application.
  2. Passport: Passport must have a minimum validity of six months from the date of application with at least two blank visa pages. Last 2 amendment pages are not acceptable. Must be the actual passport not a copy because your visa will be stamped in the actual passport.
  3. Photographs: 2 latest identical passport size photographs (black/white or color) depicting front pose against light background on photographic paper. No glasses are allowed to be worn in the photo. Follow the instructions on the India Visa Application on how to affix the photos to the application.
  4. Minor Applicants: Minor applicants must have a copy of the vital page(s) containing the picture and signature page of both parents signed passports.
  5. Proof of Address: Applicants must submit a photocopy with proof of residence/address that matches the present address on the visa application exactly. Photocopy of state issued ID (Driver License or ID), or major utility bill (Water, Gas, Electric, Sewage) must be submitted.

    The following items are not accepted: cell phone bill, credit card statement, bank statement or lease. The address cannot include a P.O. box.
  6. Copy of Birth Certificate: A photocopy of the birth certificate or any government issued document that shows parents name, date of birth and nationality. Depending on your nationality at birth, these are the documents that are accepted.
    • US Born: Only birth certificates are accepted for applicants born in the US.
    • Indian Born: Those born in India can use their birth certificate, old Indian passport or school leaving certificate.
    • All Others: Those not born in the US or India should submit a birth certificate or any government document from the country of origin that has parents name, date of birth and nationality. Must be translated into English and notarized.

    You should not send the originals - we cannot be responsible for original documents.
  7. Former Indian Nationals naturalized before June 1, 2010: US Citizens who received US citizenship before June 1, 2010 do not have to obtain a renunciation certificate. One of the following must be produced as proof:
  8. Former Indian Nationals naturalized after May 31, 2010: Former Indian nationals applying for an Indian visa are required to surrender citizenship of India immediately if not done already. Same day processing time will not be available, and the overall processing time will be increased.

    If the applicant has already renounced Indian citizenship, one of the following must be produced as proof:
    • A Certificate of Renunciation issued by a Consulate of India or,
    • An Indian Passport that contains a stamp that specifically renounces the citizenship.

    If the applicant has NOT renounced their Indian citizenship, or cannot show proof, the following must be provided:
    • Two (2) copies of the completed renunciation form - https://www.indian-visa.com/pdf/Renunciation_Form.pdf. This form is current as of May 14, 2010. Disregard all prior versions.
    • Renunciation fee of $175 paid with a separate Money Order payable to 'Consulate General of India'.If the applicant is applying in the Washington DC jurisdiction, the Money Order should payable to 'Embassy of India'.
    • Naturalization Certificate - to be provided only in cases where US passport is issued on or after June 1, 2010 while naturalization took place on or before May 31, 2010: Copy of the Naturalization Certificate. For minors who were not issued naturalization certificates, the parents must write a statement that the minors citizenship was obtained through the parents, and provide a copy of the parents naturalization certificate.
    • Most recent Indian passport. Applicant must provide photocopies of the first three pages of the passport and the last two pages of the passport.
  9. Former Indian Nationals - San Francisco Jurisdiction: You must supply the Original Indian passport issued in India which you entered the US on and a copy of any pages containing an entry stamp into the US, along with a copy of the first and last page of the passport. B1/B2 and ARC stamps are not acceptable as the entry stamps must show lawful entry into the US as a permanent resident. Tourist stamps will not be permitted to fulfill this requirement.

    If you cannot provide the Original Indian passport, you must supply a copy of your Green Card or Employment Authorization Document; or copies of your I-130 documents. If you do not have the copies of any of these documents you must do the following: File form G-639 with the USCIS located here http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-639.pdf. Instructions for filling out form G-639 can be found here http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-639instr.pdf. These documents are availabe to you through the Freedom of Information Act.
  10. Letters of Invitation: Letters of invitation from the organizer of the conference in India as well as from the organization in the USA which nominated the applicant to attend the conference must be included. You must produce an invitation to a conference/seminar/workshop being organized in india by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings, Central Educational Institutions, Public Funded University or an organization owned and controlled by the Government of India or State Government, UN or its specialized agencies and reputed NGOs. In the case that the conference/seminar/workshop are being organized in India by private companies a 3 months single entry Business visa may be issued a and conference visa should not be issued in these cases. Business Visa information: http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/guidelines?id=2
  11. Ministry of Home Affairs Clearance: A clearance letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  12. Ministry of External Affairs Clearance: A clearance letter from the Ministry of External Affairs.
  13. State Government/UT Clearance: A clearance letter from the State Government/Union Territories.
  14. Nodal Ministry Clearance: A clearance letter from the Ministry that holds jurisdiction over the conference. Example, an education conference needs a clearance letter from the Ministry of Education.
  15. Green Card Holders: 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. Do not send the original Permanent Residence Card/Green Card. Travisa Outsourcing cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to original Permanent Residence Card/Green Card (Non US Citizens - Permanent Resident/Green Card Holders Only)
  16. Short Term Visa Holders: Applicants who are not citizens/residents of the USA and hold a tourist or other short-term visa for the USA should normally apply for Indian visas in the country 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 USA. In addition to the relevant visa fee there is a reference fee of $20.00 for reference to be made to the country of their original residence. Such cases have a minimum processing time of one to two weeks, and some cases may take longer. (Non US Citizens - Short Term Visa Holders Only)
  17. Special Pakistan Application: In addition to the requirements above, Special Visa application form (https://www.indian-visa.com/pdf/Pakistan.pdf) should be filled in by citizens of Pakistan (4 copies with 4 photos). (Pakistan Citizens Only)
  18. Persons of Sri Lankan Origin: One copy of the Sri Lanka Additional Form which is available here: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/pdf/Sri_Lanka_Form.pdf
  19. Sri Lanka Additional Form: One copy of the Sri Lanka Addition Form which is available here: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/pdf/Sri_Lanka_Form.pdf (Sri Lanka Citizens Only)
  20. Special Bangladesh Application: In addition to the requirements above, Special Visa application form (https://www.indian-visa.com/pdf/Bangladesh.pdf) should be filled in by citizens of Bangladesh (2 copies with 2 photos). (Bangladesh Citizens Only)
  21. Dual Citizenship: Applicants who have dual citizenship with the US and another country must apply on their US passport if living in the US. The exception is for Pakistani nationals who must apply for a visa on their Pakistani passport and complete the extra Pakistan application and requirements. (Non US Citizens Only)

  22. Former Indian Nationals

    Due to recent changes in requirements, there is a delay in processing time for former Indian nationals. Former Indian nationals should allow for extra time when applying for their visa to accommodate these delays. Same day processing is not available for former Indian nationals.

    Pakistan nationals and persons of Pakistani origin

    Processing of visa requests by Pakistani nationals as well as persons of Pakistani origin takes a minimum of 6 weeks. It can take longer as the matter is examined by the concerned authorities in India. The Embassy/Consulate will promptly convey the decision on their application to the applicant as soon as it is received from New Delhi. You are requested to be patient and not make enquiries in this regard by phone, email, personal visit, fax or letters, which, due to constraints, we will not be able to respond to. You may rest assured that we will, on our own, pursue your case.

    Sri Lanka nationals and persons of Sri Lankan origin

    For Sri Lankan nationals and those of Sri Lankan origin, the visa process takes time. The Embassy/Consulate will promptly convey the decision on their application to the applicant as soon as it receives required approvals. You are requested to be patient and not make enquiries in this regard by phone, email, personal visit, fax or letters, which, due to constraints, we will not be able to respond to. You may rest assured that we will, on our own, pursue your case.

    Non-US citizens and Naturalized US citizens

    US citizens who require a reference and all Non-US citizens have a minimum processing time of one to two weeks, and some cases may take longer. This time schedule applies whether applying in person or by Peninsula Visa.

    Non-refundable tickets or reservations should not be purchased until all visas and passports are secured and in your possession.