Bureau of Immigration

Foreign Nationals coming to India are required to possess a genuine and valid national passport or any other internationally recognized travel document establishing his/her nationality and identity and bearing photograph of the foreigner. Nepal and Bhutan nationals if entering India by land or air from the Nepal or Bhutan border respectively do not require a passport for entering into India. However, they are required to possess, authorized identity proof. Further if they are entering India from a place other than their own country then possession of passport is a must.

Different categories of visas with specific endorsement of numbers of entries allowed and duration of stay in India are mentioned on the visa depending upon request and subsequent decision of the visa issuing authority. Foreigners may also look for specific endorsement if any, on the visa for their guidance. In case of any doubt, they may seek clarification from any of the Indian Missions abroad.

Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan do not require visa to enter India. However, citizens of Nepal require a visa when entering India from China.

Nationals of Maldives do not require a visa for entry into India for tourism purpose and stay up to 90 days.

Immigration officer may grant TLP (Temporary Landing Permit) up to a maximum period of 72 hours by retention of passport, if the foreigner is not having a valid visa, and if he is satisfied of the purpose and that the transiting foreigners must have a confirmed onward journey tickets within 72 hours for grant of TLP. Nationals of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Nigeria, and Ethiopia are not granted TLP facility.

On production of bonafide proof and on satisfaction of FRRO/FRO cum District Superintendent of Police, Temporary Landing Facility (TLF) can be granted to the foreigners arriving in India without valid VISA, in emergent situation, like death/illness in the family up to a period of 15 days. For further extension of stay in such cases, the foreigner concerned should report to Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road, New Delhi before the expiry of the TLF period.

Immigration check is carried out for all passengers at the port of arrival in India.

The passengers are required to furnish true particulars in the disembarkation card( Arrival Card) as to his name and nationality, his age, sex, place of birth and address or intended address in India, the purpose of his visit and the proposed length of stay in India.

Immigration check includes checking of Passport, Visa, Disembarkation Card, entering foreigner’s particulars in computer, retention of Arrival Card and stamping of passport of the foreigner.

Pakistan nationals other than those on Diplomatic visa are required to carry a Visa application form (duplicate copies) which will be issued in addition to regular visa on their passport by the Indian Mission concerned. On presentation at immigration check post, they are issued Regular Residential Permit and are required to report at the designated office or concerned Police Station in their places of stay within 24 Hrs unless and until they are officially exempted from police reporting.

Afghanistan Nationals are issued Temporary Residential Permit at the immigration Check post, with a direction to get themselves registered within 14 days with the concerned FRRO/FRO of their place of stay.

"Foreigners may ensure that they enter India ONLY AFTER an immigration stamp with the correct date is affixed on their passport by the Immigration Officer."

Foreigners carrying a valid PIO (Person of Indian Origin) Card or OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) Card along with their valid national passport are authorized to enter India without obtaining Indian visa separately.

"Foreigners are required to comply with the purpose for which a visa was initially applied, and also to abide by conditions, endorsed on the visa". If the visa is valid for more than 180 days, then every foreigner entering India or resident in India shall present in person or through an authorized representative to the satisfaction of the appropriate Registration Officer at the place of his stay within the specified period mentioned on visa except certain visa categories requiring registration within the specified time. Such registration shall not be necessary in the case of a foreigner entering India on a visa valid for a period of not more than 180 days and who does not remain in India beyond the said period, unless, specific endorsement/observation is made on the visa by the Indian Mission.

For further information on registration requirement & visa, enter for specific category of visa concerned page on this website.

In addition, specific endorsement or guideline on registration formalities made on the Indian visa, if any, needs to be adhered.

At the time of Registration every foreigner shall furnish accurate information, to the satisfaction of the Registration Officer and shall, sign the Registration Report, in the presence of the said officer. The foreigner shall also be provided a copy of Certificate of Registration (Part III of Form A).

Foreigners may go through the instructions given on Registration Certificates for their guidance concerning stay and future reporting.

Every foreigner shall within twenty-four hours of demand being made a Registration Officer, magistrate or police officer, not below the rank of a head constable, produce, at such place as may be specified in his passport or such other proof of his identity and/or Registration Certificate as may be required for any purpose connected with the enforcement of Foreigners Act/Registration of Foreigners Rules.

Minor (upto age of 18 years) possessing Indian passport with passport of another country may travel to either of the countires without visa of respective countries. They may use Indian passport at the time of arrival in India and Foreign passport at the time of departure to the country of which he is possessing the passport.