Entry visa for India

Entry visas for India, often referred to as entry visas, can be divided into two categories. On the one hand, the entry visa serves as a fall-back option, i.e. the Indian diplomatic missions in Germany issue the visa in cases where other, more specialized visas do not apply. On the other hand, spouses of Indian nationals or children with an Indian parent have the option of applying for an entry visa. This type of travel permit is also known as a family member visa.

The period of validity of the entry visa is determined by the Indian embassy for each individual case. For stays of 180 days or more, the visa must be registered in India within 14 days of the first border crossing. Entry visas are available for single or multiple entries depending on the reason for the visit. Applicants of Indian descent (but with a German passport) are required to present proof of expatriation.

If you cannot find a visa among the visa types for India that matches your travel intentions, you may need an entry visa for India. The entry visa for India is a multi-purpose visa. Among other things, it functions as a humanitarian visa and, with restrictions, also as an internship visa. A visa application for an Indian entry visa must be submitted to the Indian embassy in the following cases, for example:

• Participation in a sporting event or artistic performance in India
• Mentoring a sportsperson or artist
• mountaineer
• Construction work for a major event
• Internship in a company (unpaid)
• Training in a company
• Voluntary work (unpaid volunteering)
• Visiting friends and relatives (only applies to applicants of Indian descent, all other persons require a tourist visa)

Depending on the purpose of the trip, appropriate invitations or permits from local companies, organizations or authorities in India must be submitted. Minors generally require their birth certificate, copies of their parents' passports and a letter of guarantee. Our visa service will be happy to assist you in determining the required documents. You can also obtain official information from the consular section of the Indian embassy and the consulates general.

Are you planning to accompany your Indian spouse to India or are you an Indian citizen and need a visa for your child born abroad? The entry visa for family members is reserved exclusively for the above-mentioned groups of people. Children with an Indian parent are permitted to enter India with an entry visa until they reach the age of 18.

For the visa application at the Embassy of India, applicants need the passport of their family member, a copy of the marriage certificate or birth certificate and a family registration certificate.