What is the difference between an Indian tourist and business visa?

Answer 1

The difference could be the same as in case of most of the other countries.

Besides cost of visa, tourist visas don't allow a foreigner to indulge in any kind of commercial or business activity on the soil of India, if found violating, can be penalised and deported.

Answer 2

India visas are issued according to the purpose of the trip; if the primary activity of your trip is business - you'll need a business visa - otherwise choose a tourist visa.

Answer 3

India visas are issued according to the purpose of the trip; if the primary activity of your trip is business - you'll need a business visa - otherwise choose a tourist visa.

Tourists wishing to visit India are normally granted short-term tourist visas, effective from the date of issue. Tourist visas are non-extendible and non-convertible. Travel agents who have to visit India frequently may be granted tourist visas for a longer duration.

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How to Obtain Business Visa to India



Requirement of Visa
Foreigners desirous of visiting India can obtain a visa from the Indian Mission in the country of their residence. They should possess a valid National Passport – except in the case of nationals of Bhutan and Nepal, who may carry only suitable means of identification.

The Consular Passport and Visa Division of the Ministry of External Affairs is responsible for issuance of Indian visas to foreign nationals for visits for various purposes. This facility is granted through various Indian missions abroad.

The Indian High Commission/Embassy usually issues the visas in the applicant’s country of residence with supporting documents.



The following types of visas are normally granted for entry to India by foreigners:

(a) Temporary Visa
Visitors to India need visas to enter the country unless they are Indian citizens. Non-resident Indians holding citizenship of another country are also required to obtain visas before arriving in India unless they hold a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card issued by the Indian Government. Visas must be obtained from the Indian Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s home country. Special permits are required for visiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bhutan, Lakshadweep, remote Northeastern states and Sikkim. Tourist visas are valid for one to six months, generally beginning on the date the visa was issued and not on the date of entry into India. Tourist visas are generally multiple-entry visas, however, this option must be specifically requested at the time of application.

(b) Business Visa


This visa is required by persons visiting India on business. It is necessary to provide a letter from the applicant’s overseas employer stating the exact purpose of the visit, and the expected duration with the application. A letter of invitation from the Indian company should also be provided. Business visas are normally Multiple Entry and may be granted for up to two years.



Business visas are issued for visits of more than 180-days with multiple entries. Although Business visa is usually valid for a period of up to five years, there is no hard and fast rule for the same. Business visa valid for up to ten years with multiple entries is available to foreign businessmen who have set up or intend to set up joint ventures having governmental approval in India.



(c)Employment Visa (Work Permits)



A Multiple Entry employment visa is granted on a case by case basis to foreign nationals wishing to take up an employment in India. Indian companies are allowed to engage the services of foreign nationals without any approval. An employment visa must be obtained from the Indian Consulate in the country of residence of the applicant, prior to departure for India.



Normally following main papers are required to be filed with the application for employment visa:



· An invitation letter from the overseas company and an employment letter from the Indian company.

· Expected duration of the employment.



(d) Entry Visa/X-Visa
This visa is granted to those persons who wish to visit India for long term or permanent residence but do not belong to any of the above categories. Foreign nationals coming to India on an employment visa may obtain an X-visa for their spouses before coming to India. If such a spouse decides to take up any employment in India, then the spouse will be required to go back to the port of origination and obtain the requisite employment visa.

According to the rules currently in force, a change of category of visa is not permitted. Any breach in the purpose / category of the visa granted to a foreign national is illegal and can result in his/her deportation.



The foreign nationals can however apply for an extension of visa duration. The application is to be made to the Ministry of Home Affairs through the concerned FRRO/Office of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) along with required documents for getting visa extension.



Spouse Work Rights

Generally spouse of foreign nationals arrive on an X-visa, which does not allow any employment or business in India. In cases where the spouse wants to work in India, then an appropriate visa (i.e., a business or employment visa) is required. Once the spouse reaches India with an X-visa, and decides to take up any employment, then the spouse would need to go back to the port of origination and obtain the requisite employment visa.

Registration Requirements
Foreign nationals entering India for the first time on a visa (whether tourist, business or any other) which is valid for a period of more than 180 days, would be required to register themselves with the appropriate Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within fourteen days of arrival in India. Such a visa holder would be required to register with the relevant FRRO not withstanding the fact that the visa holder intends to remain in India for a period that is less then the duration of the visa in question. Therefore, the implication of such a visa is that the foreign national holding the visa would be deemed to have the intention of remaining in India for the entire duration of the visa.



In case foreign nationals are required to move around the country to comply with the demands of their jobs/profession, they would be required to obtain registration with the “relevant FRRO”, i.e., either in the first port of entry or where the residential address has been provided.

Conversion/Extension of Visa


In the event that a foreign national holding a visa valid for a period of less than one year desires to convert it into a visa valid for a period of more than one year, then he/she would be required to approach the Ministry of Home Affairs for conversion/extension of the said visa.