TOURIST VISA WITH MULTIPLE ENTRIES

The application for the above permission should be accompanied with the following documents

• Letter explaining the circumstances under which re-entry is sought, mentioning the contact address & phone number etc in India and abroad
• Photocopy of passport, residence visa & long-term multiple entry tourist visa granted by Indian mission
• Copy of detailed itinerary

In respect of foreign nationals holding long-term Tourist visa with multiple-entry facility, there should be a gap of at least 2-months between two visits to the country. If any foreign national is required to visit the country again within a period of 2 months of his/her last departure, such foreign national should obtain special permission from the Indian Mission concerned or the nearest Indian Mission. 

In all such cases, the foreign national should register with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival. Such re-entry will be permitted only in emergent situations which can be duly justified with proper documentation.

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Q.: Whether the gap of two months between two visits would apply to all Tourist Visa holders?

Ans.: No, the gap of two months between two visits would apply only to nationals of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Iraq, Sudan and foreigners of Pakistan and Bangladesh origin and Stateless persons visiting India on Tourist Visa.

Q.: Whether the gap of two months between two visits would apply irrespective of the duration of stay in India during the previous visit ?

Ans.: The intention behind the stipulation of a gap of two months between two visits on a Tourist Visa is to curb the abuse/misuse of the Tourist Visa. With a view to ensure that the genuine tourists are not affected by the recent guidelines, the following clarifications are furnished:

(i) Foreigners holding Tourist Visas, who after initial entry into India plan to visit another country largely on account of neighbourhood tourism related travel and re-enter India before finally exiting, may be permitted two or three entries, as the case may be (need based), by the Indian Missions/Posts subject to their submission of a detailed itinerary and supporting documentation (ticket bookings). If they are already outside of their country of origin, they can also get such an endorsement from the nearest Indian Mission/Post.

(ii) The Immigration authorities in all the Immigration Check Posts may also allow such foreign nationals on Tourist Visas arriving in India without the specific authorization from the Indian Missions/Posts to make two or three entries into the country (need based) subject to production of an itinerary and supporting documentation (ticket bookings).

(iii) The total period of stay in the country counted from the date of first entry into the country shall not exceed the stay stipulation period of 180 days or 90 days, as the case may be.

(iv) Once such a foreign national finally exits the country after availing the facility of two or three entries (within the stay stipulation period of 180 days or 90 days as the case may be), there should be a gap of at least 2 months before he/she can come again to the country.

(v) If any foreign national falling in the category as mentioned in sub-para-

(vi) above is required to visit India again within a period of 2 months after his/her last departure, such foreign national should obtain special permission from the Indian Mission. Such re-entry within the stipulated gap of two months may be permitted only in emergent situations like death/serious illness in the family, non-availability of connecting flights to return to his/her country of origin or travel to another country or any other exigent situation which can be duly justified with proper documentation to the satisfaction of the Mission granting the permission. The Mission will have to examine each case on merits before grant of requisite permission subject to the following conditions:-

(a) The applicant should furnish an undertaking on the following lines:-

(i) That the purpose of his/her visit is because of emergency situation;

(ii) That he is not engaged in business activities, nor in employment or pursuing studies/research etc.

(b) In all such cases i.e. those covered by sub-para above, the foreign national should register himself with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival. This registration may be done with the FRRO/FRO concerned preferably at the first place of entry. An endorsement to this effect will be made on the visa sticker.

Q.: Whether the Mission in any country can grant permission for the second visit within the period of 2 months or whether this can be granted only by the Mission/Post in the country of origin of the applicant?

Ans.: The requisite permission can be granted by the Mission in any country on merits of each case and subject to the conditions.

Q.: If a tourist’s passport is not stamped to indicate no re-entry within two months, can the tourist assume that he will be allowed to re-enter India within two months?

Ans.: No. Even if the tourist’s passport is not stamped, the restrictions as laid down will be applicable.

Q.: Whether the restriction of two months gap for re-entering India is applicable to PIO/OCI card holders and foreigners holding business, employment, student and other categories of visa?

Ans.: No. The two months gap is applicable only to Tourist Visa holders.

Q.: How will medical tourists who return regularly to India for onward treatment be handled?

Ans.: For persons coming for medical treatment, there is a separate category of Medical Visa. Foreign nationals coming for medical treatment will have to come only on Medical Visa and not on Tourist Visa.

Q. What activities are permissible on ‘Tourist’ visa?

Ans.: Tourist Visa is granted for visiting India for recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives etc. No other activity is permissible on a Tourist Visa.

Q. Can a person holding ‘Tourist’ visa indulge in Business activities?

Ans.: No. If a person holding ‘Tourist’ visa is found to be involved in Business activities, action may be taken for visa violation.

Q. Can a person holding ‘Tourist’ visa accept employment?

Ans.: No. If a person is found working, while holding ‘Tourist’ visa, he/she may be booked for visa violation.