subject: Must Heed Visa Information Before Booking Air Tickets To India [print this page] India is certainly a disciplinarian in terms of visa policies. Travellers planning to buy air tickets to Delhi or any other Indian city, it is must to pay heed to different aspects of visa policies, including visa application. Here is some significant information to make it easy for those planning to buy air tickets to Delhi, Mumbai or other Indian hotspots to sample true Indian delights.
Visas
India does not offer visa on arrival to British nationals. Therefore, a British tourist is required to apply for a valid visa to enter the country before buying air tickets to India.
Visa policies are subject to change without any prior notice, so it is important to visit http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/aboutyourvisas.html for updated information.
Visa Categories
Travellers must procure the right visa before booking airline tickets to India. Here are the different visa categories.
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Employment Visa
Student Visa
Entry Visa
Long Term Entry Visa
Conference Visa
Journalist Visa
Research Visa
Transit Visa
Medical Visa
Medical Escort Visa
Transfer of Visa
Visa Application
Britons looking to buy airline tickets to India need to visit http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/ and fill up the online visa application form and fulfil other requirements. The website is officially authorised to accept the different Indian visas requests except for Emergency and Diplomatic/Official visas.
Visa Stamping Rule
Tourists leaving India receive a departure stamp on their passports which bars them from re-entry for two months, despite the length of their stay prior to departure. However, those buying air tickets to neighbouring nations may get exempted from the same. Tourists may be allowed two or three entries by Indian immigration authorities based on the furnishing of an itinerary and documentation (air tickets) supporting the need for tourism related travel to neighbouring countries. Also, tourists buying tickets to India before the completion of two month prohibition period need to contact the Indian High Commission or Consulate in the UK to present their case for re-entry. The website http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/FAQ-TVisa170510.pdf offers greater details on the stamping rule.
Long term multiple entry visas
Britons buying tickets to India on long term multiple entry visas need to get registered at a Foreigners Regional Registration Office within 14 days of arrival.
Transit Visa Policy
Travellers transiting through India require a transit visa. Transit visas are valid for single or double journey, within 15 days, effective from the date of issue. Transit visas authorize direct transits for maximum of three days. For stays of more than three days, one should obtain a proper visa.
Overstaying the Visa
Overstaying the visa is an offence and may attract severe penalties like legal proceedings, detention and deportation. Defaulters can also be required to personally appear at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
