Passports
All travellers to India must possess a valid passport. It is advisable to carry your passport on your person all the while in India for possible identification requirements.

Visas
All foreign tourists of India (barring nationals of Nepal and Bangladesh) must possess a valid visa. Visas are not issued on arrival. The cost of the visa is US$ 30 for up to six months, US$ 50 for up to one year and US$ 100 for more than one year and up to five years. Contact the Indian embassy or consulate in your country for issuing of visas. A tourist visa is valid for three to six months.
Tourist visas allow multiple entry to simplify visits to neighboring countries. You will be required to fill in a disembarkation card on your way to India which will have to be submitted at the Immigration counters at the entry airport.

Transit Visas
Transit visas are granted by Indian Missions abroad for a maximum period of 15 days.

Exemption from Registration
Foreigners coming to India on tourist visas for 180 days or a shorter period are not required to register themselves with any authority. They can move about freely in the country, except to restricted / protected areas and prohibited places.
Nationals of Bangladesh are exempt from registration for up to six months. If their stay exceeds six months , they have to register themselves. Family passports issued by other goverments are recognised without discrimination.

Landing Permit Facility (For group tourists)
Foreign tourists in groups of four or more arriving by air or sea, sponsored by recognised Indian travel agencies and with a pre-drawn itinerary may be granted a collective landing permit for a specified period of time on the written request of the travel agencies. The Immigration Officer must have full personal and passport details of the group members, the itinerary, an undertaking to conduct the group as per their itinerary and an assurance that no individual will be allowed to drop out from the group at any place. However, such landing permits do not entitle Israeli group tourists to visit the state of J&K unless they are specifically cleared by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Tourist Groups
A tourist group arriving by air, ship or by a chartered or scheduled flight may be granted a collective days by the immigration authorities on landing, provided the group is sponsored by a recognised travel agency gives an undertaking to conduct the group together.

Business Visa
A foreigner can obtain one from an Indian embassy abroad. A multiple-entry business visa is valid for five years, provided he wants to come for business. Foreigners of Indian origin can obtain a five-year multiple-entry visa for business, to meet their relatives, etc.

Student Visa
This can be obtained from the Indian Embassy on the production of proof of admission and means of sustenance while in India. The visa is valid for one year but can be extended in India for the duration of the course. The visa will be valid for the duration of the course or five years, whichever is less.

Foreigners wanting to study yoga, music, Vedic culture, dance, etc. are required to apply well in advance with all necessary particulars. Indian embassies may grand visas for up to a period of five years.