Regular Indian Visa Application: Process, Fees & Documents

A Regular Indian Visa is the traditional visa route for foreign nationals who need permission to visit India. Unlike an eVisa, which is issued electronically for selected travel purposes, a Regular Visa application is processed through an Indian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. Applicants generally need to submit their passport and supporting documents through the concerned Indian Mission or its authorised Visa Application Center.

This route remains important for travellers who need employment, diplomatic, official or other specialised visas that are not covered by the eVisa facility. This guide explains the available categories, application procedure, documents, fees and processing time using information from the Government of India’s official visa portal.

What Is a Regular Indian Visa?

A Regular Visa, also known as a Paper Visa, is issued through an Indian Mission or Post outside India. The applicant first completes the application form online and then follows the submission procedure prescribed by the concerned Mission.

The main difference between a Regular Visa and an eVisa is the application and processing route:

• Regular Visa: You complete the application online, print the form and submit it with your passport and supporting documents through the concerned Indian Mission or Visa Application Center.
• eVisa: You apply online through the Bureau of Immigration. If approved, you receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) that you must carry while travelling to India.

A Regular Visa covers several purposes that are not available under the eVisa system, including employment and certain specialised or official visits. If you are unsure which route applies to your trip, first read our Indian Visa Guide for an overview of the available visa options.

Regular Indian Visa Categories

The official Indian Visa portal lists 12 broad categories. Each category serves a different travel purpose, and the supporting documents depend on the applicant’s circumstances.

• Tourist Visa: For foreign nationals visiting India for tourism, sightseeing and permitted recreational activities.
• Business Visa: For eligible business visitors coming to India for permitted commercial activities.
• Work Visa: For foreign nationals taking up employment with an organisation or employer in India.
• Student Visa: For foreign students joining an eligible educational institution or course in India.
• Medical Visa: For people travelling to India to receive medical treatment.
• Family Visa: For eligible dependants of foreign nationals living or working in India.
• Journalist Visa: For foreign journalists and media professionals visiting India for permitted professional activities.
• Transit Visa: For eligible travellers passing through India while travelling to another country.
• Diplomatic Visa: For diplomats travelling to India in an official diplomatic capacity.
• Official Visa: For government officials visiting India on official assignments.
• Pakistan Specific Visa: A separate category for Pakistani nationals under the applicable visa rules.
• Miscellaneous Visa: For other permitted purposes that do not fall under the main categories.

Some categories also have specific sub-categories or additional conditions. For example, a Medical Attendant Visa may be required by someone accompanying a patient, while certain family-related cases may fall under the Family or Miscellaneous category.

Do not select a visa category only because its name appears suitable. The actual purpose of travel, applicant’s nationality and supporting documents determine the appropriate category. You can check the official list of Regular Visa categories before starting your application.

Who Should Apply for a Regular Visa Instead of an eVisa?

The eVisa facility is not available to every foreign national or for every purpose of travel. You may need to apply for a Regular Visa in the following situations:

• Pakistani nationals and persons of Pakistani origin: They are not eligible for an Indian eVisa and must apply through the appropriate Regular Visa process.
• Diplomatic or Official Passport holders: These passport holders cannot use the standard eVisa facility.
• Laissez-passer or other ineligible travel document holders: The eVisa facility is restricted to eligible passport holders.
• Foreign nationals with a defence, military, security or police background: The official eVisa portal directs applicants with serving or retired backgrounds in these fields to apply for a Regular Visa.
• Employment-related visitors: The eVisa facility does not cover employment in India. Foreign nationals coming to take up a job generally need a Work Visa.
• Travellers with specialised purposes: If the required purpose or duration is not covered by the eVisa facility, the applicant may need to use the Regular Visa route.

These are important restrictions, but they are not a complete list of every case requiring a Regular Visa. Check the latest eVisa eligibility conditions before choosing your application route.

Before applying, you can also read our Indian Visa Guide to understand the different visa options available for travelling to India, including Regular Visa, eVisa and Visa on Arrival.

How to Apply for a Regular Indian Visa

The application starts online, but the process generally includes submitting physical documents through the concerned Indian Mission or its authorised Visa Application Center. Follow these steps to complete your application.

Step 1: Open the Official Visa Application Portal

Visit the Indian Visa Online portal. Select the Indian Mission from the “Select Mission” option. Choose the Mission responsible for processing visa applications from your country or area of residence.

Make sure you select the correct Mission before proceeding. The application instructions, fees and submission arrangements can differ between locations.

Step 2: Fill in the Online Application Form

Enter your personal, passport and travel details in the application form. Fill in your name, date of birth, nationality and passport information exactly as they appear in your passport.

Choose the visa category that matches your actual purpose of travel. Review every field carefully before submitting the form.

Important: The official portal does not allow changes after the online form has been submitted. If you find an error later, contact the concerned Indian Mission for guidance instead of assuming that you can edit the submitted application.

Step 3: Save Your Application ID

After submitting the form, the portal automatically generates an Application ID. Keep this number safe because you may need it to track your application and communicate with the concerned Mission.

Do not confuse the Application ID with your passport number or visa number.

Step 4: Select an Appointment and Payment Option

After submitting the form, the system may ask whether you want to schedule an appointment and make the payment online.

• If online appointment and payment are available: Select an available appointment date and time. The portal will show the applicable fee and payment options for your application.
• If online facilities are unavailable: Print the submitted application form and follow the instructions for submitting documents and paying the fee at the concerned Mission or authorised service provider.

Online appointment booking and ePayment are not available for every Indian Mission. Always follow the instructions displayed for the Mission you selected.

Step 5: Print and Sign Your Application Form

Download and print the completed application form. Sign it in the required place before submitting it. Each applicant must complete a separate application form, including children travelling with their parents.

Step 6: Submit Your Passport and Supporting Documents

Visit the Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or Indian Mission, as instructed for your location. Carry your printed and signed form, original passport, photograph and supporting documents required for your visa category.

Some Missions may require additional documents, an appointment confirmation or other formalities. Check the local submission instructions before visiting the centre.

Step 7: Collect Your Passport

After the Mission processes your application, collect your passport and visa from the designated centre or receive them by post if that service is available.

You can check the progress of your application through the Visa Status Enquiry service using your application details.

For the complete official procedure, read the Regular Visa application instructions.

Photograph and Passport Requirements

The photograph uploaded with a Regular Visa application must follow the specifications published on the official portal. Prepare the image before starting the application to avoid upload problems.

• File format: JPEG.
• File size: Minimum 10 KB and maximum 300 KB.
• Image shape: Height and width must be equal.
• Photo view: Full face, front-facing photograph with eyes open.
• Background: Plain light-coloured or white background.
• Image quality: The face should be clearly visible, without shadows or borders.
• Head position: The complete head should appear in the frame, from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin.

The passport must be submitted with the application. Check the concerned Indian Mission’s instructions for passport validity, blank pages and any additional requirements applicable to your case.

For the exact photograph measurements and other technical details, refer to the official photograph and application instructions.

Documents Required for a Regular Visa

The documents depend on the visa category and the applicant’s nationality. However, applicants generally need to prepare the following:

• Original passport with the required validity and blank pages.
• Printed and signed Regular Visa application form.
• Recent photograph meeting the official specifications.
• Application ID generated after online submission.
• Appointment confirmation, if an appointment is required.
• Supporting documents proving the purpose of travel.

Some examples of category-specific documents include:

• Business Visa: Business invitation or supporting letter and other documents showing the purpose of the visit.
• Work Visa: Employment contract, appointment letter or other proof of the proposed employment.
• Student Visa: Admission letter or proof of enrolment from the Indian educational institution.
• Medical Visa: Medical documents and the required hospital-related information.
• Family Visa: Documents establishing the family relationship and details of the person being joined.

This is a general checklist, not a complete document list for every applicant. The concerned Indian Mission may ask for additional documents depending on the visa category and individual circumstances. Always check its instructions before submitting your application.

Where to Submit the Regular Visa Application?

After completing the online form, you must follow the document submission arrangement provided by the Indian Mission selected in your application.

Depending on the country, the application may be submitted through:

• Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC): An authorised centre that accepts visa applications and supporting documents on behalf of the Indian Mission.
• Indian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate: Some applicants submit their documents directly to the concerned Indian Mission.

Not every country follows the same arrangement. Check the website of your concerned Indian Mission to find the correct submission location, appointment procedure and document requirements.

Regular Indian Visa Fees

There is no single fixed fee for every Regular Visa application. The amount depends on the visa category, duration, applicant’s nationality and the fee rules applicable to the concerned Mission.

The official portal explains that the total amount may include a basic visa fee, a special fee and a processing or service charge collected by an authorised outsourcing agency. Applicable taxes may also be added.

The amount displayed during online registration is indicative. The final fee is confirmed when the applicant submits the documents at the relevant counter.

Visa fees are generally non-refundable. This means you do not receive a refund if you withdraw the application, the visa is refused or the Mission grants a visa with a shorter duration than requested.

Before making payment, check the official Indian Visa fee instructions and the fee schedule published by your local Indian Mission or authorised IVAC.

Regular Visa Processing Time

The official Indian Visa portal states that an Indian Mission or Post requires a minimum of three working days to process a Regular Visa application after receiving it through an IVAC or directly.

This is only the stated minimum, not a guaranteed delivery time. Processing may take longer depending on the applicant’s nationality, visa category, document verification and other special circumstances.

Do not book non-refundable travel arrangements based only on the minimum processing period. Check the official visa processing time information and your local Mission’s latest guidance.

Important Things to Remember Before Applying

• Each applicant, including every family member, must submit a separate online application form.
• Check your personal and passport details carefully because the submitted form cannot be modified through the normal online process.
• Keep your Application ID safe for future communication and application tracking.
• Online payment and appointment booking depend on the facilities available at your selected Indian Mission.
• Carry the original passport and all required supporting documents when submitting your application.
• Do not assume that the same documents, fees or processing time apply to every country.
• Apply well before your planned travel date because the stated minimum processing time does not guarantee when your passport will be returned.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)