• For a Visitors Visa you should apply at the diplomatic missions in your own country of residence or nearest Mission en route.
  
  
• If your passport is valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of intended departure from India you should accompany visa applications along with it.
  
  
• You will have a specified space to paste one photo and do not forget to staple another on to the form (comes in handy while comparing).
  
  
• And in case you are applying for visa from a country you are not a national of (foreigner), you need to submit proof of long term permanent residence in the country, which is at least three years, from where you are applying.
  
  
• If you are a citizen of another country, then a reference of your country of residence is needed for which there is a additional fee and it would require extra time for processing.

Documents required:
A letter from your sponsoring organization mentioning the nature of business, probable duration of stay with itinerary.

A guarantee to meet all expenses incurred during your stay.
Following documents are required to be submitted for visa:

1. Duly filled application form/ Download Visa application Form a) Visa application form should filled in legibly and clearly, in bold (capital) letters in black/blue ink only.  Incomplete and illegible applications may not be processed.
   b) Name and other relevant particulars should be filled in as per details in the passport in expanded form.

2. Passport: It should have a minimum validity of six months on the date of application with at least two blank pages.
3. Photographs : 2 latest identical passport size photographs (black/white or color) depicting front pose against light background
4. Supporting documents, if the visa being applied for is other than a Tourist Visa, the visa application should be accompanied with supporting documents on type of visa applied for.
5. Visa Fee, Please see ”Fee Schedule” for the amount of fee. In case the applications are deposited in person at the counter, visa fee can be paid in cash or by Cashier's Cheque/Certified Cheque or Money Order made payable to the Embassy of India, Washington (PERSONAL CHEQUES / CREDIT CARDS are not accepted)
6. Persons of Indian Origin applying for a visa for the FIRST time on US passport must submit their Indian passport along with the application form for cancellation and return.  If the visa is required on a new US passport booklet, either previous US passport or photocopy of Indian visa are to be submitted with the application.

VISA FEES AND PROCESSING TIME:

• USD 30 for extension of visa up to 180 days.
  
• USD 50 for extension of visa beyond 180 days.
  

• Although a provision exists for the issue of a Temporary Landing Permit (TLP) at the point of entry if you are traveling in transit through India, it is advisable to obtain a transit visa prior to your arrival in India. It is issued for a stay of 72 hours and is not available to all nationalities. The TLP is issued only to those travelers in whose countries there is no Indian Diplomatic representation at the discretion of the Immigration Capital. For this, a valid passport confirmed onward air ticket and onward visa is a must.
  
  
• A special agreement has been made with India and the SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) to keep the visa fee to the minimum to facilitate the travel between its people.
  
  
• There also exist bilateral agreements between India and some countries like Argentina, Bangladesh, Hungary, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, South Africa etc. for gratis visa.