Business travellers are required to apply for a visa before travelling to India. In most cases, it is not necessary to apply for a visa at the embassy. Business travellers can generally use the Indian e-Business visa, and they can easily apply for it online.
e-Business visa – for business travel to India
The e-Business visa is an electronic visa for business travel to India. Like the e-Tourist visa, you can apply for the e-Business visa online. You do this by filling in a digital application form. You will receive an e-mail once your visa has been approved.
Validity period of the business visa
The e-Business visa has a validity period of of 1 year. This does not mean that the visa allows you to stay in India for a year without interruption. Each business trip to the country can last a maximum of 180 days. The e-Business visa is a multiple-entry visa, meaning that you may enter the country as many times as you want within the validity period of the visa.
Permitted activities
The e-Business visa is meant for business travel to India. This can encompasses several types of activities. This visa can be used to visit companies, participate in business meetings and negotiations, visit trade fairs or recruiting staff. You can also provide services or products in India with an e-business visa. However, it is not permitted to work as a journalist or for an NGO. Also, bear in mind that an e-Business visa does not allow you to attend conferences, workshops or seminars in India. For this, you will need an e-Conference visa. You cannot apply for the e-Conference visa via this website.
Bear in mind that an e-Business visa does not allow you to attend conferences, workshops or seminars in India. For this, you will need an e-Conference visa.
If you want to combine your business activities in India with a holiday, you should apply for an e-Business visa. The e-Business visa allows you to undertake tourist activities, such as sightseeing. However, an e-Tourist visa does not allow business activities.
How to apply for the business visa
You can apply for a business visa to India via the standard online application form. Business travellers do not have to fill in more personal details than tourists. Besides your contact details, passport details and travel itinerary, you also have to give information about your employer and the organisation you are visiting in India. After completing the form, you will have to pay the cost and upload some documents online. You will receive your e-Business visa by email within 7 days on average.
Required documents
You need to upload four documents online for the e-Business visa. You can easily upload the following documents once the payment has been made:
- A digital passport photograph
- A scan or a photo of your passport
- A scan or a photo of your business card
- An invitation letter from the organisation you are visiting in India
The digital passport photo can also be a selfie, as long as it is sharp, in colour and has a light, even background. Your passport scan must show the entire information page, with no watermarks or reflections. If you do not have a business card, you can also provide a screenshot of your e-mail signature including your name, job title and contact details. The invitation letter should include at least your name, the name of your employer and the contact details of the company you will be visiting in India.
Working in India
Are you travelling to India to work for an Indian organisation? Bear in mind that the e-Business visa does not allow you to work for an Indian organisation, not even as a volunteer. You can apply for a work visa at the Embassy of India in this case. You may only carry out work for a company based outside India.
