Visa rules revised: Revised rules for India

Dubai : The Indian government has revised its visa guidelines for nationals of select countries travelling to India irrespective of the place from where they arrive, a top diplomat said.

Talmiz Ahmad, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, told XPRESS that under the revised guidelines issued in November 2009, "US nationals can be granted long-term, multiple-entry tourist visa of up to 10 years with the stipulation that their stay during each visit will not exceed 180 days."

In case of nationals of the UK and 18 other countries (EU countries, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Vietnam), tourist visas of up to five years will be granted, with the stipulation that their stay during each visit will not exceed 180 days in case of UK nationals and 90 days in the case of nationals of the other 18 countries, he added.

No change for Emiratis

"There should be a gap of at least two months between two visits to India in case of foreign nationals who are granted long-term, multiple-entry tourist visas for 10 or five years, with stay stipulation of 180 days/90 days," he said.

"Regarding the issue of grant of visas to Pakistani nationals or individuals having Pakistani lineage, there is a government requirement relating to pre-verification of the antecedents of the applicants from the authorities concerned in India," he said. "However, in exceptional circumstances, the head of the Indian mission may consider grant of visas to such individuals," he added.

There is no change in the visa guidelines for Emiratis and other nationals visiting India on a tourist visa. "Emiratis and nationals, other than those mentioned, are generally granted three-month, single-entry tourist visas to India," he said.

According to Indian media, the guidelines were revised following the misuse of a multiple-entry visa by David Headley, a US citizen alleged to be behind the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.