If you are going on a business trip to India, you need to apply for the business visa (type B). The requirements for obtaining the business visa may vary slightly for Europeans depending on the specific country of origin, but there are general documents and procedures that are the same for most applicants. We list the essentials for you:
General documents
Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your planned stay in India and have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
Completed visa application form: You can find the official Indian visa application form online at the Indian Visa Online website. Make sure you fill it out accurately and completely, if you do not do this then you can incur a lot of delays.
Passport photos: Two recent passport photos with a white background are required.
Travel Insurance: Specifically, travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and repatriation.
Company-specific documents
Introduction: A letter (if applicable, from your employer) describing the purpose of your business visit to India and your expected activities.
Invitation: A letter from your Indian business partner or the organization supporting your trip inviting you to come to India for business purposes. This letter should include details about the nature of your business relationship and the activities you will be undertaking in India.
Proof of financial capability: Documents such as bank statements or business financial statements to demonstrate your ability to support yourself during your stay in India.
Evidence of business expertise: Documents such as certificates, licenses or other qualifications that demonstrate your expertise in the field of your business.
A successful business trip to India requires thorough preparation. Discover here our five tips for those traveling to India for the first time:
Application process
You can start your Indian visa application online through the website Indian Visa Online or in person at an Indian embassy or consulate in your home country. We recommend that you choose the online route, as it does not require you to wait for an opening at the embassy or consulate and allows you to pay the visa fee directly online.
The processing time for business visa applications averages 6 weeks, but can vary. It is therefore best to start planning your trip well in advance and apply for your visa as soon as possible.
Please note that you may be invited for an interview about your travel at the consulate or embassy in your country, even if all your papers are in order. The interview will focus on your business, your travel plans and planned activities in India. So be prepared for this.
After submitting your application, online or in person, the embassy/consulate will process your information and make a decision within the timeframe specified by embassy. If you submitted your application online, you can also track the status of your application online. Once the application is approved, you can pick up the visa stamp at the embassy/consulate or, if applicable, receive it by courier.
Note
This information is intended to give you an understanding of the general steps each applicant must take in the visa process, and may not be applicable to all European countries. It is always best to contact the Indian embassy or consulate in your country to understand the latest and specific visa requirements in your country.