Delhi Reconnaissance Guide
If you want to spend some time in Delhi before deciding whether or not to move there, you’ll want to apply for a Tourist (T) Visa. Tourist visas are usually valid for six months or, occasionally, one year. Ten-year multiple entry tourist visas are available to US citizens who visit India as tourists on a regular basis.
No matter the validity of your tourist visa, you are only allowed to remain in India for six months at a stretch. If you leave the country, you will be required to remain outside of India for at least two months, unless you are following a set itinerary, in which case you can apply for a re-entry permit at the time of your visa application.
Tourist visas must be obtained in advance from the Indian mission in your country of residence. The Indian government is currently running a tourist visa-on-arrival pilot scheme for nationals of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore. Visas under this scheme are issued for a maximum duration of 30 days.
The documentation required for tourist visas varies by country and jurisdiction. You’ll need to submit your passport and passport-sized photos, and you may also be required to submit proof of residence and a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship.
Obtaining a tourist visa is usually pretty easy and straightforward, as long as all your paperwork is in order. It could take anywhere from one day to a few weeks, depending on the country and jurisdiction in which you live.
