What Is an India Conference Visa? Rules and How to Apply

An India Conference Visa is for foreign nationals travelling to India to attend a conference, seminar or workshop. Depending on your eligibility and event, you may use a regular conference visa through an Indian mission or the electronic conference-purpose route currently listed as e-Business Visa (e-B5 V).

What are the two application routes?

Regular conference visa: Apply through the Indian mission responsible for your application, following its local submission instructions. MHA guidance covers public-sector events and conferences sponsored by NGOs or private institutions, subject to the required checks.

Electronic conference-purpose visa: Eligible travellers can apply through the official Indian e-Visa portal. Its eligibility guidance includes government and private conferences. Your passport, circumstances and event must qualify; the organiser being public or private does not determine the route by itself.

How long is an India Conference Visa valid?

The official portal currently lists e-B5 V as valid for 30 days from arrival, with multiple entries. Check the entry deadline and conditions on your granted authorisation; do not treat a new entry as automatically starting another 30-day period.

For a regular conference visa combined with tourism, MHA guidance allows missions to grant the required period at their discretion, up to six months, subject to applicable conditions. Prior-reference cases may receive a shorter period. Six months is not an automatic entitlement.

Who should check eligibility before applying?

Your nationality, passport type, residence, existing Indian immigration status, and event details affect the appropriate route. Do not assume that residence in another country determines your e-Visa eligibility.

• For e-Visa applications, check that your nationality and passport type are eligible. Diplomatic and official passports and specified other travel documents are excluded.
• The e-Visa portal directs Pakistani passport holders and people of Pakistani origin to an Indian mission for a regular visa.
• If you already hold an Indian visa or OCI card, confirm the conditions and any conference-related permission before applying for another visa.

Which documents should you prepare?

Prepare the application, passport details, a suitable photograph, and an invitation identifying the conference and your participation. Additional documents depend on the route, event and processing authority.

For the electronic route: the portal lists an organiser invitation, political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and event clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). However, FAQ Q21 labels MHA event clearance as optional. Ask the organiser and processing authority to confirm what must be supplied for your event before submitting.

For the regular route: use the relevant mission’s checklist. MHA guidance makes prior reference or security clearance conditional on specified participants or locations; it does not establish an identical checklist for every regular application. An employer or institution letter may be requested by the processing mission.

MHA guidance says a return ticket and sufficient funds may be accepted as evidence of financial standing. For e-Visa applications, the portal separately requires a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds, and a passport valid for at least six months when applying.

How do you apply?

1. Confirm your route. Check your passport, existing immigration documents, event, residence, and intended itinerary. For a regular visa, follow the instructions of the mission responsible for your application.
2. Obtain the event documents. Ask the organiser for the invitation and applicable clearance documents; resolve inconsistent requirements with the processing authority.
3. Submit the application. Use the official e-Visa portal for an eligible electronic application, or the regular application procedure specified by your Indian mission. Review the fee and documents for that route.
4. Check the decision before travelling. For the electronic route, confirm that your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is granted and carry a copy. Check all dates, entries, and itinerary conditions before departure.

Can you combine the conference with tourism?

MHA guidance permits combining tourism with a regular conference visit within the visa granted. For an electronic application, confirm that any sightseeing fits your granted conditions. A separate tourist visa should not be assumed necessary, and it does not automatically extend the conference stay.

e-Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible. Check any prior permission required for protected, restricted, or cantonment areas.

Contact our team to confirm whether we can assist with your conference-purpose application. Indian Immigration Services provides independent assistance; visa decisions are made by the relevant Indian authorities.