Information, Applications and Procedures for:
India Business Visas

Applicants partaking in the following activities are eligible to apply for an Indian business visa:

• Attending meetings for general business support, board member collaboration, and technical discussions
• Establishing or exploring industrial/business ventures in India
• Purchasing or selling commercial/industrial products or consumer durables
• Recruiting of manpower
• Consultations regarding exhibitions, trade shows, or business fairs
• Transactions with Indian suppliers
• Specialists monitoring the progress of ongoing projects and/or providing technical guidance
• Presale and post sale activities
• Visits from Business Partners in the company or functioning Directors

All applicants traveling to India for employment or under a contract must apply for an employment visa (please view our page regarding Indian employment visas for specific details).

Submit your current, valid, signed Passport. It must not expire within 6 months and must have at least 2 blank visa pages. If you do not have the proper blank visa pages in your passport, you must first amend your passport to have pages added. A Briggs will secure your visa using the added pages. If your passport expires within six months, you must renew your passport and then we will secure your visa with the new passport.

All minors under 18 are required to provide one of the following based on origin of birth:

US Born: You must submit a copy of your birth certificate.

Indian Born: You must submit a copy of your birth certificate, old Indian passport, or school leaving certificate.

All Others: You must submit a copy of your birth certificate or any Government issued document from your country of origin.

IMPORTANT:

• The birth certificate or government issued document should be a copy only. Do not send originals.
• The document provided must indicate your date of birth, nationality, and names of your parents. For US born applicants, all of this information is contained on a long form birth certificate. Short form birth certificates are usually missing the names of the child's parents and should be accompanied with a hospital birth certificate containing this missing information.
• Documents that do not originate from the US or India must be translated into English and must be notarized.

Submit a completed India Visa Application form.

Send 1 visa application form FULLY COMPLETED and SIGNED using the link below. You must use this link in order to generate a proper application form for 3rd party submission. A Briggs can only submit visa application forms which state the following in the heading: "This Application can be submitted only by a 3rd Party Firm". Check your application form for accuracy before sending it to A Briggs. If the application form is incomplete or a mistake is found on the application form it must be completed and originally signed again with correct information (the embassy/consulates will not accept forms with handwritten corrections or correction tape). All fields that apply to you must be completed regardless if they are stared required on the fillable form!

India Visa Application

Important Rules:

• Your name on the application form, along with your passport information, MUST match your passport exactly.
• Your signature on the application form must exactly match your signature on your passport.
• Application forms must be printed on two separate pieces of paper. Application forms printed back to back on a single page are not accepted.
• All phone number fields that apply to you must be completed (i.e. if you list yourself as employed, a work phone number is required; students are required to list the school's phone number in the work phone number field and the school's address in the employer's address field; the consulate in Houston requires all phone number fields to be completed).
• The Indian contact field, #39a, must be fully completed with the name, complete address (zip code included), and phone numbers of the Indian host. As needed, the same phone number can be listed twice.
• The reference person in the US listed on the application form cannot reside at the same address as the applicant.
• Travelers under 18 must have both parents' signatures on the application form, along with copies of the information page of both parents' passports.
• The object of journey field, #33, must match the visa type you are requesting (example: a tourist visa request must state an object of journey of "tourism" or "sightseeing" only, NOT "visiting a company" or "attending a conference").

Submit two (2) recent, 2x2 Passport Photographs taken by a passport photographer. They must not have eyeglasses worn in the photo and must not be a digital or non-passport style photograph.

Passport Photo Requirements

We can prepare passport photographs for you at select A Briggs office locations nationwide.

Passport Photo Locations

Submit proof of present address which exactly matches the present address listed on your application form (field #12). Acceptable proof of present address includes a clear photocopy of a US driver's license or state issued ID card, OR a photocopy of a major utility bill or lease agreement which lists your name and present address.

Major utilities include electric, gas, water, and sewage. Photocopies of minor utility bills, phone bills, and bank statements are not sufficient. Your present address cannot include a P.O. box.

Travelers under 18 must submit photocopies of both parents' driver's licenses or other form of proof of present address, along with photocopies of the information page of both parents' passports.

Submit a Business Invitation from an Indian Company on company letterhead with the inviter's signature (the address on the letterhead must match the address of the reference in India, #39a, on the visa application form).

If the visa request falls under the DC embassy's jurisdiction, the letter must be addressed to the "Embassy of India". If the visa request falls under the Chicago, Houston, New York, or San Francisco jurisdictions, the letter must be addressed to the "Consulate General of India".

The letter must specifically request the visa being applied for: 1, 5, or 10 years. All 5 and 10 year requests must support the need for a long-term visa by indicating future travel dates to India and describing the nature of the visit in detail to show that the activity in India is within the description of a business visa.

Scanned and faxed copies of the invitation letter are acceptable. Employment activities are not permitted while traveling on a business visa. NOTE: 10 year business visas are not available for applicants residing in Houston and New York jurisdictions (AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, KS, LA, ME, MA, MS, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, PR, RI, TX, VT, Virgin Islands).

Submit a Business Cover Letter from a US company on company letterhead. It must be signed by a manager. It must indicate the purpose of your trip, duration of your stay, your company's moral and financial responsibilities for you and visa validity being applied for. A faxed copy or photocopy is NOT acceptable.

Example Business Cover Letter

The address on the letterhead must match the employer's address, #16b, on the visa application form.

If the visa request falls under the DC embassy's jurisdiction, the letter must be addressed to the "Embassy of India". If the visa request falls under the Chicago, Houston, New York, or San Francisco jurisdictions, the letter must be addressed to the "Consulate General of India".

All 5 and 10 year requests must also explain in detail why a long-term visa is needed (opposed to a short-term visa) and indicate future travel dates to India (spanning over the time frame of the visa validity being requested). NOTE: 10 year business visas are not available for applicant's residing in Houston and New York jurisdictions (AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, KS, LA, ME, MA, MS, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, PR, RI, TX, VT, Virgin Islands).

Employment activities are not permitted while traveling on a business visa.

Persons of Indian origin are subject to longer processing times, which the embassy and consulate determines on a case-by-case basis. The Indian government requires all applicants born in India to surrender Indian citizenship.

Those who have already renounced Indian citizenship must provide ONE of the following:

• Certificate of Renunciation issued by an Indian embassy or consulate.
• Most Recent Cancelled Indian Passport with a stamp stating the passport is cancelled due to obtaining citizenship of another country.

Those who have NOT renounced Indian citizenship, or CANNOT SHOW PROOF of renunciation, must provide the following:

• Copy of Naturalization Certificate.
• Most Recent Indian Passport.
• Two completed Renunciation Forms.
• If you do NOT have your Most Recent Indian Passport and were naturalized over 10 years from today, you must provide two completed Deemed Surrender Certificates.
• If you do NOT have your Most Recent Indian Passport and were naturalized less than 10 years ago, you must provide two completed Affidavit of Loss Forms, and either a birth certificate copy or school leaving certificate copy.
• Renunciation Fee ($20 if naturalized before June 1, 2010; $175 if naturalized after June 1, 2010).

In cases where renunciation of Indian citizenship has not occurred, a penalty fee of $250 applies if the most recent Indian passport has been retained for more than 3 years after acquiring citizenship of another country. An exception is granted if the most recent Indian passport expired before January 1, 2005 or bears a "cancelled" stamp.

Persons of Indian origin are required to provide a Naturalization Certificate copy under the following circumstances:

• If the most recent Indian passport expired or is due to expire on or after January 1, 2005.
• If the US passport is issued on or after June 1, 2010 while naturalization took place on or before May 31, 2010.
• If the applicant falls under the Houston consulate's jurisdiction.

Non-US Citizens Only: Non-US citizens are subject to longer processing times which the embassy/consulate determines on a case by case basis. Non-US citizens with long-term permanent US residency must furnish a copy of their US Permanent Resident card. Non-US citizens in the US on a valid US visa may only apply for an Indian visa in the US as long as he/she has maintained a current US visa status for 2 consecutive years. When a referral is needed, a $20 reference fee must be paid. Consular fees for non-US citizens can vary significantly based on citizenship, US status, visa type, and validity. Refunds and additional charges may apply. The consular fee is listed at the top of each application form. The total consular fee includes the amount listed plus $13.00 for the Indian Visa Center's handling fee. Non-US citizens are not eligible to apply for long-term visas. The maximum tourist visa validity is 6 months and the maximum business visa validity is 1 year.

Pakistani Citizens Only: In addition to the requirements above, the Indian consulate requires all Pakistani citizens to complete 4 copies of the following application form with 4 photos:

Pakistani Additional Application Form

NOTE: Pakistani citizens and persons of Pakistani origin are subject to a minimum 6 week processing time.

Special Bangladesh Application: In addition to the requirements above, the Indian consulate requires all Bangladesh citizens to complete 2 copies of the following application form with 2 photos:

Bangladesh Additional Application Form

Sri Lankan Citizens / Persons of Sri Lankan Origin Only: In addition to the requirements above, the Indian consulate requires all Sri Lankan citizens and persons of Sri Lankan origin to complete 1 additional application form:

Sri Lankan Additional Application Form

Dual Citizens Only: The Indian consulate requires all dual citizens applying in the U.S. to apply with their U.S. passports, with the exception of those who hold dual Pakistani citizenship. In this case, applicants must apply on their Pakistani passports.

Type	Jurisdiction	Price	Validity	Processing Time
Business	Chicago	176.00	1 year	3-7 days
Business	Chicago	256.00	5 years	3-7 days
Business	Chicago	256.00	10 years	3-7 days
Business	Houston	176.00	1 year	9-11 days
Business	Houston	256.00	5 years	9-11 days
Business	New York	176.00	1 year	3-7 days
Business	New York	256.00	5 years	3-7 days
Business	San Francisco	176.00	1 year	7-9 days
Business	San Francisco	256.00	5 years	7-9 days
Business	San Francisco	256.00	10 years	7-9 days
Business	Washington	176.00	1 year	4-7 days
Business	Washington	256.00	5 years	4-7 days
Business	Washington	256.00	10 years	4-7 days

NOTE: Processing times are business days, and do not include weekends, holidays, and regular consular closings. The first day begins the day after your package is received by A Briggs except in the case of pre-arranged same day service when available. Prices are per applicant.

NOTE: Processing times vary by the India consular jursidiction in which the traveler resides. The jurisdictions are:

• Chicago: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
• Houston: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas
• New York: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Vigin Islands
• San Francisco: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming
• Washington, D.C.: Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, American Samoa, Bermuda, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Northern Marianas and Palau

$55 for regular service for which we secure your visa from the Embassy in its normal time of issuance; or

$135 for rush service for which we secure your visa as quickly as the Embassy will issue it.

$175 for same day service when available. Please call 1-800-806-0581 in advance to determine availability.

Prices are per applicant.

You must complete the Online Order Form.

The order form gives us your name, address, shipping information and payment method. Multiple applicants can be entered using one order form. Please print two copies of the confirmation page. Include one copy with the documents you ship to us and keep one copy for your records.

While completing the online order form in this step, you will be asked how you want to pay A Briggs. You may pay our fees online with a credit card or enclose a personal or business check or money order.

Click here to fill out the online order form.

Shipping Address

If only India visa services are required, ship all documents to the A Briggs office for the India jurisdiction in which you reside:

Chicago Jurisdiction (Residents of IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, ND, SD and WI):

Processing Department
A Briggs of Chicago
28 E Jackson Blvd, Suite 1520
Chicago, IL 60604
1-800-806-0581

Houston Jurisdiction (Residents of AL, AR, FL, GA, KS, LA, MS, OK and TX):

Processing Department
A Briggs of Houston
3801 Kirby Drive, Suite 120
Houston, TX 77098
1-800-806-0581

New York Jurisdiction (Residents of CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, PR, RI, VI and VT):

Processing Department
A Briggs of New York
42 West 38th Street, Suite 503
New York, NY 10018
1-800-806-0581

San Francisco Jurisdiction (Residents of AK, AR, CA, CO, GU, HI, ID, MT, NE, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA and WY):

Processing Department
A Briggs of San Francisco
50 California Street, Suite 1500
San Francisco, CA 94111
1-800-806-0581

Washington, DC Jurisdiction (Residents of AS, DE, DC, KY, MD, MH, MP, NC, PW, SC, TN, VA, AND WV):

Processing Department
A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors
1921 Sunderland PL NW
Washington, DC 20036
1-800-806-0581

If passport services are required, ship all documents to the Houston A Briggs office:

Processing Department
A Briggs of Houston
3801 Kirby Drive, Suite 120
Houston, TX 77098
1-800-806-0581

If you are not sure where to ship your documents to, please call us to verify before shipping.

Carrier Specific Shipping Notes

Note: Additional shipping costs must be charged to a credit card for each package shipped to an international destination and the following locations: Alaska, Hawaii, and all U.S. Territories.

Saturday Delivery is an additional $14 when available to US destinations.

Failure to follow these instructions may cause a delay in processing, and could also result in additional charges on your order for shipping, such as: before 8:00am delivery, Saturday Delivery, etc. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us toll free at 1-800-806-0581.