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VISA SERVICES

v Visa Outsourcing

v Payment Details

v Download Visa Form

o Additional visa form to be filled up by Foreign (non-Israeli) Passport Holders

v Visa Guidelines

v Category of Visas

v Visa Fee Schedule

v Registration formalities for foreigners visiting India on Long Term Visa

v Contact Information of Foreigners Registration officers in India

v Other Requirements

v List of Consular Holidays in 2010

v FAQ’s on visas to India

Outsourcing of Visa Application Services

The Embassy has outsourced visa application service to two service providers. These are:-

v M/s S.M. Visa,

No. 5, Droyanov Street,

Tel Aviv, Tel. No. 03-5250332, Fax No. 03-5250786.

website: www.smvisa.co.il

v Caspi Aviation,

1 Ben Yehuda Street,

Tel Aviv, Tel. No. 00972-3-7962000, Fax No. 00972-3-5108365

website: www.caspi-aviation.co.il

2. You can apply for visa through any of these service providers in their offices mentioned above or in any of their offices mentioned below.

BRANCHES OF CASPI AVIATION

Tel Aviv 1, Ben Yehuda St Tel : 03- 5100214 Fax: 03-5107673	Bat Yam 79, Balfur St. Tel : 03-5070797 Fax: 03-6596557	Netanya 27, Dizengoff St. Tel: 09-8841830 Fax: 09-8332735
Petah Tikva 20 Hahitadrut St Tel: 03-9136136 Fax: 03-9307919	Ashdod 17 Rogozin St Tel: 08-8521521 Fax: 08-8522505	Haifa 20 Nordau St. Tel: 04-8624919 Fax: 04-8624032

BRANCHES OF S.M.VISA

Tel Aviv 5, Druyanov St. Tel : 03- 5250332 Fax: 03- 5250786	Tel Aviv 24 Saadiya Gaon St. Tel: 03- 7610255 Fax: 03-7602033	--
Jerusalem 14 Hillel St., 4^th Floor Tel : 02- 6220018 Fax: 02- 6250680	Haifa 8, Khatib St. Tel: 04- 8650241 Fax: 04- 8670886	Ben Gurion Airport El-Al Building Tel: 03- 9717998

3. PAYMENT TO SERVICE PROVIDERS (in addition to visa fee): Please note that you will have to pay only NIS 50 (inclusive of VAT) towards the service charges to the agents in addition to the visa fee as applicable. In cases where , the application is made through a travel agent you will also have to bear the agency charges payable to the agent concerned in addition to the service charge of NIS 50 (inclusive of VAT) payable to the service provider and the visa fee as applicable.

4. You may submit your visa application form along with passport, relevant documents and necessary charges to one of these service providers or to an agent as the case may be. Passports with visas can be collected from the same service provider or the agent.

5. Emergency visa service will continue to be provided by the Embassy in genuine cases on payment of additional fee. Visa application forms and other relevant details are available on the websites of the said three service providers as well as on the Embassy website.

6. For all types of visas, the completed application form should be submitted to the concerned service provider or the agent together with your passport with a minimum validity of 6 months, 2 recent passport size photographs and the correct visa fee.

7. Visa application form must be signed by the applicant. Application forms not signed by the applications would be summarily rejected

8. For a business visa, you need to submit a business letter, in duplicate, from the Indian company inviting you, or the Israeli company sponsoring you.

9. For a transit visa, you need to produce a printout of your confirmed travel booking advice. The transit visa is valid for 72 hours.

10. You can call the three visa service providers for more details including working hours, address and related information. If you want to seek any clarification from an Embassy official or if you want to complain against a service provider you may call the Embassy at phone: 03-5291999 between 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday or e-mail at indcons@indembassy.co.il

Please note that while the visa application service has been outsourced, the Embassy itself will continue to render the consular services.

Payment Details for VISA Services

Please note that you will have to pay only NIS 50 (inclusive of VAT) towards the service charges to the agents in addition to the visa fee as applicable. In cases where , the application is made through a travel agent you will also have to bear the agency charges payable to the agent concerned in addition to the service charge of NIS 50 (inclusive of VAT) payable to the service provider and the visa fee as applicable.

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Guidelines for Visa Applicants

ü Visa Guidelines

ü Category of Visas

ü Visa Fee Schedule

ü Registration formalities for foreigners visiting India on Long Term Visa

ü Contact Information of Foreigners Registration Officers in India

ü Other Requirements

ü List of Consular Holidays

Visa Guidelines

Note: All Indian Nationals who have acquired either Israeli or Foreign citizenship are advised to surrender their Indian Passport to the Embassy for cancellation and return

Following documents are required to be submitted for visa:

1. “Visa application Form”

2. Additional visa application form to be filled up by Foreign (non-Israeli) Passport Holders

1. Visa application form should fill in legibly and cleanly, in bold (capital) letters in black/blue ink only. Incomplete and illegible applications may not be processed.

2. Name and other relevant particulars should be filled in as per details in the passport in expanded form.

3. Passport: It should have a minimum validity of six months on the date of application with at lease two blank pages.

4. Photographs: 2 latest identical passport size photographs (black/white or color) depicting front post against light background.

5. Supporting documents, if the visa being applied for is other then a Tourist Visa, the visa application should be accompanied with supporting documents on type of visa applied for. For details, please see categories of visa given below.

6. Visa Fee: Please see “Fee Schedule” for the amount of fee. Visa fee is accepted only in cash.

7. Persons of Indian Origin applying for a visa for the FIRST time on Israeli passport must submit their Indian passport along with the application form for cancellation and return. If the visa is required on a new Israeli passport booklet, either previous Israeli passport or photocopy of Indian visa is to be submitted with the application.

Note: All persons of Indian origin who have acquired Israeli citizenship are advised to surrender their Indian passports to the nearest Indian Mission for cancellation and return. The cancelled Indian passports will be needed at the time of applying for Overseas Citizenship of India or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card or Indian visa for the first time on an Israeli passport.

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CATEGORY OF VISAS

Note: Change of purpose is not permitted once you have reached India. Depending on the nature of your journey, apply for the correct visa category.

TOURIST VISA: Valid for 6 months from the date of issue.

TRANSFER OF VISA: For transferring an Indian visa from an old passport to a new passport, the regular visa application form with 2 photographs is required along with a fee of NIS 30. A person can also travel on a valid visa on an expired passport if the visa has not been cancelled. In such a case, the person will have to carry the new passport as well as the old passport.

TRANSIT VISA: a transit visa is granted for the sole purpose of enabling the holder to travel through India to reach his/her ultimate destination. Change of purpose is not allowed. The visa will ordinarily be valid for a single/double journey and for entry within 15 days of date of issue of visa. The Transit Visa is valid for direct transit only for a maximum period of 3 days. Confirmed airline ticket for onward journey and valid visa for final destination are required. For a stay in India beyond 3 days, an appropriate visa should be obtained.

BUSINESS VISA: Valid up to a maximum for one year with multiple entries. However, the period of stay in India (for each visit) under this category is limited to six months only. A letter from the sponsoring organization indicating nature of applicant’s business, probable duration of stay, validity of visa, places and organizations to be visited and also a guarantee to meet maintenance expenses etc. should accompany the application.

EMPLOYMENT VISA: An appointment letter, contract letter, applicant’s resume and proof that the organization is registered in India are required. Duration of visa would depend on the period of the contract.

STUDENT VISA: (Valid for the period of stay in India). Multiple-entry visas are given to bona fide students to pursue regular studies at recognized institutions in India. A letter confirming admission from such an institution along with evidence of financial arrangements for stay in India should accompany the application. In case of admission in medical or paramedical courses in India, a letter of Approval or No Objection certificate from the Ministry of Health, Government of India, is also required. Similarly, for admission to graduate or post-graduate courses in engineering/technical institutions in India, a letter of approval or a No Objection certificate from the Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Education) is required.

RESEARCH VISA: Approval of Ministry of Human Resources Development (Department of Education), New Delhi, should accompany the visa application. The validity of the visa would coincide with the research period.

JOURNALIST VISA: Journalist visa is given to professional journalists and photographers for up to three months’ stay in India. (If you are intending to make a documentary in India, kindly contact Information Wing of the Embassy).

CONFERENCE VISA: A letter of invitation from the organizer of the conference is to be attached along with the visa application. Visas for international conferences, or on certain subjects, as decided by the Government of India from time to time, can be issued only after clearance for the said conference is received from the Government of India.

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VISA FEE SCHEDULE

Note: Visa fee is accepted only in cash. Personal cheques and credit cards are not accepted

FEE STRUCTURE FOR VISA SERVICES

Type of Visa	Israeli Passports	Foreign Passports	American Passports
TRANSIT VISA	NIS 100	NIS 120	NIS 220
TOURIST VISA Up to 6 months More than 6 months-1 year More than 1 year – 5 years	NIS 200 NIS 330 NIS 650	NIS 220 NIS 350 NIS 670	NIS 320 NIS 450 NIS 770
STUDENT VISA (duration of the course or up to 5 years)	NIS 380	NIS 400	NIS 500
BUSINESS VISA Up to 1 year More than 1 year up to 5 years	NIS 600 NIS 1000	NIS 620* NIS 1020*	NIS 820 NIS 1220
EMPLOYMENT VISA Up to 6 month More than 6 months – Up to 1 year More than 1 year – Up to 5 years	NIS 5000 NIS 5200 NIS 5600	NIS 420* NIS 620* NIS 1020*	NIS 620 NIS 820 NIS 1220
OTHER THAN TRANSIT/ TOURIST/ STUDENT/ BUSINESS/ EMPLOYMENT Up to 6 months More than 6 months – Up to 1 year More than 1 year – Up to 5 years	NIS 400 NIS 600 NIS 1000	NIS 420 NIS 620 NIS 1020	NIS 520 NIS 720 NIS 1120

Note: Non-Israeli Nationals, holding Israeli tourist or short term visas should submit an additional NIS 20 for reference to be made with the Indian Mission in their countries of origin/permanent residence (Processing time: 4 working days)

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EMERGENCY SERVICES

Emergency visas are granted in case of a genuine emergency like death or illness of a blood relation, subject to production of proof and confirmed air tickets. The charges for issuing an emergency visa will be NIS 180 in addition to visa fees as applicable. You may wish to enquire from the concerned officer about arrangements for such emergency service. The decision of the Consular Officer in this matter shall be final.

# 1. For visa fees applicable to nationals of the Russian Federation, Romania, Japan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Singapore, information will be available at the visa counter.

# 2. GRATIS VISA is issued to the nationals of Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mongolia, Mauritius, South Africa, and Uruguay. However, Visa is not required for nationals of Nepal and Bhutan. Please note that a telex fee of NIS 20 will be charged in the case of above nationals applying for visa.

* 1. For Business Visa applicable to nationals of Ecuador, New Zealand, Ukraine, France, Australia, Czech Republic, Iran, Ireland, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, UK, Thailand, UAE, information will be available at the Visa Counter.

* 2. For Employment Visa fees applicable to the nationals of Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, Austria, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, UAE, Turkey, Iran, information will be available at the Visa Counter.

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Registration formalities for foreigners visiting India on Long Term Visa

List of documents required at the time of registration with the Foreigners Registration Officer.

1. Photocopy of the passport and initial visa.

2. Four photographs of the applicant.

3. Details of residence in India.

4. HIV test report from one of the WHO recognized institutions from people in the age group of 15 to 60 years, if the foreigner is visiting India on a visa for more than one year.

5. Copy of the marriage certificate in case of those seeking extension of stay on grounds of being married to an Indian national.

6. Bona-fide certificate from University/College/Institution in case of student visa.

7. Accreditation certificate from the Press Information Bureau in case of Journalist visa.

8. Approval of the Department of Company Affairs in the case of board level appointees in Public limited companies.

9. Two copies of the approval of Government of India in case of a joint venture or collaboration.

10. Copy of permission from the RBI in case of business/joint venture etc.

11. Terms and conditions of appointments and copy of contract or agreements, in case of employment visa.

12. Undertaking (in the format given below) from the concerned Indian company on the following lines in case of employment/business visa:-

NOTE: The following categories of foreigners are exempted from registration.

1. All foreigners (including those of Indian origin), except those covered under special categories mentioned in paras 2-6 below, are required to register themselves with the concerned District Foreigners Registration Officer/Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, within 14 days of their first arrival in India, if they hold a visa for a period which is more than 180 days. This registration is required to be done irrespective of the fact whether or not they intend to stay in India for less or more than 180 days – i.e. the deciding factor is the period for which visa has been granted and not actual stay.

2. US nationals: US nationals who are granted 10 years validity tourist or business visa which has the mandatory stipulation that each stay in India will not exceed 180 days, are NOT required to register themselves with the concerned FRO/FRRO if their continuous stay does not exceed 180 days. If due to any valid reason, the continuous stay exceeds 180 days, the foreigner should approach the concerned FRO/FRRO for registration, who will in turn register them and grant permission for their exit from India.

3. Foreigners of Indian Origin: Foreigners of Indian origin desiring to visit India for short periods each year to meet their relatives etc. can be granted 5 years multiple entry ‘X’ visa with a stipulation that each stay shall not exceed 180 days. In this case, no registration would be required if the foreigner does not stay beyond 180 days. In case a foreigner of Indian origin is desirous of staying continuously for longer periods, the Mission could grant up to 5 year validity ‘X’ visa without the stipulation of each stay not to exceed 180 days. In the latter case, the usual condition of registration required within 14 days of first arrival in India (as per the foot note on the visa sticker) would apply.

4. Foreigners actively engaged in tourism/travel trade: Foreigners actively engaged in tourism/travel trade, desirous of visiting India frequently over extended periods for promotion of tourism etc. can also be granted up to 5 year validity tourist visas with the stipulation that each stay shall not exceed 180 days. Accordingly, they would not require any registration with the FRO/FRRO.

5. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI Scheme): The Government of India launched the OCI Scheme with effect from November 14, 2005 for persons of Indian origin. Details of the scheme may please be seen at the link “Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme” of this Embassy’s Website.

6. PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) Card holders: Following the introduction of the PIO Card scheme, PIO card holders are eligible for visa free entry into India for a period of the validity of the card i.e. 15 years, and they are NOT required to register themselves with the concerned FRO/FRRO if their continuous stay does not exceed 180 days. If the continuous stay exceeds 180 days, the foreigner should approach the concerned FRO/FRRO for registration within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days, who will in turn register them.

7. Children below 16 years: As per para 2 of Registration of Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 1957, children below the age of 16 years are exempt from the requirement of registration.

8. It is clarified that a foreigner coming to India is required to register only once within the stipulated period, as discussed above, even though he/she may go out of India on multiple entry facility during the validity of the visa. Only if he/she enters India on a new visa will he/she be required to register again.

9. In case of visas having a stipulation of each stay not to exceed 180 days (see para 2, 3 and 4 above), the Mission will make the following endorsement in the special endorsement column of the visa sticker.

“EACH STAY NOT TO EXCEED 180 DAYS, HENCE NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED”

10. It may be noted that failure to register within the stipulated time, as mentioned above, is a contravention of the prescribed rules and would invite appropriate punitive action.

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Contact Information of Foreigners Registration Officers in India

New Delhi

Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)

1^st Floor, Hans Bhavan

Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg

Near ITO, New Delhi

Phone: 011-23319489/23755183/25652389

FRRO & Deputy Commissioner of Police

Special Branch –II (CID)

Mumbai

Phone: 022-22621169/22620721/28350098

Chief Immigration Officer

Shastry Bhavan Annexe

26, Haddows Road

Chennai

Phone: 044-28277036/22340589

S.P. (Immigration and CID)

Interrogation Centre

PCP Attari Rail Mal Mandi

Amritsar

Phone: 0183-225456/227605/382630

DIG (Border)

Intelligence Branch

13-Lord Singh Road

Kolkata

Phone: 033-22470549/25528830

At other places, the Superintendents of Police (SP) of the Districts are Registration Officers for Foreigners

The registration officer would issue a Certificate of Registration. The foreigner should surrender these certificates at the office where they are registered or of the place where they intend to depart or to the immigration officer at the port/check post of exit from India. If the certificate is surrendered to other than the immigration officer at the port/check post of exit, the foreigners should produce the receipt indicating such surrender of the document to the immigration officer at the post/check post or exit

Registration is required to be done only once within the stipulated period, even though he/she may go out of India on multiple entry facility during the validity of the visa. Only if he/she enters India on a new visa will he/she be required to register again.

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Other Requirements

Foreigners can visit restricted/protected areas only after getting a valid permit as visa alone is not enough to visit such places.

Health Requirement: Foreigners coming from or through yellow fever countries/zones must possess a valid vaccination certificate.

Arrival/Departure: All visitors to India are required to fill Disembarkation/Embarkation cards which are available with the airlines and the airports in India.

CAUTION

Wildlife: The Indian Wildlife Protection Act bans all forms of wildlife trade. Violations of the provisions of the act are punishable with heavy fines and imprisonment. Travelers are, therefore, advised not to buy any wildlife or wildlife products or derivatives – especially ivory articles, fur and skin articles derived from wild animals such a Shahtoosh.

Drugs: The travellers should not buy, sell or use psycho-tropic drugs or any narcotic substances while in India, as their purchase, sell or possession is a cognizable offence punishable by imprisonment.

For Tourist information of India: www.tourism.gov.in; www.incredibleindia.org

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Consular Holidays – 2010

Besides Saturdays and Sundays, other holidays to be observed by the Embassy during the year 2010, will be as following:

Dates may change at short notice. Please check with the Embassy by calling (03) 529-1999

S.No.	HOLIDAY	DATE	DAY
1.	Republic Day	26 January	Tuesday
2.	Milad-Un-Nabi or Id-E-Milad(Birthday of Prophet Mohammed)	27 February	Saturday
3.	Holi	01 March	Monday
4.	Mahavir Jayanti	28 March	Sunday
5.	Passover(Pessach)	30 March	Tuesday
6.	Passover(Pessach)	05 April	Monday
7.	Independence Day of Israel	20 April	Tuesday
8.	Shavuot	19 May	Wednesday
9.	Independence Day of India	15 August	Sunday
10.	Rosh Hashanah	09 September	Thursday
11.	Idu'l Fitr	11 September	Saturday
12	Sukkot	23 September	Thursday
13.	Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday	02 October	Saturday
14.	Dussehra(Vijaya Dashami)	17 October	Sunday
15	Diwali(Deepavali)	05 November	Friday
16.	Guru Nanak Birthday	21 November	Sunday
17.	Christmas Day	25 December	Saturday

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