CONFERENCE VISA
Eligibility
A Conference visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is to attend a conference / seminar or workshop being held in India. Conference visa may be granted for international conferences held to discuss a particular subject or for a seminar or workshop on a specific subject. For Business meetings, to discuss business matters of a particular company/ organization and Board meetings, a foreigner may obtain either a Business Visa or e-Business Visa. Conference Visa shall not be issued for events which involve politically and/ or socially sensitive subjects.
Procedure for prior clearance for holding an international conference / seminar / workshop (event clearance):
- Prior clearance of the Ministry of Home Affairs for holding an event (i.e. international conference/ seminar/ workshop) will be required only in following cases: -
- a) If there are participants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistani origin and Stateless persons; and
- b) If the participants are required to visit 'Restricted' or 'Protected' areas in India, Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeastern States (other than the States of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland).
- If an event, which from the stand point of parameters mentioned above, is being organized in India by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations, Public Sector Undertakings, Central Educational Institutions, Public Funded Universities or an organization owned and controlled by the Government of India or any State Government / UT, United Nations or its Specialized Agencies, the organizer concerned shall forward the proposal with complete details to the Ministry of Home Affairs at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the event. In respect of participants from countries mentioned above, details in the following format should be sent to MHA at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the event:
| Sl. No. | Name of applicant | Father’s /Husband’s Name | Nationality | Date of Birth | Place of Birth | Passport Number | Date & Place of Issue | Date of Expiry | Address |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
- If an event, which from the stand point of parameters mentioned above is being organized in India by a private organizer- be it an NGO or a private institution-, the organizer concerned shall forward the proposal with complete details to the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) within 60 days prior to the commencement of the event with complete details of the participants from the above mentioned countries in the format given in sub-para (ii) above.
- Participants from the countries specified above are required to apply for visa at the Indian Mission concerned ‘online’.
- All such proposals requiring clearance in terms of the above-mentioned paras should be addressed to the Section Officer (CC), Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division), Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, India Gate, New Delhi-110002.
- When the event is cleared, the Ministry of Home Affairs will inform the Missions concerned accordingly and will authorize the grant of visa in respect of specific individuals.
Duration of visa
Delegates (other than Pakistani nationals) coming to attend conference etc. in India can combine tourism with attending the conference. Indian Missions may at their discretion grant visas for the required period.
A foreign national intending to attend an International Conference/ seminar/ workshop while already in India on Business/ Employment / Student/ Research visa may seek prior permission of the FRRO/ FRO concerned by making a suitable application along with all relevant details.
For more details, kindly visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/