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All foreign nationals who wish to come to India must have their own country's valid passport and an Indian visa. This is however an exception for nationals of Tibet and Bhutan who do not require a visa but only if they come from their own countries. Nationals of Maldives do not require a visa for initial 90 days.

Depending on the nature of one's visit, the following categories are defined to apply for a visa. These categories cannot be changed once the person has reached India:

TOURIST VISA
TRANSFER OF VISA
TRANSIT VISA
ENTRY VISA
BUSINESS VISA
EMPLOYMENT VISA
STUDENT VISA
RESEARCH VISA
MISSIONARIES
JOURNALIST VISA
CONFERENCE VISA

In India, there is no provision of 'Visa on Arrival'. But there is a provision of granting 'Temporary Landing facility (TLF)/ Temporary Landing Permit (TLP) which allows foreign nationals to enter India under emergency situations as death in the family etc. on payment of US $ 40.

The power of Visa conversion rests with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The change of visa status from one category to another category is normally not allowed. It can be considered by MHA only in extraordinary circumstances. For this purpose the foreigners can approach the Foreigners Division, MHA, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi between 10 AM to 12 AM on all working days (Monday to Friday).