Short term Indian visa

Hi all,

I'm interested in passing through India on my way to somewhere else and I read that there is a "short term visa" for 15 days as long as you have proof of on-going tickets. Does anyone know anything about this visa? I can't find the information on any of the general visa pages. Is this visa available to US citizens? Thanks!

Is this visa available to US citizens?

China has a short term visa. Your best choice, if you plan to visit India again, is to apply for a 10-year in the States. The higher cost is negligible when amortized over 10 years.

It is usually advisable to have an onward ticket to anywhere, in any event. Immigration generally doesn`t care, the airlines do.

The Visa you are looking for is called a " Transit " Visa . It should be on there Visa page somewhere .

Edited by: freenote

So do you get 15 days in India or only 3 days in India within 15 days of receiving the visa? I'm a little confused.

Its 72 hours in a period of 15 days validity. You can usually get in one working day or less. In the past it was sometimes abused with little checking. Now after Mumbaii you might end up in Tihar jail. Actually my guess is that you would kept in a detention room for a day or so while finding a flight out. If you had a non-refundible ticket you are screwed. If they fine you (there is a schedule) you pay. Its possible they may ban you for some period or permanently or just blow it off (All 3 possibilties have been reported). Some people seem to be borne lucky and have just been passed out. Do you feel lucky kid (sorry)..

An odd note is that your airline luggage allowance lapses after 72 hours. If it was higher on your starting ticket you now get the local custom which may be lower. When it happened to me by 2 hours my wife was able to argue & plead it away. I saw an Amrikan family screw up big time by this. It was pathetic so check out the airline details as well. I am too old for that risk taking. But, like I said above..

Thanks for clarifying. I was hoping it was 15 days (a cheaper, easier version than the regular 6 month visa) but I'll have to apply for the real deal.