How to maximize your India visa?
Many Israelis want to stay in India for as long as possible "continuously", meaning with minimal departures from the country and a quick return to India.
We have compiled for you the system's recommendation on how to do this in the smartest way.
The main rules of the visa:
you Visa to India Issued in advance on the official website of the Government of India or through agents who assist in the process.
The visa is valid for one year from the date of approval.
Each entry allows a continuous stay of 90 days within India. After 90 days, you must leave India to have your passport stamped in another country and you can return to India the day after.
There is a limit of 180 days of stay in India in each calendar year (between January and December).
What does this mean in practice?
If you enter India in the middle of the year, for example in June or July, you can plan your dates wisely and stay in the country for almost a year in a row, except for departures that may be short. Here is the detailed plan:
Planning to maximize your time in India
- July - First entry into India and stay until October, 90 days.
- October - Short trip (possibly to nearby countries like Nepal/Thailand/Vietnam and even Dubai.
- October to December - Return to India for another ninety days.
- End of December - another departure for ninety days. In the meantime, the calendar year changes, and thus the 180 days are reset.
- January to March - Re-entry into India for an additional ninety days.
- March to June - another and final departure, then return to India to finish the last ninety days of your remaining visa.
Important to know:
Indian visa laws are strict and it is important to cooperate with the Indian government on this matter. We strongly encourage you to carefully verify the dates that will allow you to stay in India legally and not exceed the allowed time!
If you happen to have an emergency that does not allow you to leave India within the allotted time (even one day is missed and requires treatment), please contact the relevant authorities such as the website frro who will help you issue a late exit permit (called an exit permit, and there is also a financial penalty). A visitor who attempts to leave without issuing a late exit permit may be delayed at the airport and sometimes be refused boarding the flight until the exception is settled with the Indian authorities.
We remind you that there is no such thing as extending a visa to India legally! Any extension offered to you by agents is not really legal and can get you into trouble with the Indian government, as well as harm your chances of receiving future visas to the country, in addition to financial fines and a lot of bureaucracy.
Please be sure to obey the rules and leave on time.
