Visitors with a valid Visa can stay in India for 180 days.
After that period, they must leave the country and can return only after a
minimum period of 2 months. This holds true even for people who hold
multiple-entry Visas and Visas that are valid for more than 180 days.
Any person who holds a Visa that is valid for more than 180
days must register within 14 days with the nearest office of the Foreign
Regional Registration Officer at the major metros ‑ Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and
Chennai. In other places, they must register with the Superintendant of Police.
Beside valid Passport and Visa, local permits might be needed to visit certain
parts of the country.
The North Eastern States
Most states in this region require visitors to obtain
special permits to visit them. All these states are located near sensitive
borders with China, Myanmar and Bhutan. Due to possible unrests in these
regions, there are more stringent requirements in these states.
Arunachal Pradesh
Foreigners must get a Protected Area Permit and travel in
groups of two or more people in this state. These PAPs are valid for a period
of 30 days.
Manipur
Protected Area Permits are required here, and
visitors must travel in groups of four or more. Married couples are allowed to
travel together. The permits are valid only for 10 days, and tourists can visit
only certain places such as Imphal, Loktat Lake, Lamjao Deer Sanctuary, and
Waithou Lake.
Mizoram
In Mizoram, the Protected Area Permits are also valid only
for 10 days, and the places that can be visited are limited. Visitors must
travel as married couple or in groups of four or more people.
Nagaland
To visit this state, foreigners must get a Restricted Area
Permit. Although this permit can be obtained from the Foreigner's Regional
Registration Office in Kolkata or from Indian Embassies abroad, this can be a
tedious process. The best place to get these permits is at the Nagaland House
in Delhi. Visitors must travel as married couple or in groups of four or more.
The states of Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya do
not require these types of permits. Recently, the permit requirements have been
relaxed for the states of Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram
