All foreign nationals, including children, require a visa to enter India. The only exceptions are nationals of Nepal and Bhutan who can enter India without a visa. (Note: Nepalese nationals need a visa if entering India from China).

Visa fees once deposited cannot be refunded even if requested service is modified or not granted. Validity of the visa begins from the date of issue.

Renunciation / Surrender Certificate Guidelines for Persons of Indian Origin
The renunciation / surrender certificate procedure and fee structure is based on the date, the Person of Indian Origin, has acquired Australian/Foreign Citizenship.
Please review the detail checklist on www.vfs-in-au.net on the effective date.

If the Date of Australian / Foreign Citizenship is on or before 31-May -2010	If the Date of Australian / Foreign Citizenship is after 31- May - 2010
If the Indian Passport is not cancelled or is lost/damaged and not in possession (the applicant will need to provide a statutory declaration attested by a JP): For OCI/PIO/VISA Applications $25 cancellation fee is payable and a cancellation certificate will be issued along with the requested service. If the Indian Passport is cancelled the applicant will need to submit a photocopy proof of the bio page of the cancelled passport and no cancellation fee will be applicable.	If the Indian Passport is not cancelled or is lost/damaged and not in possession (the applicant will need to provide a statutory declaration attested by a JP): For OCI/PIO/VISA Application $273 is payable along with the submission of the OCI/PIO/VISA application and the surrender certificate will be issued along with the requested service. If the surrender certificate is already acquired only a copy of the same needs to be submitted and no additional fee will be applicable.

Penalty Rates may also apply and will be levied as per the schedule of penalties

Foreigners coming from or through yellow fever countries must have a valid vaccination certificate.

Foreigners entering India on long term visas valid for more than 180 days should follow the relevant registration formalities. All persons who hold Student Visa, Employment Visa and Research Visa which are valid for more than 180 days are required to get themselves registered with the nearest Foreign Registration Office (FRO) or Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival in India.

For all other types of visas which are valid for more than 180 days registration is required only if the person plans to stay more than 180 days on any single visit. This registration should be done at the earliest but definitely before expiry of 180 days from the date of entry into India.

Children below 16 years are exempted from Registration formalities.