Get a India Visa

Tourist Travel Requirements for an India Visa for Swiss Citizens

  1. Passport

    The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:

    • Have two blank facing visa pages
    • Be valid for six months beyond exit date

  2. Photograph(s)

    Two colour photographs. The photographs must:

    • Measure 5cm x 5cm without including the borders
    • Have a white background
    • Be taken within the last six months
    • Be identical

    and

    One digital Indian passport sized photograph. The photograph must be uploaded with the online application form during the registration process and must be identical to the other photographs provided for the application. A guideline for uploading a digital photograph can be found at http://www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/ under the tab "Photo requirements"

  3. Proof of Travel Arrangements

    A copy of the flight confirmation showing onward/return travel

  4. Letter of Authorisation

    A letter of authorisation, permitting CIBTvisas to represent the applicant is required. This letter must be signed by the applicant and give consent for the CIBTvisas representative to submit and collect the application on their behalf

  5. Visa Application Form(s)

    One fully completed and signed application form. This form must:

    • Be completed online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html
    • Be printed on two separate pages, forms that are copied back to back are not accepted
    • Be signed in the original on both pages in black ink only
    • Bear a signature that matches the applicant's passport
    • Be submitted to the Embassy within 45 calendar days of completion
    • Must match the number of entries selected on the CIBTvisas website
    • Indicate "Switzerland-Geneva" as the "Indian Mission"
    • Indicate the details of the last held passport or identity card of the applicant's previous or dual nationality, if applicable
    • Indicate the first port of entry which must match the first port of entry as shown in the proof of travel arrangements
    • Indicate under the "Previous Visit Details" the "Visa Number" and "Date of Issue" of the previous visa category, which can be obtained by contacting the Consulate of India. Applicants who have visited India before 2013 and are unable to provide this "Visa Number" must indicate "NO"

  6. CIBTvisas Order Confirmation

    For orders placed on the CIBTvisas website, a copy of the Online Order Confirmation which is sent to you via email, must be submitted.


    For all other orders, and where applicable, a completed CIBTvisas Visa Order Form which can be found in the CIBTvisas Application Pack should be submitted.


    Please note that all card payments will only be made upon completion of the visa application process. 

  7. Former Indian Nationals

    Under the Indian law, people of Indian origin, who have acquired foreign nationality, are required to surrender their Indian passport to the High Commission of India before submitting their visa applications. Once this process is complete, a Surrender Certificate will be issued. A copy of this certificate will need to be submitted with the application. In case the applicant does not have the Indian passports in their possession for any reason, they are required to furnish duly notarised affidavit in this regard. A police report is also required if the passport has been declared lost or stolen

  8. Charity and Media Professionals

    Visa approvals for applicants working in charity or media related professions will be referred to officials in India. As a result, processing time may extend for up to twelve weeks and additional consular fees may be charged.

    Media related professionals must provide an original letter stating that no media related work will be undertaken whilst in India

  9. Applicants of Sri Lankan Origin

    Applicants of Sri Lankan origin are required to fill in a supplementary form. Please contact CIBTvisas to request this form

  10. Holders of More Than One Valid Passport

    Applicants who have indicated in the visa application form holding a second passport must provide a copy of this passport

  11. Nationality Acquired by Naturalisation

    Applicants who acquired their nationality by naturalisation must provide the passport information of the nationality previously held. Shall the applicant not have this information on hand, a birth certificate will need to be provided.

  12. Dual Nationals

    Applicants holding a valid Pakistani passport and another valid passport must apply for their visa with their Pakistani passport.

Business Travel Requirements for an India Visa for Swiss Citizens

  1. Overseas Processing

    All applications are processed overseas which will incur additional courier fees

  2. Visa Validity

    Visas are valid from the date of issue, not from the arrival dateBusiness visas can be valid for up to 12 months. The definite decision regarding the validity period is made by the consulate

  3. Passport

    The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:

    • Contain at least two blank visa pages
    • Be valid for six months beyond exit date

  4. Copy of Passport Identification Page

    A clear copy of the information page(s) from the applicant's national passport

  5. Registration Certificate

    A current registration certificate ("Meldebescheinigung") that shows that the applicant is residing in Germany.

  6. Photograph(s)

    Two colour photographs. The photographs must:

    • Measure 5cm x 5cm without including the borders
    • Have a white background
    • Be taken within the last six months
    • Be identical

  7. Business Introduction Letter

    You must provide an original Business Cover Letter from the applicant's Swiss employer. All letters must be printed on company letterhead that displays a Swiss postal address. Use the sample Business Cover Letter provided here to complete your letter.

    All Business Cover Letters must be addressed to the Embassy or Consulate. The address of the diplomatic missions can be found here

    • Be addressed to: Generalkonsulat der Republik Indien, Widenmayerstraße 15, 80538 München

  8. Letter of Invitation

    A letter of invitation from the company the applicant is visiting. A copy is acceptable. This letter must:

    • Be on company letterhead paper
    • Include the name of the applicant
    • State the purpose of journey
    • State the date of entry
    • Specify the requested number of entries and the length of visa required
    • Be addressed to: Generalkonsulat der Republik Indien, Widenmayerstraße 15, 80538 München

  9. Company Registration Document

    The Certificate of Incorporation of the Indian company

  10. Visa Application Form(s)

    • Be completed online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html
    • Be printed recto-verso only 
    • Be signed in the original on both sides in black ink only
    • Bear a signature that matches the applicant's passport
    • Be submitted to the Embassy within 14 calendar days of completion
    • State "Germany-Munich" under Indian Mission
    The information stated in the visa application form must match the details given in the invitation. Differences may result in rejection of the visa application

  11. CIBTvisas Order Confirmation

    For orders placed on the CIBTvisas website, a copy of the Online Order Confirmation which is sent to you via email, must be submitted.


    For all other orders, and where applicable, a completed CIBTvisas Visa Order Form which can be found in the CIBTvisas Application Pack should be submitted.


    Please note that all card payments will only be made upon completion of the visa application process. 

  12. Visiting Special Administrative Regions

    For visits to the restricted area of Sikkim a completed supplementary form for visits to Indian restricted areas must be attached

  13. Holders of a Valid Visa

    Applicants for an Indian visa are not allowed to have any previous visa for India which is still valid.
    Disregarding this regulation will lead to an immediate refusal of the application and possibly to an entry ban for India

  14. Proof of Previous Visas

    Copies of all previously granted Indian visas must be attached to the application. If a passport containing a previous visa was destroyed, a written (official) confirmation is required.

  15. Former Iranian Nationals

    Former nationals of Iran must always submit a copy of their Iranian passport, irrespective of their current nationality.

  16. Applicants of Chinese Origin

    Applicants who previously held Chinese nationality must provide a declaration indicating they do not hold a Chinese passport, irrespective of their current nationality

  17. Additional Fees for Selected Nationals

    Other fees may be charged for former nationals of Afghanistan, China, Iran and Pakistan

India Visa FAQ

  1. When is the best time to apply for my India visa?

    The best time to apply for your India visa is 1-2 months before your travel date. However, if you are running short on time, we may be able to process your visa on a faster service at the Embassy’s discretion.
  2. Do I have to send you my passport to get a India visa? Is it safe to send a passport?

    Yes. You will need to send your actual passport, not a copy of it. The India visa is stamped on your passport and will become one of your passport pages. Visa request cannot be processed without your original passport. Because of the importance of your passport, we strongly suggest that you send your application by a secure method, such as a guaranteed postal service or courier.