Answer : A conference via is granted to a foreigner-

1. whose sole objective of visiting India is to attend a conference / seminar or workshop being held in India ;
2. who holds a valid passport, and a re-entry permit if that is required under the law of the country of nationality of the applicant;
3. who is not a persona-non- grata to the Government of India;
4. who is not considered an undesirable person and is not the subject of a black list or any warning circular or other restrictive list; and
5. who is a person of assured financial standing (the production of a return ticket and availability of sufficient money to spend during his stay in India may be considered sufficient   for this purpose).

Answer

1. Indian Missions are authorized to issue conference visas to delegates on production of an invitation to a conference/seminar/workshop being organized in India by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations, Public Sector Undertakings, Central Educational Institutions, Public Funded Universities [list of such institutions is available on the website www.mhrd.gov.in and the website of the University Grants Commission (www.ugc.ac.in)], or an organization owned and controlled by the Government of India or any State Government / UT, United Nations or its Specialized Agencies. The Missions will process the cases for grant of visas and after satisfying themselves, grant visas to the participants of such events except in cases indicated in para (iii) below.
2. (ii) If the conference/seminar/workshop is sponsored by an NGO or a private institution, the Mission should scrutinize the background of the NGO/ private institution and, on being satisfied, grant visa to the participants except in cases indicated in sub para (iii) below. If the Mission concerned has any doubt about the background of the sponsoring NGO/ private institution, the matter should be referred to MEA and MHA for verification of the background of the NGO/ private institution concerned. However, in respect of all international sports events, the organizer shall submit the proposal for holding the international sports event to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for prior clearance. Visas to the participants of the international sport events shall be issued by the Indian Missions/ Posts only on production of the requisite clearance from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports shall refer the following categories of international sports events to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs, with their recommendations, for prior clearance, at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the event:-
   1. Events involving participants from the Prior Reference Category (PRC) countries i.e. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistani origin and Stateless persons.
   2. Events where participants are required to visit 'Restricted' or 'Protected' areas in India, or areas affected by terrorism, militancy and extremism etc. viz. Jammu & Kashmir and the North Eastern States (other than the States of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland).

   In cases involving participants from the Prior Reference Category countries (i.e. Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistani origin and Stateless persons), complete details of such participants should be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) in the following format along with the proposal at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the event. In such cases, visa shall be granted by the Indian Missions/ Posts only to those individuals whose cases have been specifically authorized for grant of visa by the Ministry of Home Affairs.




Sl. No	Name of appli-cant	Father’s / Husb-and’s Name	Date of Birth	Place of Birth	Nationality	Passport Number	Date of Issue &	Place of issue	Date of Expiry	Address in Country of Residence	Online Visa Application Number
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12




The Missions shall carefully examine the subject of the conferences/seminars/workshops and Visa shall not be issued for events which involve politically and/ or socially sensitive subjects.

3. Cases requiring prior authorization from MEA and MHA



The Missions will be required to make a prior reference to MEA and MHA before granting conference visas to foreigners participating in conferences/ seminars/ workshops etc. in India in the following cases:-

1. Participants are from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistani origin and Stateless persons; and
2. Participants of conferences /seminars/workshops who are required to visit 'Restricted' or 'Protected' areas in India, or areas affected by terrorism, militancy and extremism etc. viz. Jammu & Kashmir and the North Eastern States (other than the States of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland).



In the above cases, MEA will examine the proposal along with MHA clearance may be granted within four weeks. Clearance will be conveyed to the Missions and organizers of the conference. In case a Mission needs clarifications about the organizers, it can also refer the case to MEA and MHA. In such cases, visas will be issued after the Mission receives the requisite clarifications.

Answer

The request for holding international Conference/seminars/workshops requiring security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) in terms of sub para (iii) of FAQ-2, sponsored by Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administration, Public Sector Undertaking, Central Educational Institutions, Public Funded Universities or an organization owned and controlled by the Government of India or any State government/UT, United Nationals or its specialized Agencies, NGO or a Private Institutions may apply for obtaining security clearance online .

Answer

No, the request to participate in the international conference/seminar/workshop shall be made directly to the Mission. The Mission should scrutinize the background of the NGO/ private institution and, on being satisfied, may grant visa to the participants. If the Mission concerned has any doubt about the background of the sponsoring NGO/ private institution, the matter should be referred to MEA and MHA for verification of the background of the NGO/ private institution concerned.

Answer

The request for holding international conferences requiring security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) in terms of Prior Reference Categories as mentioned above may be made an individual or authorized person by company/Organization/PSUs/NGO/Govt. Bodies on http://conference.mha.gov.in. After getting login and password, details as required in the online application form shall be filled with supporting documents.

Answer

Prior Security clearance of MHA in respect of international Conference/seminars/workshops in India sponsored by Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administration, Public Sector Undertaking, Central Educational Institutions, Public Funded Universities or an organization owned and controlled by the Government of India or any State government/UT, United Nationals or its specialized Agencies, NGO or a Private Institutions is necessary only for those events which are covered by the parameters as mentioned below:

1. Participants are from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistani origin and Stateless persons; and
2. Participants of conferences /seminars/workshops who are required to visit 'Restricted' or 'Protected' areas in India, or areas affected by terrorism, militancy and extremism etc. viz. Jammu & Kashmir and the North Eastern States (other than the States of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland).

Answer

The organizers have to upload details of even(s), details of participants, NOC from Nodal Ministry/Department, if any, Political Clearance from Ministry of External Affairs.

The participants should have a valid national passport or any other internationally recognised travel document establishing his/her nationality and identity and bearing (a)his/her photograph, and (b) a valid visa for India granted by an authorised Indian representative abroad. Passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making application for grant of visa. Passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer. Copy of online filled form, letter of invitation from India and proof of Residential Address.

Answer

In the event of a foreign national availing short duration visas such as Conference Visa, Transit visa, e-Visa and Visa-on-Arrival while already having a long duration visa for India like multiple entry Tourist/ Business/ Employment/ Student/ Research Visas, the long duration visas will not get cancelled. In such cases, while granting the short duration visa like Conference Visa/ Transit Visa, the Indian Mission/ Post concerned may keep the long duration visa on hold for the period of the short duration visa. The status of holding of long duration visa of the foreigner shall be reflected in the Central Database of IVFRT. In case the foreigner is availing e-Visa or Visa-on-Arrival, the Immigration authorities may keep the long duration visa on hold for the period of the short duration visa, which shall be reflected in Central Database of IVFRT. The long duration visa will remain on hold for the period for which the short duration visa is valid. On expiry of the validity of the short duration visa, the main visa (long duration visa) will automatically become ‘UNHOLD’ and the same will be reflected in the Central Database.

A foreign national intending to attend an International Conference/ seminar/ workshop while already in India on Business/ Employment / Student/ Research visa may seek prior permission of the FRRO/ FRO concerned by making a suitable application along with all relevant details. However, in respect of cases falling within the parameters of Prior reference categories, such permission shall be granted by FRRO/ FRO concerned only with the prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Answer: A conference Visa shall be refused in the following cases:

1. where there is reasonable ground to suspect that the purpose of the visit is other than the stated objective and that the applicant may try to prolong the stay in India by seeking employment or set up a business, or join an educational institution, or on any other ground;
2. where the proposed event involves politically and/ or socially sensitive subjects.
3. when a person who first applies for a long-term visa, withdraws the application and applies for a conference visa; and
4. where a person is considered undesirable or is a subject of black-list, warning circular or any other restrictive list as may be applicable.

Answer: A conference Visa shall be refused in the following cases:

1. There is no objection to the delegates coming to attend conference etc. in India combining tourism with attending the conference. Missions may, therefore, at their discretion grant visas for the required period. Such visa shall not exceed 6 months, subject to usual conditions applicable for the grant of the Tourist visa.
2. Visas to participants covered in prior reference categories to MHA should not be granted for duration longer than that may be specified by MEA & MHA or the minimum period required.