Passport and Visa

International conference participants planning to participate in a conference at IIT Madras are advised to follow the following instructions for the visa application procedure:

Visa Type: A Conference Visa is compulsory to attend an international conference in India. Other visa categories (business, tourist, or student) will not be acceptable.

Visa Application Details:

e-Visa: We recommend applying for an e-Conference Visa through https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ - this process generally takes about 2-3 days.

Regular Visa: If you choose to apply at an Indian consulate or seek a regular conference visa through the usual online method, expect a processing period of 5-10 days. You may be asked to pick up the clearance in person from the consulate once they have processed it.

Required Documents to Obtain a Conference Visa:

Clearance: IIT Madras will secure necessary clearances from the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). These will then be forwarded to international participants.

Invitation Letter: You will receive an official invitation from IIT Madras, complete with the event letterhead and signed by the event convenor.

Passport and Visa Requirements:

International attendees must ensure they possess a passport with a minimum of six months validity beyond the planned date of departure from India post-conference, along with a valid visa.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Clearance: The online visa application might indicate that a clearance from the MHA is necessary. This specifically applies only to participants from Prior Reference Categories (PRC) or those intending to visit 'Restricted/Protected areas' as outlined by the MHA.

PRC countries include China, Taiwan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, and individuals of Pakistani origin or Stateless persons. Attendees from these groups will need MHA clearance.