Tourist visas are valid for six months form the date of issue and the cost may be Pounds Sterling 19/- USD 50/- CN$ 47/- A$45/- NZ$55/- approximately. You may be asked to specify whether you need a single-entry or a multiple-entry visa and the same rates apply to both, it is advisable to take a multiple-entry, in case you make a side trip to Nepal and other neighbouring country.

For other visas to foreigners of Indian Origin, business travellers and student can get five year visas. For details you may contact your nearest Indian embassy.

The best place to get a visa in you country of residence is from the embassies and high commissions of India in your country.

It may not be possible to extend tourist visas for more than six months in India unless you have a very valid reason to do so, such as illness.

If you want to stay for longer than six months, you may need to leave the country and apply for a new visa, one can go to Colombo, the capital of neighbouring Sri Lanka or to the Nepalese Capital - Kathmandu and get a fresh visa.

In UK, applications take between one hour and ninety minutes to be processed. We advise to turn up as early in the day as possible to collect an appointment ticket, which will tell you when you have to return to submit your form, along with three colour passport-sized photograph. Tourist visas are also available by post. It may take a minimum of fifteen working days in UK, check in advance the cost of the postage and packaging. If you are short of time or live a long way from the embassy, it is advisable to pay a visa agency to obtain the visa on your behalf, which in the UK costs from 24/- Pounds Sterling above the price of the Visa. In Britain the Visa agencies are - The Visa Service, 2 Northdown St. Kings Cross London N1. Tele. No. 0171/8332709 or Visa Express 31 Corsham St. London N1. Tele. No. 0171/251 4822. Most companies recommend you apply at least a week before you departure date, especially during peak season but Visa express will deliver in only 24 hours for an additional cost.

If you want to stay for longer than six months, you may need to leave the country and apply for a new visa, one can go to Colombo, the capital of neighbouring Sri Lanka or to the Nepalese Capital - Kathmandu and get a fresh visa. At Katmandu Europeans need letter of recommendation. You may have to wait for a week, extra charges for communication to India to process your visa has to be borne by you.

In US, visas are usually available on the same day if you apply in person by noon, but check your nearest embassy, high commission or consulate to be be sure. Tourist visas are also available by post. This takes five days if you mail your application, accompanied by two passport photos, by Federal Express. If you are short of time or live a long way from the embassy, it is advisable to pay a visa agency to obtain the visa on your behalf, which may costs little above the price of the Visa. In US the Visa agencies are - Express Service, 2150 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 20, Washington. Tele. No. 202/337 2442. Most companies recommend you apply ablest a week before you departure date, especially during peak season but Visa express will deliver in only 24 hours for an additional cost.

In other countries you may contact the nearest Indian embassy.