How to Convert a Tourist Visa to X Visa in India?

Visiting India on a tourist visa with a specific time and looking for options to extend it? Well, do you know you can simply convert your tourist visa to X visa in India by applying through the FRO/ FRRO? Among tourists, India is a popular destination for travel. The country offers historic sites, vibrant culture, mouth-watering food, rich history, and a warm welcome. To travel the country, a tourist visa is a popular option among foreign individuals. 

However, the visa comes with certain limitations, which are overcome by the X visa. However, not everyone can convert their visa to an X visa, there are some eligibility criteria for it. Want to know about it and the detailed procedure of tourist visa conversion to an X visa in India? Then, you are in the right place. In this blog, we will know all about the X visa, from eligibility to conversion and document requirements. So, let's begin reading. 

Who is Eligible to Convert a Tourist Visa to X Visa in India?

An X visa, also popularly known as an entry visa, is granted by the Indian government to specific foreign individuals. The key purpose of this visa is to help unite a person of Indian origin or a foreigner with their children, spouse, and dependents in the country. However, as mentioned above, this visa is not for all foreign individuals who are traveling to India on a tourist visa. 

There are certain restrictions for it with basic eligibility criteria stated below:

• A person of Indian origin who is eligible for an X visa but came to the country on a tourist visa. They can convert their tourist visa to X visa in India if they want to stay in the country for a longer duration. Before applying, they should ensure that they belong to the Indian origin or have held an Indian passport in the past.
• Individuals whose parents/grandparents or great-grandparents were permanent Indian residents are also eligible to apply for an X visa.
• Children of Indian citizens who are permanent residents or citizens of other countries. In this case, the child should have one Indian parent who currently holds passport of India.
• A foreign citizen who married an Indian. He/she can convert his/her tourist visa to X visa in India by submitting the required documents. However, the visa conversion is only possible when the Indian partner holds a valid passport of India. 

These are the eligibility criteria a person needs to fulfill to convert his/her tourist visa to X visa in India. Now, moving ahead, let's know about the procedure of visa conversion in detail. 

What Is the Process to Convert a Tourist Visa to X Visa in India?

To convert your tourist visa to X visa in India, follow the steps below and enjoy your stay in the country for an extended time:

Step 1: Before applying for the visa conversion, first check whether you are eligible for it or not.

Step 2: Visit the official site of the Indian Bureau of Immigration and fill out the visa conversion application form. 

Step 3: Fill out the X visa application form, asking for basic visa information such as your current visa number, expiry date, visa issue country, contact information, and more.

Step 4: Submit the application online on the site. In addition, take a printout of the application for the physical submission of it to FRRO/FRO. 

Step 5: Book an appointment at FRRO/FRO for application submission. There are many FRRO centers in India available for your application submission. With your visa application, do not forget to carry documents like proof of relationship/ marriage with an Indian citizen. In some cases, the FRO can be the office of the local police commissioner.

Step 6: Once you have submitted your application to the FRO and paid the fee, local officials will do the background check for information verification.

Step 7: After the background check, your visa application will be based on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Step 8: The MHA will first check the visa application and either accept or reject it. If your application gets accepted, your passport will get an X visa stamp. 

Here is how you can apply for an entry visa in India, following the steps above. However, you cannot make the conversion directly to the MHA. The Indian X visa application should first be applied for at the FRRO/FRO. In addition, only those visa applications are sent to MHA for approval that pass the background check. Moving further, let's know about the documents required for the conversion of a tourist visa to X visa in India. 

Required Documents for the Tourist Visa Conversion to X Visa?

Along with the X visa application form, applicants need to submit the following documents during the visa conversion process:

• Passport and current visa of a person who wishes to change his/her tourist or other visa into an X visa.
• Marriage certificate, consisting names of both partners. The certificate should be issued by a reliable government authority. 
• ID proof of the Indian partner. The ID proof should be issued by the Indian government, such as a passport, Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving license, or more. 
• A recent passport-size photograph of the applicant. The visa photo should be according to the X visa requirements stated by the Indian government.
• A valid address proof showing residency in the country. It can be either a lease/rent agreement or a utility bill. 
• Reports and security clearance from the police officials that validate the marriage. The report should be submitted to the police station where the applicant resides.
• Apart from all these documents, the visa applicant also needs to submit an Indemnity bond. It should be written on Rs.100 stamp paper and have the signature of the Indian partner on it. 

These are the documents that you need to carry during your X visa India application submission at the MHA. Now, moving ahead, let's know the X visa processing time and validity in India.

X Visa Processing Time and Validity

The conversion of a tourist visa to X visa in India generally takes 2 to 6 months to process. However, the given time may vary depending on several factors such as an increased number of visa applications, individual circumstances, and your stay duration. Additionally, you can also receive the visa within a few weeks. In case your tourist visa is expiring before getting an X visa, FRO/FRRO can provide you with an extension. 

With this, talking about the validity of the X or entry visa, it can be extended yearly for up to 5 years. In case you need more extension, send the extension proposal to the MHA for approval. 

This is all about the X visa processing time and validity. Also, there are several types of X visas available as per eligibility, such as X-1 visa, X-2 visa, X-3 visa, and more. With visa conversion, you can also apply for an X1 visa extension or other visa extensions as per your applied visa type.

Conversion of Other Visas to X Visa

Do you know that apart from a tourist visa, you can also convert other visas into an X visa? Want to know about them? Read below and get your answers:

• Citizens of Indian origin who visited the country on an employment or a business visa can change their visa into an X visa.
• Foreign citizens who come to the country on a business or employment visa can also convert their current visa. However, this conversion is only done when the applicant falls ill and is unable to leave the country. In this situation, they will get a medical visa. In addition, any family accompanying that applicant can also convert their visa into a Med X visa. 

These are the other visas that you can convert into an X visa. However, when applying for this, you need to provide accurate proof to avoid any legal issues in the country. 

Simply Convert Your Tourist Visa to X Visa with Visament

By following the above-mentioned procedure, this is how you can convert your tourist visa to X visa in India. In case you have any confusion or need assistance in the conversion of other visas to the X visa, you can contact Visament. Our team has years of experience in the visa and immigration field. They can guide you better. Apart from this, we also provide OCI card services to our clients who are Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) or married to an Indian citizen at competitive prices. So, do consider us if you need assistance in any of these services. Surely, you will receive quality services with proper guidance.