Vidhikarya Official support e-mail Contact Vidhikarya by phone Number vidhikarya whatsapp Number
Vidhikarya Official support e-mail info@vidhikarya.com Contact Vidhikarya by phone Number+917604047601 vidhikarya whatsapp Number+917604047602
Request Consultation
Free Legal Advice
Request Consultation Free Legal Advice
Immigration
  1. Home
  2. Legal Blog
  3. How Tourist Visa Can Be Converted to X/Entry Visa
Posted On : November 13, 2019

How Tourist Visa Can Be Converted to X/Entry Visa

Written By : Avik Chakravorty

Listen to this article   

Table of Contents

If a foreigner is married to someone whose domicile is in India one cannot apply for a spouse visa as there isn’t any scope to avail the visa. The question then arises as to how a foreigner spouse can enter India.   The visa category for Indian citizens with foreigner spouses is an X visa which is essentially entry visa exclusively for taking up residence in India. The X visa is not in lieu of a work permit and one is barred from working with an X Visa and if one does work then one would be violating the law and working illegally.


Those visiting India along with their spouse on a tourist visa, it is convertible into X visa or Entry visa so as to remain in the country for longer timescale. The X-visa is for individuals accompanied by their spouse visiting India on the student, employment or any other type of visa for the long term. If one is in India already and intends on transforming one’s visa from tourist to Entry, then, in that case, one most definitely can while be residing in India. The process, however, is long-drawn and therefore the conversion ought to be planned accordingly.

Besides, if one has an Indian lineage, one can extend one’s stay in the country by applying for this visa.


Eligibility criteria for conversion to Entry Visa from Tourist Visa


Every person visiting India on a tourist visa is not eligible to apply for the X-visa however there are a few criteria that need to be fulfilled to ascertain whether one is eligible for the conversion. and they are:

  • A visitor to India on a tourist visa is an Indian by birth. An Indian passport holder or is either the child or the grandchild of a person whose nationality is Indian

  • If ancestors were permanent residents of India then one would qualify to apply for X visa

  • If one spouse is an Indian citizen then the other spouse can apply for an entry visa directly from their country of origin or alternatively while visiting India as a tourist. If the parent of a child is of Indian origin then the child can apply for X visa if they are permanent residents of a foreign country. However, the parent must be an Indian passport holder.


    • Steps for Converting Indian Tourist Visa To Entry Visa


    • First and foremost, one ought to check whether one is eligible to apply for the entry visa

  • An online form ought to be filled up on the Indian Bureau of Immigration website

  • Next, the FRRO online form is needed to be duly filled and an appointment scheduled with the FRRO authorities after the form is verified

  • One ought to provide the proof of marriage/relationship to the FRRO for drilled-down investigation

  • The concerned authorities will perform a background check for winding-up of the process

  • According to the background check, the applicant will either be accepted or rejected

  • If the application is accepted, the application will be referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs and a cross-check will be performed.

  • If the application is approved by MHA, the passport will have an X visa or Entry visa. stamping


    • Process Alteration


    The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) used to regulate the conversion of tourist visas to X-visas at one time. In 2012 all of that changed and since then the applications are reviewed by the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of MHA.

    These days a visit to the nation’s capital is unnecessary as the application has to be sent online through the FRRO official website: https://indianfrro.gov.in/eservices/. Once the application is submitted a verification will be done by the concerned FRRO authorities and an appointment scheduled to one’s local FRRO. The status of the application can be tracked online quite seamlessly.


    Call 7604047601 for consultation with registered expert immigration lawyers on Vidhikarya.

    Recommended Free Legal Advices

    • Uk visa - 2 Response(s)

      He should apply for prospective entrepreneur to avoid future hassle.

    • taxes for non-residents - I came from Russia on a tourist visa - 1 Response(s)

      Dear Client, NRIs have to pay income tax on income earned in India. NRIs have to pay tax on income that accrues or arises in India. NRIs also need to pay tax on income which is deemed to accrue or arise in India. Money received or deemed to be received in India is taxable.

    • Student visa issue - 4 Response(s)

      Yes . U should apply another visa for educational purposes.

    • NRI Child Status in India - 2 Response(s)

      As per law father is the natural guardian of child above 5 years. Fluency in English does not mean that person is intelligent and sane. Many people like from china, Japan, USSR, Israel etc uses translator to communicate. 1. Since child is born in India hence till 18 he can have be Indian citizen or be Australian citizen and on attaining 18 child shall have option to choose citizenship of either country. 2. Yes. 3. Yes. On attaining 18 years he shall have option to choose citizenship of either country. 4. You cannot stop a person from filing case but you have right to defend and also to take precautions to save yourself from such frivolous cases.

    • Bus broke down and no alternative arrangements were given - 2 Response(s)

      Dear Client, A sudden breakdown of a vehicle on the road and if such break down is not caused by negligence or deficiency on the part of the service providers, i.e, the Bus Oner or Tourist Agent, then it may be considered as a force majeure, i.e, an event for which no party can be held accountable and a service provider cannot be held responsible for the default or deficiency. You arranged a cab for your urgency to reach your destination and the service provider issued you a ticket without any condition to make an alternative arrangement in case of a breakdown of the vehicle on the road. In such a situation, A technical glitch in a mechanical or electronic device is not considered a human error unless it is proved that such an error is caused by a human. So, your standalone complaint to the authority/consumer forum claiming compensation from the service provider may not stand applying the doctrine of force majeure.

    Our Expert Lawyers in Immigration

    Abhimanyu

    Abhimanyu Shandilya

    From Kolkata

    Recommended blog article

    How NRIs Can Bring Their Families to India: Immigration Procedures
    Posted On : April 29, 2025

    How NRIs Can Bring Their Families to India: Immigration Procedures

    Bringing family members from abroad to India is a complex process that needs careful following of Immigration Procedures. For many Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), reuniting with their loved ones is a dre...

    Common Immigration Problems and How Lawyers Can Help
    Posted On : January 15, 2025

    Common Immigration Problems and How Lawyers Can Help

    Moving to another country is never easy because the legal, procedural, and logistical aspects of the migration process are quite intricate. In most cases, people intending to migrate face strain becau...

    Submit your legal query

    Categories

    ©2025 Vidhikarya. All Rights Reserved.

    Disclaimer

    The Bar Council of India does not permit advertisement or solicitation by advocates in any form or manner. By accessing this website (www.vidhikarya.com), you acknowledge and confirm that you are seeking information relating to VIDHIKARYA LEGAL SERVICES LLP (The LAW FIRM) of your own accord and that there has been no form of solicitation, advertisement or inducement by VIDHIKARYA LEGAL SERVICES LLP or its members.
    The content of this website is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as soliciting or advertisement. The User agrees that he/she is visiting the site on his own volition to seek more information about the firm and its Advocates.
    The contents of this website are the intellectual property of VIDHIKARYA LEGAL SERVICES LLP.

    OK Cancel
    Vidhikarya Official support e-mail Contact Vidhikarya by phone Number vidhikarya whatsapp Number