We’re a private application service, not the Government of India. You can apply yourself at indianvisaonline.gov.in and pay only the government fee. We charge a separate fee to check and submit it for you.
Indian Visa Online Service, home

Indian Journalist visafor media work.

The Indian Journalist visa is for journalists, photographers and news crews visiting India professionally. Journalism isn’t allowed on an e-Visa, so you need this visa.

Start Journalist visa application Call 0161 956 2003
  • No e-VisaJournalism needs this visa
  • Paper visaStuck into your passport
  • Employer letterFrom your media organisation
  • Allow timeExtra checks apply

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Tick them off. Most people have everything on their phone already.

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Start Journalist visa application Takes about 10 minutes. Your answers are saved as you go.

Who needs it

Journalists and reporters

Covering news or features in India.

Photographers and camera crews

Working for media organisations.

Not covered

  • Film and series shoots, which use the e-Film visa
  • Holidays while working as a journalist: tell us, as rules apply

Documents you’ll need

DocumentDetailsNeeded
Passport photo pageA clear scan or photo of the page with your photo and details. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and have at least 2 blank pages.Required
PhotoRecent, in colour, front-facing with eyes open and no glasses. Plain white or light background, no shadows or borders. We crop and resize it for you.Required
Media organisation letterConfirming your role and the assignment.Required
Assignment detailsWhere you’ll go and what you’ll cover.Required
Proof of UK addressA recent utility bill, council tax bill or bank statement.Required
UK residence statusIf you’re not a British citizen: your UK eVisa share code page, BRP or settlement document.If applicable

Upload them from your phone. We check every document and resize it to the official limits before we submit.

  1. 1

    Apply online

    Answer a few simple questions and upload your photo and passport page.

  2. 2

    We check and submit

    An adviser reviews every answer, fixes photo or document problems and submits it.

  3. 3

    Receive your ETA

    Your Electronic Travel Authorisation is emailed to you once approved.

  4. 4

    Fly to India

    Print your ETA and show it at immigration, where your e-Visa is stamped in your passport.

Rules to know before you travel

Your passport goes to the visa centre

Regular visas are stuck into your passport, so you’ll need to submit it at the Indian visa application centre. Don’t book travel you can’t change until it’s back.

Allow more time

Regular visas take longer than e-Visas, and much longer for people of Pakistani origin. Apply as early as you can.

The form must be exact

Any mismatch between your form, passport and documents can delay or refuse the application. We check everything line by line.

Arrive anywhere

Unlike e-Visas, regular visas can be used at any immigration checkpoint in India.

Filming a production, not news?

Feature films, series and adverts use the e-Film visa.

e-Film visa

Fees

Two fees, shown separately, so you always know where your money goes.

VisaProcessing timeEntriesGovernment feeOur feeTotal you pay
Journalist visaAsk usAsk us–Call for price–

The government fee for a regular visa is set by India and includes the visa application centre’s charges. It isn’t refundable, even if the visa is refused. Our fee is per person and includes preparing your form and checking every document.

No “express” fees. The Indian government doesn’t sell faster e-Visas, so we don’t either. Our job is getting your application right first time.

Who needs an Indian Journalist visa?

Professional journalists and media crews can’t use the e-Visa, even for a short trip. Apply early: journalist applications go through extra checks.

Documents for an Indian Journalist visa

Your passport, a recent photo, proof of your UK address, a letter from your media organisation confirming your role and assignment, and details of where you’ll go and what you’ll cover. Freelancers should bring letters from the outlets commissioning the work.

How long does it take?

Journalist applications go through extra checks, so allow several weeks before you travel. Apply as early as you can and don’t book fixed travel until your Indian Journalist visa is approved.

Related pages

e-Film visaAll regular visas

Questions people ask

Can I go to India on holiday if I’m a journalist?

Tell us about your work first. Rules for media professionals are stricter, and we’ll advise on the right visa.

Can I apply myself instead of using you?

Yes. You can apply on the official website, indianvisaonline.gov.in, and pay only the government fee. People use us when they want a person to check their eligibility, fix their photo and documents, and handle the form for them so nothing goes wrong.

Do freelance journalists need an Indian Journalist visa?

Yes, if you’re travelling to report or film for the media. Letters from the outlets commissioning your work help your application.

Can a journalist go to India on an e-Visa?

Not for journalism. Professional media work needs an Indian Journalist visa.

Ready when you are

Start online in about 10 minutes, or call us if you’d rather talk first.

Start Journalist visa application Call 0161 956 2003
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