What is Entry X Visa to India? A Complete Guide on ‘OCI Card vs X Visa’ for Persons of Indian Origin

“Recently, one of our customers cancelled his travel booking despite he got the best flight deals to India, giving the reason that his OCI card application is pending and he does not have a visa to India. Perhaps, he did not know he would get an Entry X Visa to India in 7-10 days of application. X Visa is a short-term alternative to OCI Card. Many foreign nationals of Indian origin obtained this temporary entry visa during the COVID-19 pandemic when the OCI Card processing was discontinued,” said the chief travel advisor of IndianEagle.com, the most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians abroad.

What is Indian X Visa?

The Indian X Visa is a non-tourist Entry Visa issued to Indian-origin foreign citizens/nationals and their immediate family members. It comes between an OCI Card and a tourist visa in terms of validity and benefits. Unlike an Indian tourist visa, ‘X’ Entry Visa facilitates multiple entries to India during its validity. Though not valid for lifetime unlike an OCI Card, it is often considered the best alternative in certain scenarios and for those who are not eligible for OCI Card.

Entry X Visa India: Validity and Stay Rules

The Entry Visa to India is generally issued for up to 5 years with multiple entries, in various X categories. Those eligible for an X Visa can stay up to 180 days in India during a visit, similar to an Indian tourist visa for US and Canada citizens/nationals. If the period of continuous stay exceeds 180 days, it must be registered with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in India. ‘X’ Entry Visa holders traveling to India with plans to stay more than 180 days continuously must register with the FRRO or FRO within 14 days of arrival.

Who can apply for Entry X Visa to India?

• X-1 Visa: Persons of Indian Origin, including foreign nationals with one of the parents/grandparents/great-grandparents from India, are eligible for X-1 Entry Visa. This category is ideal for US citizens and nationals with Indian roots.
• X-2 Visa: Foreign spouses and children of Indian citizens/nationals and PIO or OCI cardholders can apply under X-2, as long as they are not registered as OCI.

Other Categories

• X-3 Visa for foreigners joining Auroville, ashrams, spiritual institutions, and non-profits
• X-4 Visa for foreign nationals who own property in India and meet RBI guidelines
• X-5 Visa for diplomats or officials visiting India in a personal capacity

List of documents required for X Visa to India

• A valid foreign passport
• Proof of Indian origin (your or your parents’ or grandparents’ Indian passport or birth certificate)
• Marriage certificate (for spouse applicants)
• Birth certificate (for child applicants)
• Spouse’s Indian passport or OCI/PIO card copy (for X-2 visa)

How to apply for Entry Visa to India in X categories

• Complete the visa application online on www.indianvisaonline.gov.in
• Visit your nearest consulate if required
• Collect valid documents required for your application
• Submit biometrics if required by the Indian mission
• Pay visa fees ($100 to $200) online and wait for processing
• After arrival in India, register on e-FRRO in the event of staying more than 180 days

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X Visa vs OCI Card: What’s better?

• Validity: India X visa is temporary, usually valid for 5 years and extendable through FRRO/FRO. OCI Card is a lifetime multiple-entry visa to India for Indian-origin foreign citizens.
• Restrictions: OCI Cards come with fewer restrictions than Entry Visa to India in X categories. A standard X Visa allows 180 days of continuous stay on a visit to India, whereas OCI cardholders can live in India for any length of period. Staying longer than 6 months in India requires X Visa holders to register with FRRO, but there’s no such regulation for OCI cardholders.
• Employment: Entry X Visa does not entitle persons of Indian origin to work in India, whereas OCI cardholders can take up employment during their stay in India, except in the sectors of Indian government.
• Application Timeline: Entry Visa applications are usually processed within 1-3 weeks at Indian consulates, depending on X categories. OCI card applications take longer, often 8–12 weeks or more due to thorough verification of documents.

When is Entry X Visa to India the best option?

The debate – what is better, X Visa or OCI Card – goes in favour of Entry X Visa in certain scenarios. If your child turns 20 years old and receives a new passport but renewal of the pre-owned OCI Card is pending, an X Visa will facilitate his/her travel to India.

India does not grant OCI Card to those foreign-born kids whose one parent is Indian and the other parent is a Pakistani or Bangladeshi national/citizen. Given this condition, Entry X Visa is the best and safest option for their travel to India.

Do India X Visa holders need Digital Disembarkation Card to enter India?

Yes. All foreign nationals and citizens, even those of Indian origin, must submit the e-Arrival form online and obtain Digital Disembarkation Card within 72 hours prior to their scheduled arrival in India, irrespective of whether they have an updated OCI Card or a valid X Visa. Check out our short video on India’s Digital e-Arrival Card.