Planning a business trip to India in 2025? Whether you're attending meetings, exploring investment opportunities, or expanding your network, you’ll likely need an India e-Business Visa - and in most cases, an invitation letter from an Indian company.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
✔️ What the India e-Business Visa is and who needs it
✔️ Invitation letter requirements and real examples
✔️ Differences between business, medical, and general invitation letters
What is the India e-Business Visa?
The India e-Business Visa is a type of electronic visa (eVisa) that allows eligible foreign nationals to travel to India for short-term business activities, including:
- Attending meetings or conferences
- Establishing contacts or exploring partnerships
- Negotiating contracts or investments
💡Femke Strietman, iVisa travel expert, adds:
"This visa is flexible and perfect for regular frequent visits to India. However, keep in mind that you can’t work, earn income in India, or stay for long-term projects on a business eVisa."
India Business Visa key features
- Visit India multiple times with this visa
- Valid for 1 year from the date of issue
- Stay of up to 180 days per calendar year
- Online-only application process
- Must apply at least 4 days before travel
What you need to apply for an India Business eVisa
To apply, make sure you have the following ready:
✅ A passport valid for at least 6 months (with two blank pages)
✅ A passport-style photo (digital, white background)
✅ A business card or an invitation letter from an Indian company
✅ Proof of return travel (e.g., flight reservation)
✅ Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay
💡 Femke Strietman, iVisa travel expert, adds:
"Upload high-resolution scans of all documents. Blurry uploads often cause delays. Running into issues? Video guides for uploading documents are available during the iVisa application process."
Business invitation letter requirements for India
To apply for a business eVisa, you’ll need an invitation letter from an Indian company or organization. This letter helps the Indian authorities verify the purpose of your visit.
What the business invitation letter should include:
Make sure the following information is included in your India business visa invitation letter:
Required information |
Details |
Applicant’s full name and passport number |
Must match exactly what's on the passport |
Indian company details |
Include full name, address, phone number, and email of the inviter |
Purpose of visit |
Clearly state the reason (e.g., meetings, demos, business exploration) |
Travel dates |
Provide the expected arrival and departure dates |
Responsibility for costs |
Specify who will cover travel/accommodation costs (if applicable) |
Official formatting |
Signature, company seal, and printed on official company letterhead |
Sample business invitation letter
The following example of a business invitation letter should be from the company you're meeting with in India. Adapt this invitation letter to your specific situation and make sure to update all dates and details.
[Company Letterhead]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
To,
Visa Section,
Embassy of India
Subject: Request for a multiple-entry business visa for [visa duration – ex: 1 year]
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are pleased to invite Mr./Ms. [Full Name], passport number [XXXXXXX], who is the [Job Title] at [Foreign Company Name], to visit our company, [Indian Company Name], located at [Address], for business discussions and meetings from [Start Date] to [End Date].
1. Description of the applicant's employer
[description of company, official name, chamber of commerce no. what they do, number of employees, address]
2. Applicant details
a) [applicant full name]
b) [applicant full job title]
c) [applicant duration of employment]
3. Description of the sponsor in India:
[description of company, official name, chamber of commerce no. what they do, number of employees, address]
4. Relationship with sponsor and duration:
[relationship between your company and Indian company]
5. Purpose of visit:
[reason for the trip – The purpose of this visit is to discuss [brief reason – e.g., ongoing projects, business expansion, technology collaboration, etc.]. All travel expenses will be borne by [mention company or individual responsible].]
6. Duration of visa requested and entry/exit dates:
[requested visa duration and entries – ex: 1 year, multiple-entry.] [arriving date and departing date]
7. [Mr./Mrs./Ms Traveler Name] will not receive any form of remuneration from any sources in India and
will remain an employee of [invited company name] in [country]. [Mr./Mrs./Ms name] will not engage in any activities
in India other than stated in the purpose of visit.
8. [invited company name] takes full responsibility for the activities and conduct of [Mr./Mrs./Ms Traveler
Name], national of [country of citizenship] during his/her stay in India. If anything
adverse comes to notice during this period, we undertake to repatriate him/her at our expense.
We kindly request you to grant the necessary visa.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Name of Signatory]
[Position]
[Email and Phone Number]
[Company Seal]
[Company Stamp]
Do you always need an invitation letter for an Indian visa?
Not always. Here's a quick overview:
Indian visa type |
Is an invitation letter required? |
Business eVisa |
✅ Yes – from an Indian company |
Medical eVisa |
✅ Yes – from a hospital |
Tourist eVisa |
❌ Optional – helpful if staying with someone instead of in a hotel |
Sample medical and tourist invitation letters
If you're looking for examples of invitation letters for the medical or tourist visa, see below.
Keep in mind additional documentation is required, this is just an example for the requirement of the letters.
India Medical Visa invitation letter from hospital
[Hospital Letterhead]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
To,
The Visa Officer,
Embassy of India
Subject: Medical Invitation Letter for [Patient's Full Name]
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is to confirm that Mr./Ms. [Full Name], passport number [XXXXXXX], has been diagnosed with [Medical Condition] and has been advised to undergo treatment at our hospital.
We have scheduled the patient's consultation/admission from [Start Date]. Our hospital, [Hospital Name], located at [Full Address], will provide the necessary care and support.
We request you to kindly grant a Medical eVisa to facilitate their travel to India.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Doctor’s Name and Title]
[Department]
[Email and Phone Number]
[Hospital Seal]
India Tourist Visa invitation letter from host in India
[Personal Letter – no need for company letterhead]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
To,
The Visa Officer,
Embassy of India
Subject: Invitation Letter for Tourist Visit
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to invite my [friend/sibling/parent], Mr./Ms. [Full Name], passport number [XXXXXXX], to visit me in India from [Start Date] to [End Date].
The purpose of the visit is tourism and cultural exploration. I will ensure their accommodation and provide any assistance needed during their stay. I have attached a copy of my passport and proof of address.
Please feel free to contact me for further information.
Sincerely,
[Host Full Name]
[Full Address in India]
[Phone Number]
[Email]
Final tips for applying for an Indian visa in 2025
- Apply well in advance of your intended travel dates
- Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months
- Ensure that your invitation letter is recent and professionally formatted
- Upload all documents in clear, legible formats
- Always double-check spelling, dates, and passport numbers
Apply for your India e-Business Visa with iVisa
Our platform makes the process simple, fast, and stress-free. Whether you need help preparing your invitation letter or submitting the right documents, we're here to help.