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Missionary Visa

IndiaCulture, faith and volunteering

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in India Read the five questions ↓

What exact activity, role or purpose qualifies?

A Missionary visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is missionary work not involving proselytization; it is not granted to preachers and evangelists coming on propaganda campaigns, whether on their own or at the invitation of an organisation in India.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/AnnexIIIDetailsofVisas_20082020.pdf
    A Missionary visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is Missionary work not involving proselytization. Visa shall NOT be granted to preachers and evangelists who desire to come to India on propaganda campaigns, whether on their own or at the invitation of any organization in India.

What organisation, institution, religious body, charity, teacher or host must support the activity?

The worker must be connected with an approved organisation; the official source does not define the approval test or list qualifying organisations.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The source does not define the approval test for the organization; independent review remains pending.

What proves the placement, role, affiliation, experience or cultural/religious/voluntary activity?

Applications from members of recognised societies must be accompanied by a sponsorship letter from a responsible official of the society, and the applicant must name two responsible persons in India who will furnish a guarantee bond for his/her maintenance and repatriation. First-time missionaries coming as replacements are admitted only with outstanding qualifications or specialised experience and where no suitable Indian is available.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The source does not specify what documents evidence the required qualifications or specialised experience.
  • https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/AnnexIIIDetailsofVisas_20082020.pdf
    Applications for visas from members of recognized societies should be accompanied by a sponsorship letter from a responsible official of the society. The applicant should also be required to cite in the application, the names of two responsible persons in India ( preferably in the State/ UT in which the applicant proposes to work) who will furnish a guarantee bond to the Government for his/her maintenance in, and repatriation from, India.
  • https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/AnnexIIIDetailsofVisas_20082020.pdf
    Foreign missionaries coming to India for the first time in replacement ( not augmentation) will be admitted only if they possess outstanding qualifications or specialized experience in their line, and no suitable Indian is available for the job.

Can the person receive salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement? Can they undertake other work?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm whether pay, pocket money, accommodation or other work is allowed.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Searched Annex I M-1 row and Annex III paras 87-91 (Missionary Visa): only a guarantee bond for maintenance/repatriation (cited in R3) is mentioned; nothing on pay or other work.

How long can they stay, can they change host/activity, can family accompany, and can the status be extended?

Indian Missions/Posts may grant a Missionary (M) visa for up to one year with multiple entry, extendable by the FRRO/FRO year to year up to 5 years from the initial visa with prior MHA approval. Annex I also lists a separate M-1X category 'for dependents of Missionary/ Religious'. The official source does not state whether the holder may change host organisation or activity.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The source does not state whether the holder may change host organisation or activity.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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