What is the procedure for obtaining clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs for the conference Visa/seminar/workshop?

Following procedure will be observed for seeking prior security clearance for the International conference/seminar/workshop (event) from the Ministry of Home Affairs:

• Only such events, which from the standpoint of parameters require (Ministry of Home Affairs)MHA’s security clearance, should be forwarded by the Ministries/Departments of the Central Government, State Government, (Public Sector Uundertakings)PSUs etc. to the Ministry of Home Affairs at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the event. However, in respect of all international sports events, the organizer shall submit the proposal for holding the international sports event to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for prior clearance and the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports shall refer the proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs, with their recommendations, for security clearance at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the event.

• If the event includes participants from the countries for which prior ‘security clearance’ is required, the details should be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the event so as to enable adequate time to process the requisite security clearance.

• The request for holding international conferences requiring security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) in terms of the parameters will be submitted by private organizers – be it an NGO or a private institution to the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) for requisite clearance within the prescribed time frame i.e. at least 60 days prior to the commencement of the event along with the complete details of the participants from the Prior Reference Category countries i.e. Afghanistan, China, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, Foreigners of Pakistani origin and Stateless persons.

• Participants from Pakistan are required to apply for visa at High Commission of India in Islamabad ‘on line’. While submitting the proposals for security clearance to the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division), the Unique ID (File no.) of the visa application in respect of participants from Pakistan who have applied for visa at HCI Islamabad may invariably be furnished along with the application. Clearance in respect of participants from Pakistan will be given by the Ministry of Home Affairs only ‘on line’.

• All such proposals requiring clearance as mentioned above should be addressed to the Section Officer (CC), Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, NDCC-II Building, Jai Singh Road, OFF Parliament Street, New Delhi –110001. In view of the revised procedure for grant of conference visa as explained above, clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs for holding an event from security angle would be required only in respect of cases covered above. No security clearance would be granted by MHA for any event which is not covered above.