Visa Information

 

Visa Information

 

Visa Regulations of India

Visitors to India must obtain a visa unless they are nationals of one of the visa-exempt countries. Nationals of certain countries may obtain an e-Visa online, while others must obtain a paper visa from an Indian diplomatic mission.

  • e-Visa
    • Foreign nationals may fill in the application form online. Applications can be made 120 days in advance of the expected date of arrival in India.
    • For a list of countries/nationalities eligible for e-Visas, please check the Indian government’s e-Visa website.
  • Regular/Paper Visa

Visa Type and Documents Needed

To attend APAO 2025, a Conference Visa (NOT a tourist visa or a business visa) is mandatory unless you are a national of a visa-exempt country. Whether you apply for a Conference Visa in the form of an e-visa or a paper visa, you will be required to submit the following three documents:

    • Letter of Invitation from the Conference Organizer
    • Ministry of External Affairs Permission Letter
    • Ministry of Home Affairs Permission Letter

Please note that we will only be able to provide you with these documents AFTER you complete your registration for the Congress.

As the process of applying for an Indian visa is complex, we highly recommend that you act as early as possible. Upon your successful registration, we will send you further details on visa application. You will then be invited to submit the necessary information to us before October 31, 2024 so that we can prepare the abovementioned supporting documents for you on time. Any delay in submission may result in a failed application.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Namaste!

A very warm welcome to the 40th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress, being held in the vibrant city of New Delhi from April 3 to 6, 2025, in conjunction with the 83rd Annual Conference of the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS).

We are excited to see the APAO’s return to India, after we last hosted this prestigious annual event in 2013. Over the years, many advancements in clinical practices have been achieved, numerous scientific discoveries have been made, and patients’ needs for eye care services have evolved. We look forward to seeing you again at the 2025 Congress, a grand gathering for ophthalmologists and visual scientists from the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide to exchange the latest knowledge and ideas. This event will be hosted at the newly constructed state-of-the-art venue of Yashobhoomi – the India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC) in New Delhi, which is India’s largest convention center.

Beyond our scientific program, the Congress offers wonderful opportunities for networking, collaboration, and building long-lasting professional relationships. Besides this, focus would also be on imparting ophthalmic education through wet labs (surgical skill development courses) and video-assisted surgeries. I sincerely invite you to share your expertise and forge new connections that will drive the pioneering efforts in our field.

India, a land of rich cultural heritage and unparalleled diversity, is honored to host this important event. As you immerse yourself in the feast for the mind in our scientific sessions, I also encourage you to explore the country’s historical wonders, culinary delights, and natural landscapes, making your experience truly memorable.

Join us for this extraordinary opportunity to gain new insights, enrich your experience, network with your peers, and work together towards the shared mission with the AIOS – “From Darkness to Light.”

With warmest regards,

Dr. Lalit VERMA
President
APAO 2025 Congress

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On behalf of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO), I am honored to welcome you all to the 40th APAO Congress to be held in the vibrant city of New Delhi, India from April 3-6, 2025.

The APAO congress is the pinnacle meeting of ophthalmologists and visual scientists of the Asia-Pacific region. Year after year, it brings together top-notch speakers, practicing professionals, and academic researchers from all over the region and beyond to discuss the latest developments in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of eye diseases.

Under the theme of “Transcending Boundaries in Ophthalmology”, the 2025 congress will be co-hosted with the All-India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS). Amid the rapid changes and expansion of the field of ophthalmology, this event provides a unique platform for you to keep abreast of emerging trends and knowledge, and to explore collaboration opportunities with colleagues from different countries and subspecialties. From leading experts and seasoned professionals to young doctors and trainees, I am sure everyone will find it rewarding to engage in the thought-provoking dialogues in our scientific sessions, and to forge lasting friendships with like-minded peers through our social functions.

May I thank all the individuals involved in organizing this congress for their dedicated efforts and impressive commitment to making it a success. I am also eagerly anticipating the enthusiastic participation and support of our delegates. Together, let us embark on this remarkable journey of knowledge, inspiration, and camaraderie!

Sincerely,

Prof. Ava HOSSAIN
President
Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is with immense honor and pleasure that I welcome you to the 2025 Congress of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO), held in conjunction with the 83rd Annual Conference of the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) at the India International Convention & Expo Centre in New Delhi, India, from April 3 to 6, 2025.

This year’s congress promises to be an inspiring and transformative experience. With over 1,000 internationally renowned speakers, we anticipate groundbreaking presentations across a diverse spectrum of topics within major ophthalmic subspecialties. With more than 10,000 ophthalmologists expected to participate, our collective knowledge and passion will drive innovations in eye care, benefiting patients worldwide.

On behalf of APAO and our Member Societies, I would like to express our deepest heartfelt thanks to Dr. Lalit VERMA, APAO 2025 Congress President, and our dedicated colleagues at the AIOS, for organizing this exceptional event. I would also like to convey our deepest gratitude to our APAO 2025 Scientific Program Committee (SPC) Chair Prof. Dennis LAM and all its members, whose dedication and hard work are instrumental to curating such an intellectually stimulating scientific and educational program.

Lastly, it is your active engagement that truly elevates these endeavors. We are truly grateful for your unwavering support, and we look forward to welcoming you all in person to this exciting and enriching scientific gathering in the vibrant city of New Delhi.

Warmest regards,

Prof. Clement C THAM
Secretary-General and CEO
Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is my privilege to extend a warm welcome to all of you to the 40th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress in the capacity of APAO 2025 Scientific Program Committee (SPC) Chair.

The Asia-Pacific is home to more than 4 billion people, and there are significant challenges in eye care. We face a rising threat of age-related eye diseases among an aging population, a diverse demographic landscape with a broad spectrum of ocular conditions, and an imbalanced distribution of resources that hinders the prevention and eradication of blindness in some parts of the region. By coming together and pooling our collective expertise, we strive to devise innovative solutions to ensure quality eye care for all.

With this vision, the APAO and SPC are committed to designing a comprehensive scientific program for ophthalmologists and visual scientists from the region and beyond to exchange the latest knowledge and discuss collaborative efforts. The 2025 congress is anticipated to bring together over 1,000 top-notch speakers from India and around the world. Their pioneering research, groundbreaking discoveries, and cutting-edge techniques will undoubtedly shape the future of ophthalmology. We are also expecting an attendance of around 10,000 delegates, who will contribute their ideas and experience through our interactive symposiums, workshops, and other scientific sessions.

I look forward to meeting you in New Delhi and working with you towards a better and brighter world!

Best regards,

Prof. Dennis LAM
Chair
APAO 2025 Scientific Program Committee