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India Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| British | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EU | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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To enter India, visitors must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival, with at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. Passports must be in good condition, as damaged passports may be refused entry.
To enter India, most foreign nationals require a valid visa obtained in advance of travel.
Visa-required nationals: Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and all European Union countries require a visa to enter India. Most travellers apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa) online prior to departure, while others may need to apply through an Indian embassy or consulate.
Electronic visa (e-Visa): Nationals of many countries, including Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, are eligible to apply for an Indian e-Visa online before travel. The e-Visa is available for tourism, business and medical purposes and must be obtained prior to arrival.
Visa-exempt nationals: Citizens of Bhutan and Nepal do not require a visa to enter India under bilateral agreements. Maldivian nationals do not require a visa for tourism stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Visa rules and permitted lengths of stay vary by nationality and visa type. Travellers are advised to check the latest requirements with the nearest Indian embassy, consulate or official government website before departure.
India issues several types of visas, including tourist, business, medical and conference visas. Most short-term visitors apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa), which is available for tourism, business and medical travel. e-Visa fees vary by nationality and visa duration, but tourist e-Visas are typically priced from around US$10 to US$40, depending on the length of stay and time of year. Long-term or specialised visas generally require an application through an Indian embassy or consulate and may involve higher fees.
Visa validity depends on the visa type and nationality. Tourist e-Visas are commonly issued for 30 days, one year or five years, with limits on the length of each stay. Shorter e-Visas usually allow stays of up to 30 days, while longer-term tourist e-Visas often permit stays of up to 90 days per visit for most nationalities. Business and medical visas may have longer validity periods and multiple-entry permissions. Travellers should note that the validity period begins from the date of issue, not the date of arrival.
A transit visa is generally required if you intend to leave the airport transit area or if your stopover exceeds 24 hours. Transit visas are usually valid for up to 15 days from the date of issue and permit a maximum stay of 72 hours in India per entry. Travellers must hold confirmed onward tickets and valid visas for their next destination, where required.
Passengers who remain airside during an international transfer and depart within 24 hours may not require a transit visa, depending on nationality and airline arrangements. As requirements can vary, travellers are advised to confirm with their airline or the nearest Indian embassy before travel.
Most visitors apply for an Indian visa online through the official Indian e-Visa system, which covers tourist, business, medical and conference visas. Applications are submitted electronically, with supporting documents uploaded and fees paid online prior to travel.
Transit visas and visa types not covered by the e-Visa system must be applied for in person or via an authorised visa application centre linked to an Indian embassy or consulate. Applicants may be required to submit passports, photographs, supporting documents and biometric data, depending on the visa category.
India's e-Visa processing time can vary considerably. While the official government guidance states a minimum processing time of three working days, recent traveller reports indicate that applications frequently take longer, with many approvals now taking around eight to ten days or more. Increased security checks, application volume, nationality, and the accuracy of submitted information can all affect processing times. To avoid disruption to travel plans, visitors are strongly advised to apply well in advance, ideally at least 10 to 15 days before departure, and not to rely on earlier expectations of rapid approval.
Do you need a Visa?
Our preferred partner VisaCentral can make applying for one fast and easy.
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