india tourist visa one month

• Nationality
• Document Required
• Technical Info for e-Visa
• Payment Related
• Authorized Immigration checkposts through which eVisa holders can travel.

Payment Helpdesk

SBI ePay: +91-22-2753-5773 (24 x 7)                Axis Bank : +91 1800-419-0073 (24 x 7)

Toll free Numbers from:

• USA : 1855 205 5577
• Uk : 0808 178 5040
• Singapore : 800 1206 355
• Australia : 1800 153 861
• UAE : 8000 3570 3218
• Saudi Arabia : 800 850 0000
• Qatar : 00 800 100 348
• Bahrain : 800 11 300

Select option no. 6 on IVR to connect to agents.

From rest of the countries none toll free number to India + 91-40-6717-4100 (Paid Number).

• eVisa Helpdesk (Due to maintenance activity IVRS services are unavailable.)
• eVisa Helpdesk

E-VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

Apply online

Upload Photo and Passport Page

Pay eVisa fee online

Using Credit / Debit card / Payment Wallet

Receive ETA Online

Electronic Travel Authorization/ETA Will be sent to your e-mail

Fly To India

Print ETA and present at Immigration Check Post where eVisa will be stamped on passport.

Government of India makes no provision of charging of any emergency fees or additional fees for grant of any emergency / express e-visa. Those travelling to India are also advised to go through instructions available on the website of Bureau of Immigration at https://boi.gov.in .

eVisa is admissable only under the following categories:

E-tourist visa, e-business visa, e-conference visa, e-medical visa, e-medical attendent visa, e-ayush visa, e-ayush attendent visa.

• e-Emergency X-Misc Visa

1. One Month e-Tourist Visa

One Month (30 Days).

Double Entry, non-extendable and non-convertible

2. One year e-Tourist Visa

One year (365 Days) from the date of grant of ETA.

3. Five years e-Tourist Visa

Five years from the date of grant of ETA.

Maximum stay in India during one Calender Year should not exceed 180 days for 1 year and 5 year Tourist Visa.

One year (365 days) from the date of grant of ETA.

Continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days. If the intension is to stay for more then 180 days, shall get registered with FRRO/FRO concerned within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days.

Thirty days (30 days) from the date of arrival into India.

Organizers to upload all details & documentation on the MHA website (conference.mha.gov.in)

Sixty days (60 days) from the date of arrival into India.

If the applicant is unable to complete his e-visa application form, he may save the application and may return to complete the application form by clicking the tab at the bottom of page: After your eVisa applications is submitted, the same shall be scrutinized and if any Document/Image is not appropriate, you may be advised on your given e-mail to re-upload the same. To re-upload use the tab at the bottom of the page. Applicant should normally receive this mail within 24 hours.

• Useful Web Links
• Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. Of India.
• Ministry of External Affairs, Govt Of India
• Ministry of Tourism, Govt Of India
• Bureau of Immigration, Govt Of India
• Incredible India, Govt Of India

Eligibility

• International travellers whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation, sight seeing,casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme,Short term courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/programme (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc),Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return), medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, business purpose, as attendant to e-Medical visa holder, attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations etc. & their subordinate/ attached organizations & PSUs and private conferences organized by private persons/companies/organizations.
• Applicant's passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making application for grant of e-Visa.
• International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket,with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.
• International Travellers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.
• Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders.
• Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
• Not available to International Travel Document Holders other than Passport.

If you are a national of any following countries, you are eligible for eVisa.

• Afghanistan
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Cameroon Union Republic
• Cayman Island
• Cook Islands
• Cote d'lvoire
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Isle of Man
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Niger Republic
• Niue Island
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Republic of Korea
• Saint Christopher and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turks & Caicos Island
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City-Holy See
• Zambia and Zimbabwe

Documents Requirement & Visa Categories

• General Instructions
• Advisory for Canadian Nationals
• e-Visa has 5 sub-categories viz. e-Tourist Visa(for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years) ,e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa. A foreigner (other than those applying for e-Conference Visa) will be allowed to club activities permitted under these categories. Foreigners applying for e-Conference visa will be permitted to club the activities permitted under e-Tourist visa only (validity co-terminus with e-Conference Visa only i.e. 30 days). Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e- Medical Visa.
• For e-Tourist and e-Business visa, Applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival.
• For e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, Applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 120 days. Example: If you are applying on 1st Sept then applicant can select arrival date from 5th Sept to 2nd Jan
• Sample eVisa application form is available on the tab near the bottom of eVisa main page.
• Recent front facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport containing personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc are to be uploaded mandatorily by the applicant. Additionally one more document depending upon the e-Visa type would also be required to be uploaded. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded documents and photograph are not clear / as per specification.
• e-Visa fee is country/Territory specific. Bank transaction charges of 2.5% will be charged additionally on applicable e-Visa fees. The fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel otherwise application will not be processed. To know the fee applicable on your Country/Territory please Click here (for e-Tourist Visa) and for other e-Visa Click here .
• e-Visa fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
• Applicant should carry a copy of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) along with him/her at the time of travel. Please confirm that your ETA status is shown as 'GRANTED' on this website prior to commencement of your journey. Applicants can track the status of their application online by clicking VisaStatus
• Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India.
• e-Visa is non-extendable, non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas. If you intend to visit Protected/Restricted/Cantonment areas, you would require prior permission from the Civil Authority please visit here.
• The e-Visa fee payment status updation may take up to 2 hours due to technical reasons/network delays. Before re-applying, the applicants are requested to wait for 2 hours for payment status updating, after final submission of the application form and payment of the fee. In cases, where e-Visa fee has been deducted but status is not updated, the applicants are advised to verify their payment status by clicking on 'Verify Payment/Pay Visa Fee' tab or by clicking on the link Verify Payment.
• Nationals of Yellow Fever affected countries or travellers arriving from these countries must carry YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CARD at the time of arrival in India, otherwise they may be quarantined for 6 days upon arrival in India. Please visit our Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare latest guidelines regarding yellow fever countries here.
• You must travel on the Passport which you have applied for eVisa. Entry will be allowed into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport, however in such cases a traveler must carry the old passport on which ETA was issued

The documents required for completing the eVisa application is indicated against each type of eVisa. Please keep all these documents ready at hand before beginning to fill your eVisa application. All documents including Business cards, Invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which the application would be liable for rejection. The entire process may take 10 to 15 minutes to complete the application and make the payment.

Applicants must be fill eVisa application himself/herself and give correct information in each column and take responsibility for the correctness of information provided.

Documents Required: All documents uploaded by the applicant including business cards, invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which e-Visa application would be liable for rejection.

The documents required for e-visa are :.

• Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details *
• For short term courses, copy of letter from the institute/organization/hospital etc. concerned on its letter-head *
• For voluntary work of short duration, copy of letter from the organization concerned on its letter-head *
• Copy of Letter from the Hospital concerned in India on its letterhead which including the date / tentative date which admission have been suggested .
• Copy of Business Card
• Any letter of invitation if applicable from indian parties which wish you conduct the business (optional).
• Copy of Passport page containing personal particulars *
• Approval of the Government of India in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Sports)
• Invitation Letter to foreign sports teams and sports persons to visit India by the concerned Sports Federation/Association in India.
• If the applicant had participated in any commercial sports event during his/her previous visit to India, then documents regarding Tax compliance for the said visit are to be furnished
• If the sports event entails visit to Restricted or Protected Areas in India, below mentioned additional documents are also to be submitted (a) Clearance for holding the event from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. (b) Political Clearance for holding the event from the Ministry of external Affairs, Government of India. (c) Requisite clearance from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
• Invitation of the host institute to the foreign faculty
• Copy of the sanction order under GIAN issued by the National Coordinating Institute viz. IIT Kharagpur
• Copy of the synopsis of the courses to be taken up by the faculty
• Invitation from organizer, which applicant may seek from this organiser.
• Political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs
• Event clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs

The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following requirements:

• Format - JPEG
• Minimum 10 KB
• Maximum 1 MB
• The height and width of the Photo must be equal.
• Photo should present full face, front view, eyes open and without spectacles
• Center head within frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin
• Background should be plain light colored or white background.
• No shadows on the face or on the background.
• Without borders.
• Format -PDF
• Size : Minimum 10 KB ,Maximum 300 KB

The applicant has choice of using two option for payment.

• SBI-FAQS-Payment Related
• AXIS-FAQS-Payment Related

SBIePay is the Payment Aggregator service of State Bank of India – India’s Largest Bank and amongst top 50 Banks in the world, which provides bouquet of multiple payment options on a single page for the convenience of the customers.

SBIePay has facilitated the following channels on e-Visa platform:

• Payment Gateway: It seamlessly processes Credit card and Debit Card transactions for all the cards issued internationally by Visa & MasterCard. SBIePay Payment gateway is enabled with BIN identifier which recognises the BIN online when a customer enters the no., which drastically improves the success percentage and reduces customer friction.
• Paypal: SBIePay also facilitates e-Visa customers to make payment through widely popular and accepted Paypal channel.

SBIePay is certified with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) ver 3.2, which is the latest version, and which further reinforces our promise of security and safety. The payment system fully supports 3DSecure - Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code, wherever it is applicable. Further, SBIePay is secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption which ensures that payment information that travels over the Internet is always encrypted and cannot be viewed by unauthorised individuals.

Yes, SBIePay has enabled international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D Secure authentication.

The applicant enters necessary details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ , and clicks on 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to SBIePay payment page and is presented with payment options of either entering Card details (Payment Gateway) or Paypal .Applicant enters his card details and clicks ‘Proceed’. Now, either of the below mentioned 2 scenarios will occur:

• 3 D Secure page of the Card Issuerwill be displayed, where applicant must enter 3D Secure Password/OTP.
• Transaction is processed without 3D Secure page. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.

If an applicant is presented with a 3D Secure page prompting to enter a password/OTP, this means the Card issuing Bank participates in 3D Secure transaction. If the applicant’s transaction is processed without directing to 3D secure page, he/she should contact the card issuing Bank for support.

In an ideal scenario, once the transaction is processed, the applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with a reference number.

In some rare scenarios it may happen where the application is not shown Payment successful page post completion of transaction, which may be due to a drop in connectivity leading to non-receipt of success response. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund shall be initiated after due reconciliation process to the applicants’ card account.

In rare case of transaction status unknown to the applicant, which is when the applicant has not received success response due to time out or connectivity issue and the account has been debited, we advise the customer not to attempt another transaction immediately and rather provide their Order no. on the e-Visa site after 30 minutes to check the status of the transaction. If the transaction status is showing ‘failed’, then customer may attempt another transaction. Also, the debited amount shall be refunded to the applicants’ card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction.

The banking charges for:

• Payment Gateway Card transactions (both Debit or Credit Card): 2.5%* of the applicable e-Visa fee.
• Paypal: 3.5%* of the applicable e-Visa fee.

*The charges are inclusive of any applicable taxes.

The breakup of transaction charges will be displayed on the Payment page for applicants’ knowledge and to maintain transparency.

At State Bank of India, we are committed to provide best customer services to our customers. Customers can email us at sbiepay[at]sbi[dot]co[dot]in for any queries related to their transaction. Alternatively, SBIePay provides 24*7*365 customer support to all the e-Visa applicants. Applicants can also call us on the below mentioned number(s):

Contact No: +91-22-2753-5773

An applicant can perform multiple times transactions for a single application ID, with a gap of minimum 25 minutes between each transaction. It is advisable that applicant may check the status of the transaction at e-Visa portal before attempting another transaction.

An applicant shall be charged for only once for any successful transaction against an application ID. Any further debits shall be refunded back to the customer after due reconciliation, within seven (7) days of transactions.

Axis Bank is an Internet Payment Gateway Solution allows you to make payments on a 24 X 7 basis from around the world. It accepts all Visa, MasterCard and Maestro cards.

Axis Bank Payment Gateway services facilitates online payments w.r.t. all Credit and Debit Cards issued by MasterCard and VISA.

Axis Bank Payment gateway services is compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) standards. All transactions initiated at Axis Bank Payment Gateway services come with 128 bit security and two factor authentication via MasterCard Secure Code and Verified-by-Visa authentication is enabled.

Axis Bank Payment gateway accepts all international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D secure authentication.

The applicant after filling details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ clicks 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to Axis Bank payment gateway page and is presented with payment options like MasterCard and VISA. Cardholder enters his card number, expiry date, Name and CVV value and clicks 'Pay Now'. Incase cardholder Bank is enabled for 3D secure, then a page will appear for the cardholder to entire either his/her OTP/3D secure password. Else transaction would be processed. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.

Incase Bank is participating for 3D Secure transaction during transaction a 3D secure page would appear and cardholders have to enter his/her password /OTP.

The applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with reference number. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund will have to be initiated after due reconciliation to the applicant's card account.

If a transaction has failed but the applicants card account is debited more than once, the amount will have to be refunded to the applicant's card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction. In some cases, If the fund still lies with the card issuing Bank, kindly get in touch with your Bank for such case.

The banking charges are subject to maximum of 2.5% plus applicable taxes on the applicable e-Visa fees. These charges are charged to the applicant at the time of making online e visa fee payment.

Axis Bank provides technical support for all payment related transactions at ecom[at]axisbank[dot]com

Our endeavour is to provide you with a seamless experience on our platform. Please ensure following, before initiating the card payment.

• Using a non-expired card
• Have sufficient balance in your account
• Have sufficient credit card limit on the card being used
• Card is not reported as “lost or stolen”
• Entering the correct OTP. Have access to device for accessing OTP or Static password
• Card supports transactions in INR and USD
• Amount has not exceeded the daily maximum allowed amount by your issuer
• Number of transactions have not exceeded the daily maximum allowed count by your issuer
• Issuer and card not enrolled for 3DS
• Timeout occurred while receiving the OTP from issuer or while entering OTP on the payment page

SBI e-Pay Payment Gateway :-

• SBIePay is the Payment Aggregator service of State Bank of India which provides multiple payment options on a single payment page for the convenience of applicants. SBIePay has enabled Debit and Credit issued by MasterCard and VISA.
• SBIePay facilitates online payments all Credit and Debit Cards issued by MasterCard and VISA.
• SBIePay is certified with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) ver 2.0 certified, which reinforces our promise of security. The payment system fully supports 3DSecure - Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code, wherever it is applicable. Further SBIePay is secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption which ensures that payment information never sent over the Internet unencrypted and cannot be viewed by unauthorised individuals.
• SBIePay has enabled international card issued by MasterCard and VISA both with and without 3D Secure authentication.
• The applicant after filling details on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ and clicks 'Pay Now'. The applicant is redirected to SBIePay payment page and is presented with payment options like MasterCard and VISA. Applicant enters his card details and clicks “Proceed”. Then the applicant may see one of the two options: i. 3 D Secure page of the Card issuing page for inputing 3D Secure password/OTP ii. Transaction is processed without 3D Secure page. After successful completion of transaction, the applicant is redirected on to the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ with a successful receipt of payment.
• The applicant shall be presented with a payment successful page along with reference number. If the applicant does not receive any success message even after card account has been charged, a refund shall be initiated after due reconciliation to the applicants card account.
• If a transaction has failed but the applicants card account is debited more than once, the amount shall be refunded to the applicants card account after reconciliation process within seven (7) days of transaction.
• The banking charges are 2.5% on the applicable e-Visa fees. These charges are charged to the applicant at the time of making online e-visa fee payment.
• SBIePay provides technical support for all payment related transactions at +91-22-2753-5773 is (24 x 7).
• An applicant can perform maximum of three transactions for a single application ID.
• If the applicant cannot succeed in three attempts, a new application is required to be filled and transaction has to be carried out with new application ID.
• An applicant shall be charged for only once against an application ID. Any double/triple debit shall be refunded after due reconciliation within seven (7) days of transactions.

Ans- The following are the eligibility conditions for availing e-Visa services-   i. Nationals of countries listed on the e-Visa website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ are eligible to apply for e-Visa Services.   ii. Foreigners whose sole objective for visiting India is     (a) Recreation and sightseeing     (b) Casual visit to meet friends and relatives     (c) Attending short term yoga programme or short term courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, medicine etc. which should not be a formal or structured course/programme      (courses not exceeding 6 months duration and not issuing a qualifying certificate/diploma etc. to the participants)     (d) Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or consideration of any kind in return)     (e) Medical treatment, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine     (f) As attendant to e-Medical visa holder     (g) Business purpose     (h) Attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop.   iii. Passport should have at least six months validity at the time of making application for grant of e-Visa and a re-entry permit, if that is required under the law of the country of nationality of the applicant.    The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.   iv. The foreigner should have return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.   v. Foreigners of Pakistani origin or having Pakistani Passport are not eligible for e-Visa. Foreigners who are not Pakistani nationals, but whose parents or grandparents (either paternal or maternal) was born    in, or was permanently resident in Pakistan, are also not eligible for e-Visa. They may apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.   vi. Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer/ international travel document holders.   vii. Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.

Ans- For details regarding procedure for applying, please visit our website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/

Ans- No, https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ is only the official website to apply for the e-Visa Services.    Note - Services of e-Visa are completely online and no facilitation is required by any intermediary / travel agents etc. It is advised not to believe or fall in trap of any such unscrupulous elements who claim    speedy/express grant of e-Visa and charge money for it.    Do not share your personal information with any unauthorized website as it may lead to leakage of your personal data. Only visit the official website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ for e-Visa    service.    For any clarification, you may write us on our email id ' indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in ' or contact us on +91 11 24300666 .

Ans- No, there is no fee other than the processing fee for e-Visa application and it is non-refundable. Please visit our website to know the fee applicable for your country as it is country-specific.

Ans- (i) For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years), e-Business Visa, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance    of the date of arrival. Such application can be made 120 days in advance from proposed date of travel.    (ii) For e-Tourist Visa (30 days) , applicants of the eligible countries/territories may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival. Such application can be made 30 days in advance from    proposed date of travel.

Ans- Yes. Immediately after you submit your e-Visa application and make the payment, you will receive a confirmation of submission of your application on the email id provided by you while filling up your    application form.

Ans- Your e-Visa application may take 72 hours or more for processing. You will be intimated about your Visa status (Granted or Rejected) on your email id provided by you in the e-Visa application.

Ans- Yes, you may check the status of your e-Visa application by visiting our website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ and clicking on 'Check your Visa Status' Tab provided on the website.

Ans- The validity of e-Visa would be according to the e-Visa service you have requested in the application form as -    For e-Tourist Visa (01 year / 05 years) , the validity would be 365 days / 05 years from the date of grant of ETA with Multiple entries and Maximum stay in India during one Calender Year should not exceed 180 days.    For e-Tourist Visa (30 days) , the validity would be 30 days from the date of your first arrival in India. Double entries will be granted within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport. Your first    arrival must be between the date of issue and expiry of ETA.    For e-Business Visa , the validity would be 365 days from the date of grant of ETA with Multiple entries and continuous stay during each visit which shall not exceed 180 days and no registration would be    required if stay is for a period of less than 180 days. However, if the intention is to stay for more than 180 days, then the foreigner shall get himself/herself registered with the FRRO/FRO concerned     (https://indianfrro.gov.in) within two weeks after the expiry of 180 days of his/her arrival in India.    For e-Conference Visa , the validity would be 30 days from the date of arrival in India with Single entry.    For e-Medical Visa , the validity would be 60 days from the date of first arrival in India and triple entry will be allowed within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport.    For e-Medical Attendant Visa , the validity would be 60 days from the date of first arrival in India and triple entry will be allowed within the e-Visa validity period stamped on your Passport.

Ans- No, e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.

Ans- You may arrive at 31 designated Airports i.e. Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa(Dabolim), Goa(Mopa), Guwahati, Hyderabad,Indore    Jaipur,Kannur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi & Visakhapatnam, and 5 designated seaports (i.e. Cochin, Goa, Mangalore,    Chennai and Mumbai seaports). You may depart from any of the Indian Immigration Check Posts (ICPs).

Ans- Your e-Visa application may take upto 72 hours for processing. For more enquiries on your e-Visa application, you can contact us at +91 11 24300666 or e-mail at indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in    The applicants are advised to beware of unscrupulous elements/ travel agents/ intermediaries in this regard. In cases where applicants have been asked for correct details or additional information    where application is incomplete, the same must be sent immediately. If such information is not provided within 72 hours, the application is liable to be rejected.

Ans- Yes, ensure that your child’s passport is valid at-least for next 06 (six) months from the date of arrival in India.

Ans- e-Visa processing fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

Ans- No. You have already paid the required processing fee online. The applicants are advised to beware of unscrupulous elements/ travel agents/ intermediaries demanding extra payment.

Ans- This pertains to customs department.

Ans- Make sure you delete the browser history and cookies before trying to make payment. Also try to change the browser if the problem persists.    In case you have already tried more than thrice, then you may have to re-submit the entire application form once again.    Payment Support helpline :-     Axis Bank Technical support. Email address: ecom[at]axisbank[dot]com    Contact No Toll free Numbers from:    USA : 18552055577 UK : 0808178 5040 Singapore : 8001206355 Australia : 1800153861 UAE : 8000 3570 3218 Saudi Arabia : 8008500000 Qatar : 00800 100348 Bahrain : 80011300    For rest of the countries: + 91-40-6717-4100     SBI ePay payment support provides technical support for all payment related transactions at +91-22-2753-5773 (24 x 7).

Ans- Please visit our website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ and click on 'Verify Payment/ Pay e-Visa fee'.

Ans - You have to upload the business card along with the details of Indian Firm/Company (which you intend to associate yourself with) for business activities. For Sports Related Activity under e-Business Visa, please refer Instructions for applicant page for the list of documents required.

Ans- Business card means 'a card provided to you by the company you are working for' OR you can also upload 'an invitation letter from the company in India including company's information, address and    phone number in India'.

Ans - A Copy of Letter from the Hospital concerned in India on its letterhead which includes the tentative date of admission/treatment in the hospital mentioning the name, nationality and Passport number of    the patient/ e-Medical Visa applicant.

Ans- For e-Conference Visa, following are the required documents:    (i) Invitation from organizer (mandatory)    (ii) Political clearance from Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India (mandatory)    (iii) Event clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India (optional)

Ans- You may be allowed entry into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport with the condition that you must carry the new Passport and old passport on which ETA was    issued.

Ans- No, You can only enter through the designated airports/seaports which are listed on the e-Visa website.

Ans- You have to put the Previous visa details in the application form as it is mandatory. You can write NA or Not Available or Not Applicable or any other suitable phrase according to you in the application    form if you do not remember your earlier Visa number/details.

Ans- The Visa on Arrival facility is only for the nationals of Japan, South Korea and UAE (only for such UAE nationals who had earlier obtained e-Visa or regular/paper visa for India). For the nationals of all other    countries eligible for e-Visa, the e-visa application have to be filled online and the applicant must wait till the confirmation/Grant of ETA for travelling to India.

Ans- e-Visa processing fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either grant or Rejection of the Application.

Ans- Entry by cruise ship is allowed with the ETA through 5 designated seaports namely Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Goa and Mangalore seaports.

Ans- 'Visible identification mark' generally means moles, birthmarks, permanent scars etc. which are visible and can be shown if askd for by the Indian Immigration Authority.

Ans- All the foreigners arriving in India within 6 days of departure from any yellow fever endemic country are required to possess (in original) a valid yellow fever certificate of vaccination.    List of Yellow fever vaccination countries-     https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Updated%20List%20of%20Yellow%20Fever%20Endemic%20Countries%20by%20WHO_0.pdf

Ans- The applicant must check all the details including Name, Nationality, Passport Number and Date of Birth, photograph/self image etc before final submission of e-Visa application. The applicant would be    responsible for any discrepancy irrespective of grant/rejection of e-Visa application. However, if any discrepancy found on ETA, e-Visa Support Centre may be contacted at indian-evisa[at]gov[dot]in or     +91 11 24300666 for assistance at least 24 hours before the journey date.

Ans- e-Visa is not allowed for employment. You may apply for a Regular Visa.

Ans- e-Visa is not allowed for NGO activities and journalism purposes. However, Voluntary work of short duration (for a maximum period of one month, which do not involve any monetary payment or    consideration of any kind in return) are allowed.

Ans- Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e-Medical Visa (patient).

Authorized Immigration Checkposts

Entry points.

Persons holding eVisa will be allowed to enter into India only through the designated international airports (31) namely :

• Thiruvananthapuram
• Goa(Dabolim)
• Visakhapatnam
• Bhubaneswar

eVisa facility is also been provided for entry at 5 major Indian seaport for cruise tourists:

• New Mangalore

Exit Points

• Bhubaneshwar
• Tiruchirapalli
• Vishakhapatnam
• Attari Road
• Changrabandha
• Gauriphanta
• Kailashahar
• Lalgolaghat
• Srimantapur
• Kawarpuchia
• Bedi Bunder
• Mormagoa Harbour
• Mumbai Seaport
• Nagapattinum
• Nhava Sheva
• Vishakapatnam
• Agati and Minicoy Island Lakshdwip UT
• Vallarpadam
• Krishnapatnam
• Munabao Rail Check Post
• Attari Rail Check Post
• Gede Rail and Road Check Post
• Haridaspur Rail Check Post
• Chitpur Rail Checkpost

Technical information for e-visa: This site is best viewed in Mozilla Firefox,Google Chrome,Internet Explorer (Windows) version 9.0 and above.The applicant must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 7.0 or higher installed on your PC in order to download and print the completed application form. This website is compatible with Android and IOS devices.

Welcome to Consulate General of India, New York (USA)

• Skip to main content
• Screen Reader Access
• English Hindi

• Visa Guidelines for USA Passport Holders
• Advisory on Satellite Phone
• Emergency Entry Visa Guidelines
• Visa for Diplomatic/ official/ Laissez-Passers Passport Holders
• Tourist Visa
• Business Visa
• Employment Visa
• Transit Visa
• Medical Visa
• Student Visa (Study/Research /Internship)
• Conference Visa
• Mountaineering Visa
• Missionary Visa
• Journalist Visa(Journalist /Documentary filming)
• Film Visa: Visa for shooting Feature Films
• Visa for Pakistani Passport Holders/ Foreign Passport holders of Pakistani Origin
• Important Advisory on Fake Indian eVisa websites
• FAQ’s on Visa
• General Passport Information
• TATKAAL  Passport Services
• Public Advisory on Urgent Re-issuance of Passports
• FAQ on Passport
• EAMs Message on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas 2023 (24 Jun)
• How to apply for OCI ?
• When to Update/Reissue OCI
• Renewal/Re-issue of OCI Card
• General Information on OCI
• Conversion of PIO card to OCI card
• Instructions to Convert PIO Card to OCI Card
• Renunciation of OCI
• FAQ On OCI Related Matters
• Notice regarding Dual Citizenship
• FAQs on Misc. Service
• Outsourcing of Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Service for Indian Nationals with VFS Global
• General Information
• FAQs on Renunciation
• Emergency Travel Document (Emergency Certificate-EC)
• Calendar of upcoming Camps
• Past Consular Camps
• Import of Pet
• Data of Death Record
• Adult Protective Services (APS)
• Empanelled NGOs with Consulate
• Child Protective Services (CPS)
• Assistance for distressed women in India
• Minutes of Fourth Interaction-Community Organizations
• Procedure for sending/ forwarding Court Order/ Summons
• India: Leather Exports
• DISCLAIMER: Links given to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement / promotion of external websites by the Consulate General of India, New York. This Consulate does not take responsibility for the content therein. It does not endorse, approve, or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficiency, timeliness, or correct sequencing of such information. They are given solely for access to prima facie information.
• अमरीका में हिंदी
• Statement of Need Certificates for Medical Doctors
• Equivalence Certificate
• Open Admissions - School of International Cooperation, Security and Strategic Languages, Rashtriya Raksha University, India
• CUNY India Study Abroad Program (July 30 –August 15, 2019)
• RIT- OASIS organised Dandiya event with Mr. Jeffrey Cox, Director, International Student Services and Ms. Erica Ford, International Student Advisor
• Meet and Greet for Indian Students in USA, 21 October 2022 Consulate General of India in New York in association with GOPIO- Manhattan organized the 'Annual Day for Indian Students in USA' on October 21, 2022 at the Consulate. The Chief Guest for the evening was Mrs. Chandrika Tandon, Chairperson of Tandon Capital Associates and a recognized business leader, Grammy- nominated artist and humanitarian.
• Celebrating 20 years of Indian School of Business as part of Amrit Mahotsav. CGI, New York hosted ISB delegation led by Dean, its founding chairman & members and alumni on November 18, 2022
• Advisory/Information for students desirous of Pursuing Medical Studies abroad
• Fulbright - Nehru and Fulbright - Kalam Fellowships
• Online Annual Hindi Learning Program by Yuva Hindi Sansthan.
• Emergency Contact
• PIB Accreditation
• PRAMIT Pravasi Mitra (Helpline)

• Home › Consular Services › Visa Services › E - Visa

1. Service of e-Visa involves a completely online application for which no facilitation is required by any intermediary/agent etc. Applicants are also advised to be careful of fraudulent websites offering e-visa services for India and only use the Government of India portal which is https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html .

It may be noted that Consulate does not process e-visas and any inquiries in this regard will need to be made directly on the e-visa portal.

In case if you stuck somewhere or face any problem please contact e visa help desk i.e.

+91 11 24300666

[email protected]

2. International travelers whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, business purpose, as attendant to e-Medical visa holder, attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations etc. & their subordinate/ attached organizations & PSUs and no other purpose/activity, can apply for e-Visa.

3. e-Visa has 7 sub-categories viz. e-Tourist Visa (for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years), e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa, e-Medical Attendant Visa, e-Ayush Visa, e-Ayush Attendant visa and e-Conference Visa . A foreigner (other than those applying for e-Conference Visa) will be allowed to club activities permitted under these categories. Foreigners applying for e-Conference visa will be permitted to club the activities permitted under e-Tourist visa only (validity co-terminus with e-Conference Visa only i.e. 30 days). Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e- Medical Visa.

4. For e-Tourist and e-Business visa, Applicants may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival.

5. For e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant and e-Conference visa, Applicants may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival with a window of 120 days. Example: If you are applying on 1st Sept then applicant can select arrival date from 5th Sept to 2nd Jan.

6. Recent front facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport containing personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc are to be uploaded mandatory by the applicant. Additionally one more document depending upon the e-Visa type would also be required to be uploaded. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded documents and photograph are not clear / as per specification.

7. The revised fee structure for e-Tourist visa is as under:-

8. Bank transaction charges of 2.5% will be charged additionally on applicable e-Visa fees. The fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel otherwise application will not be processed.

9. e-Visa fee once submitted is non-refundable as the fee is for processing of the application and is not dependent on either Grant or Rejection of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).Applicant should carry a copy of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) along with him/her at the time of travel. Please confirm that your ETA status is shown as 'GRANTED' on this website prior to commencement of your journey.

10. Biometric details of the applicant will be mandatorily captured at Immigration on arrival in India. e-Visa is non-extendable, non-convertible & not valid for visiting Protected/Restricted and Cantonment Areas. If you intend to visit Protected/Restricted/Cantonment areas, you would require prior permission from the Civil Authority.

11. The e-Visa fee payment status updation may take up to 2 hours due to technical reasons/network delays. Before re-applying, the applicants are requested to wait for 2 hours for payment status updating, after final submission of the application form and payment of the fee. In cases, where e-Visa fee has been deducted but status is not updated, the applicants are advised to verify their payment status by clicking on 'Verify Payment/Pay Visa Fee' tab or by clicking on the link Verify Payment.

12. Nationals of Yellow Fever affected countries or travellers arriving from these countries must carry YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CARD at the time of arrival in India, otherwise they may be quarantined for 6 days upon arrival in India.

13. You must travel on the Passport which you have applied for eVisa. Entry will be allowed into India on the new passport even if ETA has been issued on the old passport, however in such cases a traveler must carry the old passport on which ETA was issued.

14. The documents required for completing the eVisa application is indicated against each type of eVisa. Please keep all these documents ready at hand before beginning to fill your eVisa application. All documents including Business cards, Invitation letters etc. must be in English language, failing which the application would be liable for rejection. The entire process may take 10 to 15 minutes to complete the application and make the payment. Applicants must be fill eVisa application himself/herself and give correct information in each column and take responsibility for the correctness of information provided.

1. E-Visa has been made available by the Government of India to citizens of certain countries, including the United States of America. Details of the scheme are available on the dedicated website created for this purpose: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

2. International travellers whose sole objective for visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, business purpose, as attendant to e-Medical visa holder, attending a conference/ seminar/ workshop organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, State Governments or UT Administrations etc. & their subordinate/ attached organizations & PSUs and no other purpose/activity, can apply for e-Visa.

3. e-Visa has 5 sub-categories viz. e-Tourist Visa (for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years), e-Business Visa , e-Medical Visa , e-Medical Attendant Visa and e-Conference Visa . A foreigner (other than those applying for e-Conference Visa) will be allowed to club activities permitted under these categories. Foreigners applying for e-Conference visa will be permitted to club the activities permitted under e-Tourist visa only (validity co-terminus with e-Conference Visa only i.e. 30 days). Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas will be granted against one e- Medical Visa.

6. Recent front facing photograph with white background and photo page of Passport containing personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc are to be uploaded mandatorily by the applicant. Additionally one more document depending upon the e-Visa type would also be required to be uploaded. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded documents and photograph are not clear / as per specification.

• Visa Services
• Travel Advisory for Indian Nationals
• Passport Services
• OCI Services
• Miscellaneous Consular Services
• Renunciation of Indian Citizenship
• Emergency Travel Document
• Global Entry Program (GEP) For Indian Nationals
• Emergency Contact No
• Consular Camps
• Customs Regulations
• PAN Card for NRI/PIO ?
• Aadhaar Card for NRI/OCI/PIOs
• Adoption of Indian Children
• Vaccination Guideline
• About PRAMIT
• Important Notification for Travelers to India - Bringing on Import or Use of satellite phones in India

• @IndiainNewYork @IndiainNewYork
• CGI NewYork CGI NEW YORK
• CGI NEWYORK CGI NEWYORK
• PRAMIT PRAMIT
• Google Feedback Google Feedback

• Copyright policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Hyperlinking Policy
• Accessibility Statement

Address: Consulate General of India, 3 East 64th Street (Between 5th and Madison Avenues), New York, NY 10065

Tel No. for all enquiries : +1 347-721-9243

Consulate closed on Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays Official working hours: 9.00 AM - 5.30 PM EST Submission of documents/or any Consular Query: 09:30 am to 11:30 am Collection of documents: 04:00 pm - 04:30 pm For submission of documents : 09:15 am to 11:15 am (Monday to Friday) Delivery of documents : 11:30 am to 13:00 pm (Monday to Friday) --> For submission of documents : 9:15 am - 12:15 pm Delivery of documents : 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm-->

Visitors Since (June, 2018): 9287216

Page last updated on: May 04, 2024

Welcome to Embassy of India, Washington D C, USA

• Skip to main content
• Screen Reader Access

• List of Officers
• Departments
• List of Holidays
• Consulates in US
• Right to Information
• Embassy of India, Washington, DC Jurisdiction
• Emergency Contact Numbers
• A brief history of the Chancery building
• Former Ambassadors of India to U.S.
• Discontinuation of walk-in consular services
• Apply Indian Visa
• EMERGENCY VISA
• Visa for Diplomatic/Official and Laissez-Passer Passport Holders
• Passport Services
• Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card
• Conversion of PIO card to OCI card
• OCI Card Reissue Guidelines
• Miscellaneous-Attestation Services
• Renunciation of Indian Citizenship
• Global Entry Program (GEP) For Indian Nationals
• Emergency Travel Document (Emergency Certificate-EC)
• Consular Assistance
• VFS Helpline Numbers
• Brief on India-US Relations
• What's New/Press Releases
• Journalist Visas/Documentary Filming in India/Film Visa
• Photo Gallery
• Arts/Culture
• Indian Council For Cultural Relations (ICCR)
• International Day of Yoga
• Contact point
• Education Wing
• Guidelines for Indian Students in the United States
• Registration of Indian Students in USA
• Inviting applications for 'International Hindi Course' by the Central Institute of Hindi, India
• Fulbright Scholarships
• The Quad Fellowship
• Guidelines for issue of No Objection Certificate / Visa for students proceeding to India on Fulbright Scholarship residing under the jurisdiction of Embassy of India, Washington D.C.
• Financial Terms and Conditions for Scholarships handled by ICCR.
• ICCR Scholarship
• Equivalency certificate of academic qualification
• Study in India
• Advisory/Information for students desirous of pursuing medical studies abroad
• Information on various aspects of US Legal system for incoming Indian students
• Public Notices/ Alerts
• How to address issues related to Marriages of Indian nationals to Overseas Indians
• Bill on NRI Marriages
• Procedure for sending/ forwarding Court Order/ Summons
• Legal and other provisions in foreign countries on Indian women cheated/abandoned/abused by Overseas Indian Spouses
• Officer-in-charge
• FAQs on Marital disputes involving NRI/PIO spouses
• प्रायः पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न : "भारतीय महिलाओं का विवाह

• Home > Updated Advisory on Tourist Visas

Updated Advisory on Tourist Visas

Embassy of India

Washington DC

The Government of India has decided, with immediate effect, to restore valid long duration (10 years) regular (paper) tourist visas for the nationals of USA. Fresh issue of regular (paper) long-duration (10 years) tourist visas has also been restored for nationals of USA.

E-Tourist visas under the three options (one month, one year and five year) which remained suspended since March 2020, shall stand restored for nationals of 156 countries. Applications for fresh e-tourist visas for eligible nationalities can also be made at the Indian E-Visa Portal [ https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html ]

• The current scheme of regular tourist visa/e-visa (single entry of 30 days duration) on gratis basis will be discontinued w.e.f. 1 st April 2022.  

Application for fresh tourist visa can be made as per following procedure:

E visa: Eligible foreign nationals can apply for e-tourist visa at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html . [The applicant may note that the Embassy does not process e-visas and any enquiries in this regard will need to be made directly on the e-visa portal].

Regular (Paper) Tourist visa: Application for regular (paper) tourist visa from Embassy / Consulate in USA can be submitted by following the link: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind

Foreign nationals on tourist/e-tourist visas would be permitted to enter India only through designated Sea Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) or Airport ICPs by flights, including those under the Vande Bharat Mission or ‘air bubble’ scheme or by any flights as allowed by Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation. In no case, the foreign nationals will be allowed to enter through land border or riverine routes on Tourist visa/E-Tourist visa.

Applicants are also advised to go through the guidelines for international travel to India available at:  https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf .

28 March 2022

The current scheme of regular tourist visa/e-visa (one month stay only) on gratis basis will also continue.

15 March, 2022

            The Government of India has decided to issue fresh tourist visas with effect from 15 October, 2021 for group tourism and from 15 November, 2021 for individual travel.  In this context, the following may be noted:

• All foreign nationals intending to visit India for tourism will be allowed to enter India on e-Tourist Visa/regular paper Tourist Visa through chartered flights (for group tourism only) with effect from 15 October, 2021.
• All foreign nationals intending to visit India for individual tourism purposes will be permitted to enter India on e-Tourist Visa/regular paper Tourist Visa with effect from 15 November, 2021. Such travel will be allowed through Vande Bharat Mission, Air Bubble Scheme or by any scheduled/non-scheduled commercial flight allowed by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Foreign nationals will not be allowed to enter India through land routes on e-Tourist Visa/regular paper Tourist Visa.
• A Single Entry e-Tourist Visa/regular paper Tourist Visa valid for a stay of up to 30 days will be issued, which will have to be utilized within a period of 120 days from the date of issue . This visa will be issued on a gratis basis for a limited time once to each applicant. However, VFS service charge and payments on account of value-added services like courier, etc. will need to be made.
• It may be noted that existing valid e-Tourist Visa/regular paper Tourist Visa issued before 6 October, 2021 will continue to remain suspended and travel on such visas is not permitted.
• The process of obtaining e-Tourist Visa/Regular Tourist Visa may be accessed at the following links:
• e-Tourist Visa -  https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html . The applicant may note that the Embassy does not process e-visas and any enquiries in this regard will need to be made directly on the e-visa portal.
• Regular Tourist Visa through VFS Global with effect from 13 December, 2021 (12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time) - https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind
• Applicants are also advised to go through the guidelines for international travel to India available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsdated30thNovember2021.pdf

Advisory on Tourist Visas

• A Single Entry e-Tourist Visa/regular paper Tourist Visa valid for a stay of up to 30 days will be issued, which will have to be utilized within a period of 120 days from the date of issue . This visa will be issued on a gratis basis for a limited time once to each applicant.
• e-Tourist Visa - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html . The applicant may note that the Embassy does not process e-visas and any enquiries in this regard will need to be made directly on the e-visa portal.
• Regular Tourist Visa through the Embassy of India – https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/extra?id=88
• Applicants are also advised to go through the guidelines for international travel to India available at  https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Guidelinesforinternationalarrivals17022021.pdf .

• Copyright policy --> Copyright policy
• Terms & Conditions --> Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy --> Privacy Policy
• Hyperlinking Policy --> Hyperlinking Policy
• Accessibility Option --> Accessibility Option

Chancery Address: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008

Consular Wing Address: 2536 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008

Disclaimer: The Embassy is not responsible for the information or content provided in any of the external links given in its Website.

Tel No. for all enquiries:(202) 939-7000 Embassy closed on Saturdays, Sundays & Public holidays. Official working hours: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM EST

Page last updated on: May 03, 2024

© Embassy of India, Washington DC, USA 20008. All Rights Reserved. Ardhas Technology India Private Limited. -->

Here's how to get a visa to visit India

Dec 20, 2023 • 7 min read

From applying for an e-Visa to extending your stay, here's what you need to know about entry requirements for India © beavera / Getty Images

With its dense tapestry of cultures and landscapes, India feels like dozens of countries rolled into one, but a single visa will cover you for travel across more than 3 million sq km (more than a million sq miles) of territory, taking in everything from steamy jungles to the high passes of the Himalayas.

Every Indian state is as large and diverse as a nation, so take your time navigating this enormous and fascinating country. The good news is that visas are easy to obtain and allow plenty of time for exploring.

Here’s everything you need to know about visa requirements for India, from the application process for e-Visas to overland travel and extending your stay.

You'll probably need a visa to go to India

Almost everyone needs a visa to visit India , but for most nationalities, tourist visas are easy to obtain online or through your local Indian embassy or consulate. Citizens of 166 countries – including most nations in the EU and EEA, the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand, and many countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America – can apply for an e-Visa before traveling via a simple online form .

Applying online is a fairly painless process, and it will save you hours compared to applying in person at an embassy or through a visa agency (in countries where Indian embassies no longer issue visas directly). Tourist e-Visas are available with a validity of 30 days, one year or five years, with the one- and five-year visas allowing for multiple entries for a maximum stay of 180 days on each visit.

For one- and five-year tourist visas, applications are accepted up to 120 days in advance of travel. The 30-day visa allows two entries into India, which is handy if you’re planning a side trip to Nepal , and you can apply up to 30 days in advance of travel. All e-Visas take at least 72 hours to process, so be sure to apply in plenty of time (at least 4 days in advance is recommended).

Applying online is the most hassle-free way to obtain a visa

The Indian government’s online e-Visa portal can be used to apply for tourist visas, business visas, and visas for medical treatment and attending conferences. The cost and duration of the visa vary depending on your nationality, and you may need to show proof of return travel arrangements and sufficient funds to support yourself during your trip.

Rules for non-tourist visas can be complex. Business travelers usually need to provide letters of introduction from Indian companies and organizations that they plan to meet. Assuming you meet the requirements, business visas are usually valid for multiple entries over the space of one year.

Working for an Indian company is more complicated. You’ll need an employment visa and a work permit, and most people need a firm job offer and assistance from an Indian employer to complete the paperwork. As with all visa requirements, the situation is subject to change; contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.

Applying for a tourist e-Visa is fairly straightforward

To apply for an Indian e-Visa, visit the government’s official e-Visa portal . You’ll need to upload a digital passport-style photo and copies of your passport ID pages, and pay the visa fee, which varies depending on your nationality.

Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry, and you’ll need two spare pages for the visa, which will be physically stamped into your passport on arrival. Assuming your application is accepted – which is the case for most applicants – you’ll receive a digital Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which you should print out and carry with you when you travel, so you can present it to the immigration authorities on arrival. 

Enter India via air or sea on your e-Visa

E-Visas allow entry to India through 25 designated airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Bengaluru (Bangalore), Hyderabad, Kochi (Cochin), Goa, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Gaya, Jaipur, Lucknow, Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), Varanasi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Pune, Nagpur, Coimbatore, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Chandigarh and Visakhapatnam.

They’re also valid for entry via the designated seaports at Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, New Mangalore and Mormugao (in Goa).

Apply for a visa before you travel to enter India overland

If you plan to enter India overland – for example, from Nepal or Pakistan – you’ll need a visa stamped into your passport before you leave home, which you’ll need to obtain from the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country, or through an approved visa application office.

If you plan to visit India and Nepal on the same trip, get a multiple-entry visa – it used to be possible to arrange a new Indian tourist visa through the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu , but the authorities may now insist on a two-month gap before issuing a new visa.

There’s no need to worry about applying for a visa for Nepal in advance – they’re available on arrival at border crossings (bring passport photos and US dollars to pay the fee).

If you can't apply for an e-Visa, get one in person in advance

Contact your local embassy or consulate to check the application process in your country; the Indian Ministry of External Affairs maintains a list of diplomatic missions online. It’s best to apply for a visa in your home country – obtaining an Indian visa from an embassy in another country can be tortuously slow, assuming it’s possible at all. Fees and the permitted duration of stay will vary depending on your nationality.

As an alternative to applying through an Indian embassy or consulate, you may be able to apply for a visa through a visa agency – however, this tends to be more expensive than applying directly. In practice, many of these agencies just collect together applications and then send over a staff member to the embassy to apply in person.

Student visas are available to those on full-time courses in India

Student visas are reserved for people enrolled in approved full-time educational courses in India (which can include training courses in yoga, meditation, and traditional Indian art forms). Student visas are valid for up to five years, depending on the length of the course, but the rules are strict, and you’ll need documentation from the institution where you are studying to apply. The Ministry of Home Affairs provides some information online, but contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date requirements.

Extending your stay in India is for exceptional circumstances only

E-Visas cannot be extended, but other types of visas can, though only in exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies or theft of your passport. To apply, you’ll need to use the government’s special online portal , providing evidence of a valid reason for extending your stay in India (e.g., a letter from the hospital where you are being treated or a police report).

You may then be called in for an in-person interview at the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Delhi. If there is a fee, it will be made clear during the application process.

Some border areas in India require additional travel permits

Under a system carried over from British colonial rule, special permits (known as “protected area permits” or “restricted area permits”) are required to visit many areas close to India’s disputed external borders with China , Pakistan and other territories – a zone known as the “inner line.” Applying for these permits outside India is tricky, but you can apply locally in India without too much difficulty.

Permits are especially important for highly sensitive border areas (which tend to be off-limits to all travelers). Applications can be made through local government offices or local travel agencies; contact the state government offices for these regions to get the latest information. In some areas, you may need to register with the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office on arrival, but this is an easy process.

This article was first published Mar 12, 2022 and updated Dec 20, 2023.

Explore related stories

Mar 14, 2024 • 10 min read

Whether it's bus, train, private car, motorcycle, bike, plane or boat, you can plan your trip around Vietnam with this guide to getting around.

Feb 22, 2024 • 3 min read

Jan 14, 2024 • 8 min read

Jan 11, 2024 • 4 min read

Jan 2, 2024 • 8 min read

Jan 2, 2024 • 11 min read

Dec 27, 2023 • 8 min read

Dec 20, 2023 • 11 min read

Dec 16, 2023 • 12 min read

India's Visa Types, Explained

Applying for an E-Visa

India's Climate & Seasons

Monsoon in India

Your Essential Packing List

Things to Buy Before You Go

What to Pack for Monsoon

The Best India Guidebooks

How to Save on Your India Trip

The Top Destinations in India

The Most Iconic Sights in India

Which Region Is Right for You?

India's Top Historical Destinations

Romantic Indian Destinations

India's Top Hill Stations

India's Top National Parks

The Best Beaches in India

India's Best Backpacker Spots

India's Most Spiritual Destinations

The Best Luxury Spas in India

India Off the Beaten Path

India for Adventure Travelers

Where to Experience Rural India

The Top Things to Do in India

Palaces & Forts in India

India's Best Surfing Beaches

Volunteer on a Budget in India

7 Cool Sound & Light Shows

India's Most Popular Festivals

India's Best Bike Tours

See India by Motorcycle

India's Top Tribal Tours

Offbeat Tours to Take in India

India's Best Homestays

Palace Hotels in India

India's Coolest Treehouse Hotels

Top Wildlife & Jungle Lodges

The Best Hostels in India

Best Budget Hotels in India

Transport in India: An Overview

India's Major Airports

India's Best Airlines

Domestic Airlines in India

Hiring a Car & Driver in India

Your Intro to Indian Railways

Travel Classes on Indian Trains

How to Reserve a Train Ticket

How to Find & Board Your Train

Tips for Train Travel in India

India's Scenic Toy Trains

12 Indian Etiquette Don'ts

The Top 10 Indian Stereotypes

Tipping in India

What Does the Head Shake Mean?

9 Challenges You'll Face in India

How to Avoid Culture Shock

Top 5 Monsoon Health Concerns

Voltage Information for India

How to Use Your Cell Phone

How to Say Hello in Hindi

Often Misunderstood Hindi Terms

Hindi Language Books

Most Common Indian Scams

How to Handle Begging in India

How to Spot Fake Indian Currency

What to Buy in India

How to Buy a Sari in India

How to Bargain at Indian Markets

How to Get an Indian Visa

Visa Requirements for India

All visitors need a visa for India, except citizens of neighboring Nepal and Bhutan. The Indian government has now introduced one-month, one-year, and five-year electronic visas for citizens of most countries. The e-visas are available for tourism, business, medical, and conference purposes.

Nowadays, an e-Visa will be sufficient for most visitors, thereby removing the need to obtain a regular visa before arriving in India. However, citizens of the United States can get a regular Tourist visa that's valid for up to 10 years. Some people may also require a type of visa that's not offered as an e-Visa.

Some countries, such as Japan and Mongolia, have individual agreements with India that allow their citizens to pay significantly less for a visa. Citizens of Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, and Vanuatu do not have to pay a visa fee.

If you're not applying for an e-Visa, it's now possible to apply for a regular paper visa online. The Indian government has introduced a centralized  online application process  whereby you can complete and submit the form online, and then manually submit your passport and supporting documents in person to the relevant Indian Mission (Indian consulate or embassy) in your country.

Alternatively, you can still go through a visa processing center if you can't appear at an Indian consulate in person. You'll need to complete your application form online, on the agency's website, and then mail in your application and required documents.

In the United States, Indian visa applications are handled by Cox and Kings Global Services. In  Australia  and the  UK , it's VFS Global. In Canada,  BLS International  processes visa applications.

Tourist Visas

Tourist visas are issued to people who want to come to India to visit people and go sightseeing or attend a short-term yoga program. Although tourist visas can be granted for more than six months, it's not possible to remain in India for longer than six months at a time on a tourist visa. In late 2009, India introduced new rules to curb the misuse of tourist visas in India (people who were living in India on Tourist visas and doing quick runs to a neighboring country and back every six months). Specifically, a two-month gap was required between visits to India. This requirement was finally removed in late Nov. 2012. However, some exceptions do remain.

India now has a popular electronic visa (e-Visa) scheme in place for citizens of most countries. Under this scheme, visitors can easily apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization online, and then get a visa stamp for entry into the country upon arrival. E-Tourist visas of one-month, one-year, and five-year validity are now available. The scope of visas under the program has also been widened to include short-term medical treatment and yoga courses, and casual business visits and conferences. Previously, these required separate medical/student/business visas. Tourists visiting India on a cruise ship can get an e-Visa as well.

Visa Fees and Applications

Tourist visa fees vary between countries, according to the arrangement between governments. The current price for U.S. citizens is $150 for up to 10 years. Processing is additional and costs $19.90. There are also other incidental costs, such as a Biometric Enrollment fee, although these are not significant in amount. When compared to the new reduced cost of getting an e-Tourist visa—$80 for five years—there's no real financial benefit of obtaining a regular paper visa.

Along with your application and fee, for an Indian Tourist visa, you'll need a passport that's valid for a least six months and has at least two blank pages, a recent passport-sized photo (check the requirements as it changes, the current requirement is a 2-inch square photo), and details of your itinerary. Copies of flight tickets and proof of residential address may also be required. Your visa application form may have the space for Indian referees, but this section usually isn't necessary to be completed for Tourist visas.

Even if you have a valid Tourist visa, some remote areas in India require foreigners to obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to enter them. These areas are usually near borders or have other security concerns associated with them.

Such areas include Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and some parts of northern Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. In many cases, individual tourists are not allowed, only tour/trekking groups.

You can apply for your PAP at the same time as you apply for your Tourist visa. Alternatively, it's also possible to obtain it while in India before going to the protected area.

Entry (X) Visa

An X-visa used to be issued to people who didn't fall into any of the other categories of visa applicants (such as volunteers). However, as of mid-2010, an X-visa is only available to the following people:

• A foreigner of Indian origin.
• Spouse and children of a foreigner of Indian origin or Indian citizen.
• Spouse and dependent children of a foreigner coming to India on any other long term visa, such as an Employment visa or Business visa.
• Foreigners who are joining specified ashrams or spiritual communities, such as Auroville, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Missions of Charities in Kolkata, or certain Buddhist monasteries.
• Foreigners who are participating in professional international sporting events.

It's not possible to work in India on an X-visa. However, X-visas can be extended in India, and there's no need to leave every six months. If you do stay for longer than six months at a time, you'll need to register at with Foreigners Regional Registration Office.

Employment Visa

Employment visas are issued to foreigners who are working in India, for an organization registered in India. Foreigners doing long-term volunteer work in India are now granted employment visas (as opposed to X-visas previously). Special Project visas are issued to highly skilled foreigners coming to India to work in the power and steel sectors. Employment visas are usually for one year or the term of the contract. They can be extended in India.

To apply for an Employment visa, you'll need proof of employment with a company/organization in India, such as a contract that states the terms and conditions. From April 1, 2017, the rule that stipulates applicants must be earning 16.25 lakh rupees (about $23,000) a year or more has been lowered to allow for foreigners to teach in Central Higher Educational Institutes. Other exceptions are made for volunteers, ethnic cooks, translators, non-English language teachers, and members of Foreign High Commissions and Embassies.

Intern (I) Visa

Before April 1, 2017, it was necessary for foreigners pursuing an internship in an Indian organization to obtain an Employment visa. However, foreigners who meet certain conditions can now get an Intern visa. The gap between the completion of graduation or post-graduation and the commencement of the internship should not exceed one year. The validity of the Intern visa is restricted to the duration of the internship program or one year, whichever is less. It can't be converted into an Employment visa (or any other type of visa). There are a limited number of intern visas available, so be sure to apply promptly if you know your desired internship.

Business Visa

Business visas are available for people to explore business opportunities or conduct business in India. This type of visa differs from an Employment visa in that the applicant won't be working for and earning an income from an organization in India. Business visa applicants will require a letter from the organization that they intend to do business with, stating the nature of the business, duration of stay, places to be visited, and intention to meet expenses.

Business visas are valid for up to five or 10 years, with multiple entries. However, holders usually aren't allowed to remain in India for more than 180 days at a time, unless they register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

Student Visa

Student visas are granted to people who wish to come to India and study long-term at an officially recognized educational institution. This includes the study of yoga, Vedic culture, and Indian system of dance and music. The main document required is student admission/registration papers from the institution. Student visas are issued for up to five years, depending on the duration of the course. They can also be extended in India.

In regards to yoga, the term "Yoga visa" is often mentioned. However, it's a Student visa that's provided to study yoga. Most of the well-known  yoga centers in India  will require those who study with them to obtain a yoga Student visa. A tourist visa is not sufficient for long-term studies.

Conference Visa

Conference visas are issued to delegates who want to attend a conference in India that's offered by an Indian government organization. Those who are attending a meeting with a private organization in India should apply for a Business visa.

Journalist Visa

If you're a professional journalist or photographer, you should apply for a Journalist visa. The main benefit of a Journalist visa is if you want access to a particular region or person. A Journalist visa is issued for three months. However, these visas can be notoriously tricky to get, so only apply if you need to.

If a media company employs you, or if you list your occupation as journalist or photographer on your visa application, you'll likely be made to get a Journalist visa regardless of what you intend to do in India. India is very sensitive to people involved in the media (including editors and writers) coming to India, due to how they may portray the country.

Film (F) Visa

If you're planning on making a commercial film or TV show in India, you'll need to apply for a Film visa. The visa application is reviewed and processed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting within 60 days. It's valid for up to one year.

Anyone shooting a documentary film or advertisement must apply for a Journalist visa.

Research Visa

Research visas are issued to professors and scholars who wish to visit India for research-related purposes. This is another difficult category of visa to get. It's restrictive and comes with a lot of requirements. Applications are sent to the Department of Education. Ministry of Human Resource Development for approval, which may take three months to be granted. Many people choose to apply for a Tourist visa instead if they're conducting research informally and not going to be in India for more than six months.

Medical Visa

Medical visas are provided to those seeking long-term medical treatment in India at recognized and specialized hospitals, and treatment centers. The treatment should be significant, such as neurosurgery, heart surgery, organ transplant, joint replacement, gene therapy, and plastic surgery. Up to two Medical Attendant visas will be issued for people to accompany the patient. If you're only undergoing short-term treatment of up to 60 days, you can  apply for a e-Medical visa.

Transit Visa

Visitors staying in India for less than 72 hours can obtain a Transit visa. Otherwise a Tourist visa is required. A confirmed airline booking for the onward journey must be shown when applying for the visa.

Visa Overstays

India's immigration policies tightened in late 2018, increasing the fines related to visa overstay. Those who overstay visas for 90 days are subject to a fine of $300, which increases accordingly based on the duration of the overstay. The Indian government can also take legal action against violators.

Extending Your Visa

In many cases, it's possible to extend your visa, but this must be done before it expires. Shorter-term visas, like the Indian e-Visa that most tourists hold, are not eligible for an extension. Those with visas valid for longer than 180 days may extend their visas, provided they register for an extension at least 60 days before the visa's expiry.

Your Essential Guide to Getting an E-Visa for India

Visa Requirements for the Netherlands

Visa Requirements For Thailand

Visa Requirements for Myanmar

Visa Requirements for Cambodia

Visa Requirements for Germany

Visa Requirements for Hong Kong

Visa Requirements for Australia

Visa Requirements for Finland

Visa Requirements for Canada

Visa Requirements for Greece

Visa Requirements for Sweden

Visa Requirements for Italy

Required Documents for Travel to China

Visa Requirements for France

Visa Requirements for Macao

Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

How to apply for India e-Visa: A step-by-step guide (with screenshots)

Updated: July 26, 2023

India e-Visa application is quite simple and easy to navigate. It only takes about 15 minutes to apply for India e-Visa online. Keep the necessary documents ready before you start the application. If you are missing something, it’s not a big deal as you can save the application and come back later to complete it.

There can be occasional hiccups with the visa fee payment. But nothing major. These payment issues can be fixed easily. I have provided all the details you need to know in this article.

If you haven’t already, check out the complete guide to India e-Visa for details on different tourist e-Visa types, eligible nationalities, fees, processing time, application status, etc.

Table of Contents

Documents needed to apply for india e-visa.

Before starting your India e-Visa online application, have these documents ready.

• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your anticipated date of arrival in India
• Photo must be in JPG/JPEG format only
• Photo must be 2inch x 2inch in dimensions
• Photo must be less than 1MB in size
• Head must be centered with light background and no glasses
• Scan must be in PDF format only
• Scan must be larger than 10KB and smaller than 300KB
• Your credit or debit card must support international transactions in non-home currency

Steps for filling out the India e-Visa application

• Go to India e-Visa Portal
• Click on the Apply here for e-Visa button

You will be taken to the e-Visa application page.

02. e-Visa application

Enter the following details on the e-Visa application page.

• Nationality/Region [ Comment : Enter your country of passport ]
• Passport Type [ Comment : Select “ORDINARY PASSPORT” from the options ]
• Port of Arrival [ Comment : Select the airport where you will be arriving ]
• Date of Birth [ Comment : Enter your date of birth as it appears in your passport in DD/MM/YYYY format ]
• Email ID [ Comment : Enter your email ID where you would like to receive your approved e-Visa ]
• Re-enter Email ID [ Comment : Re-enter your email ID ]
• Visa Service [ Comment : Select “e-TOURIST VISA”. If there is a 5-year option, select the 5-year option and then select “RECREATION/SIGHT-SEEING”. If you are not a tourist and applying for the e-Visa for some other purpose, select the appropriate purpose ]
• Expected Date of Arrival  [ Comment : Enter your anticipated date of arrival in India in DD/MM/YYYY format ]
• Please enter above text  [ Comment : Enter the captcha ]

Check the box for “I have read the instructions I have all the required documents in scanned pdf format and photograph in jpg/jpeg format”.

Click on the orange Continue button.

A small popup appears prompting you to make sure you have a colored digital photo and a scan of your passport ID page. 

Click on the Ok button on the popup. 

You will be taken to the Applicant Details Form .

03. Applicant Details Form (part 1)

Enter the following information in the Applicant Details section.

• Surname (exactly as in your passport) [ Comment : Enter your surname as it appears in your passport ]
• Given Name/s (exactly as in your passport) [ Comment : Enter your given name as it appears in your passport. If you have a middle name, enter your middle name followed by your first name in this field ]
• Have your ever changed your name? [ Comment : If you have legally changed your name in the past, check this box and enter the details. Ex: changed your surname after marriage ]
• Gender [ Comment : Select your gender from the options ]
• Date of birth [ Comment : Nothing to enter here as your date of birth is populated automatically from the previous screen ]
• Town/City of birth [ Comment : Enter your place of birth as it appears in your passport ]
• Country/Region of birth [ Comment : Enter your country of birth ]
• Citizenship/National Id No. [ Comment : If you have a national Id, enter here. But do not enter SSN or something similar that’s confidential. In that case, just enter NA ]
• ZOROASTRIAN
• Visible identification marks [ Comment : Enter any visible identification marks such as permanent moles or scars preferably on the face ]
• BELOW MATRICULATION
• HIGHER SECONDARY
• MATRICULATION
• NA BEING MINOR
• POSTGRADUATE
• PROFESSIONAL
• Nationality/Region [ Comment : Nothing to enter here as your nationality is populated automatically from the previous screen ]
• Naturalization
• Have you lived for at least two years in the country where you are applying visa? [ Comment: Select “Yes”. If you haven’t lived more than two years in the country you are applying from, select “No” ]

Enter the following information in the Passport Details section.

• Passport Number [ Comment : Enter your current passport number that you will use for entering India ]
• Place of Issue [ Comment : Enter the place of issue as it appears in your passport ]
• Date of Issue [ Comment : Enter the date of issue as it appears in your passport ]
• Date of Expiry [ Comment : Enter the expiry date as it appears in your passport. Passport must have at least 6 months of validity from the anticipated date of entry ]
• Any other valid Passport/Identity Certificate(IC) held [ Comment : Select No. If you also hold a passport from another country, select Yes and enter the details ]

Click on the orange Save and Continue button. 

You will be taken to the Applicant Details Form second part.

How to save the application and come back later to complete

If you plan to continue filling out the application later, you can click on Save and Temporarily Exit button.

This will save your progress and exit the application. You will be asked to make a note of your application ID. 

You will also receive an email with your application ID. You will have 7 days to complete the application. Otherwise, the application will be deleted from the system and you will have to start over again.

Follow these steps to complete the partially saved application.

• Click on the Complete Partially Filled Application Form button

You will be taken to the Complete Partially Filled Form .

Enter the following information in the Complete Partially Filled Form .

• Temporary Application ID [ Comment : Enter your saved application ID. If you don’t remember, look in your email inbox ]
• Please enter above text [ Comment : Enter the captcha ]

Click on the orange Complete Partially Filled button.

You will be taken to the last saved point of your e-Visa application. You can continue filling in from there.

04. Applicant Details Form (part 2)

Enter the following information in the Applicant Address Details section.

Present Address

• House No./Street [ Comment : Enter your house number or street address where you live ]
• Village/Town/City [ Comment : Enter the city where you live ]
• Country [ Comment : Enter the country where you live ]
• State/Province/District [ Comment : Enter the state or province where you live ]
• Postal/Zip Code [ Comment : Enter your current address postal or zip code ]
• Phone No. [ Comment : Enter your current fixed-line phone number ]
• Mobile No. [ Comment : Enter your current mobile or cellphone number ]
• Email Address [ Comment : Nothing to enter here as your email is populated automatically from the previous pages ]
• Click here for same address [ Comment : Check this box if your permanent address is the same as your current address. If not, enter your permanent address below ]

NOTE Enter your permanent address below if it’s different from your present address.

Permanent Address

• House No./Street [ Comment : Enter your permanent address house number ]
• Village/Town/City [ Comment : Enter your permanent address city ]
• State/Province/District [ Comment : Enter your permanent address state or province ]

Enter the following information in the Family Details section.

Father’s Details

• Name [ Comment : Enter your father’s full name including first, middle and last names ]
• Nationality/Region [ Comment : Enter your father’s nationality ]
• Previous Nationality/Region [ Comment : This is not a mandatory field, so leave it unselected. But if your father held any previous nationality, select the country from the list ]
• Place of birth [ Comment : Enter your father’s place of birth ]
• Country/Region of birth [ Comment : Select your father’s country of birth from the list ] 

Mother’s Details

• Name [ Comment : Enter your mother’s full name including first, middle and last names ]
• Nationality/Region [ Comment : Enter your mother’s nationality ]
• Previous Nationality/Region [ Comment : This is not a mandatory field, so leave it unselected. But if your mother held any previous nationality, select the country from the list ]
• Place of birth [ Comment : Enter your mother’s place of birth ]
• Country/Region of birth [ Comment : Select your mother’s country of birth from the list ] 

Enter the following information in the next (Marital Status) section.

Spouse’s Details

• Name [ Comment : Enter your spouse’s full name including first, middle and last names ]
• Nationality/Region [ Comment : Enter your spouse’s nationality ]
• Previous Nationality/Region [ Comment : This is not a mandatory field, so leave it unselected. But if your spouse held any previous nationality, select the country from the list ]
• Place of birth [ Comment : Enter your spouse’s place of birth ]
• Country/Region of birth [ Comment : Select your spouse’s country of birth from the list ] 
• Were your Parents/Grandparents (paternal/maternal) Pakistan Nationals or Belong to Pakistan held area? [ Comment: Select No. If you select Yes for any reason, give the details on your ancestory ]

Enter the following information in the Profession/Occupation Details of Application section.

• Present Occupation [ Comment : Select your current occupation/profession from the list. If you can’t find your occupation/profession in the list, such as NURSE, select OTHERS and enter your occupation/profession in the box that appears below ]
• Employer Name/business [ Comment : Enter your current employer/business name ]
• Designation [ Comment : Enter your current designation or title ]
• Address [ Comment : Enter your current employer/business address ]
• Phone [ Comment : Enter your current employer/business phone number ]
• Past Occupation, if any [ Comment : If you had any other occupations or professions in the past, select from the list ]
• Are/were you in a Military/Semi-Military/Police/Security Organization? [ Comment : Select No. If you are/were in defense, select Yes and enter the details ]

Click on the orange Save and Continue button.

You will be taken to the Visa Details Form .

05. Visa Details Form

Enter the following information in the Details of the visa sought section.

• Type of visa [ Comment : Nothing to enter here as your visa type (e-Visa) will be automatically populated here ]
• Visa service [ Comment : Nothing to enter here too as the e-Tourist Visa option that you have selected earlier will be automatically populated ]
• Places to be visited [ Comment : List all the places that you will visit in India on this trip ]
• Places to be visited line 2 [ Comment : If the above text box is not enough, you can enter more places that you plan to visit in India here ]
• Have you booked any room in Hotel/Resort etc. through any Tour Operator? [ Comment : If you have already booked a hotel or tour, select Yes and enter the details here ]
• Duration of visa [ Comment : Nothing to enter here as the visa length that you have selected earlier will be automatically populated here ]
• No, of Entries [ Comment : This will also be auto-populated based on your selection in the previous pages ]
• Port of Arrival in India [ Comment : This will also be auto-populated based on your selection in the previous pages ]
• Expected Port of Exit from India [ Comment : Select the airport or seaport from which you plan to leave the country after your trip ]

IMPORTANT Your port of arrival and exit do not matter much. After your e-Visa is approved, you can enter from any airport/seaport and exit from any airport/seaport.

Enter the following information in the Previous Visa/Currently valid Visa Details section.

• Have you ever visited India before? [ Comment : If you have been to India before, select Yes and enter the details below. If this is your first time visiting India, select No and skip to the next section ]
• Address [ Comment : Enter the address of the house or hotel where you stayed during your last visit to India ]
• Cities previously visited in India [ Comment : List all the cities you have visited on your last visit to India ]
• Last Indian Visa No/Currently valid Indian Visa No. [ Comment : Enter your previous India visa number ]
• Type of Visa [ Comment : Select the type of your previous visa from the list ]
• Place of Issue [ Comment : Enter the place your previous India visa was issued. If it was e-Visa, then it would be your first port of entry in India. If it were a consular visa, then it would be the city abroad where it was issued ]
• Date of Issue [ Comment : Enter the date on which your previous India visa was issued ]
• Has permission to visit or to extend stay in India previously been refused? [ Comment : Select No. If you were denied entry into India before select Yes and enter the details ]

Enter the following in the Other Information section.

• Countries Visited in Last 10 years [ Comment : Enter the list of countries that you have visited in the last 10 years ]

Enter the following in the SAARC Country Visit Details section. 

• Have you visited SAARC countries (except your own country) during last 3 years?  [ Comment : If you have visited any SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries in the last 3 years, enter them here ]

SAARC Countries SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. If you have visited any of these countries in the last 3 years, you must enter them for the above question. 

Enter the following in the Reference section.

• Reference Name in India [ Comment : Enter the name of a contact person in India. This can be a family, relative or friend who lives in India. If you do not know anyone, you can enter the hotel where you plan to stay ]
• Address [ Comment : Enter your India contact person’s address or hotel address ]
• State [ Comment : Select the state where your India contact person resides or your hotel is ]
• District [ Comment : Select the district where your India contact person resides or your hotel is ]
• Phone [ Comment : Enter an Indian phone number of your India contact person or hotel ]
• Reference Name in <your country> [ Comment : Enter the name of someone from your country as an emergency contact. This can be a family, relative or friend who lives in your country ]
• Address [ Comment : Enter your emergency contact person’s address ]
• Phone [ Comment : Enter your emergency contact person’s phone number ]

06. Additional Question Details

Answer the following question on this page.

• Have you ever been arrested/ prosecuted/ convicted by Court of Law of any country? [ Comment : Select No unless you have been arrested or prosecuted ]
• Have you ever been refused entry / deported by any country including India? [ Comment : Select No unless you have been refused entry or deported from any country in the past ]
• Have you ever been engaged in Human trafficking/ Drug trafficking/ Child abuse/ Crime against women/ Economic offense / Financial fraud? [ Comment : Select No ]
• Have you ever been engaged in Cyber crime/ Terrorist activities/ Sabotage/ Espionage/ Genocide/ Political killing/ other act of violence? [ Comment : Select No ]
• Have you ever by any means or medium, expressed views that justify or glorify terrorist violence or that may encourage others to terrorist acts or other serious criminal acts? [ Comment : Select No ]
• Have you sought asylum (political or otherwise)in any country? [ Comment : Select No, unless you have sought asylum ]

Check the box for the self-declaration that all the above information is correct.

Then, click on the orange Save and Continue button.

You will be taken to the Upload Photograph page.

07. Upload Photograph

Click on the Choose File button to select the JPG/JPEG file of your photo.

After selecting the file, click on the orange Upload Photo button.

When the photo is uploaded, you will be asked to crop the photo. If necessary, you can crop the photo. If not, simply drag the outer edge of the crop highlight to select the entire photo.

Then, click on the orange Crop and Save button. 

Now, click on the orange Save and Continue button.

You will be taken to the Upload Document page.

08. Upload Document

Click on the Choose File button to select the PDF of your scanned passport ID page.

Once you select your PDF file, click on the orange Upload Document button.

Then, check the box for “I have verified that all the documents are uploaded as per the requirement”.

Click on the orange Confirm button.

You will be taken to the Confirm Details page.

09. Confirm Details

Review all the details you have entered so far. If you need to make any corrections, click on the Modify button.

If everything is looking good, click on the Verified and Continue button.

You will be taken to the Online VISA Fee Payment page.

10. Online VISA Fee Payment

On this page, your name and application ID are displayed along with the disclaimer and undertaking.

Select “Yes” for the undertaking and click on the Pay Now button. 

You will then be shown the below three available payment gateway options.

Select the payment gateway that you would like to use and click on the Continue button.

NOTE The Axis bank gateway is not reliable. Use Sbi e-pay when paying with a credit or debit card. 

You will be shown a popup notifying you that there may be some payment delays. Click on the Ok button on the popup to continue.

You will be taken to the payment gateway page to enter your credit or debit card details. 

On the Sbi e-pay gateway page, the Debit/Credit Card option will be selected by default. 

Enter the following information in the Debit/Credit Card form.

• Card number [ Comment : Enter your credit/debit card number ]
• Expiry date/valid thru [ Comment : Enter your credit/debit card expiry date ]
• CVV/CVC [ Comment : Enter your credit/debit card CVV number ]
• Name of the cardholder [ Comment : Enter your name as it appears on your credit/debit card ]
• Use your GSTIN for claiming input tax [ Comment : Leave this check box as is ]

Click on the Pay Now button.

On the Axis bank gateway page, enter the following information.

• CARD NUMBER [ Comment : Enter your credit/debit card number ]
• CARD NAME [ Comment : Enter your card issuer such as Visa, Master, etc. ]
• MONTH [ Comment : Enter the month of your credit/debit card expiry ]
• YEAR [ Comment : Enter the year of your credit/debit card expiry ]
• CVV CODE [ Comment : Enter your credit/debit card CVV number ]

Click on the Submit button.

You will be taken to the Your Final Payment page of Axis bank.

India e-Visa payment success

If the payment is successful, you will be taken to the Payment Success page.

On this page, your name, application ID and passport number are deployed along with contacts of the e-Visa department for any assistance.

Click on the orange Generate Fee Receipt button to download a copy of the fee receipt. 

You will also receive an email that your application has been successfully submitted. 

India e-Visa payment failed

If your payment is failed, you will be taken to the Payment Failed page. 

On this page, the reason for the payment failure, such as the card declined, etc. is displayed. You cannot retry the payment from this page. To retry the payment, follow the below steps.

• Click on the Verify Payment/Pay e-Visa Fee button

You will be taken to the Pay Visa Processing Fee page.

On the Pay Visa Processing Fee page, enter the following details.

• Application Id [ Comment : Enter your saved 12-digit application Id. If you don’t remember, check your email ]
• Date of Birth [ Comment : Enter your date of birth as it appears in your passport ]

Click on the orange Check Payment button.

You will be taken to the Payment Report page.

On the Payment Report page, you will see your last failed payment attempt and the reason for the failure. 

Click on the orange Pay Visa Processing Fee button. 

You will be taken back to the Online VISA Fee Payment page. From here simply follow the steps outlined in “ 10. Online VISA Fee Payment ” above to try the payment again. 

Check your India e-Visa application status

To check the status of your India e-Visa process, follow the below steps.

• Click on the Check your Visa Status button

You will be taken to the Visa Status Enquiry page.

Enter the following on the Visa Status Enquiry page.

• Passport No. [ Comment : Enter your passport number ]

Click on the orange Check Status button.

On the next page, your visa status will be displayed. 

If the application status says “successfully received”, then your application is still in process. If the application status says granted, then your e-Visa is approved. 

Receive your approved India e-Visa

When your Indian e-Visa is approved, you will receive an email notifying you that your e-Visa has been granted. 

You can use this email as proof of your e-Visa approval or you can download your approved e-Visa from the India e-Visa Portal. 

To download your approved e-Visa, first follow the steps to check the visa status as outlined above in “ Check your India e-Visa application status “.

On the Visa Status Enquiry page, you will see that your application status is now “Granted”. 

Click on the orange Print Status button to download your approved e-Visa. 

Print and carry your approved India e-Visa PDF when you travel. Or download it as a PDF on your phone and present it to the airline staff or India immigration officer on your arrival. 

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

RELATED POSTS

• Cookie Policy
• Copyright Notice
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Flight Itinerary
• Hotel Reservation
• Travel Insurance
• Onward Ticket
• Testimonials

Search this site

For visitors, travel, student and other international travel medical insurance.

Home » NRI » India Visa » Tourist Visa

India Tourist Visa

Eligibility A tourist visa is appropriate for those who would like to visit India for tourism or other non-business related purposes.

The following persons are not eligible to apply for a tourist visa and they must apply for the  Entry Visa :

• Persons of Indian Origin.
• Spouse and children of a person of Indian origin.

A Tourist Visa is granted for visiting India for recreation, sightseeing, casual visits to meet friends and relatives, etc. No other activities are permissible on a Tourist Visa. In order to get a tourist visa, you must not have a residence or occupation in India.

If you would be volunteering, working with charities or working with non-profit organizations, you must apply for an  Employment Visa  instead.

If you are coming to India for medical treatment, you should apply for a  Medical Visa  instead, and NOT a Tourist Visa.

The family members of diplomatic households who do not qualify for diplomatic visas (such as older children or domestic partners) may have to come on an  Entry Visa , if eligible. If they come on Tourist Visa, all the requirements and restrictions of Tourist Visa apply, just like anyone else.

Validity Tourist visa is generally a multiple-entry visa.

You can apply for various validity periods such as a 6-month, 5-year, or 10-year tourist visa. However, persons of Indian origin with US passport can apply for 10-year duration visas only. However, a shorter duration visa can be granted to applicants of Indian origin that have already applied for OCI card and waiting, emergency visa, for minors (5 years only).

The visa validity duration begins on the first day of issuance. Therefore, a six-month visa issued on July 1 would be valid until December 31. Duration of StayRegardless of the duration of the valid visa, the maximum duration of stay in India is limited to 6 months (180 days) on each visit.

Extension of stay is not granted on tourist visas and it can not be converted into any other visa.

Traveling to Neighboring Countries

No Permit is needed if the visa holder is also travelling to neighboring countries of India for tourism purposes on the same itinerary as long as the trip follows the itinerary exactly.

The visa holder must carry a copy of the itinerary to show the Immigration Officer

Restrictions If foreign national applies for a Tourist Visa frequently, i.e., within one month of expiry of the previous Tourist Visa, the Indian Consulate/Embassy would scrutinize the application thoroughly and refer such cases to MHA (Foreigners Division) for clearance before granting a fresh Tourist Visa.

Permit to re-enter India within 2 months  for further restrictions.

Visitor Visa – Pakistani If the person is of Pakistani origin, they must apply for Visitor Visa, instead of a tourist visa.

If the person is of Pakistan origin who is current or former Pakistan citizen, they must provide proof of Renunciation of Pakistan Citizenship to apply for Visa on a US passport. If that is unavailable, the visa application must be made on a Pakistani passport.

Applicants of Pakistan origin who are born outside Pakistan (such as in the US) and have never held Pakistan nationality must provide a notarized affidavit that the applicant never held Pakistan nationality or POC (Pakistan Origin Card) or NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistani) and does not hold any other nationality except that of the US (Non-Pakistan).

Visitor visa is a single entry visa and is granted for three months, valid from the date of issuance and not from the date of entry into India.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

• Travel Medical Insurance Read/Post Experiences
• India Visa Overview India Visa Categories India Visa Documents Visa Application Process Fees Details for India Visa India Visa Processing Times Conversion-Business into Entry Visa FAQ of India Visa Surrender Certificate Cox & Kings Locations Exit Visa of India More Topics

Visa Categories

• Indian Business Visa India Conference Visa India Diplomatic Visa India Employment Visa India Emergency Visa India Entry Visa On Arrival Visa Requirements of India Film Visa Requirements of India Journalist Visa India Medical Visa India Missionaries Visa India Re-entry Permit India Research Visa India Student Visa India Tourist Visa India Transit Visa

Related Links

• PIO Card vs OCI Travel to India Foreigner Registration Protected Area Permit Indian Consulates in USA Indian Consulates Worldwide

Share this article:

• Visitor Visa
• Visitors Insurance
• Read Experiences
• Discussions Forums
• Insurance Resources
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

immihelp ® .com is private non-lawyer web site. Not affiliated with any government agency.

Copyright © 1999-2024 immihelp ® .com. All rights reserved.

https://www.immihelp.com/india-tourist-visa/

This website uses cookies, some of which are essential for the functionality of the website while others are for improving user experience and personalization. By continuing to browse this website, you agree to our use of cookies. For information about your privacy, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Travel Destinations

How Long Can I Stay In India On A Tourist Visa

Published: November 7, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Constantina Spellman

• Plan Your Trip

Introduction

India, with its rich history, diverse culture, and vibrant cities, is a fascinating destination for travelers from around the world. Whether you are planning a leisurely vacation or a pilgrimage to its ancient temples, obtaining the right visa is crucial for a hassle-free entry into the country. Among the various types of visas available, the tourist visa is one of the most common options for those visiting India for recreational purposes.

In this article, we will delve into the details of the Indian tourist visa, exploring the duration of stay allowed, the process for extensions and renewals, as well as the consequences of overstaying on a tourist visa. Additionally, we will provide some useful tips to help you maximize your stay while exploring the wonders of India.

It’s important to note that India has implemented a new e-visa system, which allows tourists to apply for and receive their visa online. This has significantly simplified the application process, making it more convenient for travelers. However, it is still essential to understand the rules and regulations surrounding the duration of stay to avoid any potential complications.

So, if you’re planning a memorable journey to India, let’s dive into the intricacies of the tourist visa and learn how long you can stay in this captivating country.

Overview of Tourist Visa for India

Before embarking on your journey to India, it’s vital to have a clear understanding of the tourist visa requirements. The tourist visa allows individuals to visit India for recreational purposes such as tourism, sightseeing, and visiting friends and family.

The Indian tourist visa is a non-immigrant visa that is granted for a temporary stay in the country. It falls under the category of a short-term visa and is typically issued for a duration of up to 90 days. However, it’s important to note that the duration may vary based on the country of your citizenship and the discretion of the Indian authorities.

To apply for a tourist visa, you will need to provide essential documents such as a valid passport with a minimum of six months validity, a completed visa application form, recent passport-size photographs, proof of financial means to support your stay, and a confirmed return flight ticket.

It’s worth mentioning that individuals of certain nationalities may be eligible for the Indian e-visa, which allows for a shorter duration of stay of up to 30 days, with the option for double or triple entry. The e-visa can be obtained online, providing a convenient and efficient way to secure your visa before arrival.

Once you have obtained your tourist visa, you are ready to embark on your Indian adventure. However, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the rules regarding the duration of stay and any potential extensions or renewals.

Now that we have covered the basics, let’s explore the maximum duration of stay permitted on a tourist visa in India.

Duration of Stay Allowed on a Tourist Visa

The duration of stay allowed on a tourist visa for India varies depending on several factors. Typically, a tourist visa is granted for a maximum duration of 90 days. However, it’s important to note that this duration can be further extended under certain circumstances.

Upon entry into India, the immigration officer will stamp your passport with the duration you are permitted to stay. It’s crucial to check your passport stamp and ensure that the number of days granted aligns with your travel plans.

If you wish to extend your stay beyond the initial 90-day period, you can apply for an extension at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in the city where you are currently residing. The application for an extension should be submitted before your visa expires. The extension allows you to stay in India for an additional period, which is subject to approval.

The extension process typically requires relevant documentation, such as a filled-out application form, proof of financial means to support your stay, a copy of your passport and visa, and any other documents requested by the authorities. It’s important to note that approval for an extension is at the discretion of the Indian authorities, and there is no guarantee that your request will be granted.

Additionally, if you are traveling to India for specific purposes such as medical treatment, business meetings, or academic conferences, you may be eligible for a different type of visa that allows for a longer duration of stay. It’s advisable to consult with the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country to determine the most suitable visa for your specific travel needs.

It’s important to bear in mind that overstaying on a tourist visa in India can have serious consequences. Let’s explore the implications of overstaying in the following section.

Extensions and Renewals of Tourist Visa

If you find yourself needing to extend your stay in India beyond the initial duration granted on your tourist visa, there are processes in place to facilitate extensions and renewals. It’s crucial to be aware of these procedures to avoid any legal complications.

To extend your stay in India, you will need to visit the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in the city where you are currently residing. It’s important to begin the extension process before your visa expires. The extension allows you to legally prolong your stay in the country, subject to approval.

The extension process typically involves submitting an application form, paying the required fees, and providing relevant documentation. The documents may include a filled-out application form, proof of financial means to support your extended stay, a copy of your passport and visa, and any other documents requested by the authorities.

It’s important to note that the approval of visa extensions is at the discretion of the Indian authorities. The decision is based on various factors such as the purpose of your stay, your financial stability, and your adherence to the immigration regulations. Therefore, it’s crucial to provide all the necessary documents and demonstrate valid reasons for the extension.

If your visa extension is approved, you will be granted a new duration of stay in India. It’s important to keep in mind that even with an approved extension, the total duration of stay cannot exceed a specific limit, as determined by the Indian government.

In some cases, you may find it more convenient to return to your home country and apply for a new tourist visa if you wish to stay longer in India. This process is known as visa renewal. By departing from India and reapplying for a new tourist visa, you can start your stay afresh with a new duration of stay permitted.

It’s worth mentioning that the rules and procedures for visa extensions and renewals may vary slightly depending on the specific circumstances and the discretion of the Indian authorities. Consulting the FRRO or the Indian embassy/consulate in your home country is advisable to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information on the extension or renewal process.

Now that we understand the extension and renewal processes, let’s explore the potential consequences of overstaying on a tourist visa in India.

Overstaying on a Tourist Visa in India

Overstaying on a tourist visa in India can have serious consequences, and it is crucial to adhere to the stipulated duration of stay granted on your visa. If you exceed the allowed period, you may face various legal and administrative complications.

Firstly, overstaying on a tourist visa is considered a violation of Indian immigration laws. The Indian authorities take visa overstays seriously and may impose penalties and fines for the duration of unauthorized stay. These fines can accumulate and become quite substantial, depending on the length of overstay.

Furthermore, overstaying on a tourist visa can also result in future difficulties in obtaining visas for India or even other countries. Immigration authorities of other countries may consider the overstaying record when evaluating future visa applications, which could lead to visa rejections or increased scrutiny during the application process.

Moreover, if you overstay on a tourist visa in India for an extended period, you may be subject to an immigration ban or restriction, preventing you from entering the country for a specified period. This can significantly impact future travel plans and limit your ability to visit India in the future.

In some cases, overstaying on a tourist visa can also lead to detention and deportation. If the authorities discover your overstay, you may be detained, questioned, and deported from India. This can result in significant inconvenience, financial expenses, and even reputational damage.

Therefore, it is crucial to strictly adhere to the stipulated duration of stay granted on your tourist visa. If you find that you need to extend your stay, it is advisable to follow the proper procedures for visa extension or renewal, as discussed in the previous section.

Now that we understand the potential consequences of overstaying, let’s explore some tips to maximize your stay on a tourist visa in India.

Consequences of Overstaying on a Tourist Visa

Overstaying on a tourist visa in India can have several serious consequences. It’s crucial to understand the potential legal and administrative ramifications to avoid any complications during your stay in the country.

First and foremost, overstaying on a tourist visa is considered a violation of Indian immigration laws. As a result, you may be subject to fines and penalties for each day of unauthorized stay. These fines can accumulate and become quite substantial, depending on the length of your overstay. Additionally, you may be required to pay the fines before you are allowed to leave the country.

Moreover, overstaying on a tourist visa can also have long-term implications for your future travel plans. Immigration authorities of other countries may take into account your record of visa overstays when evaluating future visa applications. This can result in visa rejections or increased scrutiny during the application process, making it more challenging to visit other countries in the future.

In addition to financial penalties and potential travel restrictions, overstaying on a tourist visa in India can lead to legal consequences. If the immigration authorities discover your overstay, you may be detained, questioned, and potentially deported from the country. This can result in significant inconvenience, financial expenses, and even reputational damage.

Furthermore, an overstay on a tourist visa can lead to an immigration ban or restriction. This means that you may be prohibited from entering India for a specified period of time, making it difficult or even impossible to visit the country in the future. This can have a significant impact on your travel plans and opportunities.

To avoid these consequences, it is essential to keep track of the duration of stay permitted on your tourist visa and make necessary arrangements if you need to extend your stay. It’s advisable to apply for an extension or renewal before your visa expires to ensure legal compliance and a smooth travel experience.

Now that we have explored the potential consequences of overstaying, let’s move on to some valuable tips for maximizing your stay on a tourist visa in India.

Tips for Maximizing Your Stay on a Tourist Visa in India

India offers a wealth of experiences and attractions that you wouldn’t want to miss during your visit. To make the most of your stay on a tourist visa, consider the following tips:

• Plan your itinerary: India is a vast country with diverse attractions. Research and plan your itinerary in advance to ensure you can explore the places you want to visit within the permitted duration of your tourist visa.
• Be mindful of your visa’s validity: Keep track of your visa’s expiration date and plan your departure accordingly. Remember to factor in any potential processing time required for an extension or renewal if needed.
• Consider e-visa options: If you are eligible for an e-visa, take advantage of the convenience it offers. The e-visa allows for a shorter duration of stay, making it ideal for shorter trips or if you prefer flexibility in your travel plans.
• Apply for extensions in advance: If you wish to extend your stay, initiate the extension process well before your visa expires. This will allow for sufficient time to gather the required documents and avoid any last-minute complications.
• Adhere to immigration regulations: Familiarize yourself with Indian immigration regulations and follow them diligently. This includes adhering to the specified duration of stay and complying with any other visa requirements.
• Stay informed: Keep yourself updated on any changes in visa policies or procedures that may affect your stay. Regularly check the official websites of the Indian embassy or consulate for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
• Consult with immigration authorities: If you have any doubts or questions regarding your visa status or requirements, reach out to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) for guidance and clarification.
• Make the most of your time: India offers a diverse range of cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Prioritize your must-see places and experiences to ensure you make the most of your stay within the permitted duration.
• Immerse in the local culture: Engage with the local culture, interact with locals, and participate in festivals or events to truly experience the essence of India. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions, cuisines, and vibrant local communities.
• Document your journey: Capture the memories of your Indian adventure through photographs, journaling, or blogging. Share your experiences to inspire others and create lasting memories of your time in India.

By following these tips, you can make the most of your stay on a tourist visa in India and create unforgettable memories in this incredible country.

With proper planning, adherence to visa regulations, and a sense of adventure, your stay in India on a tourist visa can be a fulfilling and enriching experience.

Safe travels!

Obtaining the right visa and understanding its terms and conditions is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable trip to India. The tourist visa allows individuals to explore the wonders of the country for a specific duration, typically up to 90 days. It is important to adhere to the duration of stay granted on your visa and take necessary steps to extend your stay if needed.

Overstaying on a tourist visa in India can lead to various consequences, including financial penalties, travel restrictions, and potential legal complications. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the visa regulations and follow them diligently to avoid any issues during your stay.

To maximize your stay on a tourist visa in India, plan your itinerary in advance, be aware of your visa’s validity, and consider applying for an extension if needed. Stay informed about any changes in visa policies and consult with immigration authorities for guidance and clarification.

During your stay in India, make the most of your time by immersing yourself in the local culture, exploring the diverse attractions, and capturing the memories of your journey. India offers a multitude of experiences that will leave a lasting impression.

Remember, a trip to India on a tourist visa is an opportunity to explore the rich heritage, vibrant cities, and breathtaking landscapes of this incredible country. By respecting the visa regulations and making wise choices, you can have a fulfilling and memorable experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Safe travels and enjoy your time in India!

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Destinations

Experiences.

• Photography

Plan Your Trip

India starts here.

India was the first non-Western country I visited so as you can imagine, I was shellshocked upon arriving for one month in India: The sights and smells; the touts and scams; the poverty and people. I covered a lot of ground during my 1 month in India—and not just geographically.

The funny thing about India is that I went back the third time, nearly five years after my first and visits, and assumed years of traveling the world would make it seem less intense. Nope—if anything it seemed even wilder! The same was true for my fourth and fifth trips, and so one, whether I spent 4 weeks in India or just a few days.

Ultimately, India is not for the faint of heart, but if you’ve got a positive attitude and a sense of adventure, one month in India is the perfect amount of time to get a taste for it.

Practical Matters

When to visit india.

India is a huge country with multiple climactic zones. While South India, for example, has one of the most intense monsoons in the world (and, thus, is best avoided from about May until October), Himalayan India has frigid winters and is actually at its most pleasant during the summer months, rain clouds notwithstanding. It’s impossible to say when the best time to spend one month in India is until you get a more specific idea of where in the country you want to visit.

Where to Stay in India

India hotels are cheap enough that you shouldn’t need to stay in hostels, unless you’re on the smallest of budgets. On the other hand, true luxury— Oberoi Villas in Udaipur, for example—remains expensive. Some great boutique stays throughout the country include ITC Grand Central in Mumbai, Villa 33 in Delhi, Hotel Umaid Bhawan in Jaipur, Ratan Villas in Jodhpur and Palolem Beach Resort in Goa.

How to Get Around in India

India has one of the most extensive train networks in the world, a relic of British colonization whose technology is still largely—but not exclusively—stuck in the 19th century. Indian roads, while improving, are also mostly primitive, which means that land transport in India is generally slow and arduous, regardless of which vehicle you use. On the other hand, low-cost airlines are plentiful in India and growing in number, so unless you’re someplace where seeing the landscape is essential to your experience (a backwater boat trip through Kerala, for example, or a camel ride through the deserts of Rajasthan), you’re better off flying during most of your one month in India.

Money, Costs and Communication

India is extremely cheap, in spite of the country’s robust and continued economic growth. Unless you plan to travel in extremely luxury, it’s difficult to spend more than 6,000 rupees ($100 USD) per day, which means one month in India is unlikely to cost more than $3,000 USD. Indian SIM cards are cheap and easy to come by, and mobile networks are relatively fast, although Wi-Fi continues to be an issue in India, both in terms of penetration and speed, once you do come across it, which means you might spend an India itinerary 1 month (or longer) at least partially disconnected. How much money needed to travel whole India? Well, that depends on how you define “whole India.”

How to Get an India Visa

Historically, getting an India visa was a complicated, almost hellish procedure. Thankfully, the government has now introduced an “e-visa on arrival” scheme that applies to citizens of most countries, and which allows you to spend one month in India without complications. Click here to read my India travel blog about visas.

Places to Visit With One Month in India

The most logical starting point for your one month in India is Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay ), India’s longtime gateway to the West. I should tell you right off the bat, however, that there is basically nothing Western about Mumbai—in fact, it’s a total clusterfuck.

In spite of this (and maybe because of it?) Mumbai is a fascinating city to explore during your India one month itinerary, starting at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Station (formerly Victoria Terminus ) and moving southward to the Gateway of India in Mumbai’s southern Apollo Bandar district. There, you can also see the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel (which was damaged in a 2008 terrorist attack) and take a ferry to offshore Elephanta Island .

Depending on how you enjoy Mumbai, you could spend more of your 1 month in India within the city, exploring its many markets and bazaars or even beaches, such as the famous Chowpatty Beach . Or, use the city as a base for easy day trips, such as to the city of Pune further inland in Maharashtra state, or further east to Aurangabad , which is home to a fake version of the Taj Mahal .

Overall, I recommend spending between 4-8 days of your 1 month in India in Mumbai – on the lower end if you simply explore this most famous of Indian cities, and higher if you dig into the surrounding region.

Goa, Karnataka and Kerala

Fly or take a train from Mumbai to Goa , India’s popular, Portuguese-inflected beach state, where many of the best things to do in India are located. In spite of having gained a reputation as a party-drug wasteland, it’s still possible to find serenity and beauty in Goa, especially the southern part, during your 4 weeks in India. Goa, in my opinion, is the best place to stay for a month in India.

I particularly love Palolem Beach , near Goa’s southern border with Karnataka , although it has developed much faster in recent years than I would’ve liked. Still, there’s nothing you’ll see during your one month India itinerary quite like the forest of palm trees that exists behind the perfectly semicircular beach. Besides, if the crowds are too much for you, it’s easy to bike or take a taxi to the quieter beaches of Agonda and Karwar , which is actually located in Karnataka.

If seeing India in a month is a flexible timeframe, you could continue south into Karnataka, exploring beaches along the way, or taking in history in the city of Mysore , or modernity in tech hub Bangalore . Alternatively, continue even further south and enjoy the backwaters and beaches of Kerala , starting in Kochi and ending in its capital city Thiruvananthapuram .

In total, I recommend spending between 7-10 days exploring India’s central and southern west coast , depending on how far south you go during your one month in India.

Delhi and the Taj Mahal

Whether you wrap up the beachy portion of your one month in India in Goa or Kerala , fly to the Indian capital of Delhi for a very dramatic transition. Delhi is as crazy and congested as Mumbai, but its decidedly landlocked nature makes it stuffier—and, in the summer, hotter.

Of course, Delhi is also significantly more interesting than Mumbai in my opinion, so I can deal with some hassle here during my month in India. Walk under the regal India Gate , erected to commemorate the Republic of India in 1947, or explore historical and religious sites such as the Red Fort , the Qutb Minar (a Muslim holy site built on top of and using Jain ruins) or the Lotus Temple , which serves people of the Baha’i Faith. Alternatively visit the Birla House , where Gandhi was assassinated.

Delhi also happens to be the gateway to the Taj Mahal , India’s most iconic tourist attraction, one frequent trains make it easy to visit (NOTE: be extremely cautious of scammers at New Delhi Railway Station ). The city of Agra doesn’t have a lot else to offer, save for the Taj, the Fatehpur Sikri citadel and a small fort bearing the name of the city. If you have more time than 4 weeks in India, you could take a (long) train ride to Varanasi , a city that’s very holy among Hindus.

Overall, I recommend spending between 5-7 days of your one month in India in Delhi and its vicinity, staying on the high end of this value for your 1 month India itinerary if you do decide to continue on to Varanasi.

End your India one month in itinerary in Rajasthan , a mountainous, desert-filled, historically Muslim region that’s accessible via the “pink city” of Jaipur , which is just five hours by train from Delhi. Stay within its terracotta-colored walls, where attractions include the City Palace , Observatory and the regal Hawa Mahal , or ride an elephant up the nearby Amber Fort .

From Jaipur, continue heading into the desert to the “blue city” of Jodhpur , home to the iconic Mehrangarh Fort . If you really love the desert, continue to the city of Jaisalmer , where you can take a camel safari all the way to the border of Pakistan . No matter where you go in Rajasthan, this mystical state exemplifies why it’s such a great experience to explore India for a month.

One of the most famous structures in Rajasthan is the Floating Palace in the city of Udaipur , which is home to one of the world’s only 7-star hotels. Even if you can’t afford its prices (god knows I can’t), the great thing about Rajasthan is that you can enjoy a very nice room for very cheap – I loved the Hotel Umaid Bhawan in Jaipur and Ratan Villas in Jodhpur.

Overall, I recommend spending between 5-7 days of your one month in India in Rajasthan , again more if you take the excursion to Jaisalmer, before flying back to Mumbai and then, to other destinations if you plan to spend a month in India, be it somewhere near Mumbai or elsewhere.

NOTE: You might notice that if you stick to the low end of my recommendations, it doesn’t quite add up to a month in India. This is deliberate—thanks to poor infrastructure in prevalent scams in India, you shouldn’t expect to ever be on schedule.

Other Places to Travel in India

Although you’ll be hard pressed to squeeze much more into an India one month itinerary that I’ve listed here, there are a few other spots you might consider:

• Chennai and Tamil Nadu
• Kolkata and West Bengal
• Darjeeling and the Himalayan Foothills
• Rishikesh, aka the Yoga City
• Kashmir, Ladakh and Leh
• Amritsar and the Pakistan Border Area

Is One Month in India Enough?

I’ve spent 1 month in India on more than a few occasions, which has led me to draw two major conclusions. First, you could easily spend six months or even a year in India in a single trip and still not see anything. India is less a single country and more the subcontinent as which it’s described in geography textbooks, consisting of multiple nations, cultures and languages, all of which deserve a closer look than you’re probably planning to give.

However, if you’re now thinking an India itinerary 1 month or (shorter) won’t be sufficient, I urge you to re-consider. India is a full-on, full-stress destination. I don’t regret having taken many relatively short trips—and, if given the option, I absolutely wouldn’t combine them into one very long visit.

Is India Bearable?

I’ll be honest: I spent 1 month in India (on several occasions, to be fair, but never more than a month at a time) and I often found the place unbearable. From the constant scams and hustles, to the heat and polluted air, to all the various health issues (largely foodborne) I seem to encounter every time, India is not an easy place to travel. Certainly, it’s the farthest thing from the sort of energy culturally appropriating yoga instructors in the US and Europe seem to embody (though to be fair, I have never used my parents’ money to buy my way into an exclusive luxury ashram either).

But you’re going to India to drink tea, not to spill it. And while I can’t guarantee this India 1 month itinerary will result in a trip completely without street, I do imagine you’ll enjoy yourself most times of most days. More than anything, I’ve given you space to build plenty of rest days into your month in India, so that you can stay put when it comes too much to bear—and trust me, it will!

Other India Travel FAQ

How much money do i need for a month in india.

How much to travel India for a month? You don’t need a lot of money for 1 month in India, even if you’re a luxury traveler. I’d say most travelers can get by on between 600-3,000 USD during their month in India, not including flights to and from the country. I realize this is a wide range, but it reflects the wide range of options you have in terms of your India travel experience.

Is India cheap to visit?

With the exception of the highest part of the high end, Indian is an extremely cheap country. It’s for this reason that I just stated most travelers won’t exceed $3,000 in spending in one month in India; most will need far less than this if we’re being honest.

Is India safe at night?

Let’s move on from the issue of a one month in India budget to something more serious: India has a real problem with personal safety, particularly in Delhi and environs, especially at night and in the case of young women travelers in particular. I won’t go so far to say India is not safe at night, but you do need to keep your guard up.

The Bottom Line

Subscribe to email updates!

Words, images and design ©2009-2024 Robert Schrader, All rights reserved. Read Privacy Policy or view sitemap .

Featured on

• What is a visa?
• Electronic Visa (eVisa)
• Visa on Arrival
• Appointment Required Visa
• Invitation Letter
• Arrival Card
• Passport Renewal
• Project Kosmos: Meet the man with the world's most challenging travel schedule
• Australia Visa and ETA requirements for US citizens explained
• Brazil eVisa for US citizens
• India Tourist Visa for UK citizens
• Possible B1/B2 Visa questions during the interview

Select Your Language

• Nederlandse
• 中文 (Zhōngwén), 汉语, 漢語

Select Your Currency

• AED United Arab Emirates Dirham
• AFN Afghan Afghani
• ALL Albanian Lek
• AMD Armenian Dram
• ANG Netherlands Antillean Guilder
• AOA Angolan Kwanza
• ARS Argentine Peso
• AUD Australian Dollar
• AWG Aruban Florin
• AZN Azerbaijani Manat
• BAM Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
• BBD Barbadian Dollar
• BDT Bangladeshi Taka
• BGN Bulgarian Lev
• BIF Burundian Franc
• BMD Bermudan Dollar
• BND Brunei Dollar
• BOB Bolivian Boliviano
• BRL Brazilian Real
• BSD Bahamian Dollar
• BWP Botswanan Pula
• BZD Belize Dollar
• CAD Canadian Dollar
• CDF Congolese Franc
• CHF Swiss Franc
• CLP Chilean Peso
• CNY Chinese Yuan
• COP Colombian Peso
• CRC Costa Rican Colón
• CVE Cape Verdean Escudo
• CZK Czech Republic Koruna
• DJF Djiboutian Franc
• DKK Danish Krone
• DOP Dominican Peso
• DZD Algerian Dinar
• EGP Egyptian Pound
• ETB Ethiopian Birr
• FJD Fijian Dollar
• FKP Falkland Islands Pound
• GBP British Pound Sterling
• GEL Georgian Lari
• GIP Gibraltar Pound
• GMD Gambian Dalasi
• GNF Guinean Franc
• GTQ Guatemalan Quetzal
• GYD Guyanaese Dollar
• HKD Hong Kong Dollar
• HNL Honduran Lempira
• HTG Haitian Gourde
• HUF Hungarian Forint
• IDR Indonesian Rupiah
• ILS Israeli New Sheqel
• INR Indian Rupee
• ISK Icelandic Króna
• JMD Jamaican Dollar
• JPY Japanese Yen
• KES Kenyan Shilling
• KGS Kyrgystani Som
• KHR Cambodian Riel
• KMF Comorian Franc
• KRW South Korean Won
• KYD Cayman Islands Dollar
• KZT Kazakhstani Tenge
• LAK Laotian Kip
• LBP Lebanese Pound
• LKR Sri Lankan Rupee
• LRD Liberian Dollar
• LSL Lesotho Loti
• MAD Moroccan Dirham
• MDL Moldovan Leu
• MGA Malagasy Ariary
• MKD Macedonian Denar
• MNT Mongolian Tugrik
• MOP Macanese Pataca
• MUR Mauritian Rupee
• MVR Maldivian Rufiyaa
• MWK Malawian Kwacha
• MXN Mexican Peso
• MYR Malaysian Ringgit
• MZN Mozambican Metical
• NAD Namibian Dollar
• NGN Nigerian Naira
• NIO Nicaraguan Córdoba
• NOK Norwegian Krone
• NPR Nepalese Rupee
• NZD New Zealand Dollar
• OMR Omani Rial
• PAB Panamanian Balboa
• PEN Peruvian Nuevo Sol
• PGK Papua New Guinean Kina
• PHP Philippine Peso
• PKR Pakistani Rupee
• PLN Polish Zloty
• PYG Paraguayan Guarani
• QAR Qatari Rial
• RON Romanian Leu
• RSD Serbian Dinar
• RUB Russian Ruble
• RWF Rwandan Franc
• SAR Saudi Riyal
• SBD Solomon Islands Dollar
• SCR Seychellois Rupee
• SEK Swedish Krona
• SGD Singapore Dollar
• SHP Saint Helena Pound
• SLL Sierra Leonean Leone
• SOS Somali Shilling
• SRD Surinamese Dollar
• SVC Salvadoran Colón
• SZL Swazi Lilangeni
• THB Thai Baht
• TJS Tajikistani Somoni
• TOP Tongan Pa anga
• TRY Turkish Lira
• TTD Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
• TWD New Taiwan Dollar
• TZS Tanzanian Shilling
• UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia
• UGX Ugandan Shilling
• USD United States Dollar
• UYU Uruguayan Peso
• UZS Uzbekistan Som
• VND Vietnamese Dong
• VUV Vanuatu Vatu
• WST Samoan Tala
• XAF CFA Franc BEAC
• XCD East Caribbean Dollar
• XOF CFA Franc BCEAO
• XPF CFP Franc
• YER Yemeni Rial
• ZAR South African Rand
• ZMW Zambian Kwacha

We've updated our app!

Download it now

India Tourist eVisa: Apply online now

1.2M  happy customers

24/7 support

+46,000 reviews

10  years of experience

98%  visa approval rate

How to Apply: Tourist eVisa

Complete our easy online application and pay with credit card or PayPal

No need to deal with the embassy. We do it for you so you don't lose valuable time

Present your Passport and the Document we provide upon entry to destination country

How to Apply: Embassy Registration

Your embassy will assist you if an emergency (eg. Natural disasters, civil unrest, etc) occur

Why Register with the Embassy

Required information to apply.

Once You Have Registered With Your Embassy Or Consulate, You Will Need To Update Your Data If:

• your contact details change,
• your civil status changes,
• you are going back to your home country.

Learn More: Tourist eVisa

What you need to know.

The India Tourist eVisa permits international travelers to enter India for tourism purposes

Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after you enter India and have at least two blank pages

This eVisa isn’t allowed at every port of entry in India, keep reading to learn which ports of entry allow this visa

Apply today for the India Tourist eVisa with us

Last updated: April 2024

Ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and breathtaking beauty of India? The India Tourist eVisa is an essential requirement. With us, applying for this eVisa is as easy as pouring a cup of chai.

Apply online for the India Tourist Visa or use our handy app for an even smoother experience.

What is the India Tourist eVisa?

The India Tourist eVisa is an electronic authorization that allows travelers to enter and explore India for tourism purposes.

The online application process eliminates the need for physical paperwork and visits to embassies or consulates.

Officially known as the "e-Tourist Visa," it provides a convenient and quick way to secure travel permissions for those looking to experience India's rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes.

What you can do with the India Tourist Visa:

Visit tourist sites across India.

Attend cultural and festival events.

Take short-term yoga or cooking classes.

Visit family or friends.

What you cannot do with the India Tourist Visa:

Work or volunteer.

Enroll in long-term educational courses.

Engage in journalistic activities.

Conduct business or start a business.

Enter protected or restricted areas without special permission.

Who requires the India Tourist eVisa?

The India Tourist eVisa is available to citizens of many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

To see if you are eligible, please check at the top of this page, where you can input your nationality to determine your visa requirements.

Requirements to apply for an India Tourist Visa:

Travel purpose: Your visit must be for tourism purposes such as sightseeing, meeting friends or family, or attending a short-term yoga program.

Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry into India.

Digital photo: You must provide a digital photograph that meets the eVisa requirements.

Email address: An email address is required to receive the eVisa electronically.

Payment method: A credit or debit card is needed to pay the eVisa processing fee online.

By providing these details and meeting the conditions, you can apply for the India Tourist eVisa comfortably and efficiently.

Visa-exempt: Who doesn't need to apply for India Tourist eVisa?

Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan do not require a visa to enter India. These travelers can enter, live, and work in India without a visa. For all other nationalities, a visa or eVisa is typically necessary to travel to India. For specific conditions and a full list of visa-exempt countries, please check the eligibility section at the top of this page.

Do children also require the India Tourist eVisa?

Yes, children require an India Tourist eVisa just like adults. The application process is the same for minors, and they must have a visa to enter India regardless of their age.

When applying for a visa for a minor, legal guardians need to provide additional documents:

A copy of the minor’s birth certificate.

Copies of the passports of the child's parents or legal guardians.

A consent letter signed by both parents or legal guardians, which authorizes the child's travel to India.

These extra steps ensure the safety and proper documentation of minors traveling to India.

India Tourist eVisa validity: How long can I stay in India?

Here are the options for the India Tourist eVisa we offer, along with their validity and entry types:

30-day double-entry visa: This eVisa allows two entries into India and is valid for 30 days, so you must use it to enter India within that time. You also have 30 days max stay from the date of your first entry.

1-year multiple-entry visa: This visa is valid for one year from the date of issuance. You can enter India multiple times during the year, and it permits stays of up to 90 days per visit for most nationalities, except for the U.S., UK, and Canada, who can stay for up to 180 days per visit. The maximum stay for all nationalities is 180 days per year.

5-year multiple-entry visa: This eVisa offers the greatest flexibility. Valid for 5 years from the date of issue, it allows multiple entries, with each stay capped at 90 days. Except for those from the U.S., UK, and Canada, who can stay for up to 180 days. The maximum stay within a year for all nationalities is 180 days.

For comprehensive information on your India Tourist e-visa validity check out our blog .

For both the 1 and 5-year India visas, you need to ensure that your first entry into India is within 120 days from the date the visa is issued. Plan your trips according to these rules to make the most of your India Tourist Visa.

How to read your Tourist Visa validity

Validity period: How long can your visa be used for.

Max stay: The longest you can stay in India each time you visit.

Expiry date: This depends on which visa type you have.

For example:

If you've got a 30-day India Tourist eVisa, and the expiry date is March 14:

The latest date you can enter India is March 14, 2024.

This is the expiry date of your visa. From this date, you're allowed to stay in the country for up to 30 days.

If you've got a 1-year or 5-year India Tourist eVisa, and the expiry date is March 14:

The latest date you can leave India is March 14, 2024.

The expiry date, in this case is the date by which you must depart India.

You can stay in India for as long as your maximum stay but not longer than the validity period.

Can I extend my India Tourist eVisa?

Generally, the India Tourist eVisa cannot be extended. Tourists are expected to adhere to the validity period specified on their eVisa—either 30 days, 90 days per visit on the 1-year visa, or 90 days per visit on the 5-year visa.

If you need to stay longer than the terms of your original visa due to exceptional circumstances, you must apply through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in India. For detailed procedures and exceptions, it’s advisable to consult the official Indian government immigration website .

India Tourist eVisa required documents

To apply for the India Tourist eVisa online, you generally need:

Passport : A scan of the information page of your valid passport, which must have at least six months of validity from the date of arrival in India and at least two blank pages.

Photograph : A recent passport-style color photo, which can be uploaded during the application process.

Email address : To receive the visa confirmation.

Payment method : Credit or debit card for the visa fee payment.

Additional documents:

Depending on your circumstances and the purpose of travel, you may also need:

Travel itinerary : Details of your stay, including flight bookings and accommodation.

Financial proof : Statements or other documents showing you have enough funds for your stay.

Invitation letter : If visiting friends or family, an invitation letter may be required.

Note : This is a general list, and we will send a complete list of required documents via email upon application. This service ensures you are fully prepared for your application.

Once your visa is approved:

Confirmation delivery : You will receive an email containing your eVisa in PDF format.

Recommendation : We recommend printing out the eVisa and carrying it along with your passport when you travel to India, as immigration officers will want to see a copy upon your arrival.

We will be in touch by email if we need any more information from you during the application process.

India financial requirements

For the India Tourist eVisa, applicants should provide proof of financial stability to cover their stay in India. This can typically be shown with:

Bank statements : Recent statements indicating sufficient balance.

Sponsorship letter : If someone is sponsoring your trip, a letter from them stating their commitment to cover your expenses is accompanied by their financial documents.

These financial documents help demonstrate that you can support yourself during your visit to India. We will guide you on how to provide these proofs effectively as part of our visa application services.

India Tourist eVisa costs and processing times

The cost of processing your visa depends on the chosen validity and your nationality.

For those exempt from government visa fees, the only cost incurred will be our iVisa service fee. Countries exempt from the government fees include:

Argentina Cook Islands Fiji Micronesia Indonesia Jamaica Kiribati Marshall Islands Myanmar Mauritius Nauru Niue Papua New Guinea Palau Solomon Islands Seychelles Tonga Tuvalu Uruguay Vanuatu Samoa South Africa

You can check if you should expect to pay government fees at the top of this page. Note: all nationalities applying through us will still need to pay our processing fees. You will be shown a detailed breakdown of the costs during your application.

Typically, the processing time for an India Tourist eVisa ranges from 2 to 5 days. However, in certain cases, it might extend to a few weeks.

Opting for our services can streamline and expedite this process, making it more efficient and less time-consuming for you.

Benefits of applying for India Tourist eVisa with us

When you apply for your India Tourist eVisa with us, you get more than just guidance. You get:

Do you have more questions about India Tourist eVisa?

If you want to learn more about India Tourist eVisa or have questions about the application process, we’re here to help.

Our dedicated online team of customer service agents is available via online chat, or you can speak with them via WhatsApp .

Related Articles

India e-Visa Validity: How Long is it Valid For?

Indian Passport Renewal: Everything You Must Know

India Tourist Visa for South Korean citizens: Apply for the India Visa now

My application couldn’t be completed due to an error. what now, my india tourist evisa has been canceled. what can i do, is the indian e-tourist visa valid for travel on cruises, if i cancel my e-tourist visa application, will the fee be refunded to me.

Unforeseen events happen and can change your travel plans. This is why we understand you may want to request a cancellation of your visa application and a credit for the amount paid. However, these are the iVisa refund policy guidelines:

If your application has not been reviewed by our team , nor submitted to the government for approval, then you will receive a credit for the full amount of the iVisa processing fee and government fee .

If your application has been reviewed by our team but has not yet been submitted to the government for approval, you will receive a credit for the full amount of the government fee .

If your application has been submitted to the government for approval or a visa is already issued , unfortunately, no credit is available.

What if I made a mistake on my e-Visa India application?

What is the visa policy of india, how do processing times work, where can i read more.

• India eVisa for Haitian citizens
• India eVisa for Cuban citizens
• India eVisa for Guatemalan citizens
• India eVisa for Palauan citizens
• India eVisa for Bruneian citizens
• India eVisa for Nicaraguan citizens
• India eVisa for Guinean citizens
• India eVisa for Honduran citizens
• India eVisa for Bolivian citizens
• India eVisa for Moldovan citizens

Other Available Visas: India?

• Tourist eVisa
• Tourist eVisa Application
• Business eVisa
• Business eVisa Application
• Medical eVisa
• Medical eVisa Application
• Embassy Visa
• Embassy Visa Application
• iVisa is NOT affiliated with any government agency. This site does not provide legal advice and we are not a law firm. None of our customer service representatives are lawyers and they also do not provide legal advice. We are a private, internet-based travel and immigration consultancy provider dedicated to helping individuals travel around the world. You may apply by yourself directly on the various government websites. The source of information: https://boi.gov.in/boi/

India Tourist Visa

What is the indian tourist visa.

The online tourist visa for India is an electronic travel permit that allows citizens of eligible countries to visit India for tourism.

Some of the reasons to travel to India with this type of visa are:

• Engaging in tourism activism
• Visiting friends and family
• Attending a yoga retreat

Indian Tourist e-Visa eligible countries

• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Cayman Island
• Cook Islands
• Côte d'ivoire
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Niger Republic
• Niue Island
• Papua New Guinea
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turks & Caicos
• Vatican City

Show More >>

How to Get an e-Tourist Visa for India

To apply for an e-Tourist visa for India, simply complete the online form . The following basic information is required:

• Date and place of birth
• Contact information
• Passport details

There are also a series of eligibility and security questions . To finalize the request, the tourist visa fees are paid securely online by debit or credit card.

Most e-Tourist visa applications are approved in 2 days . You’ll receive the visa for India by email.

Types of e-Tourist Visa for India

There are 2 different e-Tourist visas available for India: a 1-month tourist visa and a 1-year tourist visa.

1-month e-Tourist visa for India

• Validity : 30 days from the date of issue
• Number of entries : 2
• Length of stay : 30 days in total

1-year e-Tourist visa for India

• Validity : 365 days from the date of issue
• Number of entries : multiple
• Length of stay : 90 days in total*

&ast; Citizens of Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US can stay for 180 days.

Information About India e-Tourist Visas

There are a few things that all travelers India must know before submitting their application:

• e-Tourist visas are non-convertible and non-extendable
• You’re permitted a maximum of 2 e-Visas per each calendar year
• e-Tourist visas are not valid to visit protected/restricted or Cantonment areas

You must have the following to apply for an e-Tourist visa for India:

• Eligible and valid passport
• Return or onward ticket
• Sufficient funds during your stay

Ports of entry with an India e-Tourist visa

An e-Tourist visa holder must arrive through one of the 28 designated airports or 5 designated seaports .

To leave India, e-Tourist visa holders can depart from any of the authorized Immigration Check Posts (ICPS) in India.

Travelers planning to arrive by land or through another port of entry need to get a visa at an embassy or consulate.

What You Can Do With the India e-Tourist Visa

The e-Tourist visa is an electronic travel authorization designed for travelers who wish to visit India for tourism purposes . This type of e-Visa for India can be used to visit landmarks, explore the country, and learn about the culture. The e-Tourist visa can also be obtained to visit family or friends in India.

Can I volunteer in India with an e-Visa?

With an approved India e-Visa, you’re permitted to carry our volunteer work for a maximum of 1 month . This work must be unpaid.

Prohibited activities with an e-Tourist visa for India

Foreigners entering Indian with a tourist visa are not permitted to engage in any kind of “Tablighi work”. Such activity will be considered a violation of visa norms and will result in a fine and entry ban.

Although there is no limit on attending religious places or taking part in standard religious activities, the visa guidelines state that preaching Tablighi Jamaat ideology, distributing pamphlets, and making speeches in religious places are not allowed.

FAQs about Indian e-Tourist Visa

How long can you stay in india with the e-tourist visa.

How long a traveler can stay in India depends on the type of e-Visa they hold:

• 1-month tourist e-Visa: maximum 30 days
• 1-year tourist e-Visa: maximum 90 days*

*180 days for travelers from Japan, the UK, and the US.

How long does it take to obtain a tourist visa for India?

The quickest way to obtain a tourist visa for India is online. Although many travelers receive the approved e-Visa within 2 days , you should apply at least 4 days in advance to allow time for processing.

How can I obtain a tourist visa for India?

Travelers from eligible countries can apply for an Indian tourist visa online , through the simple digital form.

Successful applicants receive the approved permit via email to be printed at home and presented to border officials.

What documents are required for an Indian tourist visa?

A passport valid for 6 months from the date of arrival in India is required to obtain a tourist visa. Electronic visa applicants can upload a scanned copy of their passport electronically and will also be asked to give passport details when completing the form.

A passport-style photo that meets all the India visa photo requirements must be supplied. Visitors should also be able to provide evidence of onward travel, which may be in the form of a return flight ticket.

Anyone arriving from a nation affected by yellow fever will be expected to present a yellow fever vaccination card.

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Travel Advisory June 23, 2023

India - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with updates to health information.

Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism.

Do not travel to:

• The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest .
• Within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict .

Country Summary : Indian authorities report rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations.

Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to India.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined India has a moderate level of COVID-19.  Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

If you decide to travel to India:

• Do not travel alone, particularly if you are a woman. Visit our website for Women Travelers .
• Review your personal security plans and remain alert to your surroundings.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report for India.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .

Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Avoid all travel to this state (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh). Sporadic violence occurs particularly along the Line of Control (LOC) separating India and Pakistan, and in tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. The Indian government prohibits foreign tourists from visiting certain areas along the LOC.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .

India-Pakistan Border – Level 4: Do Not Travel

India and Pakistan maintain a strong military presence on both sides of the border. The only official India-Pakistan border crossing point for persons who are not citizens of India or Pakistan is in the state of Punjab between Attari, India, and Wagah, Pakistan. The border crossing is usually open but confirm the current status of the border crossing prior to commencing travel. A Pakistani visa is required to enter Pakistan. Only U.S. citizens residing in India may apply for a Pakistani visa in India. Otherwise apply for a Pakistani visa in your country of residence before traveling to India.

Northeastern States – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Incidents of violence by ethnic insurgent groups, including bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets, occur occasionally in the northeast.

U.S. government employees at the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India are prohibited from traveling to the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur without special authorization from the U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata.

Central and East India – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Maoist extremist groups, or “Naxalites,” are active in a large swath of India from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal, particularly in rural parts of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and on the borders of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. The Naxalites have conducted frequent terrorist attacks on local police, paramilitary forces, and government officials.

Due to the fluid nature of the threat, all U.S. government travelers to states with Naxalite activity must receive special authorization from the U.S. consulate responsible for the area to be visited. U.S. officials traveling only to the capital cities in these states do not need prior authorization.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas . 

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Must be valid for six months beyond date of visa application to obtain a visa.

Two pages required.

Yes. Travelers must enter in either on a paper visa, valid for 10 years for U.S. citizens, or an e-tourist visa.

Required for yellow fever if the traveler is arriving from an infected area; others are suggested.

The possession of satellite phones is prohibited in India; Currency in excess of USD $5,000 must be declared. Please check with the Indian Embassy in Washington if you are planning to carry a large amount of currency into India.

Check local law for reporting requirements for exiting with large quantities of foreign currency and Indian rupees.

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy new delhi.

Shantipath, Chanakyapuri New Delhi - 110021 India Telephone: +(91) (11) 2419-8000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(91) (11) 2419-8000 Fax: +(91) (11) 2419-0017 [email protected]

The U.S. Embassy, New Delhi   serves American citizens in the Indian states of  Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, the union territories of Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, and the country of Bhutan.

U.S. Consulate General Mumbai (Bombay) C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex Bandra East, Mumbai 400051 India Telephone: +(91) (22) 2672-4000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(91) (22) 2672-4000 If you are calling from within India, but outside Mumbai, first dial 022. Fax: 91-(0)22-2672-4786 [email protected]

The Consulate General in Mumbai provides consular services for the states of Goa, Gujarat, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, and the union territory of Diu and Daman, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

U.S. Consulate General Kolkata (Calcutta) 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani Kolkata - 700 071, West Bengal, India Telephone: +(91) (33) 3984-2400 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(91) 99030 42956 or +(91) (33) 3984-2400 then dial "0" Fax: +(91) (33) 2282-2335

The United States Consulate General in Kolkata provides consular services for the states of Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura and Assam. [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Chennai (Madras) 220 Anna Salai at Gemini Circle Chennai, India 600006 Telephone: +(91) (44) 2857-4000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: (0) 44-2857-4000. Ask for American Citizen Services.(Within India, but outside Chennai, first dial 044. From the United States, first dial 011-(91) (44) ) Fax: +(91) (044) 2811-2020

The Consulate General in Chennai provides consular services for the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Pondicherry and Lakshwadeep Islands. [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad Survey No. 115/1, Financial District, Nanakramguda Hyderabad, Telangana, 500032 Phone: 040 6932 8000

The Consulate General in Hyderabad provides services to the U.S. citizens in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha. [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

All U.S. citizens need a valid passport as well as a valid Indian visa or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, to enter and exit India for any purpose. Travelers without valid documents or the correct type of visa may be denied entry into India. Indian visa regulations and instructions change frequently, often with little advance notice. Travelers are urged to check the  website of the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C.  before any travel to India to review the most current information. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General in India cannot assist you if you arrive without proper documentation.

U.S. citizens seeking to enter India solely for tourist purposes for stays of less than 60 days may apply for an eVisa at least four days prior to their arrival. Please visit the  Indian government's website for electronic travel authorization for additional information and to submit an application.  

U.S. citizens seeking to enter India as a tourist for longer than 60 days or for any other purpose must apply for a visa from an Indian embassy or consulate. The Government of India has appointed VFS Global to assist with visa services to individuals in the United States. Applicants may apply for Indian visas through the application link https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-visa .

Diplomatic and Official visa applications are accepted directly at the Indian Embassy and Consulates. All U.S. government employees traveling on official orders, including military personnel, must obtain country clearance for travel to India. Once you have received your visa, check it carefully to ensure that the type of visa and number of entries is appropriate for your travel plans.

Keep copies of your U.S. passport data page, as well as the pages containing the Indian visa and Indian immigration stamps with you at all times. Consider downloading these documents to your mobile phone in case of emergency. If your passport is lost or stolen, copies will help you apply for a replacement passport and an exit visa from the Indian government. Replacing a lost visa, which is required in order to exit the country, may take four or five business days.   

U.S. citizens of Pakistani origin or descent are subject to administrative processing and should expect additional delays when applying for Indian visas.

Foreign citizens who visit India to  study, do research, work, or act as missionaries,  as well as all travelers and residents planning to stay more than 180 days,  are required to register their visit or residency within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)  closest to where they will be staying in addition  to having the appropriate visa  when they enter India. The FRRO maintains offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru (Bangalore), Lucknow, Calicut, Goa, Cochin, Trivandrum, and Amritsar. District Superintendents of Police serve as Foreigners Registration Officers (FROs) in all other places. We recommend all U.S. citizens review the entry requirements described on the  Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)  section on the Indian Bureau of Immigration website.

If you overstay your Indian visa, or otherwise violate Indian visa regulations, you may require clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs to leave the country. Generally, you will be fined and, in some cases, may be jailed for months. Visa violators seeking an exit permit must visit  the Foreigners Regional Registration Office portal  to submit the application and pay any levied fines. Processing of an exit permit under these circumstances can take up to 90 days and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.  

For the most current information on entry and exit requirements, please contact the  Embassy of India  at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 939-9806 or the Indian Consulates in Atlanta ,  Chicago , Houston ,  New York , or  San Francisco . Outside the United States, inquiries should be made at the nearest Indian embassy or consulate.

General information regarding Indian visa and immigration rules, including the addresses and telephone numbers for the FRRO offices, can be found at the  Indian Ministry of Home Affairs Bureau of Immigration website.

HIV/AIDS RESTRICTIONS:  There are no disclosure requirements or restrictions for HIV/AIDS patients who enter India on a tourist visa. Disclosure regarding HIV/AIDS is required of anyone seeking a resident permit in India. Foreign residents found to be suffering from HIV/AIDS will be deported. Please verify this information with the  Embassy of India  before you travel.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

U.S. citizens should always practice good personal security and situational awareness. Be aware of your surroundings (including local customs and etiquette) and keep a low profile. Monitor local news reports, vary your routes and times in carrying out daily activities, and consider the level of security present when you visit public places, including religious sites, and when choosing hotels, restaurants, and entertainment and recreation venues.

India continues to experience terrorist and insurgent activities which may affect U.S. citizens directly or indirectly. Anti-Western terrorist groups, some on the U.S. government's list of foreign terrorist organizations, are active in India, including Islamist extremist groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e Tayyiba. The U.S. government occasionally receives information regarding possible terrorist attacks that could take place in India, monitors such information to determine credibility, and advises U.S. citizens accordingly.  Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive messages from the Embassy automatically.   

Past attacks have targeted public places, including some frequented by Westerners, such as luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas. Attacks have taken place during the busy evening hours in markets and other crowded places, but could occur at any time.  Alerts are usually more frequent around major holidays. The Maoists (also known as “Naxalites”) are the most active insurgent group in India. The Naxalites typically attack Indian government officials, but have also derailed trains, targeted other government buildings such as police stations, and conducted other criminal activity.  In eastern India’s Bihar state, 10 security personnel were killed and five injured in a Naxalite-triggered Improvised Explosive Device blast on July 18, 2016.  In the eastern state of Jharkhand, seven policemen were killed and eight others injured in a landmine blast by Naxalites on January 27, 2016.   

Beyond the threat from terrorism and insurgencies, demonstrations and general strikes, or “bandh,” often cause major inconvenience and unrest. These strikes can result in the stoppage of all transportation and tourist-related services, at times for 24 hours or more. U.S. citizens caught in such a strike may find they are unable to make flight and rail connections, as local transportation can be severely limited. Local media generally give an idea of the length and geographical location of the strike. Large religious gatherings that attract hundreds of thousands of people can result in dangerous and often life-threatening stampedes. Local demonstrations can begin spontaneously and escalate with little warning, disrupting transportation systems and city services and posing risks to travelers. In response to such events, Indian authorities occasionally impose curfews and/or restrict travel. You are urged to obey such curfews and travel restrictions and to avoid demonstrations and rallies as they have the potential for violence, especially immediately preceding and following political rallies, elections, and religious festivals (particularly when Hindu and Muslim festivals coincide). Tensions between castes and religious groups can also result in disruptions and violence. In some cases, demonstrators specifically block roads near popular tourist sites and disrupt train operations in order to gain the attention of Indian authorities; occasionally vehicles transporting tourists are attacked in these incidents. India generally goes on “High Alert” status prior to major holidays or events. You should monitor local television, print media, Mission India’s American Citizens Services  Facebook  page, and enroll with the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  for further information about the current situation in areas where you will travel.

The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates General in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai will post information about routine demonstrations on the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates General websites, under the heading “Demonstration Notices.” Please monitor our websites regularly for information about protest activities in the country. Please note that the Embassy and Consulates General will issue emergency/security messages for other purposes, as necessary.

Religious violence occasionally occurs in India, especially when tensions between different religious communities are purposefully exacerbated by groups pushing religiously chauvinistic agendas. There are active "anti-conversion" laws in some Indian states, and acts of conversion sometimes elicit violent reactions from Hindu extremists. Foreigners suspected of proselytizing Hindus have been attacked and killed in conservative, rural areas in India in the past. 

Swimming in India:  You should exercise caution if you intend to swim in open waters along the Indian coastline, particularly during the monsoon season. Every year, several people in Goa, Mumbai, Puri (Odisha), off the Eastern Coast in the Bay of Bengal, and other areas drown due to strong undertows. It is important to heed warnings posted at beaches and to avoid swimming in the ocean during the monsoon season. Trained lifeguards are very rare along beaches.

If you visit the Andaman Islands, be aware that there have been reports of crocodile attacks in salt water resulting in fatalities.  Ask local residents about dangerous sea life before swimming and keep a safe distance from animals at all times.

Wildlife safaris:  India offers opportunities for observation of wildlife in its natural habitat and many tour operators and lodges advertise structured, safe excursions into parks and other wildlife viewing areas for close observation of flora and fauna. However, safety standards and training vary, and it is a good idea to ascertain whether operators are trained and licensed. Even animals marketed as “tame” should be respected as wild and extremely dangerous. Keep a safe distance from animals at all times, remaining in vehicles or other protected enclosures when venturing into game parks.

Trekking in India:  Trekking expeditions should be limited to routes identified for this purpose by local authorities. Use only registered trekking agencies, porters, and guides, suspend trekking after dark, camp at designated camping places, and travel in groups rather than individually or with one or two companions. Altitudes in popular trekking spots can be as high as 25,170 feet (7,672 m); please make sure that you have had a recent medical checkup to ensure that you are fit to trek at these altitudes and carry sufficient medical insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage.

Train Travel:  India has the third largest rail network in the world, and train travel in India generally is safe. Nevertheless, accidents and on-board fires are sometimes caused by aging infrastructure, poorly maintained equipment, overcrowding, and operator errors. Train accidents and fires have resulted in the death and serious injury of passengers.

Areas of Instability: Jammu & Kashmir:  The Department of State strongly recommends that you avoid travel to the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir because of the potential for terrorist incidents as well as violent public unrest. A number of terrorist groups operate in the territory targeting security forces, particularly along the Line of Control (LOC) separating Indian and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, and those stationed in primary tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. Since 1989, as many as 70,000 people (terrorists, security forces, and civilians) have been killed in the Kashmir conflict. Foreigners are particularly visible, vulnerable, and at risk. In the past, serious communal violence left the territory mostly paralyzed due to massive strikes and business shutdowns, and U.S. citizens have had to be evacuated by local police. The Indian government prohibits foreign tourists from visiting certain areas along the LOC (see the section on Restricted Areas, below).

India-Pakistan Border:  The Department of State recommends that you avoid travel to areas within ten kilometers of the border between India and Pakistan. Both India and Pakistan maintain a strong military presence on both sides of the border. The only official India-Pakistan border crossing point for persons who are not citizens of India or Pakistan is in the state of Punjab between Atari, India, and Wagah, Pakistan. The border crossing is usually open, but you are advised to confirm the current status of the border crossing prior to commencing travel. A Pakistani visa is required to enter Pakistan. Only U.S. citizens residing in India may apply for a Pakistani visa in India. Otherwise you should apply for a Pakistani visa in your country of residence before traveling to India.

Both India and Pakistan claim an area of the Karakoram mountain range that includes the Siachen glacier. Travel or mountain climbing in this area is highly dangerous. The disputed area includes the following peaks: Rimo Peak; Apsarasas I, II, and III; Tegam Kangri I, II and III; Suingri Kangri; Ghiant I and II; Indira Col; and Sia Kangri. Check with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi for information on current conditions.

Northeastern states:  Incidents of violence by ethnic insurgent groups, including bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets, occur occasionally in the northeast. While U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted, it is possible that you could be affected as a bystander. If you travel to the northeast, you should avoid travel by train at night, travel outside major cities at night, and crowds. U.S. government employees at the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India are prohibited from traveling to the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur without permission from the U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata. Restricted Area Permits are required for foreigners to visit certain Northeastern states (see the section on Restricted Areas, below.) Contact the U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata for information on current conditions.

East Central and Southern India:  Maoist extremist groups, or “Naxalites,” are active in East Central India primarily in rural areas. The Naxalites have a long history of conflict with state and national authorities, including frequent terrorist attacks on local police, paramilitary forces, and government officials, and are responsible for more attacks in the country than any other organization through an ongoing campaign of violence and intimidation Naxalites have not specifically targeted U.S. citizens but have attacked symbolic targets that have included Western companies and rail lines. While Naxalite violence does not normally occur in places frequented by foreigners, there is a risk that visitors could become victims of violence.

Naxalites are active in a large swath of India from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal, particularly in rural parts of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and on the borders of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. Due to the fluid nature of the threat, all U.S. government travelers to states with Naxalite activity must receive authorization from the U.S. Consulate responsible for the area to be visited. U.S. officials traveling only to the capital cities in these states do not need prior authorization.

Restricted/Protected areas:  While the Indian Government has designated that travelers to “portions” of certain areas need special advance permission, actual practice has been to require a permit to enter any portion of certain states or territories. Areas requiring a permit include:

• The state of Arunachal Pradesh
• Portions of the state of Sikkim
• Portions of the state of Himachal Pradesh near the Chinese border
• Portions of the state of Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal) near the Chinese border
• Portions of the state of Rajasthan near the Pakistani border
• Portions of the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir near the Line of Control with Pakistan and certain portions of the union territory of Ladakh
• The union territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• The union territory of the Laccadives Islands (Lakshadweep)
• Portions of the state of Manipur
• Portions of the state of Mizoram
• Portions of the state of Nagaland

More information about travel to/in restricted/protected areas can be found from India’s  Bureau of Immigration .

“Restricted Area Permits" are available outside India at Indian embassies and consulates abroad, or in India from the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) at Jaisalmer House, 26 Man Singh Road, New Delhi. The states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim maintain official guesthouses in New Delhi, which can also issue Restricted Area Permits for their respective states for certain travelers. While visiting Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) in Tamil Nadu, be aware the Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Center, Kalpakkam, is located just south of the site and is not clearly marked as a restricted and dangerous area.

For the latest security information, travelers should enroll in  STEP  to receive updated security information and regularly monitor travel information available from the  U.S. Embassy in New Delhi  as well as the U.S. Consulates General in  Mumbai  (Bombay),  Chennai (Madras),  Hyderabad , and  Kolkata  (Calcutta).

CRIME:  Petty crime, especially theft of personal property (including U.S. passports), is common, particularly on trains or buses, at airports, and in major tourist areas. Pickpockets can be very adept and women have reported having their bags snatched, purse-straps cut, or the bottom of their purses slit without their knowledge. If you are traveling by train, lock your sleeping compartments and take your valuables with you when leaving your berth. If you travel by air, be careful with your bags in the arrival and departure areas outside airports. Violent crime, especially directed against foreigners, has traditionally been uncommon, although in recent years there has been a modest increase. Be cautious about displaying cash or expensive items to reduce the chance of being a target for robbery or other crime, and be aware of your surroundings when you use ATMs. ATM card scams have been used to clone credit card details to withdraw money.

Sexual Assault:  Travelers should be aware that there have been reported cases of sexual assault, including rape, of U.S. citizens traveling throughout India. U.S. citizens, particularly women, are cautioned not to travel alone in India. Women traveling in India are advised to respect local dress and customs. Customary everyday dress for Indian women throughout the country is conservative, and even more so in non-urban areas,  with women wearing clothing that covers their legs and shoulders. Exceptions are vacation resorts catering to foreign clientele and some neighborhoods of the major cities of New Delhi and Mumbai. Western women, especially those of African descent, continue to report incidents of verbal and physical harassment by individuals and groups of men. Known locally as “Eve-teasing,” these incidents of sexual harassment can be quite frightening and can quickly cross the line from verbal to physical. Sexual harassment can occur anytime or anywhere, but most frequently has happened in crowded areas such as in market places, train stations, buses, and public streets. The harassment can range from sexually suggestive or lewd comments to catcalls to outright groping. The Government of India has focused greater attention on addressing issues of gender violence. One outcome has been greater reporting of incidences of sexual assault country-wide, and Indian authorities report rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Among large cities, Delhi experienced the highest number of reported crimes against women. Although most victims have been local residents, recent sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas across India underline the fact that foreign women are at risk and should exercise vigilance.

Women should observe stringent security precautions, including avoiding use of public transport after dark without the company of known and trustworthy companions, restricting evening entertainment to well-known venues, and avoiding isolated areas when alone at any time of day. Keep your hotel room number confidential and make sure hotel room doors have chains, deadlocks, and peep holes. Travel with groups of friends rather than alone. In addition, only hire reliable cars and drivers and avoid traveling alone in hired taxis, especially at night. Use taxis from hotels and pre-paid taxis at airports rather than hailing them on the street. If you encounter threatening situations, call “100” for police assistance (“112” from mobile phones).

Scams:  Major airports, train stations, popular restaurants, and tourist sites are often used by scam artists looking to prey on visitors, often by creating a distraction. Beware of taxi drivers and others, including train porters, who solicit travelers with "come-on" offers of cheap transportation and/or hotels. Travelers accepting such offers have frequently found themselves the victims of scams, including offers to assist with "necessary" transfers to the domestic airport, disproportionately expensive hotel rooms, unwanted "tours," unwelcome "purchases," extended cab rides, and even threats when the tourists decline to pay.  There have been reports of tourists being lured, held hostage and extorted for money in the face of threats of violence against the traveler and his/her family members.

You should exercise care when hiring transportation and/or guides and use only well-known travel agents to book trips. Some scam artists have lured travelers by displaying their name on a sign when they leave the airport. Another popular scam is to drop money or to squirt something on the clothing of an unsuspecting traveler and use the distraction to rob them of their valuables. Tourists have also been given drugged drinks or tainted food to make them more vulnerable to theft, particularly at train stations. Even food or drink prepared in front of the traveler from a canteen or vendor could be tainted.

Some vendors sell carpets, jewelry, gemstones, or other expensive items that may not be of the quality promised. Deal only with reputable businesses and do not hand over your credit cards or money unless you are certain that goods being shipped are the goods you purchased. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it is best avoided. Most Indian states have official tourism bureaus set up to handle complaints.

There have been a number of other scams perpetrated against foreign travelers, particularly in Goa, Jaipur, and Agra that target younger travelers and involve suggestions that money can be made by privately transporting gems or gold (both of which can result in arrest) or by taking delivery abroad of expensive carpets, supposedly while avoiding customs duties. The scam artists describe profits that can be made upon delivery of the goods, and require the traveler to pay a "deposit" as part of the transaction.

India-based criminals use the internet to extort money from victims abroad.  In a common scam, the victim develops a close romantic relationship with an alleged U.S. citizen they meet online. When the “friend” travels to India, a series of accidents occur and the victim begins to receive requests for financial assistance, sometimes through an intermediary.  In fact, the U.S. citizen “friend” does not exist; they are only online personas used by criminal networks. Victims have been defrauded of thousands of dollars in these schemes. Do not send money to anyone you have not met in person and carefully read the Department of State’s advice on  international financial scams . 

U.S. citizens have had problems with business partners, usually involving property investments. You may wish to seek professional legal advice in reviewing any contracts for business or services offered in India. The U.S. Embassy and/or consulates are unable to provide legal advice or intervene on behalf of United States citizens with Indian courts on civil or criminal matters.  A list of local attorneys is available on the Embassy and Consulates General  websites .

In another common scam, family members in the United States, particularly older people, are approached for funds to help callers claiming to be grandchildren or relatives who have been arrested or are without money to return home. Do not send money without contacting the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General to confirm the other party’s situation. You can also call our Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 888-407-4747 (from overseas: 202-501-4444). Review our information on  Emergency Assistance to Americans Abroad . 

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for more information on scams.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Victims of Crime:  U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should first contact the local police, then inform the U.S. Embassy or local Consulate.

Report crimes to the local police by calling “100” or “112” from a mobile phone.                      

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Please note that you should ask for a copy of the police report, known as a “First Information Report” (FIR), from local police when you report an incident. Local authorities generally are unable to take any meaningful action without the filing of a police report. 

If your passport is stolen, you should immediately report the theft or loss to the police in the location where your passport was stolen. A FIR is required by the Indian government in order for you to obtain an exit visa to leave India if the lost passport contained your Indian visa. Although the Embassy or Consulate General is able to replace a stolen or lost passport, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) are responsible for approving an exit permit. This process usually takes three to four working days, but can take longer.

In cases of sexual assault or rape, the Embassy or Consulates General can provide a list of local doctors and hospitals, if needed, to determine if you have been injured and to discuss treatment and prevention options for diseases and pregnancy. You should be aware that in order for evidence of an assault to be submitted in a court case, Indian authorities require that the medical exam be completed at a government hospital. Therefore, if a victim goes to a private hospital for treatment, the hospital will refer them to a government hospital for this aspect of the medical process. 

There are a number of resources in India for victims of rape and sexual assault. The specific toll-free Women’s Helpline Service number in Delhi is 1091; in Mumbai it is 103; in Kolkata, 1090; in Chennai, 1091 or 2345-2365; and in Hyderabad one can dial 1-800-425-2908 or 1098 for crimes in general.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in India is “100.” An additional emergency number, “112,” can be accessed from mobile phones.

Please see our  information for victims of crime , including possible victim compensation programs in the United States. 

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur.  Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field.  In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities.  First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.  See our webpage for more  information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. 

Furthermore, some activities are crimes under U.S. law and can be prosecuted in the U.S. regardless of whether they are allowed under local law.  For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Alcohol: Each of India’s states has independent regulations concerning alcohol purchase and consumption. Legal drinking ages range from 18 to 25 and can vary by beverage type. Some states permit alcohol use for medicinal purposes only, others require you to hold a permit to buy, transport, or consume alcohol. Penalties for violation can be harsh.

Drugs:  Several U.S. citizens have been arrested at Indian airports for attempting to smuggle illegal drugs from India.  All claimed that they did not realize they were carrying narcotics.  Never transport or mail packages that do not belong to you and maintain direct control of your luggage at all times.

Beef and Cow Hide: Several states in India impose various types of prohibition on beef.  In some rural areas, cow protection vigilantes have attacked people they suspected of selling or consuming beef, or possessing items made with cow hide.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Dual nationality: India does not permit its citizens to hold dual nationality. In 2006, India launched the "Overseas Citizens of India" (OCI) program, which does not grant Indian citizenship but is similar to a U.S. "green card" in that you can travel to and from India indefinitely, work in India, study in India, and own property in India (except for certain agricultural and plantation properties). If you are a U.S. citizen and obtain an OCI card you will not become a citizen of India; you will remain a citizen of the United States. An OCI card holder does not receive an Indian passport, cannot vote in Indian elections, and is not eligible for Indian government employment. The OCI program is similar to the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card except that PIO holders must still register with Indian immigration authorities, and PIO cards are not issued for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens of Indian descent can apply for PIO or OCI cards at the Indian Embassy in Washington, or at the Indian Consulates in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Houston. Inside India, U.S. citizens can apply at the nearest FRRO office (please see “Entry/Exit Requirements” section above for more information on the FRRO). U.S. citizens are required to travel on a U.S. passport when traveling in and out of the United States.

Religious activities and faith-based travelers:  See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report .  If you plan to engage in religious proselytizing you are required by Indian law to have a "missionary" visa. Immigration authorities have determined that certain activities, including speaking at religious meetings to which the general public is invited, may violate immigration law if the traveler does not hold a missionary visa. Foreigners with tourist visas who engage in missionary activity are subject to deportation and possible criminal prosecution. The states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh have legislation that regulates or places restrictions on conversion from one religious faith to another. If you intend to engage in missionary activity, you may wish to seek legal advice to determine whether the activities you intend to pursue are permitted under Indian law.

Tourists should also be mindful of restrictions and observances when planning to visit any religious establishment, whether Hindu temples, mosques, churches, or other locations considered sacred by the local population. Many individual temples and mosques do not permit non-members to enter all or parts of the facilities, and may require the removal of shoes, the covering of the head, or have other specific requirements for appropriate attire.  

Customs restrictions: Before traveling to or from India, you are urged to inspect all bags and clothing thoroughly to ensure they do not inadvertently contain prohibited items. Several U.S. citizens have been arrested or detained when airport security officials discovered loose ammunition (even spent individual bullets and casings) or weapons in their luggage. If you are found to have loose ammunition or bullets (including empty bullet shells used in souvenirs) on your person or in your bags, you could be charged with violation of the Indian Arms Act, incarcerated, and/or deported from India.

In addition, U.S. citizens have been arrested for possession of satellite phones. Satellite phones, personal locator beacons, and hand-held GPS devices are illegal in India.

Indian customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from India of such items as, antiquities, electronic equipment, currency, ivory, gold objects, and other prohibited materials. Permission from the Government of India is required to bring in restricted items, even if you are only transiting through India. If you do not comply with these regulations, you risk arrest or fine or both and confiscation of these items. If you are charged with any legal violations by Indian law enforcement, have an attorney review any document before you sign it. The Government of India requires the registration of antique items with the local police along with a photograph of the item. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of India in Washington or one of India's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. More information is available from the Indian Central Board of Excise and Customs .

Indian customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters, located at the U.S. Council for International Business , 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information call (212) 354-4480, or email USCIB for details. Please see our section on Customs Information for more information.

Natural disaster threats: Parts of northern India are highly susceptible to earthquakes. Regions of highest risk, ranked 5 on a scale of 1 to 5, include areas around Srinagar, Himachal Pradesh, Rishikesh and Dehra Dun, the northern parts of Punjab, northwest Gujarat, northern Bihar, and the entire northeast. Ranked 4 (high damage risk) is an area that sweeps along the north through Jammu and Kashmir, Eastern Punjab, Haryana, Northern Uttar Pradesh, central Bihar and the northern parts of West Bengal. New Delhi is located in zone 4. Severe flooding is common in hilly and mountainous areas throughout India. Flooding in 2013 in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and other areas left thousands of people presumed dead and temporarily stranded dozens of U.S. citizens.

Typhoons/cyclones and subsequent flooding are common along the Indian coasts, in particular the Eastern coastal states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal, and have at times resulted in massive loss of life.  Tourists and residents in areas prone to these events should remain vigilant during severe weather, monitor local media for latest developments, and heed all municipal warnings.  Residents in these areas should have contingency plans for loss of power and inavailability of goods and services, including supplies for multiple days after a severe weather event.

Accessibility: While in India, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different than what you find in the United States. Despite legislation that all public buildings and transport be accessible for disabled people, accessibility remains limited. One notable exception is the Delhi metro system, designed to be accessible to those with physical disabilities.

Women Travelers: Please review our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Students:  See our   Students Abroad  page and FBI travel tips .

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  Section 377 of India’s penal code makes same-sex sexual acts illegal in India. On September 6, 2018, the Supreme Court of India declared unconstitutional the application of Section 377, barring discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, effectively legalizing homosexuality in India. Reports of widespread discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ persons, particularly in rural areas, persist. See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Zika is present in India. See the Centers for Disease Control’s website for more information.

The quality of medical care in India varies considerably. Medical care in the major population centers approaches and occasionally meets Western standards, but adequate medical care is usually very limited or unavailable in rural areas.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas. 

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas.  Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage . 

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance (our webpage) to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of India to ensure the medication is legal in India.  Always, carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. 

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If you are arriving in India from Sub-Saharan Africa or other yellow-fever areas, Indian health regulations require that you present evidence of vaccination against yellow fever. If you do not have such proof, you could be subjected to immediate deportation or a six-day detention in the yellow-fever quarantine center. If you transit through any part of sub-Saharan Africa, even for one day, you are advised to carry proof of yellow fever immunization.

Dogs and bats create a high risk of rabies transmission in most of India. Vaccination is recommended for all prolonged stays, especially for young children and travelers in rural areas. It is also recommended for shorter stays that involve occupational exposure, locations more than 24 hours from a reliable source of human rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccine for post-exposure treatment, adventure travelers, hikers, cave explorers, and backpackers. Monkeys also can transmit rabies and herpes B, among other diseases, to human victims. Avoid feeding monkeys. If bitten, you should immediately soak and scrub the bite for at least 15 minutes and seek urgent medical attention.

Influenza is transmitted from November to April in areas north of the Tropic of Cancer (north India), and from June through November (the rainy season) in areas south of the Tropic of Cancer (south India), with a smaller peak from February through April; off-season transmission can also occur. All travelers are at risk. Influenza vaccine is recommended for all travelers during the flu season.

Outbreaks of avian influenza (H5N1 virus) occur intermittently in eastern India, including West Bengal, Manipur, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Assam. For further information on pandemic influenza, please refer to the Department of State's 2009-H1N1, Pandemic Influenza, and H5N1 Fact Sheet .

Malaria prophylaxis depends on time of year and area the traveler is visiting. Please consult the CDC website for more information. Dengue fever presents significant risk in urban and rural areas. The highest number of cases is reported from July to December, with cases peaking from September to October. Daytime insect precautions such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and mosquito repellent are recommended by the CDC.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in India. For further information, please consult the CDC’s Travel Notice on TB .

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Air pollution is a significant problem in several major cities in India, and you should consult your doctor prior to travel and consider the impact seasonal smog and heavy particulate pollution may have on you.  The air quality in India varies considerably and fluctuates with the seasons.  It is typically at its worst in the winter. Anyone who travels where pollution levels are high is at risk. People at the greatest risk from particle pollution exposure include:

• Infants, children, and teens
• People over 65 years of age
• People with lung disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema;
• People with heart disease or diabetes
• People who work or are active outdoors

Current air quality data can be found on the Embassy’s Air Quality page . The data on this site are updated hourly.

Rh-negative blood may be difficult to obtain as it is not common in Asia.

For emergency services, dial 112 from a cell phone; from a land line, dial 100 for police, 102 for ambulance (108 in parts of South India), and 101 for fire. Ambulances are not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, and traffic does not yield to emergency vehicles. Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance. Most hospitals require advance payment or confirmation of insurance prior to treatment. Payment practices vary and credit cards are not routinely accepted for medical care.

Medical Tourism: Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. Companies offering vacation packages bundled with medical consultations and financing options provide direct-to-consumer advertising over the internet. Such medical packages often claim to provide high quality care, but the quality of health care in India is highly variable. People seeking health care in India should understand that medical systems operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations. Anyone interested in traveling for medical purposes should consult with their local physician before traveling and refer to the information from the CDC . Persons traveling to India for medical purposes require the proper “medical” visa. Please check with the nearest Indian embassy or consulate for more information.

Despite reports of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospitals, in general travelers should not delay or avoid treatment for urgent or emergent medical situations. However, health tourists and other travelers who may be contemplating elective procedures in this country should carefully research individual hospital infection control practices.

Surrogacy: Commercial surrogacy is illegal for foreigners in India, subject to complex local regulation.  For additional information, visit the Government of India’s official information on foreigner surrogacy . 

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General in India maintain lists of local doctors and hospitals, all of which are published on their respective websites under "U.S. Citizen Services." We cannot endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Travel by road in India is dangerous. India leads the world in traffic-related deaths and a number of U.S. citizens have suffered fatal traffic accidents in recent years. You should exercise extreme caution when crossing streets, even in marked pedestrian areas, and try to use only cars that have seatbelts. Seatbelts are not common in three-wheel taxis (autos) and in taxis’ back seats. Helmets should always be worn on motorcycles and bicycles.Travel at night is particularly hazardous.

On Indian roads, the safest driving policy is always to assume that other drivers will not respond to a traffic situation in the same way you would in the United States. Buses and trucks often run red lights and merge directly into traffic at yield points and traffic circles. Cars, autos, bicycles, and pedestrians behave only slightly more cautiously. Use your horn or flash your headlights frequently to announce your presence. It is both customary and wise.

Inside and outside major cities, roads are often poorly maintained and congested. Even main roads frequently have only two lanes, with poor visibility and inadequate warning markers. On the few divided highways one can expect to meet local transportation traveling in the wrong direction, often without lights. Heavy traffic is the norm and includes (but is not limited to) overloaded trucks and buses, scooters, pedestrians, bullock and camel carts, horse or elephant riders en route to weddings, bicycles, and free-roaming livestock.

Public Transportation: Buses, patronized by hundreds of millions of Indians, are convenient in that they serve almost every city of any size. However, they are often driven fast, recklessly, and without consideration for the rules of the road. Accidents are quite common.

Traffic Laws: Traffic in India moves on the left. It is important to be alert while crossing streets and intersections, especially after dark as traffic is coming in the "wrong" direction. Travelers should remember to use seatbelts in both rear and front seats where available, and to ask their drivers to maintain a safe speed.

In order to drive in India, you must have either a valid Indian driver’s license or a valid international driver’s license. Because of difficult road and traffic conditions, you may wish to consider hiring a local driver.

If a driver hits a pedestrian or a cow, the vehicle and its occupants are at risk of being attacked by passersby. Such attacks pose significant risk of injury or death to the vehicle's occupants or risk of incineration of the vehicle. It could be unsafe to remain at the scene of an accident of this nature, and drivers may instead wish to seek out the nearest police station. Protestors often use road blockage as a means of publicizing their grievances, causing severe inconvenience to travelers. Visitors should monitor local news reports for any reports of road disturbances.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

Emergency Numbers: The following emergency numbers work in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata:

• Fire Brigade 101
• Ambulance 102

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of India’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of India’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page . Travelers are urged to use caution while booking private helicopters for travel, especially in the northeast. 

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

India was cited in the State Department’s 2023 Annual Report to Congress on International Child Abduction for demonstrating a pattern of non-compliance with respect to international parental child abduction. Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in  India . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

• Privacy Policy
• Disclosure Policy
• Work With Me
• Guest Post Guidelines

• Destinations
• North Carolina
• Travel Tips

Select Page

A Complete 1 Month India Itinerary

Posted by Guest Blogger | Updated on Jan 26, 2023 | Published on Mar 29, 2020 | India | 0

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

This India Itinerary post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read our  Disclosure Policy.

Guest post by Sydney of Routeprints .

One month in India may seem like a stretch but once you set foot in the country, you’ll know that the sheer size of the country demands more than four weeks of your time to unfold. There is something about the mystical lands of Ladakh, the spine-chilling natural beauty of Meghalaya, architectural brilliance of Jaipur, heritage walks of Delhi and chaos of Mumbai. We bet India is unlike any other country that you’ve ever visited. You will be shell-shocked with unique smells to noises, colorful bazaars to lip-smacking street food and vibrant narrow streets to six-lane highways. In one month, you will be able to cover most of the prominent cities and spots in the country but there will still be those unexplored hidden gems that’ll be out of your reach in that time frame.

To make your India itinerary a bit more organized, Routeprints curated a hands-on itinerary that covers the North-South-East and West of India. If followed strictly, this exhaustive itinerary will take you the world-famous and lesser-known but magnificent cities of India. We bet you’ll end up booking left and right by the time you finish reading this blog.

When to Visit India

India is a vast country with climatic conditions changing every time you cross borders between the states. Northern India has biting cold winter season from November to February while Southern India experiences chilly sea breeze with pleasant weather for most parts of the day. Southern India braves heavy rainfall from May to October, making it an extremely bad choice for traveling. These months are hot and dry in central, western and North of India but you can still enjoy pleasant evenings without any rainchecks. So, what time you should travel to India essentially depends on which part of the country you’re planning to visit.

Where to stay during your 1 Month India Itinerary

The accommodation is fairly cheap in India. Aside from uber-luxury properties like Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur or Trident, Gurgaon and backpacker-friendly hostels like The Madpacker or Zostel; all the 3 and 4-star properties are priced anywhere between $30 to $150. In more artsy and heritage cities like Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Goa; you can be spoilt for choice with luxurious Bed & Breakfast, Villas, Airbnbs and Homestays available at affordable prices. When in India, accommodation will never be a problem for you.

How to Commute within India

Indian Railways network has the largest connectivity between the length and breadth of the country which covers nearly all the important travel destinations. Although cheap, the 3 AC or 2AC tickets will cost an amount equal to a short-haul flight. For the sake of experience, hop on a luxury train but for convenience; take the cheaper flights leaving from all the major airports. Road transportation is improving increasingly in India. You have the liberty to rent a self-drive car with Zoom Car or hire a driver with an AC car to take you through road trips. The roads are bumpy with less than the expected number of decent pit stop choices. So do that one on your own risk.

1 Month Indian Itinerary

You can start your India itinerary from just about any of the four metro cities setting them up as your base and taking short-haul flights or over-night train or bus journeys to visit the nearby cities. For instance, you can start from Delhi and complete the Golden Triangle including Agra, Jaipur, and Amritsar or begin from Mumbai which is in proximity to world-famous sights of Goa, Gokarna, Matheran, and Pune.

Delhi (4 days)

Delhi is all things you’ve read about it in the travel guides and more. If you successfully brave through the odds of Delhi then you are guaranteed to have a blissful time in the other states. The city is chaotic, congested, polluted and mostly a whirlwind for the tourists. Start your 4-day journey in Delhi with sightseeing the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate and so much more.

Ream more: Things to do in Delhi written by a local

Agra (1 day)

Agra is barely 4-hours drive or train from Delhi that can be done and dusted in one day. Lose yourself in the mighty white marbled walls of the Taj Mahal and take a dip into the historic significance of the tomb that stands as the pride of the nation.

Amritsar (1 day)

The Golden Triangle is incomplete without a trip to the holy city of Amritsar. The Golden Temple crafted out of real gold attracts national and foreign tourists from across the world. Besides the temple, it is the sheer brilliance of local food stalls and restaurants in the city that will amaze you.

Varanasi (2 days)

Touted to be the holiest city of India, Varanasi falls right on the banks of River Ganges. This is the place Indians wash off their sins with a dip in the holy river and also perform final funerals of their loved ones. To experience the best of this mega-touristy city, take the morning boat tour of Ganges River or a walking tour of the Ghats that are seemingly overwhelming for most people. Don’t forget to feast on famous Blue Lassi and attend the blissful evening Maha Aarti by the Ghats.

Jaipur (2 days) – Pushkar/Ajmer

Jaipur is bursting at the seams with UNESCO World Heritage Sights, upmarket cafes, thumping night clubs and rich cultural history that are all linked by the Pink Walls. Being the most-photographed city in India, Jaipur is seemingly impressive. Spend your days soaking up the sun as you stroll through Amber Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Jal Mahal, and Hawa Mahal. Spend a cheerful evening at the famous Chowki Dhani resort for a quick overview of the Rajasthani culture.

If you’re feeling too energetic, take a day trip to Ajmer Sharif Dargah which is a two-hour drive from Jaipur. Pushkar is both, laidback and holy at the same time. You look up to rooftop cafes playing psychedelic music with neon lights while the Pandits perform holy Aarti down by the Ghats of river Ganges. The shocking contrast will capture you by the heart.

Udaipur (2 days)

The most beautiful and bustling city in Rajasthan has to be the famous destination wedding center Udaipur. Home to the most luxurious hotels and restaurants in India, Te White City of India attracts travelers with its opulent palaces, serene lakes and chill rooftop cafes. In Udaipur, you have to watch the sunset over some English tea and your favorite book sitting by a café near Lake Pichola. When in Udaipur go all dreamy-eyed staring outside the windows of city palace, watch the sunrise from Karni Mata temple and hog on unlimited food thali at The Namaste Café.

Jaisalmer (2 days)

Jaisalmer is unlike any desert city that you’ve been too. Endless stretches of brown sand, clear blue skies with camel riders and camp setups make the Golden City a perfect fairytale holiday destination. The relentless dunes are best treaded on camel backs during the day and nights can be concluded with stargazing and bonfire in the middle of the desert. The Night Safari is quite the experience you should opt for in Jaisalmer.

Mumbai (2 days)

The city of entertainment and dreams is busier than the bee. The dirty, loud and bustling city of Mumbai is like every other metro city in India, minus the Bollywood star presence on roads. In Mumbai, sip a cup of chai by Juhu Beach, hog on Vada Pav at Chowpatty and get a few pictures by the Gate of India. Do not expect to see too much in the overwhelming and clawing city of Mumbai. Keep it as the base for your further travels in India. 

Goa (3 days)

All the stories about notorious drugging, psychedelic trance parties, raves and hippie trails in Goa are true. You can either party the nights away at North Goa clubs and open bars or relax and unwind at the natural spas and herbal baths in South Goa. Baga, Candolim and Calangute beaches are good for late-night Indian food cravings and shisha chill but Palolem and Ashvem beaches in South Goa are quieter, calmer and more laidback than anything you’ve ever seen in India. In three days, you can sip cocktails at posh cafes overlooking the Bay of Bengal, savor delightful coconut water by the roadside or get your hair braided on the beach. We best believe that you choose your experience in Goa.

Gokarna and Hampi (3 days)

Slightly less-touristy than Goa, Gokarna is only an overnight bus journey from Goa. Often known as the backpacker’s haven, Gokarna has gained privileged status with much cleaner and quieter beaches than Goa. Enjoy affordable massages, beach camping, bonfire, stays at beach shacks and comfortable bike rides through palm tree-laden roads of this beautiful city in Karnataka.

Hampi is a break from all the partying and chilling in Goa and Gokarna. Here you will get to see the oldest and most treasured fortunes of the ancient civilizations of India. The spellbinding architectural beauty of the ancient ruins and intricate craftsmanship of the local handicraft makers will leave you gasping for breath.

Mysore (2 days)

A cultural ballpark and home to the old colonial architectural brilliance of Karnataka, Mysore is quiet the travel destination for you all. You cannot go back home without spending a day in the bustling but equally simple city of Mysore. Start your day with a stroll around the Mysore Palace as you soak upon historical knowledge of the glorious past of India. End the night with delectable local cuisine. Enjoy sightseeing at Chamundeshwari Temple as you climb the Chamundi Hills for that breathtaking view of the city.

Coorg (2 days)

The Coffee Estate of the South, Coorg is one magical experience that is straight out of a fairytale and one of the best hill stations near Bangalore . If rice fields of Bali have fascinated you for long then a trip to Coorg is a must. Jeep Safari, mountain climbing, trekking through endless stretches of greens and dips in hidden waterfalls are some of the experiences waiting for you in Coorg. Besides world-best coffee, you can also sip on local wine and flavorsome Tibetan food. Bathe elephants, experience Tibetan culture and camp in the jungles by the riverside in your two-day halt in Coorg.

Alleppey (2 days)

Take a break from all the madness, start your calm-trip with a backwaters cruise in Alleppey. The best way to get a taste of the culture is to book 2 days complete package in the famous houseboats of Alleppey. The Backwaters of Kerala are adorned with palm trees, the local village produces and sounds of water flowing through the canals, lagoons, rivers, and lakes. Besides, you can spend a day exploring the city’s Mullakkal Temple and a relaxing evening at the Alappuzha Beach.

Chennai (2 days)

The ‘Dosa City’ of Tamil Nadu is just like any other metro city in India. It is busy, dirty, extremely loud and overtly touristy. After all the natural beauty you’ve soaked up in Karnataka and Kerala, it’ll be hard to come back to city life in Chennai. Nonetheless, the city has renowned religious temples, some of the best museums, cultural hotspots and delectable roadside South-Indian food joints to keep you occupied. You can spend your days visiting the Kapaleeshwar Temple, St Thomas Basilica, Ramanujan Temple and enjoy the sunset by Marina Beach.

Pondicherry (2 days)

Part India and part French, Puducherry is still a mystical place for most Indian travelers. When in Pondicherry, you will be surprised by the sheer mix of people from around the world living a life of meaning in the Auroville Ashram. Pondy is an amalgamation of conventional Indian style and French sophistication and architecture. Do not be surprised when you are served a delicious croissant and filter Kapi by the roadside stalls in crowded bazaars. Take a day-bus to Chennai Airport to catch your flight back home.

Our itinerary covers most of the major attractions but there is still a large chunk on North and North-Eastern India should be traveled to. The exotic flora and fauna, stunning waterfalls, mystical beauty of North Eastern states like Sikkim, Darjeeling, Meghalaya, and Cherrapunji will fill your senses with tranquillity. The North of India is yet another adventurous trip ideal for backpackers with a zest for adrenaline-pumping activities. You can go on exploring the majestic Ladakh , Himachal Pradesh , and Uttarakhand on a two-week trip but force-fitting all those places in this itinerary would be criminal.

India is not for the faint-hearted. During your India itinerary, you will have to constantly deal with unwanted stares, scamming, rather regressive travel guides and pollution. But once here, you will fall in love with a sheer zest for life that Indians have. Your journey will be a combination of nirvana highs and sob-fest lows but we promise, you’ll never have a dull moment when in India.

Author bio: Sydney loves dancing, history, beer, and exploring hidden places. Travelling is her life as it has always given her a new experience and makes her stronger. To date, she has traveled to more than 25 countries and her favorite one is India.

Interested in more Asia travel? Check out these additional posts:

• 6 Best places to visit in Asia
• 8 Can’t miss things to see in Manila
• Best things to see and do in Beijing
• Best things to see and do in Shanghai
• Best things to see and do in Hangzhou
• 5 Best places to visit in Australia

Enjoyed this one month India itinerary? Pin it for later!

Related Posts

The Best Things to do in Delhi, India – a Complete Travel Guide to India’s Historic Capital

Updated on May 3, 2024 | Published on Nov 22, 2020

Share your thoughts with us! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Search hotels and more...

Destination.

Check-in date

Check-out date.

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK Government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in India set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the  High Commission of India in London or another Indian consulate in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering India.

Passport validity requirements

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into India.

Your passport must also: - have 2 blank pages for your visa

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

Apply for the right type of visa for the purpose of your travel.

You need a visa to travel to India unless you are an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder.

India has a number of visa categories. Make sure you get the right visa for the purpose and duration of your travel.

Penalties for having the wrong visa can include refusal of entry or deportation. This may also include not being allowed to enter India in the future.

For latest information on Indian visas and immigration requirements, see the  e-FRRO online portal (part of the Indian Foreigners Registration Office), the  Bureau of Indian Immigration website  and  Indian Ministry of External Affairs website .

Applying for a visa or e-visa

Find out how to apply for a visa from the Indian Bureau of Immigration Depending on your requirements you may be able to apply for:

• regular (paper) visa
• e-visa (make sure to check the website’s ‘FAQs’ for restrictions on airports and seaports of entry)

Check your eligibility and any restrictions before you apply and allow plenty of time for your application to be processed.

More information is available from the website of High Commission of India in London .

Applicants of Pakistani origin

If you are of Pakistani origin, a British-Pakistan dual national, or holding a National Identity Card for overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), the visa processing time will be substantially longer than other visa applications. More information is available from the High Commission of India in London .

If you are a British-Pakistan dual national, you must apply for an Indian visa on your Pakistani passport. If you have renounced your Pakistani nationality or cancelled your Pakistani passport, you will need to submit documentary proof of this.

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders

If you hold a valid Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card, you can use this, along with your valid British passport to visit India. You do not need a visa. If you have a Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card, you will need to convert it to an OCI card. More information is available from the  High Commission of India in London  and the  Indian Bureau of Immigration .

Arrival, registration, and extensions

If you plan to stay in India for more than 180 days and do not hold an OCI card, register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) . You could be denied permission to leave if you do not do this. Check if you are required to  register your arrival .

Overstaying in India on a visa is an offence. Make sure you leave the country before your visa expires or get an official extension if needed. More information is available on the Indian Bureau of Immigration website.

If you’re hospitalised

If you or someone you’re travelling with has a short-term Tourist Visa and is hospitalised, you may be able to extend or ‘convert’ to a Medical Visa .

Exit requirements

You will pass through immigration as you depart India. Officials will check when you entered the country. If you do not have an entry stamp, for example if you have a newly issued passport, you will need to apply for special exit visa before you travel. This must be done online and can take between five and fifteen working days for straightforward applications. Factor this into your timeframe to leave India when you are booking flights. For further information see the  e-FRRO online portal (part of the Indian Foreigners Registration Office).

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and vaccination certificates you may need on TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre).

Depending on your circumstances, these may include:

• yellow fever

The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also provides  vaccination guidance and data .

Accommodation

By law, hotels, hostels and other accommodation providers must register the stay of foreign guests with the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) using a “C Form”.  Please ask your accommodation provider to ensure they have done so.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of India . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Satellite phones and listening devices

It is illegal to possess and operate satellite phones in India without a licence. British nationals have been arrested for bringing them into the country without prior permission. You can contact the Indian Department of Telecommunication to request a licence .

You may also need prior permission from the Indian authorities to bring equipment like listening or recording devices, radio transmitters, powerful cameras, or binoculars into India. You can ask the High Commission of India in London for advice.

Taking money into India

There are restrictions on bringing Indian rupees into India.

Visitors, including tourists, must not bring any amount of Indian currency into the country. If you’re resident in India, you can bring up to 25,000 rupees into the country.

If you’re visiting India, you can bring cash, travellers’ cheques (in pounds sterling or another foreign currency) or a bank card with you and exchange or withdraw rupees once in India.

You must declare any amount above 5,000 US dollars in notes, or 10,000 US dollars in notes and travellers’ cheques combined.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

• India Today
• Business Today
• Reader’s Digest
• Harper's Bazaar
• Brides Today
• Cosmopolitan
• Aaj Tak Campus
• India Today Hindi

How to get a multi-year Schengen visa on your Indian passport

There's good news for indian passport holders who are planning to visit europe this summer. the eu is easing the schengen visa process for frequent travellers..

Listen to Story

• Visiting Europe is getting easier for Indian passport holders
• A new 'cascade' visa scheme will allow frequent travellers to get a multi-year multiple-entry Schengen visa
• However, you need to meet certain criteria to be able to apply for this 'cascade' visa

There's good news for Indian passport holders who want to visit Europe this year on. The European Union is looking to ease Schengen visa processes for Indian tourists.

Joy Nguyệt says arriving in outback Queensland from Vietnam to swarms of flies in an isolated and dusty town was initially terrifying.

"I was a bit worried at that time and I sent a picture to my parents, and they said I cannot stay here," she said.

"They said, 'Where are the people?' There's nothing."

The 29-year-old landed in Birdsville, 1,500 kilometres west of Brisbane, expecting a bustling airport but instead walked straight off the runway and across the road to the local hotel.

But it's been seven months and Joy, or Ánh as she's known back home, has chosen to extend her stay in the small outback town.

Birdsville, with its population of 110, is situated on the edge of the Munga-Thirri Simpson desert and is known for its rolling red sand dunes and events like the Big Red Bash.

But it's the locals and day to day life working at the roadhouse that have Joy hooked.

"I like the life, I like the people," she said.

"You get to know them better than living in a city."

Learning in more ways than one

Joy was working remotely as a recruiter when she felt it was time for a new adventure, and decided to travel to Australia on a working holiday visa. 

She saw a post on a community Facebook page from a previous Vietnamese employer at the town's roadhouse, a one-stop shop for fuel, groceries, and a friendly conversation.

"Every people [sic] in town come to the roadhouse to buy things and I get to know people that way," she said.

True to her name, the locals love her, and some are even teaching her how to drive.

Resident Greg Watkins spends his Sunday afternoons jumping in the car with Joy.

Like many people in town, Mr Watkins wears many hats and refers to himself as an "odd jobs man".

"I thought, 'Well there's no driving instructors out here' and rather than her jumping in a car and driving around vacant country roads, she needs to learn how to drive correctly," he said.

Driving around the streets of Birdsville – or street rather – is quite different to driving in the city.

"We've only got two give way signs in town and no roundabouts.

"I try and create traffic for her while she's driving, and I'll say there's a car on your right."

Mr Watkins says Joy is a quick learner.

"I call her a bit of a sponge, ever since she's got here she's wanted to learn things and takes a lot of things in," he said.

"She's come from a community where there's lots and lots of people, to a town where there's very few.

"She worked right through the summer in 40 degrees, day after day, and didn't complain."

Word of mouth keeps outback businesses staffed

Backpackers like Joy keep the outback turning, particularly in the busy season.

A couple of hundred kilometres away, Windorah has a population of about 100 people and, like Birdsville, can see tens of thousands travel through during the tourist season between April and October.

Marilyn Simpson, the owner of the only pub in town, said they "need the backpackers to be able to function".

"There were some scary times post-COVID when so many people hit the outback and we couldn't do it, we didn't have the staff," she said.

While numbers are "back to normal" now, things are set to change yet again.

From July 1, British backpackers — who make up the largest population of working holiday makers – will no longer have to complete 88 days of regional work, prompting fears of an outback worker shortage.

But Ms Simpson isn't too concerned.

"This year I've got predominantly Italian and Argentinian and that is because of … word of mouth."

Reputation travels fast in the world of backpacking – one worker from last season recommends a friend for the next, until the pub is filled with Argentinian backpackers.

Ms Simpson said she prefers this method rather than hiring through agencies, which she calls a "costly exercise".

"I like meeting them and sharing our culture and sharing their experience," she said.

ABC Western Qld — local news in your inbox

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

Fears visa change for british backpackers spells trouble for outback businesses.

Green carpet rolled out for tourists heading to the outback as desert disappears

A $300,000 redundancy gamble switched Greg's 'vanilla life' into rockstar mode

• Multiculturalism

Local elections live: 'Devastated' Tory candidate Andy Street refuses to blame Rishi Sunak after shock West Midlands defeat

Labour pulls off a stunning victory in the West Midlands mayoral election, with Tory incumbent Andy Street losing by just 1,508 votes.

Sunday 5 May 2024 00:22, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• Labour wins West Midlands mayoral election
• 'Devastated' Street refuses to blame Sunak for loss
• Tory MP says 'awful' results should be 'massive wake-up call' in WhatsApps leaked to Sky News
• Khan heckled by losing candidate as he's declared winner of London mayoral election
• Darren McCaffrey:  London loss asks bigger questions of the Conservatives
• Andy Burnham re-elected as Greater Manchester mayor
• Lib Dems win more council seats than Tories in England
• Sam Coates:  Tory MPs sad but not mutinous
• Vote 2024:   Council results in full  |  Mayoral results in full
• Live reporting by Charlotte Chelsom-Pill and (earlier)  Ben Bloch

Thanks for joining us for another extremely busy day of local election news. You can join us tomorrow morning for a special election episode of Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.

Until then, here are today's headlines:

• Tory incumbent Andy Street has suffered a shock loss to Labour in the West Midlands mayoral race in a major blow to the prime minister;
• Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has heralded the win as a "significant piece of political history";
• Sadiq Khan has won a historic third term as London mayor;
• Andy Burnham was re-elected as Greater Manchester mayor for a third term with more than 60% of the vote;
• Labour also won mayoral races in West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region and Salford ;
• The results mean Labour has won all but one of the mayoral races they were contesting, losing Tees Valley to the Tory incumbent;
• The Conservatives have lost 473 seats and control of 12 councils;
• Labour has gained eight councils and 185 seats;
• The results mean the  Liberal Democrats  have won more council seats than the Conservatives;
• The  Green Party  has netted an extra 74 seats, making serious gains in places like Bristol.

Richard Parker has pulled off a surprise victory in the West Midlands mayoral election.

The Labour candidate unseated Andy Street, winning by just 1,508 votes, to end the Tory's seven-year term.

Here's what you need to know about the relatively unknown politician.

Originally from Bristol, Mr Parker's father was a dock worker and his mother a school secretary.

He left school aged 16 and went straight to work at a local port authority before getting an economics degree.

Mr Parker went to work for PwC in 1989, where he gained his accountancy qualifications and went on to become a partner, managing the accountancy firm's relationship with the Labour Party.

Mr Parker also worked with council leaders to set up the West Midlands Combined Authority in 2016 before leaving to set up his own company RP Strategy.

Read more here:

By Andy Hayes, news reporter

Tory incumbent Andy Street has suffered a shock defeat to Labour in the West Midlands mayoral election after a partial recount was ordered.

Labour's Richard Parker beat Mr Street by just 1,508 votes - 0.25% - to deliver a major blow to Rishi Sunak in the key electoral battleground after a hammering in the local elections.

With the race neck-and-neck, in the end it came down to the results in one borough - Labour-supporting Sandwell.

"This is the most important thing I will ever do," Mr Parker said in his acceptance speech.

"I promise you that I will deliver jobs," he added.

He told Sky News he would take buses "back into public control" and deliver the "largest programme of social housing we've had in this region for more than 40 years".

And he thanked his predecessor, who he said had "led this region through a number of great challenges and you deserve great credit for that".

Labour's win in the West Midlands has left Rishi Sunak with "just one man standing", Sky's  political editor Beth Rigby  says. 

The Conservatives have now lost all of the mayoral races in this election, with the exception of Tees Valley. 

Beth says one senior Labour figure has told her the West Midlands was the Tory scalp Labour really wanted - and were pulling resources from Tees Valley to make it happen.

"They were really fighting hard to take this Tory jewel from the crown," she says.

The "energy and the euphoria was palpable" within the Labour camp after victory was declared, Beth says .

"They were so wired, excited, euphoric about this win because for them it is huge."

She says you could feel among the Labour activists, and Sir Keir Starmer himself, that they are beginning to feel "they can really do this" in the general election.

Symbolically they can say "we took your crown jewel in the West Midlands and we are coming for those seats".

"It gives Starmer momentum and it will leave the Conservatives hugely deflated," she adds.

Labour's new mayor for the West Midlands Richard Parker tells Sky News he plans to "work really closely with a future Labour government".

"I think that's the best way for us to work together for the wider benefit of this region," he says.

Mr Parker defeated Tory incumbent Andy Street in a major blow to the Conservatives.

Labour's election success is a "vindication of the hard work that we've done to change the Labour Party," Sir Keir Starmer says.

He heralds the "phenomenal result" in the West Midlands, which saw Labour's Richard Parker defeat the Tory incumbent. 

But he says Labour is now stepping up again towards the general election "so that we can serve the working people once again as a new and changed party".

He is asked about the extent to which Labour's stance on the Gaza war has cost the party votes.

"Where we have not been able to persuade people who might otherwise have voted for Labour, it is important to acknowledge that - to say I have heard, I've listened and I am determined to meet the concerns they have and win back their trust and confidence."

"But nothing takes away from the significance of this victory here in the West Midlands," he says.

Labour's Richard Parker is appearing alongside Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer after winning the West Midlands mayoral race. 

"It's time for a fresh start ... we start on Monday," Mr Parker says to a loud applause.

Speaking next, Sir Keir declares: "What a way to end the local elections in 2024". 

"This is a significant piece of political history that we have made here today," he says.

Defeated Conservative mayor Andy Street tells Sky News he would advise against his party drifting to the right, saying his brand of "tolerant conservatism" has come "within an ace of beating the Labour Party".

"The thing everyone should take from Birmingham in the West Midlands tonight is this brand of moderate, inclusive, tolerant conservatism that gets on and delivered has come within an ace of beating the Labour Party in, what they considered to be their backyard," he says. 

"That's the message from here tonight."

Asked if he is worried the Conservative party is drifting to the right and over-emphasising the threat from Reform UK while "ignoring other voters", he said: "I would definitely not advise that drift.

"The psychology here is really very straight forward isn't it: this is the youngest, most diverse, one of the most urban places in Britain and we've done, many would say, extremely well over a consistent period.

"The message is clear: winning from that centre ground is what happens."

Mr Street lost to Labour's Richard Parker in the West Midlands mayoral race by a margin of 1,508 votes.

Defeated Conservative mayor Andy Street tells Sky News he is "hugely disappointed" and "devastated", but "incredibly proud" to lose by a small margin of votes in a region of millions, "given the situation the party finds itself in".

"Given that this has always been a place where some people said you should never have won in the first place, I'm actually very, very proud of what we've done," he says.

"I genuinely believed we were making real progress across the region on so many pieces.

"And for that to be closed off, that is disappointing in the extreme."

But he says "we did not persuade enough people that our record was as good as I believed it was, or that our plans for the future were exciting enough".

Asked if it was the national Conservative Party picture that led to his defeat, he said: "It was my campaign totally".

"I am not going to try to push responsibility anywhere else ... they'll be no sloping shoulders from me".

Defeated Conservative mayor Andy Street has said he is sorry he "couldn't make it the hat-trick" after losing to Labour's Richard Parker in the West Midlands mayoral race. 

In a short speech, Mr Street said it had been his "honour" to serve as mayor for the last seven years, telling his team "you will be back".

He says he hopes he has led with "dignity and integrity" and has "bequeathed to Richard a combined authority and indeed a role to which young aspiring leaders will want to aspire one day".

"In a sense, I can have done no more than that," he said.

Mr Street thanked his fellow candidates, including Mr Parker, for a "very courteous campaign", wishing Mr Parker "all strength and wisdom as he takes on this role".

"Thank you and goodnight," he concluded.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free