India Entry Requirements in 2024

Located in southern Asia, India is the largest country in the South Asian subcontinent, bordering Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan. Like China, India has a splendid ancient civilization and is one of the oldest ancient civilizations. India is also the birthplace of Buddhism, one of the three major religions in the world. India has attracted tourists from all over the world with its splendid and diverse cultural heritage, colorful tourism resources, and unique food style, and is one of the major tourist destinations in the world.

If traveling to India has already been on your bucket list, then please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation or follow our Facebook to get the latest information.

Visa Free Policy of India

Exemption from the requirement of an Indian visa or Visa Free Entry into India is available for the Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.

Maldives

Visa free entry can be availed by Maldivians whose purpose of visit to India is exclusively for Business/Medical treatment/Tourism and the stay in India does not exceed a period of 90 days.

Please note that:

• Should be in possession of a valid Passport/Travel Document.
• The 90 days period will be inclusive of all prior stays in India during a period of 6 months immediately preceding the Date of your arrival in India.
• If the visit is for a period of more than 90 days, one should obtain a Regular visa.
• Sign-On facility shall not be available to those Seamen who avail Visa free entry.

Nepal and Bhutan

Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan visiting India from Nepal or Bhutan by land or air are exempted from the requirement of Passport and an Indian visa. However, they are required to hold any such Government approved document authenticating their Nationality which shall bear their Photograph along with information viz., Given Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, Nationality, Issuing Authority, Period of Validity etc.,

Please note that:

• Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan must be in possession of a valid Passport while entering/ exiting India from/ to a place other than their respective country.
• Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan must be in possession of a passport and visa for India if he/she is entering India from China, Macau, Hong Kong and Pakistan.

Visa on Arrival(VoA) of India

Visa-on-Arrival facility is available for the nationals of Japan, Republic of Korea and United Arab Emirates (UAE); who intends to visit India for a period not exceeding 60 days for Business, Tourism, Conference and Medical purposes.

In case of UAE nationals, VoA will be available only to those who had earlier obtained e-Visa or regular sticker/paper Visa of India.

VoA is not available to the Citizens of Japan, Republic of Korea and UAE if the foreigner or either of his/her parents or grandparents (paternal/maternal) were born in, or were permanent residents of Pakistan.

Foreigners can avail the facility of Visa-on-Arrival at the International Airports in Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.

Key points to remember:

• Visa-on-Arrival shall be valid up to 60 days with double-entry facility.
• VoA is non-extendable and non-convertible.
• VoA facility is not available to holders of Diplomatic/Official Passports.

Online Visa Application of India

For foreign visitors who plan a visit to India, you can apply for the Indian visa online through the official website of the Indian Visa Online. While you are looking through the website online, please check if it is the official website of Indian Government to avoid some inconvenience. At the official website of the Indian Visa Online, you can know about the visa information you need for applying for Indian visa online.

How to Apply for Indian Online Visa

1. Find the official website of the Indian Visa Online.
2. Fill out the Visa Application Form according to your actual situation.
3. Submit your visa application form and required documents at the Indian Visa Application Center or at Indian Mission.
4. Make payments for the fee.

Indian E-Visa Application

Who are eligible for applying for the Indian e-visa?

Generally speaking, all foreign visitors plan to travel to India must have a valid visa.  Citizens of 171 countries can get an e-Visa online before their departure. Compared with apply for Indian visa at the Indian Embassy or Consulate of the place of their residence, e-visa is more convenient and swift.

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. 

How to Apply for Indian E-Visa

1. Find the official website of the Indian E-Visa Online.
2. Fill out the E-Visa Application Form according to your actual situation.
3. Make payments for the e-Visa fee.
4. Receive ETA(Electronic Travel Authorization) Online(via email).

Please note that tourists holding Indian e-Visa will be allowed to enter into India only through the designated international airports(31 in total) namely:

E-Visa facility is also been provided for entry at 5 major Indian seaport for cruise tourists: Mumbai, Cochin, Mormugao, Chennai and New Mangalore

Not only the entry points, but also the exit points have restrictions in India for e-visa holders. Please note that tourists holding Indian e-Visa will be allowed to leave India only through the designated international airports(36 in total) namely:

And tourists holding Indian e-Visa will be allowed to leave India only through the designated land ICPS(34 in total) namely:

E-Visa facility is also been provided for exit at following Indian seaports for cruise tourists(31 in total) namely: 

E-Visa facility is also been provided for exit at 5 major Indian rail ICPS: 

Munabao Rail Check Post, Attari Rail Check Post, Gede Rail and Road Check Post, Haridaspur Rail Check Post and Chitpur Rail Checkpost.

India Visa Application

For the toruists not eligible for the visa free policy, visa on arrival and e-visa, you can apply for the Indian visa at the Indian Embassy and Condulate in the country of your residence. To know more about the information of traveling to India, you can look through the official website of the Bureau of Immigration of India(Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India).

Travel Tips to India

If the foreigner’s (other than Pakistani national) sole purpose is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short-term yoga programme, short duration medical treatment etc.,he/she should arrive in India on a Tourist visa.

Foreign Tourists of such countries eligible for availing Tourist visa and traveling in groups of not less than 4 members under the auspices of recognized Travel Agency should obtain a Group Tourist visa to visit India.

Important Guidelines for travelers who plan to visit India:

• Maximum aggregate stay by a foreigner in India on an e-Tourist Visa or both should not exceed 180 days in a calendar year.
• Continuous stay stipulation limit applicable after arrival in India on e-Tourist/ Tourist Visa.
• e-Tourist/ Tourist visa shall not be extended and converted.
• Foreign national (other than a Pakistani national) coming to India on any type of visa will be allowed to avail activities permitted under Tourist Visa.
• Short term yoga programme means a yoga programme not exceeding 6 months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc.

If you want to plan a trip to India, feel free to contact us for a free consultation or get our latest information. You can also submit your request directly to create your own India tour.