Traveling to India
India is a popular travel destination for tourism, health and wellness, business, education, medical and other purposes.
Depending on your nationality and the type of India visa you are applying for, certain foreign nationals are exempt from an India visa, while others are eligible to travel to India and obtain an India visa-on-arrival or apply for an India e-Visa. All other foreign nationals must apply for an India sticker visa before traveling to India.
India visas are given in single or multiple entries, with validity and permitted duration of stays depending on your nationality and India visa type being applied for.
India visa types
India Sticker Visa
If you are a foreign national who is required to obtain an India sticker visa prior to traveling to India, you must apply for the appropriate India visa based on your purpose for traveling to India.
The India visa types are:
- Tourist Visa
- Visa-on-Arrival
- Entry Visa
- Student Visa
- Employment Visa
- Business Visa
- Medical Visa
- Medical Attendant Visa
- Project Visa
- Intern Visa
- Film Visa
- Research Visa
- Conference Visa
- Mountaineering Visa
- Missionary Visa
- Journalist Visa
- Diplomat Visa
- Official/Miscellaneous Visa
- UN Diplomat Visa
- UN Official Visa
- Long-term Visa
- SAARC Visa
- Overseas Citizen of India
- Visitor (only for Pakistani nationals)
- Double Entry (only for Bangladesh nationals
India e-Visa
If you are a foreign national eligible to apply for an India e-Visa, you must apply under the following e-Visa categories:
- E-Tourist Visa
- E-Business Visa
- E-Conference Visa
- E-Medical Visa
- E-Medical Attendant Visa
- E-Emergency X-Misc Visa
India visa requirements
The following items are required to apply for all India visas and must be in English:
Passport
Valid for at least 6 months from the intended entry date to India with two blank pages for official use
Personal photos
Two passport-sized photos
Application form
A completed and signed India visa application form
Ticket
A return or onward ticket
Financial proof
Proof of financial means during the stay in India
Passport scan
One scan of the biometric passport page
Some types of India visas have additional requirements than those listed above. Accordingly, you are advised to check the information requirements for the India visa type you are applying for.
India visa application
Foreign nationals required to apply for an India sticker visa or India e-Visa must follow these steps:
India e-Visa
Foreign nationals eligible to apply for the India e-Visa online can follow these simple steps:
- Apply online for India e-Visa
- Pay India e-Visa fee
- Receive Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to your email
- Print ETA and present at immigration in India.
Your approved India e-Visa will be stamped on your passport upon arrival to India.
India Sticker visa
India sticker visas can now be pre-applied for online as a first step, followed with step 2 and 3 at an India embassy or representation office abroad
- Apply online for India visa
• Fill out application in English and submit online
• Save Application ID number that is generated after submitting application
• Print out and sign submitted application form
• Upload scanned photo
• Submit India visa application
• Pay visa fee (or opt to pay later in person)
• Schedule an appointment - Attend your appointment at the India embassy or representation office
• Submit your visa application and required documents
• Pay visa fee (unless opted to pay online in step 1) - Wait for India visa decision
• If approved, pick up India visa from the Indian embassy or representation office where you applied
• Verify that all information is correct and matches your passport
It is important to verify all your information is correct before submitting your application.
Where to apply for India visa
India e-Visa
Applicants eligible for an India e-Visa can complete the application process online through the India official website.
India Sticker visa
Applications for an India visa can be initiated online through the India official website. Your completed application form should be printed out after it has been submitted online, in order to present it and the other required documents at the India embassy or representation office abroad where you will continue the application process.
India visa processing time
Upon receipt of your visa application (from step 1), the remaining visa process takes at least 3 working days to be processed and issued. Processing times may vary, depending on your nationality and the type of India visa being applied for. In all cases, you are advised to start the application process early, in case of delays.
