british passport holder travelling to india

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
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• 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 on the Indian Bureau of Immigration website and FRRO .

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 residents and tourists, should follow Reserve Bank of India guidelines .

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.

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• Home > PERMITTED CATEGORIES FOR TRAVEL TO INDIA
• PERMITTED CATEGORIES FOR TRAVEL TO INDIA

A. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholders

All OCI/PIO card holders are permitted to travel to India irrespective of their nationalities. It may be mentioned that the Government of India has also allowed extension till 31 December, 2021 for re-issuance of OCI card.  Further, there is no need to carry the old passport on which the OCI was issued. Please see related details at  https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/pages/NjI

• The Government of India has restored most visas, which had been suspended earlier, except Tourist Visas (e-Tourist and regular Tourist Visa) issued before 6 October 2021 and e-Visas of all other types issued before 30 March, 2021 .
• Tourist visas (electronic and regular) are also being issued as per details available at  https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/extra?id=87
• Applicants are also advised 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.
• Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan are permitted to travel to India from any country (including any third country).
• Tibetan migrants who have residence in India and holding Certificate of Identity issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and Return Visa to enter India, are permitted to travel to India.  In case the visa has expired, an application for fresh visa may be made with the Embassy/concerned Consulate.

For any queries, the applicants may contact the Embassy or the respective Consulate depending on their location.

The Government of India has decided to permit all OCI/PIO card holders regardless of which country passport they hold.  It may be mentioned that the Government of India has recently decided to grant further extension of time till 31 December, 2021 to get the OCI card re-issued and that there is no need to carry the old passport on which the OCI was issued. Please see related details at  https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/pages/NjI

For any queries, the applicants may contact the Embassy or the respective Consulates depending on their location.

The Government of India has decided to permit all OCI/PIO card holders regardless of which country passport they hold.  It may be mentioned that the Government of India has recently decided to grant further extension of time till 31 December, 2021 to get the OCI card re-issued and that there is no need to carry the old passport on which the OCI was issued, the details of which are available at https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/pages/NjI

• Government of India has restored most of the visas, which had been suspended earlier.
• Entry (X) Visa
• Business (B) Visa
• Employment (E) Visa
• Student (S) Visa
• In case the validity of such a visa has expired, an application to obtain a fresh visa of appropriate category may be made with the Embassy/concerned Consulate depending on the location of the applicant.
• In addition, w.e.f. 30 March, 2021 the Government of India has opened e-visas for the following categories, the details of which are available at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html :
• eMedical Visa;
• eBusiness Visa;
• eConference Visa; and
• eMedical Attendant Visa

However, it may be noted that previous valid e-visas for the above categories, as well as for other categories, including eTourist Visa, will continue to remain suspended.  Applicants with e-visa for the above categories, which have been obtained on or after 30 March, 2021 will be allowed entry into India. The applicants are also advised that the Embassy does not process the e-visas and any enquiries in this regard will need to be made directly on the e-visa portal.

• In addition, applications for Medical Visas, including for Medical Attendants, by foreign nationals intending to visit India for emergency medical treatment, may also be made with the Embassy/concerned Consulate. 
• Foreign nationals not covered by the above categories requiring travel to India urgently due to a family emergency may make an application for Entry Visa.  Such visas will be issued on a case-to-case basis depending on the merit of the case.

12 April 2021

The Government of India has decided to permit all OCI/PIO card holders regardless of which country passport they hold.

• The Government of India has restored most of the visas, which had been suspended earlier. However, these do not include electronic visas (e-Visa) of any type, Tourist Visa and Medical Visa, which continue to remain suspended.
• Below is the list of some of the categories where in case the applicant has a valid regular paper visa (and not an electronic visa), there is no need for a fresh visa:
• Entry (X) Visas
• Business (B) Visas
• Employment (E) Visas
• Student (S) Visas
• In case of Medical Visas, including for Medical Attendants, foreign nationals intending to visit India for emergency medical treatment, may also make an application with the Embassy/concerned Consulate. 

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Global Gallivanting

The complete guide to applying for an indian visa (for uk citizens).

FAQs and a complete step by step guide on how to apply for an Indian visa from the UK.

2019 update, 1 year online tourist, business and medical indian evisas are now available for citizens of 161 countries hooray, so you may not need this post anymore   read this new post about how to get your 1 year india evisa online.

Nearly all visitors need to apply for a visa before traveling to India (apart from citizens of Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan) so applying for an Indian visa is an essential part of planning your trip to India.

Sadly the process can be tedious and over the recent months new developments have made it even more confusing, especially for UK passport holders. From statutory biometric testing and finger printing to visas on arrival ! What’s going on!?

I’ve just applied for my 5th Indian visa in as many years, each time the process has been slightly different but equally confusing, so I thought it was about time I guided you through the process of how to apply for a tourist visa to visit India. Despite the frustrations with the visa process it will be worth it! India is probably the most incredible place to travel in the world!

Please bear in mind this is from the point of view of a British / UK passport holder (and this is just my experience, I’m happy to answer your queries but I’m not an immigration professional and I am updating this post regularly to ensure all information is correct but guidelines and costs can change frequently and suddenly. Requirements and processes for other nationalities are different so I cannot comment on the process for other nationalities. If you’re from the USA read this post  , if you’re from Australia read this post and  if you’re from Canada read this post.   

So what’s going on and how do you get a visa to visit India?

UK  passport holders must apply for a visa before visiting India, even if you go for an E-Visa or Visa on Arrival. Some important things to note before you start is that Indian tourist visas are  valid from the date of issue not the date of your entry to India so being prepared and applying months in advance will waste the time on your visa.

Short term Indian visas – visa on arrival and e-visas.

How to get an indian visa on arrival/ e visa.

There has been a lot of talk about India introducing Visa on Arrival ! Horay! This would be a great step towards increasing tourism in India but the visa on arrival is deceptive – it is more an E-Visa / electronic travel authority. Y ou must still apply for the visa in advance before you travel but it does make the visa process quicker and easier for short visits.

Citizens from 161 countries are eligible to apply online for an E Tourist Visa to India , including UK and Ireland, USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and many European Countries.

At first the ETA was only valid for 30 days and was only single entry (1 month) but now you can get a 60 days (2 months). The cost of the E Visa depends on nationality.   For UK citizens the cost of the E Visa has recently increased to USD $75 (about £54) plus a small admin charge. The application process is fully online, you can apply a minimum of 4 days before you travel to India.

Update April 2017: The E-visa now has three subcategories; e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa, e-Medical Visa. Double entry is permitted on E-Tourist Visa and E-Business Visa. Triple Entry will be permitted on E-Medical visa. The e-visa facility has been extended to the nationals of 161 countries for entry through 24 airports and 3 Indian seaports. The seaports are Cochin, Goa and Mangalore and the window for application under e-visa scheme has been increased from 30 days to 120 days.

How to apply for an Indian E Visa online

You can apply for an E Visa to India on the government website here , You then collect your visa on arrival at one of the major airports in India.

Sounds easy but bear in mind that there is still quite a lot of paperwork to fill out and if you make a mistake on the forms you could be rejected and have to apply again. The fee for the visa and for processing for the application is non-refundable, even if the visa is not granted.

If your parents or grandparents were born in Pakistan, sadly you not be eligible to get an E-Tourist Visa whatever your current nationality so unfortunately you will have to apply for a normal Tourist Visa.

To take the stress and hassle out of applying for your Indian visa let  iVisa  sort everything out for you. They charge a service fee but make the process simpler and easier to follow and offer a zero frustration policy.  They can process your application and send your E Visa via email in only 18 hours. They also have a window for arrival of 120 days meaning you can get your visa sorted well in advance of your trip but remember you still need a apply online no later than 4 days in advance of your arrival date to India.

The ETA is not extendable or convertible and you can only apply for 2 ETVs in 1 year. As the process is fully online (you are not required to send off your passport and wait for 2 weeks for the visa to be processed) the E Visa makes a quick holiday to India much easier.

Applying for a 6 month or 12 month Indian tourist visa with VFS Global

If you want to visit India for longer than 1 or 2  months (which I highly recommend as there is so much to see in this huge, diverse country and its not a place you can rush) then you will still need to apply for a visa by sending away your application and passport.

The Indian visa application process in the UK has been outsourced to VFS Global,   the website and instructions for applying for the visa are confusing to say the least.

If you want to make the process easier for the longer visa then you can use an agency like Visa HQ  or read on and I’ll guide you through the process of applying for an Indian tourist visa with VFS Global.

Which Indian visa should I apply for?

Basically most UK citizens travel to India on a tourist visa  valid for 3 – 6 months.  You can get single, double or multiple entry, 3, 6 or 12 months. Tourist visas are non-extendable and non-convertible. You may as well apply for a 6 month or even 12 month multiple entry tourist visa because the price and process for applying is still the same. However, even on a 12 month visa you are still not allowed to spend more than 180 days (6 months) in India but you can leave for a day and come back without having to go through the hassle of applying again!

You can also try for an upto 5 year multiple entry tourist visa. Again there is a maximum stay of 180 days per visit and they say that biometric enrollment is mandatory for the 5 year visa, although this is yet to be fully implemented. You will need to also provide a letter stating why you require a 5 year tourist visa. The duration of visa granted is at the discretion of the authorities and they do not refund the difference if the visa is rejected or given for a shorter period of time. Again there is a maximum stay of 180 days per visit.

Tourist visas are only granted to foreigners who do not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives, etc. No other activity is permissible on a tourist visa. There are different visas for volunteering, studying, journalism, employment, business, research etc which require more documents and biometrics.

When you fill out the form there are many questions where your answer may cause the rejection of your visa. If you’re parents or grand parents are from Pakistan or if your occupation is linked to the armed forces or media/ journalism. Any media or journalist related occupations will likely be rejected and you would need to apply for a different Journalist visa which is only valid for 3 months and provide biometrics. If you work in the media, police or armed forces, commercial pilots/crew members, charity/social workers, researchers, and priests you will need a letter from your employer stating the purpose of your travel.

However, the duration of the visa is at the sole discretion of the Issuing Authority. The High Commission of India do not always give you the exact length and entries of visa that you have asked for so you never know what you’ve got until you receive your passport back. All visa fees  are non-refundable even if your visa is rejected or the duration granted is shorter than what you asked for. Also, the validity of the visa begins from the date of issue by the High Commission of India and not from the date of travel on your application form.

For the best chance is getting the longer visa it’s always best to apply in your home country. You can apply from places like Nepal, Sri Lanka or Bali but often they will only grant 3 month single entry visas.

How much does a tourist visa for India cost for a UK national?

A tourist visa for India costs £112 for UK passport holders.

But then after you add on other processing fees, the cost for postage and to get special passport photos taken the total cost for applying for an Indian tourist visa adds up to £119.44 in total. The 5 year visa costs £339.44

The fee is also non-refundable—even if your application is denied the fee is not refunded.

So can I apply online for an Indian visa, through the post or do I need to attend an appointment and submit biometrics or fingerprints?

The most confusing thing is that it is hard to find information that tells you how to apply by post as all the information on the website seems to say that you need to make an appointment to physically go to London and apply for the visa in person. In March 2015 it was announced that:

“All Applicants will be required to book an appointment online to submit their applications at VFS Application Centres (14). Applicants will be able to book an appointment on VFS Website www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/  at the time of filing online application forms.  Biometric Data collection, including fingerprint data and facial imagery will be a mandatory requirement for all visa applicants soon. As a result, all visa applicants will need to first apply online and, thereafter, be physically present (mandatorily) at India Visa and Consular Services centres, by appointment, for submission of visa application and biometric data enrolment.”  And  it goes on to say that “ No applications will be accepted without appointment after 16th March 2015.” And “ No applications will be accepted by post.”

Seriously! What a way to encourage tourism! 🙁

As much as I love India I can see why people would choose to visit somewhere like Thailand or Sri Lanka to save this kind of hassle and expense.

After searching around the website and in forums a bit more I am relieved to find that actually Biometric data collection has not been introduced for tourist visas (apart from the 5 year one, but even so this is not always the case, or if you are a journalist) and applications can still be received through post/courier but need an additional processing time of at least two weeks and I successfully received my visa through the post.

So it seems like the plans to make attending an appointment and submitting fingerprints and biometric data appear to have been shelved for a while thankfully. But, it could have been made a little clearer, on the website.

How to apply for an Indian visa by post

When applying for an Indian visa, either by post or by appointment, you need to start by filling out the form on the VFS Global website.

The first mission is working out where to start the application and where to find the online application form, to save you the trouble here is the link.

Click on this and then click on the red tab that says ‘regular visa application’ –  https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/info1.jsp

The first hurdle to over come is which ‘mission’ you select. All postal applications are only being accepted in Hounslow so pick UK London but if you did find it more convenient to attend an appointment there are several other offices across the UK.

Then continue to fill out the ridiculously long form – I’ve never been asked so many questions from my religion, education, any visible identification marks, occupation, place of birth of mother and father and whether my grandparents were born in Pakistan, details of previous visits to India and the previous visa number and all the countries that I have visited in the last 10 years.

References for applying for an Indian Visa

The form also asks you for a reference in India – if you don’t have any friends in India you can use a hotel or tour company as a reference . If you haven’t booked a hotel yet (because you are still figuring out how to get a damn visa!?) you could always book provisionally on Booking.com  and cancel or change the booking later. Or just pick a hotel as I doubt that they even check the reference anyway.

Next you need to provide a reference in the UK – I always just use my Mum!

Once you have answered all the questions, confirm the details. It then gives you your application number – it’s a good idea to make a note of the application number incase the website crashes because you have the application number you can log back in, if not you’ll have to start again. The website often crashes or does peculiar things! Sometimes it gets stuck at the part where you print off the form and won’t progress to make the payment or appointment. If that happens to you use this link https://www.vfsvisaservice.com/IHC_UK_ONLINE/(S(xfl0pvli34mrlyqhjyidyu2v) to get there!

Then you need to print off the application form. Make sure you sign it in the right places (on both pages) and attach the right size photos. You also need to print off and include a signed declaration form. You can find that here – http://www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/pdf/Declaration1_240815.pdf

Photos required for the Indian Tourist Visa Application

The Indian visa application also requires 2 passport photos but they are a different sized passport photo to normal UK passport photos – 50mm x 50mm, the same size as USA passport photos so you can quite easily get these done in most photo booths for £5 for 4 or a specialised photography shop in the UK.

You can also check the specifications and take a photo yourself and upload a photo to the application for a service cost of £10 or you can get them printed out at Boots for less than £1.

It’s a good idea to get some extra ones because you will need them if you want to get a sim card for your mobile phone. See more on this (also overly complicated process) on how to get a Sim Card in India

How to submit the Indian visa application

Click on the button to ‘make appointments and payments’ and select your mode of submission – either you want to make an appointment or send by post.

Then go to the tab at the top – ‘Visa Fee and Pay Details’ and you can make the payment. The payment page looks a bit dodgy but I’ve never had any problems with it.

Money Saving Tip – Watch out for the extras. Untick the extra charges for uploading a photo and delivery. VFS will ask you for £14.95 per application to return your passport instead, when you go to the Post Office to send off your application (I always send mine special delivery)  get another special delivery, prepaid envelope and self address it – this should cost only £7.25. Half the price!

Where to send your Indian visa application

Check you have everything:

• Printed and signed application form
• Declaration form
• 2 sized passport photos
• Return signed delivery envelope

Don’t send it to the address on the top of your Indian visa application form – send it to:

Indian Visa and Consular Application Centre,

The Vista Centre,

First Floor, Part A, Block 50, Salisbury Road,

Hounslow, TW4 6JQ

How long does the Indian visa take to process?

Officially it states that the processing time for an Indian tourist visa takes a minimum of 2 weeks. I’ve had mine come back in anything from less than a week to a bit over 2 weeks, so allow enough time but remember it’s valid from the date of issue not the date of entry.

You should get an email or text saying something along the lines of ‘a decision has made on your application … your processed application is ready for collection or courier’ Once you get this your passport should be back with you in the next few days after that. You will not know until you open the post whether your visa has been granted or refused or if it has been granted for the full amount of time and number of entries you have asked for.

Do I need another permit?

Until late 2012 you were not allowed to leave and renter India within 2 months (you had to wait 2 months even if your visa was still valid!?) To enter without the gap of 2 months you had to apply for a permit to re-enter and to get this had to compile an itinerary for the whole trip. Thankfully a re entry permit is no longer required and that restriction has been lifted.

However, certain restricted areas including most of the states in the far North East, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and some border areas still require permits. Usually the easiest way to obtain these through going with a travel agency or on a tour.

Can you apply for an Indian visa outside of the UK or your country of residence?

Although it’s always better to apply for a visa in your home country or country of residence, it is possible to obtain and Indian visa in neighbouring countries, although since the introduction of the E-Visa is has become harder and travellers have reported difficulties recently in obtaining Indian visas, especially in Bangkok, Thailand and often only get single entry 3 month visas are given out when the travelers asked for multiple entry, 6 month visas. Now the E Visa is valid for 60 days and is much easier to obtain you might want to try that if applying for outside the UK.

I’ve heard that places like Cambodia , Laos and Myanmar are now good places to get an Indian visa, but this is just what I’ve heard from friends and other travelers. By getting the visa in your country of residence means you have the best chance of being accepted and getting the longer term visas, but it’s still possible to get one in Southeast Asia but its a good idea to check online forums and ask around before deciding which place to do it.

If you want to get your Indian visa in Nepal heres a good post on the subject  or read here about the process in Sri Lanka. I recently got an India visa in Bali too – here’s how to do it.

Incredible India will be worth it

As with everything in India really, the visa process requires a bit of patience and persistence but you will be richly rewarded and with proper planning your first trip to India will be memorable for all the right reasons!

Make sure you check out my  Complete Step by Step Guide to Planning for your First Trip to India and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!

India is a country like no where else on earth, it will challenge, enchant, surprise, captive and transform you! It will be worth it!

Need Help with Applying for your Indian Visa?

I’m happy to try and answer your questions but bear in mind I am not an immigration professional .

If you need professional assistance contact iVisa for the E Visa or Visa HQ for 6 month visa . You can also contact VFS Global with any queries by emailing [email protected] or call +44 203 793 8629 or +44 203 788 4666 (Monday – Friday 8:30 – 15:30 (except for Consular Holiday) You can also call   09057570045 from Monday – Friday 8:30 – 17:30 (except for Consular Holidays) but this number charges 95p per minute from a BT landline and more from a mobile.

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Read more and prepare for your trip to India:

THE COMPLETE STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR FIRST TRIP TO INDIA

HOW TO GET A VISA ON ARRIVAL OR E TOURIST VISA FOR INDIA 3 MONTHS BACKPACKING INDIA – TIPS FOR 1ST TIMERS AND THE PERFECT ITINERARY 10 TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST TIME TRAVELING IN INDIA 11 TIPS FOR WOMEN TRAVELING IN INDIA INDIA FOR BEGINNERS – WHY KERALA IS THE PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO TRAVELING IN INDIA TYPICAL COSTS AND BUDGET TIPS FOR BACKPACKING IN INDIA THE AVERAGE DAILY BUDGET FOR BACKPACKING IN INDIA THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO TRAIN TRAVEL IN INDIA.

The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Goa, India

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Hi Anna, thanks for the post, it has been so much more helpful than everything else I’ve found online.

I need just one piece of help though! I’ve followed your instructions (sort of, I unfortunately found this useful blog after completing most of it)

I’ve filled in the form, paid, printed the application and got a payment receipt. I don’t recall the option of making appointment/send by post. I want to post my application.

The tab is still open and when i click on the ‘appointment’ menu it takes me to a calendar of available appointments and has no option for posting the application.

Have I gone too far now and committed to making an appointment rather than posting?

If you can help me here I would be most grateful

Thanks again for your great post.

Yes, it can be really confusing trying to apply by post rather than appointment. So when you started the application did you select London and your ‘mission’? London is the only place that accepts postal applications.

If you’ve done that then under the ‘make appointments and payments’ tab you should be able to select your mode of submission as sending by post.

Pay, print off, sign and send all the documents to Indian Visa and Consular Application Centre, The Vista Centre, First Floor, Part A, Block 50, Salisbury Road, Hounslow, TW4 6JQ.

If there is no option for that then maybe you selected the wrong ‘mission’ at the start and I’m pretty sure if you’ve made the payment you can’t get a refund or change your application.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

hey! thank you so much for this help..it has allowed me to get so far. now im just struggling to pay…cant see a ‘make appointments and payments’ tab..i have submitted the form, printed off the other pages, now feeling lost! help!

Why didn’t I find this before! I’m currently crying in my room because I leave on the 6th January yet I can’t do my own signature from my passport. Nightmare.

Oh no! I hope it all goes ok for you and you have an amazing trip to India! Let me know if you got your visa OK in the end?

Thank you so much for this! I have been scouting the internet for so long for this information. We are currently in Philippines and were hoping to get our indian visa from here or would we have to apply when we were back in the UK?

Thank you, yes the official info can be a bit confusing so I’m so glad you found it helpful. You should be able to pick up an Indian visa in neighboring countries. I’ve personally not done it but know people who have. Sri Lanka and Thailand are good options. Perhaps it is also possible in the Philippines too?

This scares me I am an elderly British national,currently visiting my daughter in Australia I shall be calling into Chennai on April 10 & Cochin on April 13 on a cruise liner & thought it would be a piece of cake getting an evisa online.No such luck.The drop down ports of entry only offered me airports.Secondly I could not apply more than 34 days before my proposed date of entry Ill try emailing the Indian visa people online for advice !! I wonder what will happen if I fail to get a visa.Perhaps they will throw me off the ship

Hi David. I haven’t any experience in entering India on a cruise – surely there must be something set up to assist cruise passengers with this – Perhaps call your cruise loine for advice or try the VSF Global (they are the ones who process visas to India for UK citizens) helpline +44 203 793 8629* +44 203 695 9849* or there is also an email address: [email protected] Good Luck! I’m sure they will be able to sort something out for you.

Hi Anna! Do you know anything about how to apply for the 6 month visa when you’re abroad? Im in new Zealand at the moment but I’m from the UK.. cant find much info!!

Cheers, Clare Xx

Hi Clare, yes it can be a bit confusing applying out of your home country. I’m not really sure about applying from NZ but I do know that you can Indian visa in neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal etc in person by going to the embassy there or you could apply online but you will only get a 30 day visa and its not extendable. Good Luck 🙂

I have been trying to find out how to get my father a visa to visit Indian. He is a British subject (born in Indian) and now lives in the USA (on a green card). He is planning to come back to get a indian visa in London in July to travel there in September. He is elderly and unable to get to anywhere in the USA to sort this out, we suggested he came back and did it here with us helping him. Do you know if London will provide him with a Visa?

Hi Tracey, if he is a British passport holder then the best place to get the visa would be in the UK. Hope this helps and enjoy your trip to India 🙂

I found this post really helpful for the very confusing indian visa application – thank you! Just one question – do you know if the price quoted at the end of the application is in dollars or pounds? My application came to 110 but it does not quote a currency.

I would imagine its in pounds if you are applying as a uk citizen from the uk website. Mine normally comes to that amount after they add the other fees on.

Hi Great!I’ve been searching google for several hours looking for relevant info on this. I am very happy to comment here and thank you so much for sharing this. I am going to suggest this to my UK friend.

Thanks, I’m so glad it was useful 🙂

What a fantastically (is that even a word!?) informative blog post – definitely adding to my bookmarks. Thank you ☺️

Thanks so much, glad it was useful!

This has been really helpful. My girlfriend and I are thinking about Goa in mid August and have both quit our teaching jobs. We were thinking about doing some teaching work whilst in India, whether it is paid or volunteer work where some expenses are covered.

What would you recommend? We plan to be away for a year and doing several months in India.

Excited to hear you are planning a trip to India. To be honest Goa in August will be in the middle of monsoon so not the best time to come. Maybe have a look at this post first – http://www.global-gallivanting.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-visiting-goa-in-monsoon-season/ As English is one of the official languages in India there are not as many teaching jobs for foreigners as there are in other places in Asia although one of my friends did find a paid job and wrote about it here – http://www.global-gallivanting.com/how-to-teach-english-in-india-and-get-paid/ Of course there are many volunteer opportunities but you may need a work/ volunteer visa for them. Have you seen websites like Workaway and Helpx they have opportunities where you work in exchange for food and accommodation. Hope this helps. Good luck and hope you have a great time in India whatever you choose to do!

Hi Anna, so to be clear, if I want to visit for less than 30 days, it should be quite a simple process with the e visa option? as opposed to anything longer where the process becomes more time consuming?

Hi Paul, Yes if your visiting for less than 30 days the e visa is a much cheaper and easier way to get an Indian visa – you don’t even need to send your passport away but you do still need to fill in the paperwork online and then print off and take it to the airport with you. Getting a longer visa usually takes 2 weeks as you have to send your passport away for processing. Hope this helps and hope you have a great trip 🙂

Hi The above 6 months visa is true for All British passport holders going to India with the exception of Srilankan born British passport holder. Be aware, If you are born in Colombo but holding a British passport by naturalisation, Indian visa authority treats you differently, you only get 3 months maximum visa with single entry only. Don’t know why ? All Sri Lankan are not terrorists, past is past , India should rethink and change the rules and treat all British passport holders equally. Any comments.. Please write. Thank you. Anand, Colombo born UK citizen [email protected]

Hi Anand, I didn’t know that sorry to hear you’ve had trouble getting a visa 🙁

Thank you for this blog, it is really useful. I had a quick read of it, and couldn’t see the answer to my question.

I was wondering if you have ever applied for the Indian Tourist visa from Nepal? And if so, do you know if it is possible to apply for the 6 month visa? I am seeing mixed messages, with some people saying you can only get 3 months from visa if you apply for it in Nepal. Its a mind-field of confusion, which is why blogs like yours are so great!

Happy travels 🙂 Jess

Happy travels 🙂

Hi Jess, I haven’t applied for it in Nepal and its always best to apply in your home country if possible but my friends at Nomadic Boys have and wrote a really useful post about it that you should find helpful. 🙂 Happy Travels http://nomadicboys.com/getting-indian-visa-kathmandu/

Hello Anna,

I am so grateful for your blog! I will be travelling around India on my own starting in November, for 3 months and you’ve covered almost every question I had, so thank you! I have a particular question about the visa though.. I am applying for a postal visa application from the UK and have a UK passport (I’m Scottish) however for the past 2 years I have been living in Berlin and have been registered as living and working there. I am still currently registered there as I have a bit of work to finish but have an appointment to de register at the start of October. Do you think I should wait to send the application off after I de register from Berlin or is it enough that I have my mums address in Scotland (where the visa application will be posted from) and am on the voting register in Scotland also? In your experience would any of this affect me getting approved for the tourist visa? Also do you think this leaves me enough time to get the visa in time for travelling on the 8th of November?!

Sorry for the long winded question and thanks for your help! Nicola

Hi Nicola, excited to hear that your planning a trip to India and so glad to hear that my blog has helped. I’m not an immigration professional but, in my experience, I would say that it’s always better to apply from your home country and where your registered to vote. Applying with your Berlin address may make things more complicated, I love Berling though! 🙂 I would say if you are registered to vote in Scotland then that is your permanent address and the one you should use. Mine usually takes 2 weeks, so maybe apply 1 month before you are due to go to be one the safe side. Hope you get your visa without any worries and hope you have a great trip to India! 🙂

Hi Anna! Your blog is great – so helpful. I am currently trying to fill my visa application in but I am a little stuck on the port of entry and exit question. I haven’t booked travel yet as I was waiting for my visa to be processed so not sure where I would be entering – was going to compare prices for different cities. Does it matter if I enter and exit from different places stated on my visa application? Any help would be appreciated as I can’t seem to find any info online. Thanks!!

Hi Sam, yes I don’t book my flights until I have the visa. I don’t know if it will cause you problems if you select one place and then enter at another but maybe it’s best to check the flights and think more about your itinerary first so that you don’t write the wrong thing. I’m not sure to be honest but I don’t think it matters that much – I mean I don’t think they check the references so maybe it will be OK. Good luck and have a good trip 🙂

Hi again Anna,

Thanks for your reply, I will apply from my UK address and send it off at the start of October!

Another question, I have just completed the application form online for the tourist visa station UK London as my mission as I want to post it. When I got to the end I made the mistake of choosing save and print form rather than make appointments and payments.. So now I have my form saved to be printed out but I haven’t paid for it yet! Or stated that I want to post it.. When I tried to check my visa status using the application ID it says the information cannot be found? Is there a way I can get back into my application to finish it off or should I fill it all out again? Stress! Thank you!

Hey Nicola, glad to help. Sorry but I think if the application ID can’t be found it hasn’t done it properly and you probably have to start over – I’ve done it myself a few times sometimes the website is a bit dodgy 🙁 Hope you get your visa OK in the end and have a good trip!

Hi Anna thank you for this, I understand the e-visa application process from the uk and that is starts from the day you apply, i assume that the visa has to be valid for the whole time you are there we go on the 8th October, can we complete the application now with a company and would they hold onto it and not process it until nearer the time…..I’m worried that if I do it wrong I will run out of time to re-apply but don’t want to do it too soon either unless they hang onto it and issue it nearer the date. Thanks for your help.

Hi Alison, yes the visa starts from the date of issue and you can only apply 33 days before travel and yes it has to be valid for the whole time you are traveling in India. If you overstay your visa you could face a fine and a ban on visiting India! 🙁 I think if you use iVisa https://www.ivisa.com/india-visa-application?utm_source=global_gallivanting&country=GB they can organise the timescale for you so you can apply now through them and they will lodge it at the right time so that you don’t have to worry about your visa expiring too early or forgetting to apply later on! Hope this helps and have a great time in India! 🙂

hello, thanks so much for this informative post. id never have been able to complete our visa applications without it! i am applying for visas for myself, my partner and our children (including one from a previous relationship)

do you know what supporting documents i have to send along with the children applications?

and also, if i can post all applications together in the same envelope?

thanks again 🙂

Hi Nina, Glad it helped! It can be a bit of a tricky process. I’m not really sure to be honest as I’ve only ever applied for myself but the website says that the documents required are:

“For Minor Child (Under 16 Years of age):

A copy of the child’s birth certificate showing both the parent’s names. Consent letter addressed to the HCI, London OR its respective consulates signed by both the parents Photocopy of Parent’s passports along with the copy of their current Indian Visa, if already holding one. If parents are Indian citizens, copy of the resident status in the UK would be required. In case of Divorce, Child Custody Letter from court in respect of the child is required. In case of Single Parent, Solicitor’s Letter and Child Benefit letter will be required. In case of Minor’s Application/Declaration either of the parents can sign the application form.”

I’m not sure if you can post them together sorry, perhaps email them to ask if you have any more doubts. Their email address is – [email protected]

Hope this helps 🙂

i can’t seem to find the declaration form you link to? sorry if I’m being silly! my brain is a bit fried from this whole visa process 🙂

Hey, sorry they must have changed the link to the declaration form – here it is http://www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/pdf/Declaration1_240815.pdf Hope this helps 🙂

Thanks so much! got it now 🙂

sorry to ask more questions… hopefully my last! do you know how long i have to submit all my documents from the date i paid online? and I’m just getting a little panicky after reading on the vfs site that “all applicants must make an appointment” and “only urgent visa applications will be accepted via the post”? really appreciate your help x

Anna I think I love you a little, this is exactly what I have spent the last few hours searching for. Thanks so much for writing it, will certainly help with my application now. Wishing you the best karma filled weekend. Namaste! X

Hi Dave! Thanks so much – so glad it’s helped 🙂 Happy Travels 🙂

Hi there, love your blog! It’s helping me final make sense of this whole process haha!

Sorry if you’ve already covered this and I’m being dim, but my partner and I are planning to go to Sri Lanka in December, we’d like to stay there for 2-3 months before flying over to India. We’d like to apply for the 6 month visa but if we do this before we go then we will only be able to actually get 2-3 months in India as the visa will begin when we get it, before we go to Sri Lanka! can we apply for a 6 month visa from Sri Lanka? Are we just as likely to be able to get a 6 month visa to India from Sri Lanka as if we were applying from the UK? We’ve already booked our flights to Sri Lanka and now we’re kinda panicking because apparently we need exit flights from Sri Lanka to get into the country but I don’t want to book flights to India until I know we will be able to get a visa…

Hi Gemma, generally it’s always best to apply from your home country as you will get the maximum visa validity from there. If you’re from the UK you could try applying for a 1 year visa – they recently introduced them and its the same price.

You can get a visa for India in Sri Lanka but I haven’t done it myself. I’ve heard they sometimes give out 1 month or 3 month or maybe 6 months. You can never be sure how long they will grant you.

Maybe try to get a 1 year visa for India while your in the UK and then you don’t have to worry so much about the timing and you know you have your visa sorted.

Hi Anna thanks for your advice, I just realised you’d replied so sorry for my late reply! We did end up applying for the 1year visas from home, just waiting on them coming through now so fingers crossed!!

Thank you so much for your post.

Please can you tell me if it is still possible to send the application by post without the need to attend an appointment in-person?

Many thanks, Chris

Yes it is possible to apply by post – all the details and the address are in this article.

Thank you for this great post. This is very helpful.  I recently heard of a 5 year tourist visa. Do you know anything about it?  I did see it mentioned somewhere on the site, with a 300 pound fee.  As I intend to visit India a few times over the next few years it seems like a good investment.. It’s not clear if additional documents are required.  How risky do you think it is? Of course I understand you’re not an immigration officer, just wondering if you’ve heard anything about it..

Hey Rfe. Yes, I have heard of it but I have also heard of people applying for it and being refused or only getting 1 or 2 years but not receiving any refund. I’ve heard that its harder to get than the shorter visas and riskier for the chance of denial but this is just what I’ve heard from friends. If your from the UK I think you can get a 1 year visa quite easily now for the same price as the 6 month visa. Hope this helps and hope you get your visa fine.

wow, am I grateful for your post, without your advice, I would never have understood the very complicated website, you explained eveything so well!! ( I am a technophobe)

I now have my application form, all ready for posting, and I cannot wait for my trip to India, and yeah I intend to take my time and soak it all up!! – months – if they send me the correct visa, of course!

keep up the good work, much appreciated,

cheers, Steve

Hi Steve! Yes its a bit complicated isn’t it! So glad that I could help – hope everything goes smoothly and hope you enjoy India! 🙂 Happy Travels

Great advice, thanks so much!! I am now slightly freaking though as I am leaving on 4th Nov and won’t be able to send my application until Thursday – eg. 15 days before I leave… Do you have any idea if I will be able to have the address on the envelope as where I am staying in London just before I leave..? Or if there is any way to contact them to go and pick up my passport from the office?? Aaaaah!!

Hey, 15 days might be enough time but it’s cutting it fine. Maybe try to make an appointment instead of doing it by post that could be quicker. I guess you could put any address on the return envelope – I’m not sure I think you need to allow more time really to be on the safe side. You can contact VFS Global to check by emailing [email protected] or call +44 203 793 8629 or +44 203 788 4666 .. Hope this helps

Thank you very much for very clear advice. I can now be more confident in making an application. I would have missed including a Declarstion Form, if I had not come across your blog. The online form does not ask for name of hotel, etc but after printing there is a blank space for it. I did not write and add on the printed form. I hope it is okay.

I am retired so have no current employer as requested in form . I cannot proceed further without filling that. I have just entered my home address. Is that okay or will I be denied a. visa because of this. Very confusing.

Your advice to each question is excellent and very clear. Most useful

Hey I’m glad that you found it the post useful. I’m really not sure what happens if you don’t add the hotel – maybe it is OK as maybe they don’t check that anyway but with all these things its always best to read the form really carefully and answer every questions otherwise they might deny the visa. I’m sure there is an option to say that you are retired or unemployed on the form.

I’ve just received the email from VFS Global saying that my email is ready for collection/Courier

Now this might be a silly question, but if i’ve attached a return signed delivery envelope when i sent my Visa off, Do i still need to pay for a courier?

Many Thanks

Hey Micheal. The email/ text from VFS Global just says the same thing every time so don’t worry if you have included the return envelope then your visa should be posted back to you like this.

Hi Anna, really useful post, thank you! Just wanted to check what you mean by declaration form?

Never mind, I found it! Thanks

Hi Anna, on the form there is one space for a photo to be pasted. Do you stick it on with glue? Also, where do you put the other photo? Thanks,

Thanks for this post, I’ve read both of them and they’ve been so helpful! I’m a UK citizen eligible for an ETV – I just had a few questions about this and I haven’t been able to get hold of anyone on the phone! Would really appreciate some advice 🙂

I’m flying in to Mumbai and getting on a connecting flight to Kochi. At what stage will they issue my ETV? If it’s in Mumbai I’m wondering if there’ll be enough time as I only have an hour or two before the next flight.

Is an ETV also valid on inbound flights? After arriving in Kochi, I’m heading to Madurai then Delhi so will the visa still be valid?

Lastly, when it’s advised to apply for a visa no less that 5 days before departure, does this include weekends or is it just working days?

On the reference and declaration form, do you have any links to any templates I could use? 🙂

Hi Charlotte, glad the post was helpful.

To be honest it depends on which carrier you take if you have to switch airports in Bombay then you will need to clear immigration and get the E Visa there or somethings you can transfer straight through without changing airports and do immigration at your final destination so I cannot say but if you ask your airline they will be able to tell you.

The visa will be valid and if your flying domestically within India you do not have to go through immigration for those flights.

I’m not sure if it’s 5 working days or all days – maybe best to ask the professionals – If you need professional assistance contact iVisa for the E Visa or Visa HQ for 6 month visa. You can also contact VFS Global with any queries by emailing [email protected] or call +44 203 793 8629 or +44 203 788 4666 (Monday – Friday 8:30 – 15:30 (except for Consular Holiday) You can also call 09057570045 from Monday – Friday 8:30 – 17:30 (except for Consular Holidays) but this number charges 95p per minute from a BT landline and more from a mobile.

Happy New Year to you!

Thank you for this wonderful website- its answering so many of my questions !

I’m currently filling out my visa application form ( also seems like they have made changes very in the last week but anyway) …. and my question is..

Do you know how important it is to have the correct Port of Entry? I think I will fly into Cochin, but haven’t booked flights yet as want to make sure I get the Visa first! Should I hold off submitting it until i’m 99% sure or just go for it anyway now?

Many thanks,

Glad you’ve found my site helpful – as I say I’m not an immigration professional so I can’t say for sure but no ones ever checked my point of entry – I’m not sure oif it really matters so much but don’t quote me on this – if you want professional help the numbers to call are listed at the bottom of the post.

Hope you have a good trip – Kerala is a great place to start! —> http://www.global-gallivanting.com/india-for-beginners/ 🙂

Great post which has cleared up many of my questions. Just to confirm however, I am from the UK and will be visiting India for 3 weeks in April. Am I right in saying I simply need to apply for the E-tourist Visa online?

Also, I will be flying domestically a couple of times during my stay in India. Surely this wont affect my one entry visa as I wont actually be leaving India during these flights?

Glad that the post helped you 🙂 Yes if you visit for less than 30 days then an e visa is the easiest and quickest option and if you are flying domestically it will be fine as you won’t be leaving the country.

Hope you have a great trip 🙂

Honestly this post is such a life saver. I am planning on visiting India after Sri Lanka and SEAsia this year however I’m already travelling so it will be tough to get it by post unless I stay in the same place for a while. I’m definitely reading your other India posts! X

Hi Charlotte

Glad that you found it useful! You can get the 30 day e visa online anywhere in the world and you should also be able to get an Indian visa in Sri Lanka quite easily.

Hope you have a great trip! 🙂

Hi Anna, thank you for the post very helpful!! We are planning on travelling south east Asia , just finishing selling up our life here in Devon. We have our flights booked to Sri Lanka for June 1st for 30 days and flights booked to India at the end of June I’m still a bit confused as to what to do for the best, we want to travel through India, including Goa :), for a few months so will need the extended visa not the E-visa. But when do we apply for it, if i do it now and it is issued by say April will we have until next April to use it? or might they randomly give us only 3 months in which case it won’t be long enough. why is it so confusing and difficult? Thanks in anticipation of your help 🙂

Yes, it is a bit confusing and a bit of a risk as the visa starts as soon as it is issued and there is no guarantee the length of visa you will get. You can apply for a 6 month or 12 month multiple entry visa which should cover you for the time you want to spend in India. Btw if you are planning to go to Goa in July you may not want to spend much time there as it will be raining and most things will be shut by then. Maybe read these posts – http://www.global-gallivanting.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-visiting-goa-in-monsoon-season/ and http://www.global-gallivanting.com/where-to-travel-in-july-and-august-to-avoid-monsoon-in-india/

I think more often than not they will give the longer visa (assuming you are from the UK and all your documents are correct and you don’t have an occupation in journalism or the military or any connections to Pakistan or anything else that brings up a red flag for them.)

It’s also possible to get the visa in Sri Lanka ( but usually they only give 3 months I think but I’m not 1005 sure) however, it’s always better to apply in your home country. You could just apply before you leave, if they did give you a shorter visa you could go to Nepal or Sri Lanka and get a new one – it’s a difficult situation I’m not sure what to suggest.

Hope this helps and hope you have a good trip.

Thanks Anna, we already read about the monsoon so we are starting on the south east coast in Chennai and then across and down to Kochi and pretty much following your suggested route for travelling India 🙂 in the hopes that we will be constantly behind the rain, fingers crossed lol but we are brits so used to a bit of rain. I am going to apply for the 12 month visa in April and go with whatever happens. thanks for your help x

Thanks, sounds good, hope you have a good trip 🙂

I’m planning my first trip to India and am not even sure how I would have started to navigate the visa process without your amazingly helpful guide!

I’m completing the online form and can’t progress any further without checking a couple of things. Can I just confirm that as a British passport holder I don’t have a Citizenship/National ID No.? Also, is the place of passport issue what appears under ‘Authority’ on the photo page? Mine says HMPO. If this is correct, is HMPO enough or would I need to write HMPO UK.

I really hope you’ll be able to provide some insight, Google seems a little undecided!

Thank you so much 🙂

Hi Becca, Yes it can be confusing so I’m glad my blog has helped Your passport number is your ID so you don’t need one. Yes, Authority means the place where the passport was issued. I just write what it says, mine says IPS but if your says something different under Authority just write whatever it says there I think. Hope this helps, have a great time in India 🙂

Thanks so much for this 🙂

I just have one more question. I’m a little confused about which online form I need to fill in. I’ve nearly completed the form via the linked you provided: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html . However, I’m confused about the difference between this form and the one on the Vfs Global website. I want to book an appointment in London rather than posting the application and on Vfs Global it says ‘For Visa: Applicants are advised to follow the instruction for “Appointment & Online Payment” upon completion of online form.’ So I am assuming that I actually need to complete the form on the Vfs Global website rather than the one on the Indian Visa Online website.

Hope you can help!

Thanks again,

Hi Becca, there are two different forms and companies depending on which visa you want – the 30 day e visa/ online visa or the longer term visa. If you want to longer term visa you need to go through VFS Global and complete the form online there before printing it and either posting it or taking it to the appointment with you. Sorry if it wasn’t clear.

Ah that makes sense, no problem I’ll just copy the info over from one to the other! Thanks again for your help, it’s appreciated 🙂

Hi Anna – i am a Uk citizen resident in Italy for more than 2 yrs & plan to apply for a multiple entry one year visa for India – would this be granted (or one for 6 mths), if i go on a one way ticket, or do they require evidence of a return on arrival, if not before ? – many thanks, Steve

Hi Steve, normally they do not ask for a return ticket when applying for the visa but often the do at the airport so it’s best to have one.

I need to visit India on an urgent basis.I am facing a marital discord making me depressed to an extent where i need my familys support.

Also, both me and my husband are unemployed(even if i fill in my status as a housewife.

Will our unemployed status affect my application. Can my visa application be rejected as I am unemployed.

Also, will I be having to show my bank statements for same.

Hi Ananya, sorry to hear about your situation. If you are a UK citizen applying for an Indian visa in the UK then I don’t think you need to show bank statements – I have never been asked but as I am not an immigration professional I can’t really advise you on this. It would be better to contact VFS Global directly – the details are on the bottom of the post. Hope you can get your visa soon.

Hi Anna, influenced by “The Marigold Hotel ” film and series, a group of 8, 65+ uk wrinklies are planning 40 days in and around Jaipur leaving 19th October. As I am organising the trip I have booked flights and hotels via booking.com (Cart before the horse) and now for the visas. Your blog was terrific, very helpful and my idea, as I travel a lot and need my passport, is to complete the application online and send it in when i’m back in Uk in August which i hope will then take two weeks to process and I will have a 12 month multi entry visa. I read somewhere of a guy who took his application and everything needed to London and then collected it a week later with no agro is this also the place in Hounslow?

Hi John. Great to hear you are planning a trip to India and glad that you found my blog helpful 🙂 You have plenty of time to apply for the visa as it starts from the date of issue not the date you arrive in India so it’s better to wait. Yes you can apply online and either post your passport off (usually takes 2 weeks) or make an appointment in London – sometimes it can be done in as little as a week but I would allow at least 2 weeks to be on the safe side. You can either collect your passport or have it sent to you by post. Hope you have a great trip – I’ll be writing more about Rajasthan soon hopefully in time for your trip 🙂

Thank you so much for this useful and helpful blog! Being from London, I wandered if you had any idea as to whether it was possible, to go to the Indian embassy in London, apply and get a 30 day or more visa on the same day? All the best Candace (www.360honeymoon.com)

Hi Candace, I don’t think it’s possible to get a visa the same day, but check with VFS Global as things can always change. If you only need a 30 day visa you can apply for an evisa online. This post explains more about e -visas – http://www.global-gallivanting.com/how-to-get-a-visa-on-arrival-or-e-tourist-visa-for-india/

Thank you so much for your useful post! I visited India for two weeks and totally fell in love with the Country. Since being back (2 days) I’ve decided to go back for a long weekend next week.

Only thing is I can’t work out if I’m allowed to. My visa was the single entry visa. Am I able to apply for a new one so soon. When I’ve researched it, I’ve found different views on it and can’t work out if they will give me a visa so soon after the last one.

Thanks in advance for your help 🙂

Hi Char – you should be able to apply for a new visa as soon as you want. The gap of having to wait 2 months for re entry to India was lifted

Thanks for the detailed information @ Anna. Travelers always face problem regarding the VISA when they want to travel abroad. Each country has their own rules and regulations. So it is mandatory for the tourists to read all the instructions written on the official websites, because the information change from time to time. When you have the latest information, you will do the right thing. However, it is always best to know from a similar person who has experienced the whole lot of thing already.

We are doing a cruise next year January and February 2018 taking in Mumbai , Goa and Cochin . Having researched the internet and your blog ( great info ) It is my understanding that whilst Goa and Cochin accept e visas whilst on a cruise ship , Mumbai does not . So what sort of visa do we need and where do we get it from as I think the VFS global service only does e visas . Many thanks Julie

Hi Julie, VFS Global is for the longer term visas not the E visas. The rules on E visas were recently changed (see here – http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/foreign-tourists-visiting-india-with-e-visa-can-stay-up-to-2-months/story-PmllWUXHitBzWUHZgD9BkO.html ) You can now enter at seaports in Goa, Cochin and Mangalore but I’m not sure about Mumbai, perhaps if your first entry to India is via one of those eligible then maybe it’s OK but then how many entries are allowed and what constitutes as an entry if you are traveling between different ports in the same country. To be honest I have never taken a cruise and I’m not an immigration professional so you should seek professional advice – at the bottom of the post there are the contact details or I would check with the cruise company – they should know what to do. Hope you have a good trip 🙂

I am going to India in October. Do I get an E-Visa at the airport or should I apply for a visa before going.

Hi Shirley – you MUST apply for the E visa online before traveling to India – all the info on how to do this is in the post

I’m wondering if you can offer any advice on my visa situation for India. I have a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa which expires on 1st September. I spent two and a half months in India (April-mid June) and wish to return at the start of August and stay until mid-late October. I know you cannot change or extend existing visas, but I’m wondering how to go about it or if my travel plans are possible. Would be able to apply for a new visa even though my current one isnt up? Or do I have to wait for this one to end before getting a new one? If that is the case, would I be able to simply leave India for a few days to somewhere such as Nepal and apply for a 60 day e-visa? I hope you can help a little!

Thank you 🙂

Hi Megan – you can apply for another visa even if your old one is now finished but you cannot extend your visa. If your visa expires halfway through your trip you could go to Nepal or Sri Lanka and apply for a new one the traditional way or you could leave and apply for an e-visa from anywhere and then go back to India.

Hello Anna 🙂

I made a post yesterday but it didn’t seem to work so I will try again!

I’m hoping you can offer me a little advice. I currently have a 6 month tourist visa which expires on 1st Sept. I only spent 2 and a half months (April-mid June) in India and wish to return at the start of August and stay until mid to late October.

I obtained the visa in Bangkok as I was living in Thailand at the time. I will be returning from the UK where I am visiting family for one month.

I have spent hours doing visa research and finding your blog has helped calm my mind a little; so thank you very much!

I know that the 6 month tourist visas are non extendable, so that is clearly not an option. I can think of two other options and I am wondering if they are possible; 1. Cancel the current visa and apply for a new 6 month visa whilst in the UK (although I’m slightly worried that could backfire and mean I cannot return at all this year!) 2. Return at the start of August, stay the month to finish off the current visa and then get out of there to somewhere such as Nepal and either apply for another tourist in Kathmandu, or apply for the e visa (which is now 60 days?!)

…I’m thinking option 2 would be better…IF they would grant me an e visa so soon after my 6 month visa.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Megan – some people make spam comments so your post did work but I was travelling without access to internet so I was not able to approve it. Your right that the visas are not extendable but I think it doesn’t matter if you apply for a new visa before your old one expires. You could apply for a 6 or 12 month visa from the UK – you still have to leave every 180 days (6 months) You could also go for option 2 and get another visa in Nepal but the duration would be less and maybe only single entry than if you apply in your home country. You can also get the e visa from anywhere. I’m not an immigration professional but I’ve applied for a visa the day after my old visa expired and had not problems. Hope you sort out your visa whichever you decide to do and have a good trip 🙂

Thank for you all your advice. I just wondered if you knew. I am flying to new Delhi in a few weeks. I have already been granted an E-tourist visa. However I shall be volunteering at an orphanage for 10 days before travelling for 15 days on am organised tour. When I rang the E-visa contact number, he expressed you should be fine with that of your main purpose is travelling. I’m a little worried as I want to make sure I have the correct visa. Do you have any recommendations or suggestions ? It would be gratefully appreciated. I am leaving in 12 days time. So not too much time left. I even amended to ring the high commission in London however was on hold for 40 minutes.

Many thanks

I understand your confusion, officially you do need an employment visa for volunteering but at this late stage you are unlikely to be able to get one as it is more complicated to apply for than a tourist e visa.

However, you are also traveling on a tour and for a longer duration that you are volunteering and many people come and volunteer for short periods on a tourist visa (I think its a bit of a grey area) so my advice would just be do not mention the volunteering if they ask you your reason for visiting India – just tell them about the tour you are going on and I wouldn’t think you will have any problems.

Hope you have a great time!

Hello i need help getting a visa is your entering india via land. And can i apply for it now? I am planning to get into india the 7th of november but will be leaving the UK from september the 10th and not returning to the UK until AFTER my india trip? Please help i am very confused.

Hey Caroline. The Indian visa starts from the date of issue not the date of entry so if you apply now and are only given 3 months then your visa may run out before your trip ends and they are non extendable and you can get a fine or ban from India if you overstay. If you are going to be in India for 2 months or less then you could apply for an E Visa while you are on the road. http://www.global-gallivanting.com/how-to-get-a-visa-on-arrival-or-e-tourist-visa-for-india/ You could also apply in Sri Lanka, Nepal or Bali if you are going to be visiting those countries first. Hope this helps

hello, so i cannot apply for the e-visa because e-visa’s are only for when you fly into india which you then sort out at the airport, but i will be entering india from nepal via land so need a normal visa and i need help with appying for this one, how long it lasts, when i should apply, what the process is, can i pay to get it done quicker? thanks!

Yes e visas are for when you fly into India but you can now also enter from a sea port on an evisa so maybe it’s possible. I’m not sure maybe you can enter overland – its best to ask the professionals. I would advise you to contact http://www.iVisa.com – thats who I use for e visas and they will know if you can go overland with an evisa. For more info about getting the visa in Nepal check out this post – https://nomadicboys.com/getting-indian-visa-kathmandu/

Hey Caroline, it usually takes between 1 and 3 weeks to get the visa. You can apply for a 6 month or 12 month visa but the duration issued is up to them- you never know until you get the visa and also I’m not a visa professional so I cannot say anything is 100% guaranteed – it never is with visas they can reject the visa if you don’t sign in the right place for example. It is always better to get the visa in your home country but many people get it Nepal. Call the numbers listed in the post to seek advice from a professional visa agent and check out the post about getting the visa in Kathmandu https://nomadicboys.com/getting-indian-visa-kathmandu/

Hi thanks for this post, this is really helpful and reassuring – I’m worried I’m going to send off my passport and not get it back! I’m heading to India in October and applying for a 6 month tourist visa via post – I can’t find anywhere on the website where I can pay online – do you know if they have stopped accepting this now? I can’t find anything like you described – I have also uploaded a digital photo, so does this mean I don’t need to send physical photos too? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

If you have uploaded digital photos then you shouldn’t need to send in photos as well. The bit where you pay online is only after you’ve finished the application, it kind of takes you to another page that does look a bit dodgy but I’ve never had any problems with it. You click on the button to ‘make appointments and payments’ and select your mode of submission – either you want to make an appointment or send by post. There should be a tab at the top thats called ‘Visa Fee and Pay Details’ and thats where you can make the payment. I’m sure it will be fine – they process lots of visa applications all the time allow 2 – 3 weeks to get the visa back. I’ve haven’t personally needed to do it for a year now though but I can’t imagine they would take away the option to pay online. Hope this helps, good luck 🙂

Hello, I wondered how you go about what you need to do to live there permanently and either get residency or a business visa. I spent just a couple of weeks touring India last December and I love it there and would like to give up my life in England to live a more simple life in India. Possibly Goa. A yoga retreat on a beach resort would be great! I really can’t find much information on moving to India though. I know I would need a business partner who is Indian too though – that’s another hard thing that I can’t find information on anywhere. I have capital, I have business acumen (I work for an investment bank) and I have the desire and capability to really do this, but the starting block seems so hard. Thanks Kristy

Hi Kirsty – sounds amazing but yes its a bit complicated, buying property, starting a business or getting residency is really hard without an Indian partner. You can see info about how to get a business visa here – http://www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/Business.html

Hi Anna. Great blog. Most helpful. We travelled to India 3 years ago and spent 8 fantastic weeks travelling in the north. We are going on a cruise in December and calling in at Mumbai and Cochin. We only stop for two days at each port and we need to apply for the full tourist visa which is a very costly four days but apparently there is no alternative unless you can advise otherwise. Since we loved India so much the first time and plan to go back to explore the south, I was thinking of going for a 6 month, multiple entry visa and planing a trip next year. Is there any way I can be guaranteed getting a 6 month visa instead of a 3 month? Also, how far in advance can I make the application. We go on the cruise in December but I need my passport for other trips in October and November.

Hi Micheal – Theres no way you can be guaranteed anything with Indian visas! The length and number of entries they issue is up to them and also the visa will start from the date of issue. But I’m pretty sure that recent changes mean that you are now allowed to enter India through these seaports with an E Visa. Check with https://www.ivisa.com/india-visa-application?utm_source=global_gallivanting&country=GB who should be able to confirm this and can give you professional help. Hope you have a great trip

Hello thanks for all this infomation. Its very helpful! Just wondering if you knew if I could apply for a visa from Cyprus. I live in the UK but am working in cyprus until late Oct and want to go visit a friend in India in Nov. Can I apply while I am here or should i wait until i am back in london?

Hi Kelly, if you are going to visit India for no more than 60 days then you could apply for an e visa online from anywhere. Otherwise you will need to send your passport off for about 2 weeks to get the visa and it’s best to do it from your home country.

Thank you for the information it’s been really helpful. I seem to have run in to a problem though .. I’ve submitted the application and now there seems no way for me to access it again; I haven’t paid any fees yet but there isn’t any way to get back in to the application to select a mode of submission or make a payment. I can however track the application using a ref number that was given but this only tells me that the application is in progress with no further options.

Do you think I should start the process again as perhaps I’ve missed something? Given how strict they seem to be I’m worried that a duplicate will affect my application. Any help would be appreciated!

Once you submit the application you go to another page to made the payment/ appointment. Do you have the temporary application number? You should be able to get back into the application if you have that. Otherwise, I’m not sure what went wrong but it sounds like if you have not made a payment or an appointment your visa application won’t be able to go any further so maybe you’ll have to start again.

Thanks Anna,

My partner just went through the same application process and again there was no payment option once the application was submitted, and no way to retrieve the application other than to reprint the pdf. I have since been emailing their helpdesk at info.inuk but the information I am getting back from them is similarly frustrating in it’s lack of clarity and despite asking them for confirmation of what I should do next they only seem to want me to refer back to the vfs site for help. I have asked to send a postal order instead but even getting confirmation that this is acceptable has been a struggle! Anyway thank you for your help, I am sure that this hassle will be worth it in the long run!

I think there is a problem with their site as I’ve heard this has been happening to alot of people this last week or so where it doesn’t take you to the payment and appointment screen and the only thing you can do is reprint the application form.

Make sure you note down your application number and try going to this link for the payment and make appointment screens – https://www.vfsvisaservice.com/IHC_UK_ONLINE/(S(xfl0pvli34mrlyqhjyidyu2v) )/Index.aspx

There you should be able to type in your application number and passport number and make the payment or appointment.

If it doesn’t work one day you can try the next day and sometimes it will work then.

The link has worked first time – what a relief!

Thank you for all your help Anna we really appreciate it, I’ll certainly be coming back to the sit for more tips.

All the best, Andy

Glad it worked for you 🙂 Sometimes the site can be a bit dodgy! :s

I just like the caring information you provide to your articles. I will bookmark your blog and take a look at again right here frequently. Thanks for sharing this so valuable post!

Hi Anna Thank you for your useful blog. It’s a long story but in essences I want to take my 13yo son to Goa for at least 3 months this winter. He’s dyslexic and would greatly benefit from one to one intensive English and maths lessons. Our schools have failed him. I would appreciate any links or advice. Thanks in advance Chris

Hi Chris. Sorry I’ve only just received your message. I don’t have kids myself but have heard good things about the yellow school in Anjuna. https://www.greenprophet.com/2018/03/re-schooling-in-goa-at-the-holistic-yellow-school/ Hope this helps

Hi Anna, thanks for your advice and tips on how to complete this dreaded visa application for India. Ive been on my PC for nearly 4 hours now and after finding your page just by accident , I have moved a bit forward with the visa application for India that I need, however I am kind of stuck again. Here are my problems and inquiry, I hope you can help or point me to someone who can help. Im a UK citizen as is my mum who is elderly and frail. Her brother in India is quite ill and so I am taking her over to see him just for 8 days, so we dont require long period visas. We are travelling mid October. Im not very good with a computer so thought Id go for the print and post option and chose LONDON as my mission. I have got as far as printing my visa application . I have been able to print it out and also printed the declaration form via link you provided. My questions now are as follows .

1. I cant seem to be able to pay for the visa. I followed your instructions and went onto the pay visa processing fee screen option ( on indiavisaonline.gov site), however, after I entered the details required, I got a a messege in red saying “Please fill a new e-Visa application as the application format is changed” . HELP!!! Do I have to do this all over again and does it mean I cant do this application by post? Im not entirely sure how to upload photos to the format they want and hence wanted to do this by post or in person. 2. Do I not need to scan my passport somewhere, is giving them passport details on the form enough? 3. If I am successful with getting my visa done,( god help me!!!) I will have to do my mums visa too. Just wondered, can I use the same email address I used for my visa to apply for hers as she isnt on email? Mind you the application i submitted is logged as submitted and being processed despite me not paying yet AND weirdly, I havent got any email acknowledgement to say its even been submitted!!!! what do i do!!!

Sorry for a million questions.. hope you can throw some light my way! thanks a bunch!

thank you so much for the help! I have completed my application form and paid for it but i cant seem to work out where to print the application form off! Can you help?

Thanks so much

never mind! it was a fault on my computer!

Hi Anna, I’ll be calling the helpline tomorrow to clarify a few points of uncertainty on the 6-month tourist visa application form; however, in case you can answer me before they can: In the section asking about “visible identification marks,” what are they referring to? To physical marks of identification on my body/face, or what? I have a protuberant nose and quite sharp features generally, with medium-length blonde hair and a mole just below the left side of my collarbone – but do I say any of this, or just enter “none,” which is what I have temporarily entered? Thank you in advance for potentially answering my question.

And one other thing that I forgot to ask: When it comes to the passport photos, do I have to upload them onto the application in digital format, or can I send in two loose paper pictures taking at a photo-booth – if I can do it the latter way, can they be loose or do I need to glue them to the application? Thank you again, and great post.

Hi Anna, I’ve just received approval of my Indian evisa but I was surprised to see that the ETC has a place to fix a physical photo, just across the page from where it shows the electronic version of the photo. Do I need to put a physical picture there or can I get away without it? Thanks, Ben.

Hi Ben – I would always carry several passport photos with you when travelling in India. When you arrive at the airport they can confirm what they want you to do

Hey, so it looks like I have cut it too fine to send off my passport for a visa longer than 60 days! If I want to spend more time in India could I leave to say Sri Lanka, apply for another e-visa and then return in a couple of weeks? Thanks!

You cant extend the visa and you can only get 2 in one year but you could also apply for another regular visa in Sri Lanka or Nepal

The article is really captivating to me especially the information you providing in applying for visa to UK citizen. I do have a lot of UK friend that wants to travel in India.

Glad its helpful

Hi Anna I see on the visa application form for. 6 month visa they ask have you ever visited India before and if so when and what was your visa number I was there 9 years ago but now have a new passport and no record of the number Is it important or not and will it affect my being granted a new visa

If you have it I think it’s best but I’m not sure what happens if you don’t. Maybe you can comment back and let me know? It may help other travellers with the same question

Hey, Really helpful article thanks! Was just wondering, with the 6/12 month visas, after the date of issue, is there a date you have to be in India by? Like do you have to get into the country say, a month after it is issued or anything like that? I will probably get a 12 month visa as I will be travelling in SE Asia for about 4 months before I get to India and then be in India for about 6/7 months. Would it still be sensible to get the visa before I go? Because I do have enough time with my plan but is it still easier doing it in England than somewhere else while I’m away already? Thanks

Hi Ciara – the visa starts from the date of issue not the date you enter India. You can go anytime after its been issued but you need this into account when you apply so that you get enough time on your visa for your India trip. It’s always better to apply from your home country but you can get a 60 day e visa online if you are already traveling.

Site is so useful!

I’m flying on Jan 4th and I’m hoping to finish my application by tomorrow.

With this Xmas holidays coming up I’m getting slightly worried that I’ve not left myself enough time :/

Is dropping the application form off at a centre quicker than posting it?

And if I do this what do I select when I select my mode of submission?

It’s quicker to make an appointment to submit the visa than posting it. You select this after you’ve done the form

Site is so useful! But when I’ve tried to post a question it’s saying it’s a duplicate and won’t let me post!

Sorry – its because I have to moderate the comments before they show

Hi Anna, I completed the online visa application and then went on to ‘visa fee and pay details’ section. I unticked the ‘photo upload service’ and went to payment. It was £135.24. When I looked at the breakdown of the payment though it says £12.33 is for “courier charges” I was planning to send a SAE as you suggest in the blog but am I right to say I’ll be wasting my money now as it will be sent by courier on their part?

Thank you for writing this blog. We followed your advice and our 6 month Indian tourist visas came back in under a week. My Mum has recently passed away so we are coming to Goa, as a family, in January to heal, relax and reconnect. We are going to try and rent somewhere and will take your advice (again) and wait until we arrive. Thank you, the Astall family

Hi Kate, sorry to hear about your Mum passing but glad to hear that you found my blog useful. Hope you have a good trip! 🙂

Thanks for writing this, it made using the websites heaps easier. Got my 6 month visa back in like a week. Thanks again! Jess

Great! Glad to help Jess. Hope you have a great trip 🙂

Hi there, can you tell me if we can use the E-visa service please? we have 2 sons and in the past we have had to send in marriage cert and birth cert before getting their visa’s…I want to use the E-visa service but it does not say anything about this on the website

Hi I’m sure children can get the e Visa but I’m not an immigration professional. If you need professional assistance contact iVisa for the E Visa or Visa HQ for 6 month visa. You can also contact VFS Global with any queries by emailing [email protected] or call +44 203 793 8629 or +44 203 788 4666 (Monday – Friday 8:30 – 15:30 (except for Consular Holiday) You can also call 09057570045 from Monday – Friday 8:30 – 17:30 (except for Consular Holidays) but this number charges 95p per minute from a BT landline and more from a mobile.

Hi Anna Thankyou for this, so helpful! I’m probrably going to come across stupid but I am worried that my visa will get rejected most likely like everyone esle! I’m applying for a 12 month multiple entry visa mainly so I have the option to leave and come back maybe go elsewhere in Asia and back but I have no itinerary let’s just say I never think ahead or organise anything and I don’t like making set plans. I have seen on other forums that when applying for multiple entry they want full details of your itinerary, flights to and from and back to India, train tickets and the places you are staying!! I dont know any of that, is that something I would have to make up? Will they really want proof of all those plain tickets that all sounds like it would cost so much for an itinerary you don’t want to stick to! I’m probrably over reacting but would love to know your thoughts on this. Thankyou Lids xx

Hi, a few years ago they were asking for itineraries but I haven’t heard of them asking recently so you should be OK. Have a great trip 🙂

Hello Anna. My wife and I are on a cruise in April and we are moored in Cochin for just 6 hours. I understand that if we wish to go ashore we will require a visa each; the process you outline seems very long-winded for such a short visit. Do you know if there are any concessions for very short visits by cruise passengers? We have also been told that Cochin is not geared up to process the volume of eVisas that a cruise might deliver all at one time and that we should apply for a passport visa / stamp. Do you know if this is correct (sorry, I know you are not an immigration official). Many thanks.

I haven’t personally been on a cruise so can’t really comment but you def do need a visa to enter India and its a little different when entering from sea. I would advise you to check with VFS Global or iVisa – the details are in the post. Sorry I can’t help more but hope you have a great trip

Hi Anna Hope you can advise me please. We are visiting Goa on 10th Nov 2018 for two weeks and then going on a cruise in March 2019 which visits Goa, Kerala, Mangalore and Mumbai returning on April q0th 2019. If I apply for a multiple entry visa in October 1018 will I be able to apply for a 12 month visa. Is there an option to put details of our second cruise holiday itinerary on the application form? I don’t really want to pay for two visas. Thanks Susan.

Hi susan. Yes a 12 month visa is the same price as a 6 month one so if I was you I would apply for a 12 month visa but I don’t think there is anywhere on the application form where you could write it but you could include a note with your application.

such a helpful blogpost thanks so much, you’ve made the application process way easier for me! i have realised i have missed out a few bits of info on my printed application 1) i visited morocco a few years a go and have a stamp in my passport 2) in the box where you should fill out all the places in india you expect to visit i just put delhi and goa, although my reference is in Kasauli. Should I begin the process again? Is it possible to edit and print again? Thanks for your help!

Glad its useful. Yes it should be possible to start again if you made a mistake. Good luck 🙂

ihave client who allready has got 6 month multiple visa but he wants to stay on india for 2 more years what should i do plz help

Tourist visas cannot be extended

Hi so if I get thiis online evisa for 2 months (60 days)…. Could I leve the country for a few weeks, and apply again, then come back into India again for another 2 months afterwards…. Is this possible…. Or its only 60 days and there’s nothing you can do about it?

Hi Tom, you can extend the visa and you can only have 2 e visas in 1 year. I’m not sure if you can apply for a new visa while you old visa is valid and by leaving the country the time on your visa would still be running and you would not be able to get it back. Probably better to spend the 60 days in India before moving onto a different country.

i also struggle from that situation Glad you share it. Good luck everyone.

Hi, I am a little concerned about my Indian visa application. I think I have filled everything out correctly on the forms, but when it came to ‘Expected date of Arrival’, the calender opens up but would only allow me to select dates up to January 2019. I am cruising to India on March 20th 2019, so I tried to enter the date manually, the site allowed this and I carried on, finished and paid £270 for two applications. From what I have read on this page, I fear that the 3 month visa I requested will start and finish before I even get to India next March! Shall I try to cancel, or will they just keep the money anyway?

Yes, the visa is valid from the date of issue so if they only give you a 3 month visa it may expire. I don’t think you can get your money back after you’ve submitted sadly. Maybe try contacting the embassy? Good luck!

I found your blog really useful, thank you! However, I have a few questions as below:

– if I apply for a regular visa, ie by post, do I still have to visit one of their offices for an interview? – is an interview not required for an e-visa? – is there an additional bank charge, as it states (2.5%) in the instructions for e-visa? – from your own experience, is one method better than the other?

Many thanks, Lynn

Hi Lynn. The e Visa is the easiest but only for 60 days. I normally just get my visa by post as I find that easiest and no you don’t need an interview for e visa or regular tourist visa.

Hi Anna. I am planning a trip to Bhutan via India in October. I visited India last year and managed to obtain an e-visa on that occasion. This time I am travelling via Mumbai and Delhi. I have a stop over of some 4hours in Mumbai and then an onward flight to Delhi. Both incoming and outgoing from the same terminal (2). When I land at Delhi I arrive at terminal 3 and the ongoing flight to Bhutan (with a different Airline) leaves from that same terminal. However, I need to transfer my luggage from one airline to another. Do I need an Indian Visa to do so? Presumably I need to go through immigration to claim my baggage and transfer it to another flight even though I am in transit. I would really appreciate your guidance on this. Thank you. Chris.

Hi Chris – It’s a difficult one. if you are staying in the same terminal then you don’t need to leave so you don’t need an Indian visa but if you need to clear immigration in order to collect your luggage then maybe you will need one. You should ask the airline what the procedure will be – maybe they can help you so you collect it before immigration. Sometimes in Mumbai you have to change airport – in which case you would need one a visa. Have a great time in Bhutan! I’ve also been fascinated by the country!

Thanks very much, Anna. All things considered, I think the best way of avoiding a whole load of grief is to get a visitor’s Visa. We are really looking forward to visiting Bhutan, which looks to be an amazing civilised Country. Thanks again and best wishes, Chris.

Hi Hopefully you can help we are cruising from dubai and visiting 4 ports in india (first port Mumbai) so we will arrive 4 times in india in 6 days by sea will an e visa suffice regards john

Hi John, I’m not an immigration professional so I can’t give you a definitive answer You will need a MULTIPLE ENTRY visa and you need to check which seaports you are entering. Unless they have changed it again I think you can only enter by e visa at 3 Indian seaports – Cochin, Goa and Mangalore – not Mumbai. So maybe you need to send your passport away and apply for the normal visa. You should check with your cruise line for the information or an immigration/ visa professional

Hi Anna this blog is amazing. I’m just a bit worried though as I am a British citizen living and working in Malaysia. Will I be eligible for an e visa? I read somewhere you can’t have one if you are British citizen working oveseas. im only going there for one week in November. Do you think I will be ok to apply?

Thanks, glad you like the blog! 🙂 I haven’t heard of not being able to apply for an Indian visa if your working overseas. I wouldn’t think you should have any problems applying for an e visa for India.

Good luck and hope you have a good time in India 🙂

Hi there Great blog! Thank you. I can’t remember or find a previous visa number from 2004. Do you think I can just put unknown and write a note to say I no longer have the passport? Many thanks

I’m not sure as I’ve never tried applying without a previous visa number.

I guess if you can’t find it you’ll just have to do that but I can’t give you a definitive answer of what they will do as I’m not an immigration professional.

Good luck and hope you get your visa ok and have a good time in India 🙂

Thanks for all of this useful info! Going to be a great help when we head over to Anjuna next year. Our worry is, we want to do a full 9/12 month stint over there, so the worry of leaving after 180 days has me concerned, as we won’t be planning on going back to the UK. Any ideas? Can we go airside at the airport and sit there for 24 hours? or do we have to leave the country entirely and then come back? Also, do we have to go to London? or can we do it all by post? As we live in the ever cold Newcastle and it will be a pain in the butt to have to travel to the big smoke (I HATE IT)

TBH Your gonna get a lot of messages from us over the next 9 months before we go, as you’ve done exactly what we want to do, and your blog has been our main source of inspiration and information thus far. Thanks so much in advance.

Ted & Sarah x

Hi Ted and Sarah.

Exciting that you are moving to Anjuna and glad that my blog has helped.

You can apply for your visa by post – info is in this article. Everyone has to leave every 180 days but you can just go to Sri Lanka or Nepal and Dubai for 1 day and come straight back as long as your visa is still valid – you don’t need to go to UK. You can’t just sit in the airport – they won’t even let you into the airport without a flight ticket.

A lot of questions you get. Thanks a lot for giving feedback and support. I did wrote to you before regarding a visa.

Normally I do only book a one way ticket to visit a country.

India wants a return – or onwards ticket to issue the visa.

Now I am looking for a short flight ticket to get out of India. From where to where is not important. Just a good price is needed. And with this ticket I can apply the visa. I am not going to use this ticket anyway.

I will leave India before my Visa will expire anyway. But I do not know yet where I will go too. So I do have more time to think about my ongoing travel plans.

Any recommendations or ideas ?

Muchas gracias Silvio Hostal Capurgana, Capurgana, Kolumbien

Hello Anna.

I’m planning on visiting India around October 2019. I’ve been reading through all the useful information and links about applying for a 6 month tourist visa.

What confuses me is the point you make about validity. I quote, “Also, the validity of the visa begins from the date of issue by the High Commission of India and not from the date of travel on your application form.”

I take this to mean that on receipt of my visa it will display the “date of issue”. If I travel 3 months after the “date of issue” does it mean that I’m only able to visit India for 3 months?

I would be most grateful if you could clarify this point for me.

Thank you very much.

Hi Daniel, yes the visa starts on the day it’s issued. So if you get a 6 month visa but don’t enter India until 3 months after you got it then it will only have 3 months left on it. You can’t extend visas while in India either and overstaying results in a fine and ban on visiting India again so don’t risk it.

very helpful…

I am going to Mumbai for 8 days, then goa for 4 days, then back to mumbai for 3…then returning back to the UK.

Do i need to get a multiple entry or a single?

If you are only entering India once (in Mumbai I guess) and not leaving India then you only need a single entry visa

I’ve just been through the whole arduous process of applying for an Indian visa. For your purposes simple apply for an e-visa. It will suffice. It last for 60 days. Good luck with the visa and I hope you have a great time. Daniel

Yes, its quite an undertaking isn’t it just getting the visa. Glad you got your ok and hope you have a good trip to India! 🙂

Hi Anna, My partner (Uk resident), will be travelling to Australia and then wanted to join me in India for 10 days. Should he get an E-visa for india? He was told by the quantas air that he would have to come back to Uk and travel to india from Uk to go to india. Is that correct? A bit silly I feel

Hi Kay, Yes you can now get an e visa for India from anywhere in the world – no need to go back to your home country to apply. He should be fine applying for an e visa for India from Australia. Hope you have a good trip together 🙂

Thank you so much for this! I have been scouting the internet for so long for this information

Great! Hope it helps! I know how confusing applying for an Indian visa can be!

Hi Anna, Thank you for this blog post – I think this should be linked directly from the Indian Govt website! My girlfriend and I are coming to India for a 2 week adventure and I think I understand everything on the eVisa application form – except the bit where it asks for my National ID number. Do you know if that would be my National Insurance number? Or is that an “NA” answer? If you have any advice on that, I’d be really grateful. And thanks again for your great blog!

Hi Tom – thanks, glad it’s useful. No its your national identification number for example your passport number not national insurance. 🙂

[…] for a 6 or 12 month Indian Tourist Visa (here’s my step by step guide to help you) , make that decision, take the leap of faith and book a flight to India – and that’s the […]

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Tue 4 Jun 2024

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How to get a visa for India: Rules for UK applications explained with new measures to ease ‘stressful’ backlog

The uk has been excluded from the list of countries eligible for e-visas for travel to india. hundreds of holidays were disrupted as travellers struggled to secure an in-person visa appointment.

British tourists must apply for a visa to visit India , and are not eligible for e-visas, a rule that has caused disruption to hundreds of holidays.

However, the Indian High Commission has announced new “interim measures” to speed up applications, including a service that will collect relevant papers from your doorstep and return them once processed – for a fee.

Before the pandemic , the UK was among tens of countries from which most holidaymakers could use an e-visa to travel to India . The system was fairly straightforward and similar to applying for a US Esta.

It was reinstated for 156 countries when India fully reopened to tourism in February , but the UK was left off the list of eligible nationalities. The Indian High Commission confirmed on 7 October, following weeks of confusion, that Britons would need to attend in-person appointments and interviews to secure a visa.

In October, visa applicants reported difficulties securing a slot at the the nine processing centres across the UK, which were booked up well into November. Travellers who were able to book an appointment spoke of long waits at the centres and people being sent away due to small mistakes on their paperwork.

UK tour operators have cancelled many trips, and refunded customers. Some have stopped selling trips to India for the rest of the year.

Ashley Quint, holiday designer at Berkhamsted travel agency TravelTime World, told i that two clients had found the process “difficult” and “stressful”.

Last month, Aito, the specialist travel association, estimated that around 1,500 of its members’ bookings were affected.

Why can’t British tourists use an e-visa?

It is not clear why the UK was been excluded from the list of eligible countries; Canada has also been left off the list.

Theories include an administrative oversight with the end of the Brexit transition period having occurred between India suspending and reinstating its e-visas (all current EU member states are on the eligible list), or as a reciprocal measure given that it is an arduous process for Indian citizens to apply for a UK visa.

For now, there is no suggestion as to if, and when, e-visas might be reinstated for Britons.

How to get a visa for travel to India

You should make an appointment in good time ahead of your trip to India. These can be booked online .

There is a three-step process: After applying online, submit your documents at an Indian Visa Application Centre, then collect the documents from the centre or receive them via post. You can check the status of an application online .

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warns that you should make sure that you have the right visa and that it is valid for the purpose and duration of your stay.

Under the entry requirements on the India advice page, it adds: “If you enter India on the wrong visa, you could be detained on arrival and you may be deported and blacklisted, meaning that you cannot enter India again.”

More from Travel

There is further information available through the High Commission of India in London and the Government of India’s Bureau of Immigration .

The FCDO advises that overstaying your visa is an offence in India and to ensure you leave the country before your visa has expired.

Visa applicants of Pakistani origin who have dual nationality must apply for an Indian visa on their Pakistani passport.

The new measures to speed up applications

Indian High Commissioner, Vikram K Doralswami, said in a video posted on Twitter last week that the number of visa applications being handled for travel to India from the UK had doubled to 40,000 from 20,000 in a month as a result of changes made to the booking system in October.

The High Commissioner has previously said that the visa process had been “difficult”.

New visa processing centres have opened in Glasgow and Marylebone, London (the latter on 1 November) to help reduce waiting times.

A new “visa at your doorstep” service is also being introduced under which travellers can pay a fee to have their papers collected for processing and returned to them after processing.

To assist with this, the service provider will also offer a service at a small cost to have documents checked online before they are taken to be processed.

There will also be a form filling service for those that need extra help in completing the paperwork.

The Indian High Commission has yet to release details on how to apply and pay for these services.

Visas for group tours travelling to the same destination in India and on the same flights, usually with a tour operator, are available again as of 1 November.

What to do if you’re due to travel to India

If you are planning to travel to India in the next couple of months, then be sure to apply for a visa as soon as possible.

Travel agents have reported customers having to rely on appointments on the day before they travel.

Ashley Quint from TravelTime World told i : “ I have been trying to help a couple of people who have been caught up in this mess.

“They were panicking because the only date they could get for their appointment was the day before they were travelling and found the process difficult.”

“I believe they got their visa in the end, and were able to travel, but it was really to the wire and stressful.”

If travelling with a tour operator, or booking through a travel agent, contact them for the latest advice.

Most Read By Subscribers

• 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.

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Travelling to India from the UK

Travelling to India from the UK? At India Someday, we help you plan the ideal trip according to your requirements. In this article, we offer… Read More

Last Updated on March 30, 2024

Travelling to India from the UK? At India Someday, we help you plan the ideal trip according to your requirements. In this article, we offer extensive guidance on Indian Visa, vaccinations, flights, and more for British citizens.

Table of Contents

While travelling to India from the UK, you will need a visa or an e-visa. There are a number of visa categories in India. Ensure the right visa according to the purpose and duration of your visit.

If you are a UK passport holder applying for a tourist visa, you can simply apply for an e tourist visa. At India Someday, we can help you apply for the same. Tourist e-visa for UK citizens in India is available for thirty days, for one year and for five years duration. The cost for Indian visa for UK citizens depends on the type of visa. A tourist visa for a duration up to one year costs GBP 116, while a tourist e-visa for up to one year costs GBP 31.69.

For more information on this, see our blog post regarding eVisas .

If you are a British citizen of Pakistani origin, you will need to apply for an Indian tourist visa on a Pakistan passport. If you have renounced or cancelled your Pakistani passport, you will need to submit proof of the same. Keep in mind that this process will take much longer than other visa application processes.

For more information about obtaining an Indian visa for UK citizens, check your government’s website for further details.

VACCINations for India

While the UK doesn’t enforce any inoculations or medication for individuals travelling to India, some are strongly recommended, especially for at-risk individuals.

Boosters and courses that are usually advised are Diptheria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus and Typhoid. Vaccines that are advised in some cases are Cholera, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies. For some areas, it is advised to carry anti-malarial pills.

If you’re on any prescription drugs, carry a sufficient amount to last you the trip, along with the prescription for them as well. Make sure you know the generic names of these drugs in case you need to restock with local equivalents.

While in India, stick to bottled or filtered water, and eat hot and well-cooked food.

At least eight weeks before your trip, be sure to check with your GP, nurse, travel clinic, or healthcare professional for any information and the latest updates on any vaccinations and certificates that you may need. For more information, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk 

FLIGHTS and customs

UK passport holders can fly to Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, or Chennai from most major airports in the UK. Airfares skyrocket in June and July, so travel between September and March for cheaper flights.

There are strict rules in place about goods that can be brought in or taken out of India.

Possession and operation of satellite phones without a license is illegal in India. You will also need prior permission from the Indian authorities to bring equipment like listening or recording devices, radio transmitters, drones, powerful cameras, or binoculars into India.

There are also restrictions on bringing Indian money into India. Visitors and tourists cannot bring any amount of Indian currency into the country. If you are an Indian resident, you are allowed to bring up to INR 25,000 into the country.

If you are visiting India, you need to bring cash in pounds, travellers’ cheques, or a bank card and exchange or withdraw Indian rupees once you are in india.

Expect an extreme change in climate while travelling to India from the UK. With the exception of some parts in North India, India is widely a warm, tropical country. Indian summers begin in March and last until mid June. Temperatures can reach up to 45 degrees celsius. The intense heat is accompanied by high humidity and UV levels. For more information about Indian climate depending on the time of year, visit our blog posts regarding weather in India during different seasons .

Discover More: Learn About the Optimal Time to Explore India’s Beauty

cultural differences

While travelling to India from the UK, consider the fact that there is a huge difference in customs and traditions in both the countries. We suggest to always try to be modest, courteous, and conscious of your behaviour.

• It is important to remove your shoes before entering a home, a temple, or some stores, especially if you see others doing the same.
• When visiting places of religious significance, it is important to dress conservatively and to be mindful and respectful of local sentiments.
• Laws on decency are open to interpretation, so it is important to be careful about engaging in public displays of affection.
• Feet are considered as unclean by many. Be sure to always apologise if you step on something, or accidentally touch someone with your feet.
• Lack of personal space is common in India, do not be offended if people openly stare, or brush up against you in crowds or in a hurry. However, avoid crowded places if it makes you uncomfortable. If you feel unsafe, go to the police for help.
• English language is widely spoken in India, but it may be difficult to understand at first. Indian-English has its own rich, hybrid flavour borrowed from local languages.
• Smoking in public is illegal in India, though you’re likely to see everyone doing it. Just be aware that the law exists in case you’re questioned.

WHERE SHOULD I TRAVEL IN INDIA?

India is a huge, incredible and a fascinating country with a myriad of interesting experiences to do and see.

From the mighty Himalayas in the North, to the architectural wonder Taj Mahal in Agra, the deserts of Rajasthan and the beaches of Goa, there is so much to explore in India! Most travellers get flummoxed while planning a trip to India.

We would recommend a minimum of 14-day trip, especially if it is your first time here. This way, you can properly explore one or two regions in the country.

We have a wide variety of sample routes that may give you inspiration. If you have something else in mind, do not hesitate to contact us with your queries, and we will sort everything for you!

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND while travelling to India from the uk

If you plan well and do enough research, travelling to India from the UK is not too difficult. No matter where you go, you need to prepare yourself for all kinds of possibilities, such as travel delays, illnesses, lost baggage, or insufficient funds.

Here are some important things to keep in mind while planning your trip to India from the UK.

Visa and passport formalities

Keep your travel documents in place before you visit India. UK passport holders need a tourist visa to travel to India, so apply online starting three months prior to your visit up to four days before. UK passports can get the Indian e-visa, and we can help you with the same.

Whether you are a UK citizen or EU citizen, your passport should be valid for at least six months, so make your travel plans accordingly. Travellers must double-check visa requirements and latest updates for the country they are visiting before they embark on the journey.

Always keep copies of all your documents, e-visa, and passport photos, in case you misplace the originals.

If you are not attuned to the change in climatic conditions, there may be an increased risk of health problems,especially where a medical facility may not be readily available. Pack essential medicines and consult your doctor for vaccines and health advice before your trip.

Common health risks that UK nationals should be mindful of include food-related illnesses and mosquito-borne diseases.

Drink bottled water, avoid ice and opt for cooked foods. This way you are safe from raw or contaminated food, which you are likely not to digest. Apply mosquito repellent and wear protective clothing. Face masks can help protect you from pollution. It is an essential travel item in india.

You need to stay healthy in order to truly enjoy exploring India. If you feel unwell, seek medical treatment promptly. Travel insurance is a must.

Food & Water Safety

When in India, you have to try the country’s diverse and delectable cuisine. But local food also means an increased risk of stomach problems. Some advice we can give you is to opt for hot, freshly cooked meals in good, well-known restaurants. Eating at local, less fancy restaurants offer higher risk of ingestion and stomach problems. Avoid street food unless it’s cooked right in front of you. Drink bottled or boiled water and use the same for brushing teeth. Be cautious with raw vegetables and fruits – peel them yourself so that you are ensuring you don’t eat contaminated food. Hand sanitizer and practising good hygiene will ensure low risk of infections, allergies or stomach problems. Your taste buds will thank you!

For the Adventurers

North India offers breathtaking locations for hikes in places like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. If you are planning an adventure trip or a trek, make sure you pack appropriate gear for the changing weather and challenging terrains. Be sure to check weather forecasts before starting a trek and keep someone informed about your plans.

Acclimatise to high altitudes to prevent acute motion sickness. Respect nature and the local customs – leave no trace and take no risk.

Can UK tourists travel to India?

All British passport holders are eligible to travel to India provided they obtain a valid travel visa to enter India. The visa type could be tourist, business, student or resident, each having its own requirements and regulations. Once the visa has been approved, the UK citizen is free to travel to the country.

Are British citizens allowed to travel to India?

Yes, British citizens are allowed to enter India and travel within the country for tourism or recreation with a valid passport and a tourist visa. UK passport holders will need to apply for and obtain the necessary Indian visa before they travel. The Indian visa can be applied for online, on the approval of which travellers will receive an electronic visa (or e-visa), which will suffice as an entry document for British citizens.

What are the entry requirements for UK citizens traveling to India?

UK citizens need a passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry in India. Your passport must have 2 blank pages for your visa. You will also need a visa or an e-visa to travel to India, unless you are an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder. If you hold a valid OCI card, you can use it along with your British passport; you do not need a visa.

How much Indian currency can I carry to India?

UK citizens and foreigners in general are not allowed to import Indian rupees to India. However, there is no limit to how much foreign currency you can carry to India. However,  you will have to declare it if the amount exceeds US$5,000 in notes and coins, or US$10,000 in notes, coins, and traveller’s cheques. If you are an Indian resident, you can carry up to INR 25,000.

How much is Indian visa for UK citizens?

The fee for Indian visa for UK citizens depends on the type of visa. A tourist visa for a duration up to one year costs GBP 116.

How much does the Indian e-visa cost?

An Indian tourist e-visa for 30 days costs GBP 19.80.

Can I drive in India with a UK license?

UK citizens can drive in India with a UK license and an accompanying international driving permit after you arrive. However, the rules about how long you can drive on a UK license can differ from state to state.

What is some good advice for someone travelling to India for the first time?

A piece of advice for first-time travellers in India is not to try to experience everything in one trip. India’s regional and cultural diversity can be overwhelming. But it is not possible to cover everything in India in one short trip. So take your time and explore one or two regions leisurely. Make sure the areas you choose are frequented by other travellers. Watch what you eat. Stay healthy and safe.

About Harsh Sonawala

Harsh Sonawala is the co founder of India Someday and since his childhood, he has travelled to different parts of India and the world. The thrill of travelling and sharing his experiences with others was the reason behind starting India Someday. Other than the office where he is conjuring up marketing ideas, he can be found scuba diving in the Andamans or relaxing in a chalet in the Himalayas.

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Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Emergencies

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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

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Quick Facts

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

Two pages required.

Yes. Travelers must enter with a visa in their passport. The visa is valid for 10 years for U.S. citizens. Or they can use an e-tourist visa, which varies in validity. Note that the Indian authorities issue visas with dates in the DD/MM/YY format.

Travelers arriving from an infected area must have a yellow fever vaccination. Others are suggested.

You must declare currency over USD $5,000 at entry. Please check with the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. if you are planning to carry a large amount of currency or gold into India.

Check local law for rules on reporting large amounts of foreign currency and Indian rupees when leaving.

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 U.S. 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 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, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, and the union territory of Diu and Daman, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

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

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. .

U.S. Consulate General Chennai 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 [email protected]

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 the Lakshwadeep Islands. 

U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad Survey No. 115/1, Financial District, Nanakramguda Hyderabad, Telangana, 500032 Telephone:+(91) (40) 6932 8000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 4033-8300 and ask for American Citizen Services. (If calling from within India, but outside Hyderabad, first dial 040. From the United States, first dial 011-(91) (40))   Fax: 4033-8306  [email protected]

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

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on India for information on U.S.-India relations.

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. India may deny entry to travelers without valid documents or the correct type of visa. Indian visa rules and instructions change often. They often do so with little warning. Travelers should 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 before their arrival. Please visit the  Indian government's website for electronic travel authorization for more information and to submit an application visit the Bureau of Immigration’s website.

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 for individuals in the United States. Applicants may apply for Indian visas through the application link . Please exercise caution and check the correct website and as there are many fake webpages that will gather your personal information.

You can submit Diplomatic and Official visa applications directly to the Indian Embassy and Consulates. All U.S. government employees traveling on official orders, including military personnel, must get country clearance for travel to India. Once you have received your visa, check it carefully to ensure that the type of visa, validity dates, 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 saving 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 permit from the Indian government. Replacing a lost visa, which is required to exit the country, may take several 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. Similarly, if you are traveling to India to give birth, you must register your newborn’s birth within 14 days with the FRRO office. Failure to do so will result in fines, fees, and penalties. The FRRO has 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 break Indian visa rules, you may need clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs to leave. In general, authorities will fine you and, in some cases, may even jail you 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 an exit permit can take up to 90 days in these cases. Decisions will be made case by case.  

Possession of a satellite phone is strictly prohibited in India and may lead to detention or arrest.

For the most current information on entry and exit requirements, please contact the  Embassy of India’s Consular wing  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, you should inquire 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. This includes local customs and etiquette. Keep a low profile. Monitor local news reports, vary routes and times in carrying out daily activities, and consider the level of security present when visiting public places, including religious sites, and when choosing hotels, restaurants, and entertainment and recreation venues.

India intermittently experiences terrorist and insurgent activities which may affect U.S. citizens directly or indirectly. Some U.S.-designated terrorist groups are active in India, including 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. 

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. You are urged to obey any imposed curfews and travel restrictions and 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. 

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 years past. 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. You should monitor local television, print and social media, and Mission India’s American Citizens Services  Facebook page

Swimming:  You should exercise caution if you intend to swim in open waters along the Indian coastline, particularly during the monsoon season. Every year, 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. Several years ago, there were reports of fatal crocodile attacks in the Andaman Islands. Trained lifeguards are very rare along beaches.

Wildlife Safaris:  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 advisable 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 or safaris.

Trekking:  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. Altitudes in popular trekking spots can exceed 25,000 feet (7,620 m); please ensure 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 is generally 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 death and serious injury of passengers.

Areas of Instability: Jammu & Kashmir:  The Department of State recommends that you do not 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. 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) and may require a travel permit to enter this area.

India-Pakistan Border:  The Department of State recommends that you do not 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 sporadically 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 certain areas in the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, 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, unless they are only visiting capital cities.

Restricted/Protected areas:  Certain states or portions of states require Restricted Area Permits. These 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, you should be aware that the Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Center in 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  ,  Chennai ,  Hyderabad , and  Kolkata .

Crime:  Violent crime, especially directed against foreigners, has traditionally been uncommon. 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 skilled and travelers have reported having their bags snatched, purse-straps cut, or the bottom of their purses slit without their knowledge. If 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. 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. Scammers have used ATM card scams to clone credit card details and withdraw money.

Individuals have reported cases of sexual assault, including rape, against U.S. citizens traveling throughout India.

The U.S. government cautions citizens, especially women, not to travel alone in India. Please observe stringent security precautions. When traveling without known and trustworthy companions, use public transport specifically designated for “women-only” travelers, which is a free service offered by the Indian government in many metropolitan cities including Delhi and Hyderabad. Please restrict evening entertainment to well-known venues and avoid isolated areas when traveling alone at any time of the 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). If you use app-based services like “Uber” or “Ola” share your ride information with a friend.

Travelers in India are advised to respect local dress and customs. Indian women typically wear conservative everyday dress. This is the norm throughout the country, and even more so in rural areas. They wear clothing that covers their legs and shoulders. Exceptions are vacation resorts catering to foreign clientele and some neighborhoods of major cities like 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 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 marketplaces, 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 more on addressing gender-based violence. One outcome has been more reports of sexual assault nationwide. Indian authorities report rape is one of India's fastest growing crimes.

If you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, you should call the police immediately and follow up with a call to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. We can sometimes connect you with an Indian non-governmental organization that may be able to provide assistance.  

Please review our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

If you are victimized overseas, you may be entitled to receive compensation for counseling and/or other services such as relocation back to the United States. For further information, visit the U.S. Department of Justice page for violence against women.

Scams are common at major airports, train stations, popular restaurants, and tourist sites. Scam artists prey on visitors by creating distractions. Be careful of taxi drivers and others. This includes train porters. They solicit travelers with "come-on" offers of cheap transportation and/or hotels. Travelers who accept such offers are often the victims of scams. These include offers to help with "necessary" transfers to the domestic airport, overpriced hotel rooms, unwanted "tours," unwelcome "purchases," long cab rides, and even threats when the tourists decline to pay. Tourists have reported being lured and extorted for money in the face of threats of violence against the traveler and his/her family members. Be careful when hiring transportation and guides. Use only well-known travel agents to book trips.

Some vendors sell carpets, jewelry, and gemstones. These items may be expensive and not of the promised quality. 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. Do not agree to transport any goods on behalf of strangers in exchange for money.

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 . 

In another common scam, family members in the United States, especially older people, are asked for money. The scammers claim 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.

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 consulates cannot give legal advice. They also cannot help U.S. citizens with Indian courts on civil or criminal matters. A list of local attorneys is available on the Embassy and Consulates General  websites .

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 information on victims’ 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

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 can't act without a police report. 

If your passport is stolen, report the theft or loss right away. Report it to the police in the place where your passport was stolen. You need an FIR to get an exit visa to leave India. The Indian government requires it if the lost passport had 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 discuss treatment and prevention options for diseases and pregnancy. You should be aware that 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. 

India has many resources 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 1098.

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 or Consulates 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. You may face arrest, imprisonment, and/or deportation if you violate local laws, even unknowingly.  

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.

If police or prison officials arrest or detain you, immediately ask them to notify the U.S. Embassy. See our  webpage  for further information.

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

Several U.S. citizens at Indian airports have been arrested for attempting to smuggle illegal drugs from India. Many claim 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.

U.S. citizens of Indian descent can apply for 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 must use a U.S. passport when traveling in and out of the United States.

Faith-based travelers and those participating in religious activities should refer to the Department of State's Report on International Religious Freedom. Indian law mandates that individuals engaging in religious proselytizing obtain a "missionary" visa. Immigration authorities have determined that engaging in certain activities, such as speaking at religious meetings open to the general public, could violate immigration law if the traveler does not possess 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 religion to another. If you plan to engage in missionary activity, you may want to seek legal advice to find out if Indian law permits the activities you plan to pursue.

Tourists should also mind restrictions and observances when planning to visit any religious establishment. These include Hindu temples, mosques, churches, and other sacred places to 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 rules are strict. Before traveling to or from India, inspect all bags and clothes well. Make sure they do not contain banned items. Airport security officials have arrested or detained several U.S. citizens after discovering loose ammunition (including spent individual bullets and casings) or weapons in their luggage. If authorities find loose ammunition or bullets (including empty bullet shells used in souvenirs) on your person or in your bags, they will charge you with violating the Indian Arms Act, and may incarcerate or deport you from India.

Additionally, Indian authorities have arrested and prosecuted U.S. citizens for possessing satellite phones, which is strictly prohibited in India.

Indian customs authorities enforce strict regulations. They cover temporary importation into or export from India of items like antiquities, electronics, currency, ivory, gold objects, and other banned materials. You need permission from the Government of India 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 Indian law enforcement charges you with any legal violations, make sure to have an attorney review any document before signing 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 Dehradun, 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 unavailability of goods and services, including supplies for multiple days after a severe weather event.

Accessibility:  Individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation in India 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.

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

LGBTQI+ Travelers: The Supreme Court of India decriminalized same-sex relationships in 2018. Since then, state and union governments have been directed to develop reforms that protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons, including efforts to provide gender neutral bathrooms at schools and colleges and separate housing for gender-nonconforming and transgender persons in prison.

Although Indian law prohibits discrimination by state and nonstate actors based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, the government is inconsistent in implementing and enforcing these laws, and reports of widespread discrimination, harassment, threats, and violence against LGBTQI+ persons, particularly in rural areas or by local police, persist. See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our  Human Rights  report for further details.

For emergency services in India, 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.

Zika, dengue, malaria, measles, and other diseases are present in India. See the Center 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. 

Make sure your health insurance covers care overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  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. 

Pharmaceuticals: Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with limited controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. When buying medication, consult with a medical professional and purchase from reputable establishments. Please visit the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention website on counterfeit drugs for more information.

Water Quality: Water is a common vehicle for the transmission of disease. Impure drinking water can transmit serious diseases such as typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, and dysentery. You can make water safe for drinking by filtering/boiling, distilling, or using chemicals. Bottled water is generally safe for consumption. It is best to stick to the major brands. The water bottle seal or cap should be intact.

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 areas with yellow-fever risk, Indian health regulations require that you present evidence of vaccination against yellow fever. If you lack such proof, authorities may immediately deport you or detain you in the yellow-fever quarantine center for six days. If you travel through any part of sub-Saharan Africa, even for one day, health authorities advise you to carry proof of yellow fever immunization.

Dogs and bats create a high risk of rabies transmission in most of India. Health authorities recommend vaccination 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 transmission occurs 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. During the flu season, health authorities recommend that all travelers get the influenza vaccine.

Outbreaks of avian influenza (H5N1 virus) occur intermittently in eastern India, including West Bengal, Manipur, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Assam.

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

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in India. Please visit the CDC website or more information.

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  Department of State’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. 

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 back seats of taxis and rideshare vehicles. 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, including the use of driving lanes. 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, in some areas, they are often driven fast, recklessly, and without consideration for the rules of the road. Accidents are 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. Your U.S. driver’s license will not work. 

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: 

• National Emergency 112 
• Police 100 
• 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 Management 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.

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India Tourist Visa for UK citizens: Apply for your India Visa now

As a UK citizen, you'll need an India Visa to enter the country. Don't worry; we've got you covered! This guide will take you through the requirements and application process, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.

Get ready to discover the wonders of India by applying for your India Tourist eVisa now.

Do UK citizens need a visa for India?

Yes, to embark on your Indian adventure and explore its captivating wonders, as a UK citizen, you need to apply for an Indian Visa before entering the country.

There are a few types of Indian eVisa available for UK citizens. The type of visa you choose will depend on the purpose of your trip.

India visa for UK citizens: Available types

Here are the Indian visas available for UK citizens:

The Tourist Visa is for those visiting India for tourism purposes, such as sightseeing, visiting friends and family, or attending cultural events.

You’ll need a Business Visa if traveling to India for business purposes, such as attending conferences, meetings, or trade fairs.

The Medical Visa : This visa is for those seeking medical treatment in India. It's issued to the patient and two attendants and is sometimes called the e-medical attendant visa.

What is the India Tourist Visa for UK citizens?

The India Tourist Visa (also known as the India e-tourist visa or India e-visa) for UK citizens is an electronic travel document that allows British citizens to visit India for tourism and recreational purposes. It grants permission to explore India's incredible attractions, historical sites, cultural heritage, and natural beauty.

How long is the India Tourist Visa valid For UK nationals?

There are three different types of tourist eVisas . Each has a different validity period. Your options for a tourist visa are:

The 30-day Double-Entry India Tourist Visa

The 1-year Multiple-Entry India Tourist Visa

The 5-year Multiple-Entry India Tourist Visa

This blog on Indian visa validity and allowed stay has detailed information on the specifics of each type of visa.

Note : All Indian e-Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible.

Who is eligible to get an India Tourist Visa in the UK?

The eligibility criteria for an Indian Tourist Visa in the UK are as follows:

Nationality : You must be a British citizen. All UK passport holders are eligible to apply for an Indian Tourist Visa.

Purpose : The visa is for tourism and recreational activities in India. It is not applicable for business purposes or employment.

Valid passport : Applicants must possess a valid UK passport with at least six months of validity remaining from the date of arrival in India.

Application process : UK citizens can apply for the India Tourist Visa with us.

Supporting documents : The application requires supporting documents such as a recent passport-size photograph, proof of accommodation in India, a travel itinerary, proof of financial means to cover the trip, and a return ticket or onward travel details.

It's essential to note that the final decision on granting the India Tourist Visa rests with the Indian authorities. Meeting the eligibility criteria doesn't guarantee approval, and it's advisable for British passport holders to carefully follow the application guidelines and provide accurate information to increase the chances of a successful visa application.

India Tourist Visa application: How to apply in the UK

The process is simple with our services and can be completed in just three easy steps. Here's how:

Step 1 : Visit our website and complete the online form. Provide your general information and select the type of visa you wish to apply for.

Step 2 : Review the information you provided to ensure its accuracy. Choose the processing option that best suits your requirements.

Step 3 : Pay the service fee using PayPal, Venmo, or a credit or debit card. Upload the necessary documents, including a passport photo and a scanned copy of your passport.

Once you've completed these three steps, simply submit your application and sit back while we handle the rest! You can expect to receive your e-visa in your email inbox within your selected timeframe.

Remember to carry both a printed and electronic copy of your Tourist eVisa during your travels. This will allow immigration officers to verify your e-Visa India status upon arrival quickly.

We recommend installing the iVisa app on your mobile phone for your convenience. With this app, you can keep track of your documents digitally, monitor the status of your application, and receive real-time alerts.

Necessary documents for the India Tourist Visa for UK citizens

A valid UK passport with a minimum of six months validity remaining from the intended arrival date in India.

Completed India Tourist Visa application form with accurate and up-to-date information.

Recent passport-size photograph (2x2 inches) with a white background.

Travel itinerary specifying the intended travel dates, places to be visited, and accommodation arrangements.

Proof of financial means to cover the expenses during your stay in India, such as bank statements or traveler's checks.

Proof of return or onward travel , such as a confirmed flight ticket.

Need more information?

If you need more info about traveling to India for tourism, medical assistance, or business, please contact us via online chat or 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

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If you're looking to make a smooth start to your journey, you need to make sure you have the right documents, such as a valid passport and the relevant visas.

To help, we've summarised some of the key considerations and requirements here - but it's not a full list of all possible requirements around the world. It's your responsibility to ensure you have the right documents to be allowed to travel.

Passports and ID cards

To travel on an international flight your passport must:

• Have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter a country . Check the Date of Issue on your passport.
• Be valid for the required time after your planned return date . This is often at least three or six months after the day you plan to leave your destination. Check the Expiry Date on your passport.
• Meet the specific passport validity requirements for your destination . Check the  IATA Travel Centre  for more information.
• Be signed by its owner . Please ensure each passport is signed with the owner's signature. You may be denied entry or fined in some countries for travelling with an unsigned passport. More information is available for UK passport holders at  HM Passport Office .

Children's passports

Children need their own passports to travel internationally, including infants under two. Infant and children's passports are only valid for five years, so please check the expiry date before departure.

EU, EEA or Swiss national ID cards

These are are no longer accepted as valid documentation for entering the UK, unless you’re exempt. Please check the latest  UK Government advice  for more details.

Please note, it’s your responsibility to ensure you have valid documentation when you travel.  If you fail to comply with these requirements, you may not be allowed to travel, or you may be refused entry at your destination and have to pay associated costs.

You do not require a passport to travel within the UK, but you will need to carry one type of photographic ID when travelling with us. Examples include:

• Valid passport
• Valid driving licence, either provisional or full
• Valid EU national identity card
• Valid armed forces identity card
• Valid police warrant card or badge

If you are a citizen of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man and were born in these areas, you do not need a passport to travel between these destinations, but you do require some form of photographic identification, such as a driving licence.

All other travellers require a valid passport to travel between these destinations.

Processing times for passports vary but it may take six weeks or longer to receive a passport after applying, so we advise that you wait until your passport has arrived before making a booking. Many countries offer fast-track applications where required.

If you need a passport or need to renew an existing one you can apply directly to your nation’s passport office. In the UK, that’s the UK passport service .

If you’d like help with your application, British Airways has partnered with VisaCentral, a company that will do all of the hard work for you. VisaCentral can help with passport renewals and replacements, name changes, second passports and new passports for children. Plus, as a British Airways customer you’ll get a 30% discount on the service fees.

Get a passport through VisaCentral

If there is a place on your passport for you to sign, please sign your passport with your signature. Your passport is not valid until it is signed . For British passports, you can learn more from  HM Passport Office .

Visas and other travel documentation

How to check if you need a visa

Depending on your nationality and the purpose of your journey, you may need a visa, or an equivalent form of authorisation, for every country you enter as part of your journey — even if you are only in transit or connecting from one flight to another in the airport of that country without going through border control — known as a transit visa.

This is in addition to a valid passport.

There are several ways you can check if you need a visa:

Check if you need a visa via the IATA Travel Centre  - it's free to check and also includes passport and health requirements, as well as customs, currency and airport information.

If you need a visa, our partner VisaCentral can help  - it's free to check and they’ll tell you exactly what documents you need to get one. Plus, as a British Airways customer, you’ll get a 30% discount on VisaCentral service fees should you need help with an application.

Check if you need a transit visa to connect through the UK  - even if you’re only connecting from one flight to another, you may need a transit visa, such as a Direct Airside Transit (DATV) visa or a Visitor in Transit visa, to connect through the UK.

Check if you need a visa via the Sherpa online search tool below .  Sherpa can also help obtain many e-visas, and advise of other possible information you may need for your travels.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

An ETA will soon be required for people travelling to the UK who do not need a visa, including children and babies. It will be electronically linked to your passport and will give you permission:

• To visit the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or to study.
• To visit the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession .
• To transit through the UK – including if you’re not going through the UK border control.

An ETA will be required from 15 November 2023 when travelling from certain countries, with more being added to the scheme over time. Please check if you require an ETA .

Read further information and apply for an ETA  or watch more about ETA .

The information provided on this page is for information purposes only and could be subject to change at very short notice. It is your responsibility to check and observe all the health and entry requirements applicable to your journey and you should always check the latest travel guidance from your government before you travel and the guidance provided by the relevant public authorities of your destination. Failure to meet applicable requirements means that British Airways will not be able to carry you, and compensation and care and assistance provisions will not apply. Please note that Sherpa is a third party service provider that may apply fees for such services.

Entry requirements and other travel documents

If you're a citizen of a country covered by the Visa Waiver Programme (such as the UK) you are able to travel to the USA with an Electronic System Travel Authorisation (ESTA) instead of a visa.

Make sure you apply for your ESTA at least 72 hours before your departure .You may not be allowed to travel if you arrive at the airport without an ESTA.

You will need a valid e-Passport to use ESTA. These have a microchip symbol on their front cover. ESTAs are valid for multiple journeys for up to two years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.

Apply for an ESTA

More about the Visa Waiver Program and ESTAs

When you need a visa

You will need to apply for a visa to travel to the United States and should contact your local US Embassy in the following circumstances:

• If you are a citizen of a country not covered by the Visa Waiver Programme.
• If you have dual nationality with one passport being issued by a country eligible under the Visa Waiver Programme and the other issued by Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria.
• If you have an ESTA and have visited Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria since 1 March 2011.

Help with your ESTA application

Our partner VisaCentral can take the hard work out of applying, and offers a safe, secure and easy way to obtain your ESTA. Benefits of using its service include:

• Specialist support – access to a visa specialist via phone or email if you have questions regarding your application.
• Automated monitoring - applications not instantly approved automatically get resubmitted or assigned to a visa specialist for review; there’s no need to re-apply.
• Discounted rate – get a 30% discount on VisaCentral's handling fees as a British Airways customer.

Get an ESTA through VisaCentral

Many visitors need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization to travel to Canada. You can check Canada’s entry requirements before flying.

Alternatively, our partner VisaCentral can quickly, securely and easily obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization for you.

Get an eTA through VisaCentral

If you're travelling to China, you'll need to check what type of visa you require. Transit visas are available if you are staying for less than 144 hours.

If you have a British passport, the GOV.UK website shows what types of are available when travelling to or through China.

Find out more about visa requirements for China  (British passport holders only)

If you have a passport from any other country, please ensure you check with your nearest Chinese Embassy .

Alternatively, our partner VisaCentral can quickly, securely and easily obtain a Visa for you.

Get a visa through VisaCentral

If you are travelling to India, you may be able to obtain an eTourist Visa online, just four days before you travel. The visa will be valid for 60 days and you will need to present a printed copy when you check in to be able to travel.

Find out more and apply for India e-Tourist Visa

Alternatively, our partner VisaCentral can quickly, securely and easily obtain an eTourist Visa for you.

While we make every effort to keep this information up to date, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) visa restrictions can change at short notice. Please  check the IATA Travel Centre  before you book.

If you are a pilgrim

If you are a Hajj or Umrah pilgrim, you must enter KSA through Jeddah with a valid Hajj or Umrah visa. Travel must be between the official pilgrimage travel dates.

You cannot:

• travel for Hajj using an Umrah visa
• travel for Umrah using a Hajj visa
• enter, transfer or transit through Riyadh
• travel outside of the official pilgrimage dates determined by the Saudi authorities each year

If you are travelling from the UK, we recommend to book through our specialist partner Masterfare who can arrange your flight and Hajj/Umrah visa through a KSA Ministry of Hajj approved agent.

If you are travelling from another country, or you book on ba.com, it is your responsibility to ensure you get the correct pilgrimage visa from a KSA Ministry of Hajj-approved Hajj or Umrah agent.

If you do not have the correct documentation, or have booked to travel outside the official pilgrimage dates, you will not be allowed to travel or be able to get a refund.

Non-pilgrim visitors

If you are not Muslim, you can enter Jeddah or Riyadh at any time using a business or visit visa.

If you are Muslim, are using a business or visit visa during Hajj, or are travelling in the 6-week period up to and including Hajj, you must enter KSA through Riyadh.

If you are Muslim with a business or visit visa, you will need a Hajj visa to travel during the official pilgramage travel dates.

These restrictions do not apply to residents or citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

KSA visa restrictions change at short notice. Please check the IATA Travel Centre before you book.

Some countries' immigration departments require additional documentation for all children under 18 years travelling into, out of or transiting their country. This varies depending on the country so please check before you travel on the IATA Travel Centre. Just make sure you use the date of birth of your child to receive the correct information.

South Africa requirements

If you need a visa for your journey, you can apply directly with the embassy or high commission of the country you want to travel to — visit their website or local consulate to learn more about the process.

Alternatively, our partner VisaCentral can do all of the hard work for you:

• it's a safe, secure and easy way to obtain your visa
• it can help save time — VisaCentral will stand in line at the embassy or consulate on your behalf
• you'll get a 30% discount on handling fees as a British Airways customer

Advance Passenger Information (API)

Many countries require us to collect some passport and travel information about who's flying into their country. The information you provide is sent securely to the necessary government authorities.

You will need to supply some or all of the following details:

• your full name (as it appears on your passport)
• your date of birth
• your gender
• your nationality
• your passport number
• your passport expiry date
• the country that issued your passport
• your country of residence.

Additionally, when travelling to the US, you will need to provide:

• the destination address of your first night’s stay
• Alien Registration Number (Green Card) for those who have US residency
• Traveler Redress Number   if you have one (this enables travellers who have experienced problems entering the US to avoid future difficulties).

If you're a US citizen and have a 'Global Entry' number, you don't need to provide this as part of your API. When you arrive in the US your Global Entry status will be recognised when you use the dedicated Immigration kiosk.

Some governments require us to provide them with information from flight bookings, which will contain additional passenger details to those listed above.

You can add Advance Passenger Information to your booking on ba.com using   Manage My Booking . If there is any information you need to provide, you'll see a red exclamation mark against the passenger information section at the top of the page.

Add Advance Passenger Information

Legal statement for US flights

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the US Department of Homeland Security requires us to collect information from you for purposes of watch list screening, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. section 114, and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Providing this information is voluntary; however, if you don't provide it, you may be subject to additional screening or denied transport or authorisation to enter the post-security area. TSA may share information you provide with law enforcement or intelligence agencies or others under its published system of records notice. For more on TSA Privacy policies, or to view the system of records notice and the privacy impact assessment, visit   tsa.gov .

Travel schemes

If you are a national of one of the below countries you can join the 'Registered Traveller' scheme and enjoy faster entry to the UK, as long as you have a biometric passport.

When you apply, the UK Border Force carries out checks to see if you are eligible to join. If accepted, you won't need to fill out a landing card for the UK. You'll be able to enter the UK at the ePassport gates or the UK/EU lanes at several UK airports, including all London airports, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester.

Find out more or apply for the Registered Traveller scheme

UK citizens can get through US passport control faster by joining Global Entry, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) programme. The scheme allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers arriving in the United States. Benefits include:

• no processing queues
• no requirement to complete a paper customs declaration form
• reduced waiting times
• TSA Pre✓® Eligibility (faster, more efficient security screening at participating US airports).

Membership lasts for five years and the application process includes background checks (at a non-refundable cost of £42 payable to the UK government), online enrolment with the US Customs and Border Protection Agency (at a non-refundable cost of USD100) and attendance at a face to face interview at an official enrolment centre.

More about Global Entry and FAQs

Apply for Global Entry

We participate in the TSA Pre✓ ® programme for customers with a Known Traveller Number (KTN) departing from US airports. TSA Pre✓ ® is a faster, easier security screening process at US airports. Once enrolled, you will be able to speed through security without removing shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets.

Who is eligible?

• Members of the Global Entry scheme.
• US citizens and US lawful permanent residents enrolled in TSA Pre✓ ® , NEXUS or SENTRI. 
• Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS. 

Enter your Global Entry, TSA Pre✓®, NEXUS or SENTRI membership number (your KTN) into your booking each time you travel to demonstrate your eligibility. You can add your KTN during online check-in via   Manage My Booking   on ba.com, at an airport desk or by   contacting us .

Even if you are eligible for TSA Pre✓ ® as a member of a trusted traveller programme, TSA Pre✓ ® does not guarantee expedited screening.

Find out more and enrol

Find out where TSA Pre✓ ® is available  

Where a TSA Pre✓ ® lane is not available, you can show your TSA Pre✓ ® boarding pass and may receive a form of expedited screening in a standard lane.

You can now submit an electronic arrival card via the Web Service and Mobile App before you arrive in Singapore. You will then be able to head directly to immigration clearance, allowing you to avoid unnecessary delays and save time at the airport.

COVID-19 information

Keeping our customers and colleagues safe at all times is always our number one priority. During the pandemic we introduced new measures including the need to wear face coverings.

Customers are no longer required to wear a mask at airports in England, however, as an international airline flying all around the world, we are obliged to ensure our customers continue to comply with local restrictions and meet the requirements of the destination they arrive at.

Therefore, we ask you to check the requirements of the destination you’re flying to before departing for the airport, because:

• If you are travelling on our flights, you will be required to wear a mask on board if the destination you are flying to or from requires you to.
• If you are travelling on our flights, you will be required to wear a mask to disembark the aircraft, and at your arrival airport, if the destination you are flying to requires it.

Countries requiring masks

You will need to wear a mask if you are travelling to or from the below destinations. Please also be aware that some countries require a specific type of mask, as indicated.

If your destination is not listed below, then you are not required to wear a mask. However, if you still wish to wear a mask you’re able to make a personal choice and we kindly request everyone to respect each other’s preferences.

Please note, if your flight is due to be operated by another airline on behalf of British Airways, you may still be required to wear a mask for your flights regardless of your destination. We advise that you bring your own mask with you if flying with a partner airline to ensure you meet any requirements.

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

Home » Visas » Foreign Transit Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens

Transit Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens

The following table describes the transit visa requirements for citizens of India who are in the U.S.A. on a non-immigrant visa, whose non-immigrant visas are either valid or expired or there is an Adjustment of Status (I-485) pending, and who have either received their Advance Parole or not. When such individuals travel between the U.S.A. and India, depending upon the airline they use and transit locations, there may be different transit visa requirements. Please note that transit visa requirements are enforced by the particular country where the transit place is located and not by the individual airline itself.

• The above requirements are true only if you are not changing any airports at the place of transit. A transit visa would be required in most places if you are changing airports. (Like London-Heathrow to London-Gatwick and vice versa).
• These requirements are only for citizens of India in the U.S.A. who don’t have a green card. For citizens of other countries, look at the links below for further detailed requirements.
• In case a transit visa is required for your specific journey, look at the links below to get more information about getting a transit visa.
• If your particular journey requires multiple stops in different countries, make sure to check the list of all concerned countries to figure out whether you require a transit visa or not. E.g., if you are flying on Kuwait Airlines en route U.S.-London-Kuwait-India, you will not require a transit visa in Kuwait but will require one in London, UK. If the same airline’s route is U.S.-Kuwait-India, you will not require a transit visa.

More Details:

Non-U.S.A. Transit Visa Germany Transit Visa Airport Transit Visa – Schengen Transit Visa Insurance

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Israel asks citizens to leave Maldives after island’s ban on Israeli nationals

Maldives government will appoint special envoy to assess palestinian needs and launch fundraising campaign, article bookmarked.

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Israel has advised its citizens to leave the Maldives after the government of the Indian Ocean archipelago announced a ban on entry of Israeli nationals amid the war in Gaza .

The Maldives government on Sunday announced that the cabinet would change laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the nation.

The Mohamed Muizzu government said it would establish a subcommittee to oversee the process and appoint a special envoy to assess the Palestinian needs and launch a fundraising campaign.

The announcement prompted the Israeli foreign ministry to advise Israeli nationals, including those with foreign passports, against travelling to the islands. The ministry has also urged those living in the archipelago to leave.

“For Israeli citizens already in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, because if they find themselves in distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to assist,” Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement.

A total of 528 Israel nationals have visited the Maldives in the first four months of this year, dropping from 4,644 during the same period in 2023, according to Maldives government data.

Nearly 11,000 Israelis visited Maldives last year, which accounted for 0.6 per cent of the total tourist arrivals.

Earlier in December, Israel warned its citizens against visiting Maldives due to "increased anti-Israel sentiment" following prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's offensive on Gaza.

The warning was issued “due to the heightened anti-Israel atmosphere, including public comments by officials", according to Times of Israel .

While both nations do not have diplomatic ties after they were suspended in 1974, Israelis have been allowed to visit the picturesque island since it lifted its ban on Israeli tourists in the 1990s.

Israeli authorities on Monday took to social media to urge citizens to visit India’s Lakshadweep islands as an alternative to the Maldives.

“Thanks to the Maldives Government’s decision Israelis can now explore the beautiful beaches of Lakshadweep,” Kobbi Shoshani, the counsel general of Israel to Mumbai, wrote in a post on X.

Thanks to the Maldives Government's decision Israelis can now explore the beautiful beaches of #Lakshadweep . https://t.co/1K2NtG922M — Kobbi Shoshani 🇮🇱 (@KobbiShoshani) June 3, 2024

“Since the Maldives is no longer welcoming Israelis, here are some beautiful and amazing Indian beaches where Israeli tourists are warmly welcomed and treated with utmost hospitality,” shared an X account aimed at promoting Israel-India ties.

Since the Maldives is no longer welcoming Israelis, here are some beautiful and amazing Indian beaches where Israeli tourists are warmly welcomed and treated with utmost hospitality. 🏖️🇮🇳 Check out these recommendations from @IsraelinIndia , based on the places visited by our… pic.twitter.com/kGNEDS6fsp — Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) June 3, 2024

Meanwhile, The Israeli military has said the body of a presumed hostage was found in a community near the Gaza border that Hamas militants attacked on 7 October.

Dolev Yehud, 35, was thought to be among scores of hostages held in Gaza until Monday, when the military announced the discovery of his body. They said he had been killed in the initial attack.

Israeli bombardments and ground operations in the besieged territory have killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry.

The country launched its war in Gaza after Hamas's 7 October attack, in which militants stormed into southern Israel and killed some 1,200 people – mostly civilians.

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The importance of a passport in international travel cannot be overstated. It determines the ease with which individuals can traverse borders and visit countries without the inconvenience of visa requirements, making it an indispensable document for globetrotters. Enter the Henley Passport Index, a global ranking system that evaluates countries based on the travel freedom afforded to their citizens. Serving as a comprehensive guide, this index unveils the world's most potent passports!

The Henley Passport Index operates on a simple premise: it ranks passports according to the number of countries their holders can access without requiring a visa in advance. Drawing from data compiled by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), renowned for its expansive repository of travel information, the index offers a meticulous assessment of global travel privileges.

Here's a glimpse at some of the top contenders that provide its citizens visa-free access to more than 190 countries.

Leading the pack with an impressive score of 194, holders of the French passport can explore a vast array of destinations visa-free. From the historic landmarks of Europe to the tropical paradises of the Caribbean, the world is their oyster.

Sharing the top spot with France, Germany opens doors to 194 countries without the need for a visa in advance. Whether it's admiring the scenic beauty of Ireland or immersing oneself in the cultural tapestry of Croatia, German passport holders enjoy unparalleled travel freedom.

With a passport ranking of 194, Italian citizens have the freedom to travel across multiple countries seamlessly. Whether exploring the ancient wonders of Peru or experiencing the lively streets of Singapore, the opportunities for discovery are limitless.

Celebrated for its effectiveness and hospitality, Japan generously offers its passport holders visa-free entry to 194 countries. Whether they're immersing themselves in the tranquil atmosphere of Finland or discovering the architectural wonders of Belgium, Japanese travelers are embraced with open arms wherever they go.

As a global hub of commerce and culture, Singapore's passport holders enjoy the privilege of visa-free access to 194 destinations worldwide.

Rounding out the elite group with a score of 194, Spain offers its citizens the freedom to explore the world without the hindrance of visas. Whether it's savouring the culinary delights of Argentina or basking in the sun-kissed beaches of Greece, Spanish passport holders can set out on unforgettable journeys with ease.

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The importance of a passport in international travel cannot be overstated. It determines the ease with which individuals can traverse borders and visit countries without the inconvenience of visa requ...

Maldives to ban Israeli passport holders from entering to protest ongoing Gaza crisis

Maldives has banned Israeli passport holders from entering the Island Nation amid public outrage over the ongoing war in Gaza.

The decision was announced by Home Minister Ali Ihusan, in an emergency press briefing at the President’s Office late Sunday afternoon, reported Sun Online International.

Ihusan said the decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting.

“The cabinet decided today to make the legal amendments necessary to ban entry into the Maldives on Israeli passports as soon as possible,” he was quoted as saying by the news portal.

According to reports, Maldives records arrival of over one million tourist arrivals each year which include 15,000 tourists from Israel.

The decision by the Maldivian government to ban Israeli passports comes after Meekail Ahmed Naseem, a lawmaker from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), submitted an amendment to Immigration Act last week, to bar the entry of Israeli citizens, reported Sun Online International.

Maldives is an Islamic Republic known for its sandy white beaches and shallow turquoise lagoons which attract tourists from across the globe every year.

Israel began Gaza invasion after Hamas launched an attack on October 7 which left 1,200 people dead.

At least 240 people were taken as hostages by Hamas members.

Travel Safe

Visa and passport. What should you bear in mind?