India Visa: Entry requirements and pre-travel information for India

What is an India Tourist eVisitor Visa and who is it intended for?

Who is the Indian eVisitor Visa (Tourist Visa) intended for?

Individuals from the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, all South American countries, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Japan, Russia, the Philippines, and other countries.

Who is ineligible for an Indian eVisitor Visa?

• Maldivian nationals are permitted to enter India without a visa for a maximum of 90 days.

• At airports in Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai, nationals from Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates may obtain a Visa on Arrival.

• Individuals who necessitate an Embassy Visa, including Chinese nationals.

What is the purpose of an Indian eVisitor Visa?

Tourist activities, including excursions, vacations, and visiting family.

What is the maximum duration of your stay with an Indian Tourist eVisitor?

There are various varieties of tourist eVisas for India, each of which is customised to meet the specific requirements of your travel.

• Double-Entry eVisa for 30 Days : This eVisa is valid for one year from the date of issuance and permits two entries into the country during that time. Both residencies are restricted to a maximum of 30 days.

• 1-Year Multiple-Entry eVisa : This eVisa is valid for one year and permits multiple entries into India during this time. The duration of each visit is limited to 90 days, with the exception of citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, who are permitted to remain for up to 180 days per visit.

• 5-Year Multiple-Entry eVisa: This eVisa is valid for five years and allows you to make multiple visits to India within that time. The duration of each stay is 90 days, with the exception of U.S., UK, and Canada citizens, who are permitted to remain for up to 180 days per visit, similar to the 1-Year eVisas.

Important information regarding the validity of your visa

Please be advised of the following:

• Validity: The duration and commencement date of your visa.

• Duration of stay: The maximum number of days that may be spent in the country upon arrival.

For instance, if your visa expires on May 1, 2024, you are permitted to enter the country until that date.

Upon arrival, the validity determines the number of days that can be spent in the country. For instance, your visa is valid for 30 days and you arrive on May 1, 2024. In this scenario, you are permitted to remain until May 30, 2024.

What is an India eBusiness Visa and who is it intended for?

For whom is the Indian eBusiness Visa intended?

An Indian eBusiness Visa is available to business travellers from over 160 countries worldwide.

**What is the purpose of an Indian eBusiness Visa? **

This visa is intended for individuals who wish to expand their commercial operations in India. While in the country, you have the option to engage in the following activities:

• Participate in business meetings and events.

• Meet with potential suppliers, consumers, and other business partners.

• Products are delivered, installed, or maintained.

• Provide guidance or execute or provide additional business services.

• Recruit personnel.

Please be advised that it is not permissible to work in India with a business visa. Consequently, you will be required to submit an application for an employment visa through the India Embassy.

What is the maximum duration of stay for an Indian eBusiness Visa?

Within the one-year validity period of your Indian eBusiness Visa, you are permitted to remain in the country for a maximum of 180 days during each visit.

What is an India Embassy Visa and who is it intended for?

For whom is the Indian Embassy Visa intended?

Traditional India Embassy Visas are intended for travellers who require an Indian visa but are not eligible for the eVisa.

What is the purpose of a visa issued by the Indian Embassy?

This visa is exclusively intended for tourist activities, such as visiting friends or family and exploring the country.

What is the maximum duration of remain with an India Embassy visa?

The validity of this multiple-entry document is contingent upon your nationality, with a range of 5 to 10 years.

Foreign travellers are permitted to remain in India for a period of 90 to 180 days after receiving approval.

What is an India eMedical Visa and who is it intended for?

Who is eligible for an Indian medical visa?

Individuals who have obtained authorisation from their hospital or care provider in their home country and wish to undertake specific medical treatment in India. Additionally, there is a unique eMedical Attendant Visa available for individuals who wish to provide support to a patient during their journey.

What is the maximum duration of residence with an Indian eMedical Visa?

Upon your arrival in India, the Indian eMedical Visa is valid for a period of 60 days. Therefore, you have a two-month window to receive treatment, recuperate, and oversee any subsequent care from the moment your visa is approved and you arrive in the country.

Additionally, it allows for three entries into the country to accommodate any subsequent appointments.

What is an India Transit Visa and who is it intended for?

For whom is the Indian Transit Visa intended?

If you are simply transiting through India to reach another destination, you will require an Indian Transit Visa. You must provide tangible evidence of your travel arrangements, such as legitimate tickets for your journey through India.

Who is exempt from the requirement for an Indian transit visa?

Providing that you remain within the designated airport precincts, an Indian Transit Visa is not required for air travel through India.

As long as you remain aboard the vessel, an Indian Transit Visa is not required for sea travel.

What is the purpose of an Indian Transit Visa?

An Indian Transit Visa is issued to travellers who are transiting the country on their way to a destination outside of India.

What is the maximum duration of residence permitted with an Indian transit visa?

A single- or double-entry visa, which is applicable for a maximum of 15 days, may be selected in accordance with your itinerary.

What are the long-term visa options available in India?

India provides a variety of long-term visa options for a variety of purposes, including employment, education, business, and residence. The following are a few of the most frequently used long-term visas:

• Employment Visa: Employment visas are granted to skilled professionals, including technicians, technical specialists, and senior executives, who have secured employment with Indian companies or organisations.

• Student Visa: A Student Visa is intended for individuals who intend to devote their time and energy to full-time academic pursuits in India. It is valid at recognised educational institutions for the duration of your course or for a maximum of five years, whichever occurs first.

• Research Visa: A Research Visa is granted to individuals who wish to engage in academic research at a recognised institution in India for a period of up to three years.

• Intern Visa: This visa is intended for foreign nationals who wish to intern at Indian educational institutions, businesses, or nongovernmental organisations.

• Film Visa: Valid for a maximum of one year, this visa is granted for the purpose of filming feature and commercial films.

• Journalist Visa: Professional journalists and photographers are granted journalist visas to remain in India for a maximum of three months.

At present, we do not provide these visas; however, you may obtain additional information from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs.

How to Maintain Your Health in India: Everything You Need to Know

Healthcare facilities and standards in India can exhibit substantial variation dependent on the type of facility and its location. Travellers should be aware of the following.

It is imperative to maintain awareness of standard vaccinations.

In India, it is possible to contract diseases such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid through contaminated food or water. Therefore, it is advisable to consider vaccination programmes.

Travellers aged 9 months and older who arrive within 6 days of departing an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission are required to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Ensure that you are informed about the COVID-19 requirements in India, including quarantine, testing, and vaccine certificates, by visiting the Indian government website or your airline.

Medical facilities

• Private hospitals and specialised centres typically provide high-quality healthcare services in urban locations. These are also the ones that are most frequently employed in medical tourism.

• Although they are capable of accommodating fundamental medical requirements, public hospitals and facilities in rural regions are frequently overcrowded and may not adhere to international standards.

• A wide variety of medications are readily accessible at pharmacies, and they are frequently available without a prescription.

Medical insurance

It is always advisable to obtain health insurance prior to travelling to any destination. Private medical care will be available in all main cities in India; however, it is prohibitively expensive. It is recommended that you select travel insurance with substantial medical coverage.

Ensure that you have the appropriate level of coverage by contacting your insurance provider prior to your departure.

Additional factors to take into account include :

• Benefits for trip cancellation, delay, and interruption.

• Medical evacuation benefits and medical expenses.

• Baggage insurance.

Things to be cognisant of when travelling to India

To ensure your safety and well-being during your visit to India, it is important to pay close attention to the following:

1. Food and water contamination: Travellers' diarrhoea, which is also known as Delhi bloat, is a prevalent issue. Consume well-cooked food from reputable sources and adhere to bottled or boiled water. Exercise caution when consuming street cuisine and swimming in polluted water.

2. Mosquito-borne diseases: Malaria, chikungunya, and dengue fever are prevalent, particularly in rural areas and during the monsoon season. Bite prevention can be achieved by employing mosquito repellent and donning long-sleeved clothing.

3. Animal hazards: In India, rabies is prevalent, particularly in stray canines. Before departing, it is advisable to obtain a rabies vaccination. In the event of a bite, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly for post-exposure prophylaxis. During the monsoon season, leptospirosis is frequently transmitted through water that has been contaminated with animal excretion.

4. Air pollution: In urban areas such as Delhi, air pollution can exacerbate respiratory conditions and asthma. Tuberculosis is primarily a concern for individuals who are visiting for an extended period; however, it is still important to be aware of.

Medications intended for personal use

To import over-the-counter medications into India, adhere to these guidelines:

• Declare all medications: Report all medication intended for personal use to the customs authorities.

• Original packaging: It is imperative to store medications in their original containers and in transparent pouches in your hand luggage.

• Letter from a physician or prescription: Present the medical prescription in English, which has been issued by your physician or another competent authority.

• Verify the existence of any limitations: Verify that all of your prescription(s) are permissible to transport by contacting the Indian embassy.

• Quantity that corresponds with itinerary: To prevent complications, bring only a reasonably sufficient quantity that corresponds with the duration of your stay.