Many NRI families are 'mixed passport' families: parents on Indian passports, kids born abroad with US, UK or Australian passports, sometimes a spouse of another nationality. India treats each of you differently.
In short: Indian passport holders need no visa. Foreign-passport children of an Indian parent can get an OCI card (a lifelong multiple-entry visa). A foreign spouse qualifies for OCI after 2 years of registered marriage. Anyone else, or anyone whose OCI isn't ready yet, needs an Indian e-visa.
Who needs what?
| Family member | Entry to India |
|---|---|
| Indian citizen, Indian passport | No visa |
| Child with foreign passport, at least one Indian-citizen parent | OCI card or e-OCI (or e-visa until OCI arrives) |
| Foreign spouse, marriage registered 2+ years | OCI (subject to security clearance), or e-visa |
| Foreign spouse, married under 2 years | Indian e-visa (or other visa) |
| Former Indian citizen (naturalised abroad) | OCI or e-visa |
What changed in 2026
- OCI went digital. Under the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules 2026, in force from 1 May 2026, OCI applications, renewals and transfers are filed online and India can issue an electronic OCI (e-OCI) registration.
- No dual passports for minors. A minor can't hold an Indian passport and a foreign passport at the same time. Families who got a foreign passport for a child born abroad must choose.
- Passport updates still matter. When an OCI holder or foreign spouse gets a new passport, the details need updating online.
OCI won't arrive in time?
OCI takes weeks. For a trip coming up soon, apply for an Indian e-tourist visa for the foreign-passport family members and start the OCI application separately. Remember the e-visa is for the visit you're on, not a substitute for long stays or work.
Don't forget the stopover
Flying via Dubai? Your kids' and spouse's UAE entry depends on their own passports too. See our Diwali and Dubai stopover checklist.
Get your Indian e-visa with Krosz in 5 steps
- Pick India and your trip type. Open Indian e-visa on Krosz and choose tourist, business or family visit. You see the full price before you start: ₹1,999 Krosz service fee + GST, plus the government fee.
- Sign in with a one-time code. No password to remember: enter your email and type the OTP we send.
- Upload your passport and photo. Krosz reads your passport page and pre-fills your details, so you only check them.
- Add your trip details and pay securely. Dates, entry point and where you're staying, then pay by UPI, card or net banking.
- A Krosz visa expert checks everything, then submits. A trained expert reviews every document one-to-one before it reaches the government, and you track the status until your visa arrives by email.
Krosz helps foreign-passport family members apply for the Indian e-visa, with an expert checking photos, passport scans and every form field before submission.
Start your Indian e-visa with Krosz →
Rules and fees last checked on 11 October 2026. Visa rules change often: always confirm on the official government website or with your airline before you fly.