India Visa Guide
Indian Visa Rules Explained - What Every Traveller Should Know
Key India visa rules: the e-Visa must be approved before travel (no on-arrival e-Visa), the passport must be valid 6 months with 2 blank pages, the visa type must match the purpose, each stay is capped per the visa (30/90/180 days), overstaying is an offence, and an e-Visa is tied to one passport. Some nationalities (Nepal, Bhutan) do not need a visa; UAE, Japan and South Korea have a visa-on-arrival scheme.
- Processing time
- n/a
- Cost
- n/a
- Validity
- Per visa type
- Eligibility
- All foreign nationals except Nepal/Bhutan
- How to apply
- e-Visa or sticker
Step-by-step process
- Confirm whether you need a visa (most do).
- Choose the e-Visa or sticker route by nationality and purpose.
- Apply before travel with valid documents.
- Respect the stay limit and leave before expiry.
Requirements
| Passport | 6 months validity, 2 blank pages. |
|---|---|
| Purpose match | Visa type matches activity. |
| Stay limit | Per visa type. |
| Registration | FRRO registration for stays over 180 days. |
Common mistakes
- Wrong visa type
- Overstaying
- Travelling on a different passport than the e-Visa
- Working on a tourist/business visa
Expert tips
- Register with the FRRO if you stay over 180 days.
- Never work on a tourist or business visa.
- Carry the e-Visa printout and the matching passport.
- Check the live rules on indianvisaonline.gov.in before travel.
Frequently asked questions
Do Nepal and Bhutan citizens need a visa for India?
No. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan do not need a visa to enter India.
Is there a visa-on-arrival for India?
A visa-on-arrival scheme exists for nationals of Japan, South Korea and the UAE, separate from the e-Visa.
Do I need to register with the FRRO?
If you stay more than 180 days on a long-term visa, yes - register within 14 days of arrival.