India Travel requirements, advice , Coronavirus status and Visa Policy

2023-06-23 16:19:07

India is located in Southern Asia. It is a developing country. Current Travel Advice to visitors travelling to India is Exercise Increased Caution. Check India Travel Advisory, visa Requirements below.



Travel advice and advisories

Published 18.05.2022
1. The following passengers are allowed to enter:
- nationals of Bhutan, India, Maldives and Nepal;
- passengers with a residence permit issued by India;
- passengers with a visa or an E-visa issued by India;
- passengers with an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card or booklet;
- passengers with a Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card;
- passengers with a diplomatic passport.
2. Tourist visas with a validity of 10 years are no longer valid.
- This does not apply to nationals of Japan and USA.
3. Tourist visas issued to nationals of China (People\'s Rep.) are no longer valid.
4. E-Tourist visas are valid for the following passengers:
- nationals of Albania, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Isl., Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Isl., Costa Rica, Cote d\'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep.), Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Rep.), Lao People\'s Dem. Rep., Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Marshall Isl., Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States), Moldova (Rep.), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, North Macedonia (Rep.), Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Fed., Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Isl., South Africa, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Isl., Tuvalu, USA, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City (Holy See), Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe;
- passengers with a Chinese Taipei (on the cover: Republic of China Taiwan) passport;
- passengers with "The Palestinian Authority" passport.
5. Passengers must complete the self-declaration form before departure. They must select ‘Air Suvidha\' on the right top corner at www.newdelhiairport.in
6. Passengers must have a printed negative COVID-19 CRISPR, RT-LAMP or RT-PCR test taken at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point. The test must be uploaded at www.newdelhiairport.in
- This does not apply to:
- passenger younger than 5 years;
- passengers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated. The certificate must be issued in Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR China), Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland (Rep.), Israel, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (Rep.), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People\'s Dem. Rep., Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova (Rep.), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia (Rep.), Oman, Palestinian Territory, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, USA, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam or Zimbabwe. The certificate must also be uploaded at www.newdelhiairport.in
7. Passengers could be subject to medical screening.


Travel Advisory By USA

Fri, 23 Jun 2023

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:

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.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

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.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

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. 


Visa Policy for Visitors travelling to India

eVisa[needs update?]

  • Afghanistan (6 months)

e-Visa

  • Albania (60 days)
  • Andorra
  • Angola (60 days)
  • Argentina (60 days)
  • Armenia (60 days)
  • Australia (60 days)
  • Austria (60 days)
  • Azerbaijan (60 days)
  • Bahamas (60 days)
  • Barbados (60 days)
  • Belgium (60 days)
  • Belize (60 days)
  • Bolivia (60 days)
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina (60 days)
  • Botswana (60 days)
  • Brazil (60 days)
  • Brunei (60 days)
  • Bulgaria (60 days)
  • Burundi (60 days)
  • Cambodia (60 days)
  • Cameroon (60 days)
  • Chile (60 days)
  • Colombia (60 days)
  • Comoros (60 days)
  • Costa Rica (60 days)
  • Côte d'Ivoire (60 days)
  • Cuba (60 days)
  • Cyprus (60 days)
  • Czech Republic (60 days)
  • Denmark (60 days)
  • Dominica (60 days)
  • Dominican Republic (60 days)
  • Ecuador (60 days)
  • El Salvador (60 days)
  • Eritrea (60 days)
  • Estonia (60 days)
  • Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) (60 days)
  • Fiji (60 days)
  • Finland (60 days)
  • Gabon (60 days)
  • Gambia (60 days)
  • Georgia (60 days)
  • Ghana (60 days)
  • Grenada (60 days)
  • Guatemala (60 days)
  • Guinea (60 days)
  • Guyana (60 days)
  • Haiti (60 days)
  • Honduras (60 days)
  • Hong Kong (60 days)
  • Hungary (60 days)
  • Iceland (60 days)
  • Ireland (60 days)
  • Jamaica (60 days)
  • Jordan (60 days)
  • Kenya (60 days)
  • Kiribati (60 days)
  • Laos (60 days)
  • Latvia (60 days)
  • Lesotho (60 days)
  • Liberia (60 days)
  • Liechtenstein (60 days)
  • Lithuania (60 days)
  • Luxembourg (60 days)
  • Macau (60 days)
  • Macedonia [FYROM] (60 days)
  • Madagascar (60 days)
  • Malawi (60 days)
  • Malaysia (Up to 5 years)
  • Mali (60 days)
  • Malta (60 days)
  • Marshall Islands (60 days)
  • Mauritius (60 days)
  • Mexico (60 days)
  • Micronesia (60 days)
  • Moldova (60 days)
  • Monaco (60 days)
  • Mongolia (60 days)
  • Montenegro (e-Visa holders must arrive via 26 designated airports[Note 2] or 3 designated seaports.[Note 3] An Indian e-Tourist Visa can only be obtained twice in one calendar year.)
  • Mozambique (60 days)
  • Myanmar [Burma] (60 days)
  • Namibia (60 days)
  • Nauru (60 days)
  • Netherlands (60 days)
  • Nicaragua (60 days)
  • Norway (60 days)
  • Oman (60 days)
  • Palau (60 days)
  • Panama (60 days)
  • Papua New Guinea (60 days)
  • Paraguay (60 days)
  • Peru (60 days)
  • Philippines (60 days / 180 days)
  • Portugal (60 days)
  • Romania (60 days)
  • Russia (90 days)
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis (60 days)
  • Saint Lucia (60 days)
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (60 days)
  • San Marino (60 days)
  • Senegal (60 days)
  • Seychelles (60 days)
  • Sierra Leone (60 days)
  • Singapore (60 days)
  • Slovakia (60 days)
  • Slovenia (60 days)
  • Solomon Islands (60 days)
  • South Africa (60 days)
  • Spain (90 days)
  • Sri Lanka (90 days)
  • Suriname (60 days)
  • Sweden (60 days)
  • Switzerland (60 days)
  • Tajikistan (60 days)
  • Tanzania (60 days)
  • Thailand (60 days)
  • Timor-Leste (60 days)
  • Tonga (60 days)
  • Trinidad and Tobago (60 days)
  • Tuvalu (60 days)
  • Uganda (60 days)
  • Ukraine (60 days)
  • Uruguay (60 days)
  • Vatican City (60 days)
  • Venezuela (60 days)
  • Vietnam (60 days)
  • Zambia (60 days)
  • Zimbabwe (60 days)

Visa required

  • Algeria
  • Bahrain
  • Burkina Faso
  • Canada
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • China
  • Congo [DRC]
  • Congo [Republic]
  • Egypt
  • Ethiopia
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Indonesia
  • Iraq
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Libya
  • Mauritania
  • Morocco
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • North Korea
  • Pakistan
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • United Kingdom
  • Uzbekistan
  • Yemen

Visa on arrival

  • Bangladesh

eVisa

  • Belarus (90 days)
  • Benin (90 days)
  • Cape Verde (60 days)
  • Djibouti (60 days)
  • Equatorial Guinea (60 days)
  • France (60 days)
  • Germany (60 days)
  • Greece (60 days)
  • Israel (60 days)
  • Italy (60 days)
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • New Zealand (60 days)
  • Poland (90 days)
  • Qatar
  • Rwanda (60 days)
  • Samoa (60 days)
  • Saudi Arabia (90 days)
  • Serbia (30 days)
  • Vanuatu (60 days)

Freedom of movement

  • Bhutan
  • Nepal

Visa online, eVisa, eVisitor

  • Croatia

eVisa / Visa on arrival

  • Japan (60 days)
  • South Korea (60 days)
  • United Arab Emirates (60 days)

Visa not required

  • Maldives (90 days)

Visa Requirements for India Citizens

References