Visas & entry
India: e-Visa explained
UK citizens need a visa for India, unless they hold an OCI card. Most tourists use the e-Visa, applied for online. Your passport needs 6 months' validity and 2 blank pages, and you also fill in an e-arrival card within 72 hours of landing.
- No visa needed
- Apply online before you go
- Visa on arrival
- Visa in advance
The e-Visa is straightforward, but it only works at certain airports and seaports, so check your entry point is on the list. Many unofficial sites look official and charge far more. Use indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Your options
- e-VisaVisa on arrival
Applied for online on the official Indian government portal. Check that your entry airport or port is accepted.
- Paper visaVisa in advance
Through the visa application centre, needed for some longer or special-purpose trips.
- OCI card holdersNo visa needed
No visa needed.
Applying step by step
- Apply online at least 4 days before arrival, ideally a few weeks before.
- Upload a recent passport photo with a white background and a scan of your passport.
- Pay the fee and wait for the ETA email.
- Print it out, as airlines and immigration often ask for paper.
At the airport
Immigration takes fingerprints and a photo. Arrive at a designated e-Visa airport or seaport, as land borders don't accept it. If you're heading on to Nepal or Sri Lanka and coming back to India, you'll need a double or multiple-entry e-Visa.
Before you go
- Fill in the e-arrival card online up to 72 hours before you land.
- Overstaying is illegal and can lead to fines or detention.
- Emergency number: 112.
Official advice: FCDO entry requirements for India
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