For decades western tourists have been flocking India in hopes of self-reflection and introspection. The abundance of ancient heritage sites, peaceful rural life, exotic wildlife, and unmatched hospitality coupled with the promise of spiritual awakening has led celebrities and visionaries eastward for decades. To give you an example, did you know that Steve Jobs came to India on a mystic journey to discover himself before going on to found Apple when he returned to the US?

After the economic liberalization of the 90s, a growing Indian middle class with the spending power to rival other countries suddenly woke up to the prospect of being able to afford leisure that was hitherto inaccessible to previous generations. Though going pretty strong for many years, the rise of the internet generation has brought along with it increased awareness about the travel options available to Indian travelers. Though certain political choices over the years have made the Indian passport rank low on the passport index, there are still plenty of countries where travel is possible.

In this list of visa requirements for Indians, we reveal the countries that Indian travelers can access with their passport without a visa, the countries where you get a visa on arrival, and finally the list of countries where you have to obtain a visa before making travel plans.

How Many Countries Can an Indian Citizen Travel Without a Visa?

The Indian passport holder can travel to 20 countries without a visa. There are 41 countries that offer a visa on arrival while 137 countries require a visa beforehand. Getting a visa beforehand involves reaching out to the embassy of the country one wants to travel to and obtaining a visa through the officials there.

Though the number seems small given that India has a mobility score of 62 on the passport index, there are plenty of exciting new experiences to be had in these countries. A well-planned and budgeted itinerary is all it takes to make memories for a lifetime.

What Countries Require a Visa for Indian Citizens?

A total of 137 countries require a visa before you are allowed to board the plane from India.

To obtain a visa for the destination country, you have to visit the embassy of the country that you wish to travel to. Some countries allow you to handle this process online. At the embassy, the traveler usually has to pick the purpose of the visit. They may require you to submit documents that provide proof of intent. The traveler is then issued a visa which corresponds to the purpose of the visit.

The traveler might be quizzed at the port of entry regarding the duration of stay and other travel-related questions. It is best to have a clear agenda while traveling to these countries as it most definitely might be illegal to overstay your visa duration. This might have legal ramifications including forced deportation. It is also a good idea to always keep the address of the Indian embassy in the country you are visiting on your person at all times.

Here is the list of the countries that require a visa for Indian travelers.

Visa Free Countries for Indian Passport Holders

Visa-free travel has the least amount of hassles for the Indian tourist. It is mostly available for countries where tourism accounts for a major portion of their GDP or which have excellent diplomatic relations with India. The purpose is to encourage travel to these nations. This is also applicable to countries where you get a visa on arrival.

Though the list of countries that allow visa free travel might seem short, rest assured that the Indian passport fares much better than most of the other countries in the subcontinent.

VISA GUIDE FOR ASIA

Central Asia

Visa Required for Indians

1. Kazakhstan
   1. Notes If you are merely transiting with Air Astana at Almaty or Astana and you have a stamped visa for the destination country then a visa is not required. This exception is only valid for a maximum of 72 hours. In January 2019 the Migration Service of Kazakhstan started an invite only initiative that allows you to apply for a visa online.
2. Turkmenistan
   1. Notes If you are on a business trip or are being sponsored by a company registered in Turkmenistan then you can get a letter of invitation. The letter has to be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If these two conditions are met, you can get a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 10 days.

E-visa for Indians

1. Kyrgyzstan – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Passport Copy (In person application not required)
   4. Notes It is fairly quick with a turn around time for 5 working days. If traveling by plane and carrying an E-Visa you are required to arrive at Manas International Airport or Osh Airport only. If Indian passport holders have a residence permit from Bahrain, Brunei, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar or UAE, they can obtain a visa on arrival at Bishkek airport.
2. Tajikistan – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 45 days
   2. Expiry 90 days 
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Passport Copy, Hotel Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Flight Bookings (In person application not required)
   4. Notes If you are planning to visit the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province or Lake Sarez, then you will require a special permit.
3. Uzbekistan – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Passport Copy (In person application not required)
   4. Notes The website for applying for the E-Visa is reportedly very buggy. Your mileage may vary.

East Asia

E-visa for Indians

1. Hong Kong – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 14 days
   2. Expiry 180 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form (In person application not required)
   4. Notes It is very important to finish the pre-arrival registration if you intend to visit HKSAR. It should be printed on A4 size paper and carried with you at all times. It is valid for 6 months. If you are in a hurry and cannot complete pre registration then you need to submit an application for an entry visa directly to the Immigration Department. The pre registration is not required if you are only there for transit and are not going to leave the airport area. 

Visa Required for Indians

1. Japan
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with a validity of at least 6 months remaining, Travel Itinerary, Hotel Bookings, Bank Statement for at least 6 months, Tax Returns  (In person application not required)
   4. Notes Make sure that the passport photo is 2×2 inch. This is very important to the embassy. If on a corporate visit please keep a letter from HR or your sponsor.
2. Mongolia 
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with a validity of at least 6 months remaining, Cover Letter describing the travel party members and purpose of visit, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings and Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application not required)
3. South Korea 
   1. Stay 90 days (Single Entry), 30 Days (Double Entry)
   2. Expiry 90 days (Single Entry), 180 Days (Double Entry)
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with a validity of at least 6 months remaining, Cover Letter describing the travel party members and purpose of visit, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings and Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy)
   4. Notes If you hold a valid visa from the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand and are arriving or departing from those countries, you get a visa free transit for up to 30 days.
4. Taiwan – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days 
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with a validity of at least 6 months remaining, Travel Itinerary, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings and Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy)
   4. Notes If you hold a permanent residency or a valid or expired visa from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, or any of the Schengen Convention countries then you get a 30 day online travel authority. If your visa has expired prior to 10 years or it has been marked “void”, “canceled” or “canceled without prejudice” then the above travel authority is not applicable.
5. China – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days 
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with a validity of at least 6 months remaining, Passport Copy, Any Previous Visas you may have held, Any Previous Passports you may have held, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings and Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application not required)
6. North Korea

Visa-Free Countries for Indians

1. Macau

Southeast Asia

Visa Required for Indians

1. Brunei
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days 
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Original Passport with a validity of at least 6 months remaining, Flight Bookings, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Cover Letter describing the travel party members and purpose of visit (In person application required at embassy)
2. Philippines
   1. Stay 59 days
   2. Expiry 90 days 
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with a validity of at least 6 months remaining, Passport Copy, Any Previous Passport you may have held, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Cover Letter describing the travel party members and purpose of visit and Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application not required)

Visa-Free Countries for Indians

1. Indonesia
   1. Notes Visa-Free tourists can be in the country for 30 days

E-visa for Indians

1. Malaysia – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days 
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Passport Copy, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Proof Of Funds (In person application not required)
   4. Notes If you are arriving from Thailand, Singapore or Indonesia and have a visa for those countries, you are eligible for a Visa on Arrival
2. Singapore – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Passport Copy, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students), Flight Bookings, Cover Letter describing the travel party members and purpose of visit, Certificate of Good Health  (In person application not required)
   4. Notes If you know someone from Singapore then they can be your sponsor for the trip. If you don’t know anyone in Singapore, you can obtain an E-Visa through an authorized travel agency. If you have a visa from the UK, New Zealand, US, Canada, Japan, Australia, Germany and Switzerland who are going to be in transit may be eligible for VFTF(Visa Free Transit Facility) for 96 hours.
3. Vietnam – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 30 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo(2), Original Passport with a validity of at least 6 months remaining

Visa Granted On Arrival for Indians

1. Thailand
   1. Stay 15 days
   2. Expiry 15 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Proof of Funds to cover they stay in the country (In person application not required)
   4. Notes You need to prove that you have at least 10000 THB per person or if you are traveling as a family, 20000 THB as a whole. The visa fee is 2000 THB and has to be paid at the first port of entry.
2. Cambodia
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 30 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo (In person application required at port of entry)
   4. Notes A fee of around 2800 INR is required for the visa
3. Laos
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 30 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo 
   4. Notes You can extend the visa to upto 60 days. Not all port of entries have the visa on arrival facility. Please check with your travel booking agent.
4. Myanmar
   1. Stay 28 days (Tourists), 70 days (Business)
   2. Documents Required Original Passport
5. East Timor
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Documents Required Original Passport

South Asia

Visa Required for Indians

1. Bangladesh – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy)
   4. Notes If you are entering by air, road or sea you are eligible for a visa on arrival. If you apply in India at the Bangladesh embassy, you can save money on the visa fee
2. Pakistan
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 180 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Passport Copy, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students), Travel Itinerary, Hotel Bookings, Invitation Letter – a letter by a resident or corporation that describes the purpose and length of visit along with a notarized copy of the host’s passport or Pakistani visa (In person application required at embassy)
3. Afghanistan
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Bank Statements for the most recent month, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Cover Letter describing details of all the members of the traveling party (In person application required at embassy)
   4. Notes There is no visa fee for Indian passport holders.

Visa-Free Countries for Indians

1. Maldives
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Documents Required Original Passport
2. Nepal
   1. Stay Indefinite
   2. Documents Required Original Passport
3. Bhutan
   1. Documents Required Original Passport

Visa Granted on Arrival/E-visa for Indians

1. Sri Lanka – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Documents Required Original Passport

Western Asia / Middle East

Visa Granted on Arrival for Indians

1. Armenia
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 120 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Flight Bookings (In person application required at port of entry)
2. Jordan
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Documents Required Application Form, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Bank Statements for the most recent month, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Travel Itinerary (In person application required at port of entry)
3. Iran
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 30 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Flight Bookings, Invitation Letter – a letter by a resident or corporation that describes the purpose and length of visit (In person application required at port of entry)

E-Visa for Indians

1. Georgia – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 120 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Passport Copy, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Travel Insurance proof and certificate.  (In person application not required)
   4. Notes If you have a valid visa or residency permit from the US, UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, Israel, Schengen or GCC countries then you get visa free entry with a stay of 90 days
2. Azerbaijan
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Passport Copy (In person application not required)
   4. Notes If you have been to Armenia in the past then you might be subject to extra screening. The visa fee is around 2000 INR

Visa Required for Indians

1. Israel
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 120 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Any previous passports that you may have held, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students), Flight Bookings, Travel Insurance proof and certificate (In person application required at embassy)
2. Kuwait 
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member (In person application required at embassy)
3. Lebanon
4. Oman
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 30 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Passport Copy, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Travel Itinerary, A Leave Letter from the current employer if you are a salaried employee confirming that you’ll be returning to the home country to resume your job (In person application required at embassy) 
   4. Notes If you are traveling from and have a certain class of visa for a GCC country then you can use that as a substitute.
5. Saudi Arabia
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 2 years
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Appointment Letter for the Embassy Visit, Invitation Letter – a letter by a resident or corporation that describes the purpose and length of visit (In person application required at embassy) 
   4. Notes If you have traveled to Israel, Egypt or Jordan in the past, you may be subject to stricter scrutiny. If you have a valid Schengen, UK or US visa then you are eligible for a visa on arrival.
6. Turkey – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 180 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Passport Copy, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application not required) 
   4. Notes If you have a Schengen visa or US, UK or Ireland visa then you can be granted a conditional E-Visa with a validity of 30 days.
7. United Arab Emirates
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo (In person application required at embassy) 
   4. Notes If you need a tourist visa you have to get in contact with an UAE based airline or tour agent who will be the intermediary who applies for your visa on your behalf. They usually have stipulations that you use their services to get the visa through them. If you have a valid US, UK or EU visa then you get a visa on arrival for a stay of 14 days which can be extended to a total of 28 days.
8. Syria
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Passport Copy, Cover Letter describing the travel party members and purpose of visit,  Invitation Letter – a letter by a resident or corporation that describes the purpose and length of visit (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy) 
   4. Notes Be prepared for extensive security screenings to get into the country given the often volatile political and civil situation
9. Yemen

Visa-Free Countries for Indians

1. Palestine
   1. Documents Required Original Passport
2. Qatar
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 180 days
   3. Documents Required Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Flight Bookings, (In person application not required)

VISA GUIDE FOR EUROPE

Schengen Area (Visa Required)

All the countries in the Schengen require a single visa which allows access to the following countries: Austria, France, Latvia, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Greece, Lithuania, Portugal, Denmark, Hungary, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Estonia, Iceland, Malta, Slovenia, Finland, Italy, Netherlands and Spain

Apply online here.

1. Stay 90 days
2. Expiry 180 days
3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Any Previous Passports you may have held, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy)
4. Notes This is a common visa for tourists and business. The visa doesn’t allow you to seek employment in the member countries. You need to have fingerprints taken and submit a separate application form for every traveler in the group. Your passport needs to be valid for 3 months after the date when you intend to leave the area.

Non-Schengen Area

Visa Required for Indians

1. Albania
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 180 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Passport Copy, Flight Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy)
   4. Notes Schengen Area visa holders, UK and US visa holders can have a visa free stay for 90 days.
2. Andorra
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Any Previous Passports you may have held, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy)
   4. Notes Andorra is a landlocked country only accessible through France and Spain. It has no visa regime by itself but you need access to France or Spain to enter Andorra
3. Belarus
   1. Notes If you have a Schengen or EU national visa, a separate visa for Belarus is not required
4. Bulgaria
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Any Previous passports held, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy) 
   4. Notes If you have a C visa from Croatia, Cyprus, Romania or a Schengen Area visa then you don’t need a visa for entry into Bulgaria
5. Croatia
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Any Previously held passports, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy) 
   4. Notes If you have a Schengen Area visa then you don’t need a visa for entry into Croatia
6. Cyprus
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips, Invitation Letter – a letter by a resident or corporation that describes the purpose and length of visit (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy) 
   4. Notes If you have a double or multiple entry C visa from Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania or a Schengen Area country then you don’t need a visa to enter Cyprus.
7. Ireland
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Proof of funds to support your stay in the country, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Proof of payment of fees, Proof that you will be returning to India which could be a letter from your employer or school or proof of property ownership denoting significant assets, Any Visa refusals you may have had while applying to other countries (In person application required at embassy) 
   4. Notes Transit doesn’t require a visa.
8. Kosovo
9. Macedonia
   1. Notes If you have a double entry or multi entry C visa from the UK, US, Canada or Schengen Area you get a visa for a stay of 15 days
10. Monaco
    1. Stay 90 days
    2. Expiry 90 days
    3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Any Previous Passports you may have held, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy)
    4. Notes It has no visa regime by itself but its territory is part of the Schengen Area
11. Montenegro
    1. Notes If you have a Schengen Area, UK, Ireland or US visa then you don’t need a visa for entry into Montenegro
12. Romania
    1. Stay 90 days
    2. Expiry 90 days
    3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Any Previous Passports you may have held, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy)
    4. Notes  If you have a Schengen Area C visa then you don’t need a visa for entry into Romania
13. San Marino
    1. Stay 90 days
    2. Expiry 90 days
    3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Any Previous Passports you may have held, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy)
    4. Notes San Marino is not part of the EU or European Economic Area. It is only accessible from Italy. Since you need to enter Italy first, your visa needs to meet Schengen visa rules.
14. Ukraine
    1. Stay 90 days
    2. Expiry 90 days
    3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Medical Insurance for at least 30000 EUR proof and certificate (In person application required at embassy)
    4. Notes Give at least 3 months for the visa application process before planned date of entry
15. United Kingdom
    1. Stay 180 days
    2. Expiry 180 days
    3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Previous Passports you may have held, Hotel Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips, Proof of Residency in India, Proof of Funds for the duration of your visit (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy) 
    4. Notes If you have a biometric Irish visa endorsed with BC BIVS and with a valid Irish entry then you don’t need a UK visa.
16. Vatican City
    1. Stay 90 days
    2. Expiry 90 days
    3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Any Previous Passports you may have held, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy)
    4. Notes Vatican City is only accessible from Italy. Since you need to enter Italy first, your visa needs to meet Schengen visa rules.
17. Russia – Apply online here.
    1. Stay 30 days
    2. Expiry 30 days
    3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Passport Copy, Flight Bookings, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, An invitation letter by a resident or corporation that describes the purpose and length of visit (In person application required at embassy) 
    4. Notes If you plan to only visit St Petersburg for up to 8 days and are flying in from Pulkovo Airport then you can get a free E-Visa. You are even eligible for E-Visa if you are traveling to Kaliningrad Oblast for up to 8 days.

E-Visa for Indians

1. Moldova – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 180 days
   3. Notes If you have a C or D visa from the Schengen Area or the EU, you get a visa for a stay of 90 days

Visa-Free Countries for Indians

1. Serbia
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Flight Bookings, Proof of Funds to last your stay for the entire party (In person application required at port of entry)

VISA GUIDE FOR AFRICA

Central Africa

E-Visa for Indians

1. Sao Tome and Principe – Apply online here.
2. Angola – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Documents Required Flight Bookings, Hotel Bookings 

Visa Granted On Arrival for Indians

1. Gabon
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Documents Required Original Passport

Visa Required for Indians

1. Burundi
2. Cameroon
3. Central African Republic
4. Equatorial Guinea
5. Chad
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo
   1. Notes A letter by the Ministry of Interior and Security grants you a visa on arrival
7. Republic of Congo
   1. Notes A VIP Invitation letter will remove the requirement for a visa
8. South Sudan

East Africa

Visa Granted On Arrival for Indians

East Africa Tourist Visa.
This visa is common for tourists wishing to visit Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Stay 90 Days.
Expiry 90 Days.
Notes There is a fee of 100 USD

2. Comoros
   1. Stay 45 Days
   2. Documents Required Passport
3. Ethiopia – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 or 90 Days
   2. Documents Required Passport
   3. Notes You can only fly in to Addis Ababa International Airport to avail the Visa on Arrival
4. Madagascar – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 Days
   2. Expiry 90 Days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left
5. Seychelles
   1. Stay 90 Days
6. Somalia
   1. Stay 30 Days
7. Tanzania – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 90 Days
   2. Expiry 90 Days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo
8. Zimbabwe
   1. Stay 30 Days (Business), 90 Days (Tourists)

Visa-Free Countries for Indians

1. Mauritius
   1. Stay 90 Days

E-Visa for Indians

1. Djibouti – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 31 Days
2. Malawi – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 90 Days
3. Zambia – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 Days

Visa Required for Indians

1. Mozambique
2. Eritrea

North Africa

Visa Required for Indians

1. Morocco
   1. Stay 90 Days
   2. Expiry 90 Days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Passport Copy, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Residency Proof, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students), Invitation Letter from a citizen or organization (In person application not required)
   4. Notes The recommended time for visa application is 6 weeks. The visa can be extended beyond 90 days by reaching out to the nearest police precinct.
2. Egypt
   1. Stay 30 Days
   2. Expiry 30 Days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application not required) 
   4. Notes If you have a GCC member state residency permit then you are qualified for a visa on arrival. If you are traveling with an Egyptian travel agency that has taken care of flight bookings and hotel bookings along with a letter of guarantee, you are eligible for a visa on arrival
3. Algeria
4. Libya
5. Sudan

Visa-Free Countries for Indians

1. Tunisia
   1. Stay 90 Days
2. Western Sahara
   1. Documents Required Original Passport

South Africa

Visa Granted on Arrival for Indians

1. Botswana
   1. Stay 14 Days
   2. Documents Required Original Passport

E-Visa for Indians

1. Lesotho – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 Days
2. South Africa
   1. Notes For a Visa, Indian tourists don’t have to pay a visa fee

Visa Required for Indians

1. Namibia
2. Swaziland
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 3 years
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo (In person application required at embassy)

West Africa

Visa Required for Indians

1. Gambia
   1. Stay 90 Days
2. Burkina Faso
3. Ghana
4. Equatorial Guinea
5. Liberia
6. Mali
7. Niger
8. Nigeria – Apply online here.

Visa-Free Countries for Indians

1. Senegal
   1. Stay 90 Days

Visa Granted On Arrival for Indians

1. Benin
   1. Stay 30 Days
   2. Notes You need an international vaccination certificate to qualify for the visa on arrival
2. Cape Verde
   1. Stay 30 Days
3. Guinea-Bissau
   1. Stay 90 Days
4. Togo
   1. Stay 7 Days
5. Sierra Leone
6. Mauritania

E-Visa for Indians

1. Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Copy, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Proof of Payment of Visa fees, Health Document (In person application not required) 
   4. Notes You need to have a copy of the International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow fever. E-Visa is only available at the Abidjan Port Bouet Airport

VISA GUIDE FOR AMERICA

Central America

Visa Required for Indians

1. Belize
2. Dominican Republic
   1. Notes If you have a visa from Canada, US or an EU country, you don’t need a visa
3. Costa Rica
   1. Notes If you have a valid US visa or multiple entry visa from Canada or an EU country, you don’t need a tourist visa for Costa Rica
4. Guatemala
   1. Notes If you have a visa from Canada, US or a Schengen country, you don’t need a visa
5. Honduras
   1. Notes If you have a visa from Canada, US or a Schengen country, you don’t need a visa
6. Nicaragua
   1. Notes If you have a visa from Canada, US or a Schengen country, you qualify for a visa on arrival with a valid stay of 30 days
7. Panama
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Passport Copy, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Any Previously held Visas, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Invitation Letter – a letter by a resident or corporation that describes the purpose and length of visit (In person application required at embassy) 
   3. Notes If you have a multiple entry visa from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore or an EU country you don’t need a tourist visa. The above mentioned visa should be stamped at least one and should be valid for at least one more year from date of entry

Visa-Free Countries for Indians

1. Dominica
   1. Stay 180 Days
2. El Salvador
   1. Stay 90 Days

North America

Visa Required for Indians

1. Mexico – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 30 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Passport Copy, Visa Appointment Booking Proof, Flight Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students), Proof of Funds to last your visit, Residency Proof (In person application required at embassy) 
   4. Notes If you have a visa or permanent residency from US, Canada, Japan, UK or Schengen Area country you can enter Mexico as a tourist without a separate visa
2. United States of America
   1. Stay 180 days
   2. Expiry 10 years
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Any previously held passports and visas, Travel Itinerary, Visa Appointment Booking Proof, Bank Statement for the most recent month as proof of funds, Proof of return which can be a letter from school, your employer or significant tied assets in India,  Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students), Financial documents (In person application required at embassy)
   4. Notes Biometrics and photos have to be taken before the visa appointment
3. Canada
   1. Stay 180 days
   2. Expiry 180 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Hotel Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Tax Returns for the previous year, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Travel Insurance proof and certificate, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students), Financial documents (In person application required at embassy) 
   4. Notes You require a transit visa if you are stopping through Canada even if you are not going to leave the airport.

South America

Visa Required for Indians

1. Argentina – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Passport Copy, Flight Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, A Leave Letter from the current employer if you are a salaried employee confirming that you’ll be returning to the home country to resume your job, Proof of Funds that show you have enough money for the trip, Invitation Letter – a letter by a resident or corporation that describes the purpose and length of visit (In person application not required) 
   4. Notes If you have a valid US B2 visa you can get an electronic travel authorization for tourists. Visa fees are waived for Indian travelers.
2. Aruba
   1. Notes If you have a multi entry visa from Canada or US or Schengen area country, you don’t require a visa. 
3. Brazil
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Cover Letter describing the travel details for every party member, Current Details including Bank Statements, Tax Returns and Original Pay Slips, Proof of Funds enough for your trip (Varies for Self Employed Individuals and Students) (In person application required at embassy)
4. Colombia
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Any Previous Passports that you may have held, Passport Copy, Flight Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Bank Statement for the most recent month (In person application required at embassy) 
   4. Notes If you have a C or D visa from the Schengen Area or a US visa B1 or B2 with 180 days left on it then you don’t need a visa from Colombia
5. Cuba
   1. Notes If you have a valid visa from the US, Canada or an EU country then it can be used as a substitute
6. Ecuador
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Original Passport with at least 6 months of validity left, Flight Bookings, Travel Insurance proof and certificate (In person application required at embassy) 
7. Guyana
   1. Notes If you have a Invitation Letter from a resident or organization then you are eligible for a Visa on Arrival
8. Peru
   1. Notes If you have a valid US, UK, Canada, Australia or Schengen visa then you are eligible for visa-free entry. The visa should be valid for at least 6 months since the day of arrival for visa free entry.
9. Uruguay
   1. Notes There are no visa fees
10. Curacao
11. ​Falkland Islands
12. Paraguay
13. Venezuela​

Visa Granted On Arrival for Indians

1. Bolivia
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Passport Copy, Hotel Bookings, Flight Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Proof of Funds enough for your trip (In person application required at embassy)

E-Visa for Indians

1. Suriname – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 3 years
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Passport Copy, Hotel Bookings, Travel Itinerary, Invitation Letter – a letter by a resident or corporation that describes the purpose and length of visit (In person application not required)

VISA GUIDE FOR OCEANIA​

Visa-Free Countries for Indians

1. Fiji
   1. Stay 120 Days
2. Micronesia
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Original Passport with at least 4 months of validity left
3. Vanuatu
   1. Stay 30 Days

Visa Required for Indians

1. New Zealand
   1. Stay 30 days
   2. Expiry 90 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Passport Copy, Proof of Health document, Proof of Funds to fund your trip, Character Document which may involve police certificates, Proof of Return which can be a letter from your school, work or significant assets in India (In person application not required)
   4. Notes If you have a Australian residency permit then you don’t need a tourist visa to New Zealand
2. Kiribati
3. Solomon Islands
4. Tonga
5. Nauru

E-Visa for Indians

1. Australia – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 90 days
   2. Expiry 1 year
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Passport Copy, National Identity card other than your passport which can be your Aadhar card, Any Previous visas or passports you may have held, Proof of Health document, Proof of Funds to fund your trip, Character Document which may involve police certificates, Proof of Return which can be a letter from your school, work or significant assets in India, Invitation Letter – a letter by a resident or corporation that describes the purpose and length of visit, Travel Itinerary, Bank Statement for the most recent month, Character Document, Health Document(In person application not required) 
   4. Notes A transit visa is required even if you are not going to leave the airport
2. Papua New Guinea – Apply online here.
   1. Stay 60 days
   2. Expiry 60 days
   3. Documents Required Application Form, Passport Photo, Passport Copy, Flight Bookings, Proof of Funds to fund your trip (In person application not required) 

Visa Granted On Arrival for Indians

1. Marshall Islands
   1. Stay 90 days
2. Palau
   1. Stay 30 days
3. Samoa
   1. Stay 60 days
4. Tuvalu
   1. Stay 30 days

So there you have it. We hope you found the information that you are looking for. Remember that traveling can be very enjoyable but only if you have covered all your bases and planned for all contingencies. Getting the visa situation right is just the first step in preparing for a successful visit. We wish you safe travels!

Disclaimer

We are not responsible for any situation where the reader was denied admittance to the above-listed countries. Please refer to our Disclosure. We advise you to always double-check visa information as they change quite often to avoid any hassles. If you have any further questions or please feel free to contact us.

India is one of the most popular destinations in South Asia for decades now. Given they have one of the 7 wonders of the world; Taj Majal, they also have world-class dishes, and of course, it’s a very affordable destination. The locals speak English very well too, which attracts a lot of travellers from everywhere in the world.

Entering India is very easy too, the offer visa-free access to a few countries but also has an e-Visa program for most nationalities. They have made it convenient through e-Visa application and processing. That said, if you’re planning a trip there soon, here’s what you need to know on how to apply for India visa online.

In this article, you will find the countries who do need a visa to enter India, while the main focus is to walk you through how to apply for India visa online – step by step.

ALSO READ:

• Best Surfing spots in Asia– where to go

TIP: You may use the table of contents below to navigate faster

COUNTRIES WITH VISA-FREE ENTRY TO INDIA

Before you get started on your application, you might want to check first if you’re eligible to visit India without visa obligations.

RELATED POST: Tips for solo female traveller travelling to India

If you’re a citizen of Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal, you will be permitted visa-free entry into Indian soil, provided you’re not arriving from mainland China.

India also allows visa-free entry to visitors with Persons with Indian Origin (PIO) Card or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card, as long as you’re not a citizen of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, or Pakistan.

Let’s save you a Google search: India’s POI card is a form of identification issued to a person of Indian origin who holds a passport in another country besides those aforementioned above. However, the POI is currently being replaced with the OCI card. Per India’s Bureau of Immigration, all POI cardholders are advised to convert their POI to OCI, and all handwritten POI is now invalid.

The POI will only be accepted until 31 March 2019 and should be presented with a valid foreign passport. Although both cards come with lifelong validity, the OCI cardholders who is under 21 years old or over 50 years old will have to apply for a new OCI card every time he/she is issued with a new passport. 

COUNTRIES ALLOWED TO ENTER INDIA WITH VISA ON ARRIVAL

India implemented their Tourist Visa on Arrival or TVoA facility to boost the country’s tourism through convenient and uncomplicated visa processing. The TVoA scheme was first introduced to 11 countries and has since expanded to 43, which are:

India visa fees: How much is visa on arrival

TVoA processing costs $60 (non-refundable) per passenger including children. You will be required to present your passport (valid 6 months prior) with a minimum of 2 blank pages (for stamping), and to submit a photocopy of your passport, 2 passport size photos, and a copy of your return ticket.

India visa validity

Your TVoA is valid for 30 days, non-convertible and non-extendable. Do note that you can apply for a TVoA twice in a calendar year with a minimum 2-month gap in-between visits.

India visa on arrival requirements

Apart from your passport, prepare to print all your TVoA documents as you will need to present them at the airport immigration counter. And no, do not rely on your electronic copies as there’s a huge chance they will not honour them. For best measure, also prepare hard copies of your flight details, hotels, meals, tours, and everything else you booked in advance for your stay.

REMEMBER: Apply for your TVoA at least 4 days before your date of arrival, and take note of your application ID – you’ll be needing this to complete your partially completed online application upon arrival in India.

TVoA ENTRY POINTS

India’s TVoA facility is only available at these designated international airports:

• Indira Gandhi International Airport (New Delhi) 
• Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Mumbai)
• Chennai International Airport (Chennai)
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (Kolkota)
• Cochin International Airport (Kochi)
• Trivandrum International Airport (Thiruvananthapuram)
• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Hyderabad)
• Kempegowda International Airport (Bengaluru)
• Goa International Airport (Dabolim)

WHO CAN APPLY FOR INDIA VISA ONLINE

If you’re a citizen of these countries/territories, you are eligible to apply for India visa online or e-Visa. Please see below, arranged alphabetically for your browsing convenience:

• Albania, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan
• Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi
• Cambodia, Cameron Union Republic, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Island, Chile, China, China- SAR Hongkong, China- SAR Macau, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic
• Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France
• Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy
• Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg
• Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar
• Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger Republic, Niue Island, Norway, Oman
• Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Rwanda
• Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland
• Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Island, Tuvalu, UAE, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Indian visa online requirements – TVoA

India’s e-Visa is available in 4 categories: e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical, and e-Medical Attendant, subject to your purpose of visit. For foreign visitors coming to India for pleasure and leisure, your e-Tourist visa requirements include:

• Scanned bio page of your passport in PDF format, minimum KB, maximum 300KB. Your photograph and personal details should be clear and visible.
• Digital photograph, front view showing your full face and open eyes without glasses. The background should be plain white, no facial shadows, and without a border. The photo should be in JPEG format with a minimum size of 10KB, maximum 1MB.

How much is the e-Tourist visa fee

The application fee is either $80 or $120 depending on your country of origin. Citizens from Singapore, Japan and Sri Lanka however are only charged $25 for their e-Tourist visa, while fee is waived for citizens of Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, and Vanuatu.

E-Tourist visa validity

Your Indian e-Tourist Visa is valid for 60 days (non-convertible and non-extendable) from your date of arrival in India. Double entry is allowed per the calendar year.

HOW TO APPLY FOR INDIA VISA ONLINE

Here is an easy step on how you can obtain your own Indian visa online:

1. Prepare all required documents mentioned above

Make sure that you have all the documents ready before starting the application plus your bank card for payment or PayPal details.

2. Travel details

Prepare supporting travel details such as hotel information which you’ll need to fill in the “References in India” section of the online application, flight schedule, and your financial account details for payment.

3. Head to the visa application page

Go to this site(I highly recommend and trust this visa agency),.You are highly advised to secure this process on your own to safeguard your personal and financial details.

CHECK PRICES ACCORDING TO YOUR PASSPORT

Select your nationality and choose if you need an e-Tourist visa, Medical visa or Business visa, then click apply.

4. Continue to the next page

Fill in all required fields of the application form for your chosen visa type such as full name, passport details, port of entry, date of arrival in India and exit. Before proceeding to the next page, make sure to double check the information that you filled out, otherwise, you can no longer change any info.

NOTE: Once this section is accomplished, an auto-generated application ID will be sent to your email address or you will be given an instruction on the next page. As a precaution, take a screenshot of the page with the unique ID or note it down.

6. Payment

A link to the payment gateway will be provided to settle your Indian e-Tourist Visa application fee. Whenever you’re ready, tick “Yes”, click “Pay Now”, then select between Sbi e-pay or Axis Bank. Both banks accept online payment via debit card, credit card, or PayPal.

After which, you will be required to upload the scanned copy of your passport’s bio page and digital photo.

If you encounter 3 unsuccessful payment attempts, you will be required to apply again and a new application ID will be issued. Due to technical reasons and network delays, applicants are advised to wait at least 4 hours to check on their payment status by clicking on the “Verify Payment/Pay Visa Fee” tab.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PROCESS THE E-VISA

E-visa processing normally takes 72-hour or less if you pay for rush processing. You will be notified via email regarding your application result. If granted, you will receive an Electronic Travel Authorization or ETA. 

HOW TO USE YOUR INDIAN VISA

Remember to print a copy of your Electronic Travel Authorization or ETA. You will need to present this to the immigration officer once you landed in India.

Once you have an approved copy of your Indian e-Tourist Visa and have been officially granted access into India, you will be advised to keep it on your person during your stay.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE ARRIVING IN INDIA

A country of colourful history and unique traditions, India is nothing short of captivating; truly a no-brainer if you’re looking for a one-for-the-books travel experience. But as it is with every country, you will encounter challenges during your trip. So, here’s a quick rundown of important points to make your India visit safe, fun, and memorable.

Food and water

While Indian cuisine is exquisite and street food seems like an appetizing way to experience it, you’re better off sticking to reputable restaurants if you don’t have the stomach to survive Indian street food. Also, be cautious where you drink your water from and don’t even think about drinking from the tap. Stick to bottled water or soda instead.

Dress code for India

Women travellers, expect to get unwanted attention. Curious gazes are often just that so it’s best to ignore them, but remain vigilant of your surroundings. Wear loose pants or skirts (ankle-length) and tops, and make sure to cover your shoulders. If you can, travel with a group especially when and where the place is thick with people.

Getting around

Traffic is treacherous in India, and public transport is more for the experience than convenience. That said, there are transportation options that are not only tech-driven but are traveller-friendly as well. This includes RedBus for intercity travel and Ola Cabs for your private or shareable cab and bike service. If you have extra bucks to spare – rent a car and hire a driver. 

Mobile apps

Download these apps for a smooth Indian experience: RedBus, Ola Cabs, IRTC Connect. To help you get around; MapmyIndia for tracking, navigation, and location analytics and HERE WeGo or Maps.Me for offline navigation; FoodPanda for your food deliveries; HostelWorld for booking your accommodation; and JustDial for India’s local listings and services.

Travel budget

India is a relatively cheap country to travel in; food, transportation, and accommodation are quite affordable with about $20 – $50 to get you through the day. That is unless you fell victim to scammers which sadly are common in the country. Avoid this by drafting a well-researched India travel itinerary and booking arrangements in advance. On the spot purchases or deals can be risky.

I hope you found this guide on how to apply for an Indian visa online helpful. If you have any questions, let us know in the comment section below.

ARE YOU ON PINTEREST? SAVE THIS FOR LATER READ:

10 Best Things to do in Goa, India

Edit your caption text here

Photo Credit: Prabuddha via WikiMedia Commons

Photo Credit: Jennifer Rose Stankowski via WikiMedia Commons

Photo Credit: Rama Patel via WikiMedia Commons

Photo Credit: Klaus Nahr via Flickr.com

Plan Your Next Vacation Trip To Kerala And Enjoy The Backwaters