India Visa Requirements 2026Entry Rules & Visa-Free Access by Passport

Visa-free nationalities
3
Visa on arrival
2
eTA / e-Visa
160
Total streamlined
165
Visa required in advance
33

India's visa policy is restrictive relative to other destinations worldwide. If your nationality is not listed as visa-free, visa on arrival, or eTA/e-Visa eligible, you will need to apply for an India tourist visa in advance at an embassy or consulate.

Visa-free

Countries Whose Citizens Can Visit India Visa-Free (3)

Passport holders from these countries can enter India without a visa - no embassy appointment, no advance fee.

Visa on arrival

Nationalities That Get Visa on Arrival to India (2)

Citizens of these countries can obtain a visa stamp at the India border on arrival - no advance embassy visit required.

eTA / e-Visa

eTA & e-Visa Eligible Countries for India (160)

These nationalities can apply for an electronic travel authorisation or e-Visa online before travel - no embassy visit required.

Show all 160

Fees

India Visa Fees (updated 2 Jul 2026)

Compare official tourist-visa fees across every destination →

Applications are handled via VFS Global - a service fee applies on top of the visa fee and varies by country and centre.

Transit

India Transit Visa

India publishes 2 transit visa products for travellers passing through to another destination. Whether you need one depends on your nationality and whether you stay airside - see how transit visas work.

Transit Visa (TR)

Travelling through India in direct transit to a destination outside India

up to 3 days

Granted solely to transit India to an onward destination. Ordinarily valid for a single journey with entry within 15 days of issue; stay must not exceed 3 days per visit, and validity cannot exceed that of the visa for the country of ultimate destination. Not required for direct air transit if the traveller stays within the airport precincts for up to 24 hours. Fee is nationality-specific (reciprocity based).

Apply here ↗

e-Transit Visa (e-TR V)

Online e-Visa route for travelling through India in direct transit to a destination outside India

up to 30 daysapply online

Confirmed live on the official e-Visa portal (July 2026) as one of eight admissible e-Visa categories: 30 days from date of grant of ETA, multiple entry. Distinct from the paper Transit Visa (TR) issued at Indian missions/BOI, which is single-entry, valid for one journey within 15 days of issue, and caps the actual stay at 3 days per visit.

Apply here ↗

FAQ

India Visa Requirements FAQ

Do I need a visa to visit India?

It depends on your nationality - the lists above show every nationality that can enter India visa-free, with a visa on arrival or with an eTA or e-Visa. If your country is not listed, you will likely need to apply for an India tourist visa in advance at an embassy or consulate.

Which countries can visit India without a visa?

3 countries can visit India without a visa in 2026, including: Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal. Use Earth Visa to check whether your specific passport grants visa-free access to India.

How do I apply for an India tourist visa?

If your nationality is not eligible for visa-free entry or visa on arrival to India, you typically need to apply at an India embassy or consulate in your home country. Requirements generally include:

  • Valid passport
  • Completed application form
  • Passport-sized photos
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Proof of onward travel
  • Travel insurance
  • Proof of sufficient funds

Processing times and fees vary by nationality and visa category - see the visa types and fees on this page for the exact figures.

How long can I stay in India without a visa?

The maximum visa-free stay duration in India varies by nationality. Common allowances are 30, 60, or 90 days. See the visa-free country list above for specific stay durations per nationality.

By nationality

India Visa Guides by Nationality

Step-by-step India visa requirements, fees and document checklists for travellers from these countries. Nationalities in the access lists above link straight to their own guides.

Show all 33

Check your specific visa requirements for India

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