Entry requirements

This page has information on travelling to India.

This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘INDIAN VISA ELIGIBILITY’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in India set and enforce entry rules. If you’re unsure how India’s entry requirements apply to you, contact its UK embassy, high commission or consulate.

All travellers

All travellers must comply with all instructions and screening requirements at the airport. More information and detailed guidance is available on the website of the Ministry of Health.

This is to assist the Indian Government in the detection of Monkey pox. More information and detailed guidance is available on the website of the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. See further information on Monkeypox on the TravelHealthPro website.

If you’re fully vaccinated

Pre-boarding

All travellers should submit a self-declaration form on the online “Air Suvidha” portal before scheduled travel.

On arrival

As of 14th February 2022, for all international travellers, there is no longer the requirement to test on arrival or to quarantine at home for 7 days.

The only requirement on arrival currently is to self-monitor for 14 days. More information and detailed guidance is available on the website of Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Some travellers may be subject to random testing on arrival in airports, and if you test positive, you may be subject to institutional quarantine.

All passengers will also be subject to thermal screening.

You may be asked to present your self-declaration form, vaccination BUSINESS VISA FOR INDIA certificate or negative RT-PCR report to airport staff.

The full revised guidelines are available on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website and “Air Suvidha” portal.

Children and young people

Children under 5 years of age are exempt from COVID-19 testing before or on arrival. If found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival, you will need to follow the instructions of the health authorities, which may include testing or mandatory quarantine. Travelling parents/guardians should note that it may not always be possible for parents to have access to the child/children during their period of isolation. This guidance applies across India.

If you’re transiting through India

However, if you are unvaccinated, and you test positive on arrival, and do not have an address in the city of your arrival, you may have to follow institutional quarantine.

Exemptions

There are no exemptions to India’s entry requirements.

Check your passport and travel documents before you travel

Passport validity

To avoid possible problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.

Your passport must be machine readable, with 2 blank pages for your visa and valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of your visa application.

OCI and PIO card holders

In March 2016, the government of India announced that OCI cardholders would no longer need a visa to enter India. You’ll only need to present a valid passport and your OCI card. For more information, visit the website of the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has issued new guidelines permitting all OCI and PIO cardholders to visit India. British nationals who do not hold these cards may also travel to India if they have a valid visa but are not eligible for eVisas at present. For information on categories and process, visit the Indian Bureau of Immigration website.

Visas

You’ll need to get a visa before travelling to India.

Make sure you get the right visa for your travel and that it’s valid for the purpose and duration of your stay. Make sure you meet entry requirements. You can find further information on the Indian High Commission website or the Indian Immigration Bureau website.

You should check your visa for any endorsements that state you should register your arrival in India within a certain amount of time. Failure to do so could lead to you being denied permission to leave.

India’s Bureau of Immigration has announced that with immediate effect, foreign nationals who arrive at an Indian port holding non-machine readable passports will be denied entry. Carriers who transport foreign passengers holding non-machine readable passports may be subject to a fine.

Overstaying on your visa is an offence. Make sure you leave the country before your visa expires.

Applicants of Pakistani origin

All applicants of Pakistani origin who hold dual British-Pakistan nationality must apply for an Indian visa on their Pakistan passport. If you have renounced your Pakistani nationality or cancelled your Pakistani passport, you will need to submit documentary proof of this.

The processing time for visa applications received from persons of Pakistani origin is 7-8 weeks or more. Processing time for applications from those holding dual British-Pakistan nationality will be substantially longer. For further details see the Indian High Commission website.

Airport tax

User Development Fees (UDF) apply at many airports. The fees are around Rs.1,000 per international passenger and Rs.150 to 260 per domestic passenger. This should already be included in the cost of airline tickets.

Polio vaccination

Contact your nearest Indian Embassy or High Commission for further information.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.

Accommodation and C-Forms

Make sure you stay in accommodation that is licensed with the Indian authorities. Ask your accommodation provider whether they’re registered to file ‘C-Forms’ with the Foreigners’ Registration Office (FRO). You’re strongly advised to use accommodation that is registered with the FRO.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

UK ETDs are valid for entry to or exit from India with the relevant Indian visa. They are also valid for airside transit. However, a holder of an ETD will not be able to both enter and exit India using the same ETD. This must be done online, and can take anywhere between five and 15 working days for straightforward applications. You should factor this into your timeframe to leave India when you are booking flights. For further information visit the FRRO website.