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India

India is a vast subcontinent of extraordinary contrasts and timeless traditions, where ancient civilizations coexist with cutting-edge technology and modern megacities. From the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the tropical beaches of the south, from the arid deserts of Rajasthan to the lush backwaters of Kerala, India encompasses an astounding range of landscapes, cultures, and experiences. Home to over 1.4 billion people speaking hundreds of languages and practicing diverse faiths, India is the world's largest democracy and a rapidly growing economic powerhouse. Whether exploring the architectural wonders of the Taj Mahal, experiencing the spiritual energy of Varanasi, trekking through mountain villages, or navigating the vibrant chaos of Delhi or Mumbai, India offers travelers an immersive journey through one of humanity's oldest and most diverse civilizations.

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  • VisaeVisa
  • CapitalNew Delhi
  • CurrencyINR ₹
  • TimezoneIndia Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
  • Population1.4 Billion
  • RegionAsia · Southern Asia
  • Phone code+91
  • Native nameभारत

Visa Requirements for India

India has modernized its visa system with the introduction of e-Visa (electronic visa) for citizens of most nationalities worldwide, making entry more accessible for tourists, business travelers, and medical visitors. The e-Visa system allows approved travelers to apply online and receive their visa electronically without visiting an Indian embassy or consulate. E-Tourist Visas are typically valid for stays of 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years depending on the type selected, with varying entry conditions. Citizens of certain countries still require traditional visa applications through Indian diplomatic missions. Business travelers, students, researchers, and those seeking long-term stays must apply for appropriate visa categories with specific documentation. India also offers visa-on-arrival for a limited number of nationalities at designated airports. All travelers should check current requirements based on their nationality, as visa policies and processing times can change. Medical tourists and conference attendees have dedicated e-Visa categories with specific documentation requirements. Apply for the e-Visa at least four days before arrival, though earlier is safer given possible delays, and hold a passport valid for at least six months from your entry date with blank pages for stamps. E-Visa holders may enter only through the designated e-Visa airports and seaports on the published and periodically updated list — confirm your specific arrival point is on the current list before booking flights, since land border crossings generally require a traditional visa instead. Travel to certain sensitive border regions and island territories — including parts of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands — requires an additional Protected Area Permit or Restricted Area Permit on top of the visa itself, so research the current permit requirement for your specific itinerary well before travel if it includes any of these areas.

Visa types

30 days, 1 year, or 5 years depending on type selected. Maximum continuous stay varies by visa type.

For tourism, sightseeing, casual visits to friends and relatives, short-duration yoga programs, or recreational activities. Available in 30-day (double entry), 1-year (multiple entry), or 5-year (multiple entry) variants.

Guides

India is a continent disguised as a country — a kaleidoscope of 1.4 billion people, 28 states, 22 official languages, 6 major religions, and a 5,000-year civilization that assaults the senses like no other destination on Earth. The Taj Mahal in Agra is just the beginning. The Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) packs Mughal forts, maharaja palaces, chaotic bazaars, and a cuisine that explodes with every bite. Rajasthan dazzles with palaces converted into luxury hotels, the Thar Desert with camps under the stars, the blue city of Jodhpur, and the golden fortress of Jaisalmer. Kerala in the south offers a completely different India: backwaters navigable by houseboat through coconut groves, tropical beaches, ancient Ayurveda, and fish curry in coconut milk. Varanasi on the Ganges — the world's oldest continuously inhabited city — confronts visitors with life, death, and Hindu spirituality in ways nobody forgets: the ghats at dawn with cremation ceremonies, ritual baths, and the nightly Ganga Aarti with thousands of candles floating downstream. Goa blends beaches with Portuguese colonial architecture and Baroque churches (UNESCO). The Himalayas range from Ladakh (the 'Little Tibet' with Buddhist monasteries at 3,500+ meters) to Darjeeling (tea plantations with views of Kangchenjunga) offering trekking, spirituality, and landscapes of staggering grandeur. And then there's the food — every state has its own cuisine, from Hyderabadi biryani to Tamil Nadu dosa, from Gujarati thali to Punjabi dal makhani, with a level of spice complexity that Indian food abroad barely hints at.

India travel guide →

The full guide — the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Kerala's backwaters, the Himalaya, Goa, and the two-week route.

Money in India →

Rupees, ATMs and the closed-currency rule — the practical money guide.

Eating in India →

Grain, fat and faith — the three-variable map that makes India's regional kitchens legible, thali to street stall.

Getting around India →

The train class ladder, IRCTC booking mechanics, when to fly, and the hired driver — distance as the design constraint.

Health & safety in India →

Traffic read as a pedestrian, the water and heat discipline, temple conduct, and the precautions that actually protect solo travellers.

Cities & planning

BangaloreKarnatakaChennaiTamil NaduDelhiDelhiGoaGoaJaipurRajasthanKolkataMumbaiMaharashtraNew DelhiDelhi

Regions

Embassies & missions

Frequently asked questions

Almost certainly yes — India has no broad visa-free access, but citizens of most nationalities worldwide can apply for an e-Visa online rather than visiting an embassy. Apply through the official government e-Visa portal at least four working days before arrival (a week is safer), and confirm your arrival airport or seaport is on the e-Visa-eligible entry-point list, since most land borders still require a traditional visa.

November through February suits most of the country — cooler, drier, and comfortable for the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Kerala and Goa. Summer (April-June) turns brutally hot across the plains and deserts, and the southwest monsoon (June-September) brings heavy rain to most regions — though it's actually the best window for high-altitude Ladakh and Spiti, which sit in a rain shadow and are snowbound the rest of the year.

No — stick to sealed bottled water or a reliable purification method throughout the trip, and be cautious with ice in drinks unless you're confident of its source. Street food can be excellent and is worth trying, but favor busy stalls with high turnover, where ingredients don't sit around.

Planning a trip to India? Check what you need to enter and apply online in minutes.

Also required: digital arrival card

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This overview comes from Visaja's worldwide missions database (visaja.com), checked against official government sources; for binding answers, the mission itself always has the final word.