The minimum financial coverage for emergency medical care or repatriation must be 30,000 euros.
On October 1, 2025, India introduced a mandatory e-Arrival Card, which all foreign travelers must complete online no later than 72 hours before arrival. This form replaces the paper arrival/departure card that was previously issued on the plane or at the airport.
What is an e-Arrival Card?
It is an electronic pre-arrival form that collects basic information about the traveler. Completion is mandatory for all categories of visitors — tourists, business travelers, conference participants, patients, etc.
What information do I need to provide?
- Passport details (passport number, citizenship)
- Purpose of travel (tourism, business, medical treatment, etc.)
- Address of stay in India
- Dates and duration of visit
- Countries visited in the last 6 days prior to arrival
Please note: documents are not uploaded — only information is submitted.
How to fill it out?
- Go to the official portal.
- Fill out the online form in English.
- Confirm the data and submit the form.
- Receive confirmation by email.
During the trip
The traveler must present confirmation of the completed e-Arrival Card — in digital form or as a printout — during passport control.
Mandatory Health Declaration Before Entering the Country
India has reinstated the Air Suvidha 2.0 system—an online health declaration form for international passengers. It must be completed before arrival in the country.
In the form, passengers must provide their passport details, flight information, address in India, contact information, transit countries, travel history for the past 21 days, and information about any symptoms.
The declaration can be submitted online no later than 24 hours before arrival. After completing the form, be sure to save the confirmation number or registration number—you may be asked to present it at the airport.
Important! Air Suvidha 2.0 does not replace an electronic visa. It is a separate health requirement that must be fulfilled before traveling to India.
Citizens of visa-free countries do not need visas or passports for entry into India ( except cases when they arrive from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Maldives islands or Pakistan) and can live and work in a country without any restrictions on stay.
An Indian Tourist Visa or e-Tourist Visa allows its holder to visit India for the purpose of tourism.
Some of the reasons for traveling to India with this type of visa are:
- Tourist activities
- Visiting friends and family
- Attending a yoga retreat
How to Get a Visa to India?
If a traveler is unable to obtain an e-Visa or if the purpose of their trip does not meet the requirements for an e-Visa, they must apply for a regular Indian visa. This type of visa is processed through the Indian embassy, consulate, or an authorized visa center in the applicant’s country of residence.
Who Might Need a Visa?
A regular visa, processed through an embassy or visa center, may be required for those who are not eligible for an e-Visa, plan a long-term stay in India, or are traveling for a purpose not covered by the e-Visa. This may apply to certain categories of travel related to work, study, long-term stays, or special trips, as well as cases where the e-Visa is not available to citizens of the applicant’s country of residence.
How do I apply for a visa to India?
First, the applicant fills out an online application form on the official Indian Visa Online portal. The form must then be printed, signed, and submitted along with the required documents to an embassy, consulate, or visa center.
In some countries, applications must be submitted in person; in others, through an authorized agent. Therefore, before submitting an application, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the specific rules of the relevant Indian diplomatic mission.
What documents are required for a visa?
The basic set of documents includes:
- a valid passport,
- a completed and signed application form,
- a photograph in the required format,
- proof of the purpose of the trip,
- flight reservations or an itinerary,
- proof of accommodation in India,
- bank statements,
- medical insurance.
Depending on the type of visa, additional documents may be required: an invitation letter, a letter from an employer, proof of enrollment in an educational institution, medical documents, or other supporting documents.
How long does it take to process an application?
After submitting the documents, the applicant pays the visa fee and awaits a decision. The minimum processing time for a standard Indian visa is usually 3 business days; however, the actual processing time may be longer depending on the applicant’s citizenship, the type of visa, the completeness of the documents, and the need for additional checks.
Important to know!
A standard visa obtained through the embassy is not a substitute for an electronic visa (e-Visa); it is a separate method of obtaining permission to enter India. Before submitting your documents, you should verify which type of visa corresponds to the purpose of your trip, as requirements may vary depending on the purpose of your visit: tourism, business, study, medical treatment, work, or long-term stay.
Most travelers will need a visa to India, even if they are just transiting through India on their way to their next destination. However, this depends on the length of time the traveler will be spending in India and whether he is going to leave the transit area of the airport.
Citizens of some nationalities must apply for a transit visa to India in advance at an embassy or consulate. However, most foreign passport holders can now obtain an Indian e-Visa for transit through a simple online application.
Indian visa requirements state that all visa-free travelers passing through an Indian airport for more than 24 hours or intending to leave the transit area of the airport must have a visa to transit through India.
Therefore, a transit visa to India is required for connecting flights with a waiting time of more than 24 hours, as determined by the arrival and departure time schedule.
Even though the traveler has a connecting flight within 24 hours of arriving in India, he may need to leave the transit area of the airport for one reason or another. For example, immigration clearance may be required to recheck baggage for a connecting flight, or because the traveler wants to stay at a hotel outside the transit zone.
In such cases, it will be necessary to obtain a transit visa to India in advance through e-India visa online.
Transit through an Indian airport without a visa is possible if :
- The traveler has confirmed airline tickets to a third country
- Scheduled layover time at an Indian airport is less than 24 hours
- The traveler does not leave the designated transit zone of the airport.
Travelers transiting through India for less than 24 hours are advised to book a connecting flight on the same ticket as the flight to India. Therefore, there will be no need to leave the designated transit area to re-check baggage for a connecting flight and therefore no transit visa is required.
Those entering India by sea do not need a transit visa to India as long as they stay on board of their ship while it is docked in an Indian port.
Those who already have a valid eVisa for India, such as an approved business visa or medical visa , will not need to obtain a transit visa if they are transiting through India for more than 24 hours. This is because these types of visas are multiple entry visas to India that allow the holder to enter India multiple times during their validity.
Eligible applicants for a transit visa to India can complete the online eVisa form , which takes only a few minutes to complete basic passport, passport and travel information.
When filling out the form, it is necessary to indicate the type of visa required: in this case, it is an Indian transit visa. It is also necessary to provide the expected date of arrival and the intended port of entry into India and pay the visa fee using a valid debit or credit card to submit the application.
After applying for a transit visa, it will take about 4 days to be approved. Applicants should submit the eVisa form at least 4 days before the intended date of entry into India to allow sufficient time for processing.
Once the transit visa is approved, it is sent to the email address specified by the applicant on the eVisa form. The traveler can then print a copy of the transit visa to present with their passport at the border control in India.
An approved transit visa for India is available as a single or double entry visa and is valid for entry into the country for 15 days from the date of issue. It allows you to stay in India for a maximum of 3 days and is valid for direct transit only.
1. Microchip of a pet
To enter India, your pet must be microchipped ISO 11784/11785, which consists of 15 digits and is not encrypted. If your pet's microchip does not meet the ISO 11784/11785 standard, you can bring your own microchip scanner .
2. Import permit
An import license issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade of India is required for cats or dogs entering India on a temporary visit. Cats or dogs entering India due to a change of ownership require a 30-day quarantine at an approved quarantine facility in the country of origin. All pets entering India with their owners must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Animal Quarantine Station in India, whether accompanied or unaccompanied, before entering India. The NOC must be issued in person by the owner, owner's representative or agent.
3. Vaccination
Your dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies at least 31 days before entry, if not vaccinated now. Vaccination against rabies for a period of three years is recognized. Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, leishmaniasis, parvovirus and leptospirosis, especially if they are entering India from a country with a high rate of rabies. Cats must be vaccinated against FVRCP, including feline enteritis and feline pan-leukopenia, between 30 days and 12 months prior to entry into India. Dogs must be free of any clinical signs of any disease, including rabies, distemper, parvovirus infection, leptospirosis, infectious canine hepatitis, mange and leishmaniasis.
4. Test for rabies
A rabies test is not required to enter India from any country.
5. Veterinary certificate and other forms
If you are traveling from the US or Canada, your animal must have a veterinary certificate for India for USDA or CFIA approval. If you are not traveling from one of these countries, the forms must be certified by your country's governing body responsible for the import and export of animals. All documents must be in English. The medical certificate is valid for 30 days upon entry from the USA. For the rest of the countries, the form must be issued within 10 days after the trip. It is necessary to provide a notarized declaration on the change of residence, as well as an employment contract, a letter of appointment to a position or a company certificate.
6. Commercial transportation
Pets imported into India must be related to their owner's move to that country. Importation of dogs into India for breeding or commercial purposes is prohibited. Pets imported for show or breeding must be licensed by the Director General of Foreign Trade.
7. Quarantine
All pets imported into India as part of a residence permit may undergo a 14-day government-supervised quarantine or a 30-day home quarantine depending on your pet's health at the time of inspection or compliance with all import regulations. Usually, if all the rules are followed, home quarantine is imposed. All dogs and cats visiting India are exempt from quarantine unless import regulations are met.
8. Entry to India by plane
Your pet can enter India as checked baggage (accompanied cats or dogs) in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, or Kolkata or as air cargo (unaccompanied cats and other animals) in New Delhi and Mumbai . Pets must arrive within 30 days of the owners. No more than 2 dogs or cats can enter India per person. More than 2 pets per person may be imported only with a license from the Director General of Foreign Trade. All dogs and cats must arrive in the country within 30 days of the first immigration stamp placed in their owner's passport after obtaining the appropriate work visa or spouse/dependent visa. If the dog is traveling unaccompanied, it must enter the country 7-14 days after its owner. The original passport of the owner must be presented and kept until the animal passes customs control. Pets must arrive in the country between 5:00 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday. It is not recommended to import the animal at any other time. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of signs of human-transmissible disease when inspected at the port of entry into India. If your dog or cat is not completely healthy, an additional examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.
9. Puppies and kittens
Unvaccinated puppies or kittens are not allowed to be imported into India. Puppies and kittens must be microchipped , then vaccinated against rabies no earlier than 3 months of age and wait 30 days before entering India.
10. Prohibited breeds
India does not publish a list of banned breeds.
11. Export of pets
Within 7 days after the export of dogs and cats, it is necessary to obtain a health certificate from a veterinarian, as well as an animal health certificate from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service, as well as all documents required for the country of destination.
12. Other animals
Only dogs and cats are considered pets for the purpose of import into India. Invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, mammals such as rodents and rabbits can be imported into India as air cargo with a DGFT license if they are not classified as endangered under CITES. (see step 8 to search) If your animal falls under CITES regulations, it is subject to a 30-day quarantine in the country of origin and will be subject to a 30-day quarantine in India. At present, birds are not allowed to be imported due to bird flu.
13. CITES
If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should make sure that it is not protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In this case, you will have to apply for additional permissions. More than 180 countries participate in and enforce the CITES Convention.
The national emergency number – 112
Police – 100
Firefighter – 101
Ambulance –102
Natural disasters consequences services – 108
Women's hotline – 1091
Air ambulance – 9540161344
NDMA Disaster Management 011-26701728-1078
Railway emergency service: 1072
Road accident emergency service: 1073
Emergency assistance service in the event of a road accident on the highway of state importance for private operators: 1033
Hotline for tourists: 1363 or 1800111363
Gas Leak Hotline: 1906
All passengers arriving in India must go through customs.
The first step is to fill out the customs declaration issued by the airline before disembarking from the plane.
Be sure to complete and sign the declaration and hand it to the immigration officer at the Indian airport.
There are 2 customs clearance channels – the Red channel and the Green channel. Here's how they differ:
Red Channel
The red corridor is intended for passengers who carry prohibited items in their luggage, or the number of which exceeds the free allowance.
Free rate is the amount of certain items allowed to be transported without paying duties.
The list of prohibited or taxable items includes:
- Transportation of more than 100 cigarette
- Transportation of more than 25
- Tobacco more than 125 grams
- More than 2 liters of alcohol or wine
- Any form of gold or silver other than jewelry or ornaments
- TVs with a flat screen, liquid crystal display, light emitting diode or plasma TV
- Everything that exceeds the amount of the free rate
Green Channel
The green corridor is reserved for passengers who do not have dutiable items or prohibited items in their luggage.
If you are transporting prohibited items but pass through the "green corridor", you may be prosecuted and fined, and your items may be confiscated.
What can be imported into India?
Here is a short list of permitted items that you can bring into India:
- Private things
- Tourist souvenirs
- Liquor, wine or beer with a total volume of up to 2 liters
- Silver weighing less than 10 kg
- Up to 2 pets eg dogs and cats with all relevant tests and vaccinations.
- Apart from personal items, items worth up to ₹15,000-50,000 depending on your background
- Indian residents arriving after staying abroad for more than 1 year can import jewelery worth 100,000 for women and 50,000 for men.
- Plants and seeds are allowed
- Laptop or computer within the amount of free shipping
What is the currency limit at Indian customs?
Foreign currency – up to 5,000 dollars, greater amount must be declared, or traveler's checks up to 10,000 dollars.
1. Check the transportation schedule.
If you are traveling by bus, you need to know the bus schedule. For example, some buses are for women only, and some are express buses that don't make all the stops.
Of course, cars (tuk-tuks) and hitchhikers can be booked online, but sometimes they may not accept nightly rates or travel too far, so plan ahead.
2. Be aware of and follow local customs.
No matter where you travel, it's important to remember that there are many local and regional customs in India, and while you don't have to know all the customs, it's helpful to at least be aware of them. Some of them that apply across the country include the following:
- Never wear shoes in the temple.
- Never wear shoes in someone else's home.
- Eating with your hands is acceptable and very common.
- Avoid public displays of affection.
3. Learn to bargain and barter.
You will have to learn how to bargain if you plan to buy something in India, especially in popular tourist destinations or in well-known markets;
This also applies to cars and taxis. You should be prepared to argue for a lower price and even insist on reducing the price by up to half. Keep in mind that you are not given the true price and that it will most likely be a markup. If you are shy about bargaining, take a local with you who can help you.
4. Carry bottled water with you.
This is due to the heat and the fact that Indian tap water is not safe to drink. Do not try to filter tap water and try to avoid asking for water in restaurants if you are not sure where it came from.
Instead, always carry safe bottled water with you. In India, it is called mineral water and can be purchased at most stores, restaurants, and pharmacies.
By Author Nomad Paradise
Published: June 11, 2023
Source:https://nomadparadise.com
