Requirements: What do I need to travel to India?

India is a popular and diverse tourist destination, brimming with cultural riches, breathtaking scenery and thousands of years of history. However, before you set off for this marvellous land, it's crucial to understand the requirements and formalities for travelling to India. Indeed, the preparation of your trip, including obtaining the appropriate documents, can greatly influence your experience in India. On this page, we will guide you through the essential requirements for travelling to India, emphasising the importance of knowing this information before you leave.

Entry requirements for India: in brief

• Passport: Valid for 6 months after the date of return and with at least 2 blank pages.
• Visa: Required for all British travellers. Two types of electronic visa (e-Visas) are available: the e-Tourist Visa (tourism) and the e-Business Visa (business).
• Vaccinations: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is compulsory for travellers from countries where yellow fever is present. Other vaccinations may be recommended, such as those against hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies.
• Travel insurance: Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover medical expenses, medical evacuation, repatriation, etc.
• Other documents: Return or onward air ticket. Proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in India.

Online visa requirements for India:

Obtaining a visa to travel to India is now easier thanks to the online electronic visa application system, known as e-Visa. This system has been introduced to facilitate the process and offer greater convenience to travellers.

The e-Visa offers several significant advantages. Firstly, it allows you to apply for a visa without having to physically visit an Indian embassy or consulate. You can simply complete the application form online and submit the required documents via the official portal.

As far as the different categories of visa available are concerned, India offers various types of visa to suit the needs of travellers. The most common categories include tourist, business, medical and conference visas. There are also other relevant visa categories, such as the visa for volunteers, journalists, students, etc.

To obtain a visa online, certain conditions and requirements must be met. Firstly, you must have a valid passport with sufficient validity to cover your stay in India. Make sure you also have blank pages in your passport for entry and exit stamps.

As well as your passport, you will need to provide additional documents, such as return tickets or a confirmed travel itinerary. You will also need to prove that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay in India. A recent passport photograph and a completed online application form will also be required.

It is important to note that the processing time for an online visa may vary. In general, applications are processed within a reasonable time, but it is advisable to submit your application with sufficient time before your planned trip. In addition, visa processing fees will apply. Fees may vary depending on the length of stay and the visa category chosen.

What passport requirements do I need to travel to India?

To travel to India, British nationals must comply with a number of passport formalities to ensure smooth entry into the country. Here are the essential points to bear in mind:

Firstly, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival in India. This requirement is designed to prevent any potential validity problems during your stay. In addition, your passport must contain at least two blank pages. These pages are required for entry and exit stamps issued by the Indian authorities.

When you arrive in India, you will need to present your valid passport together with the e-Visa printed or electronically on your device. This will facilitate entry formalities and allow you to begin your stay without complications.

Although it is not a formal requirement, it is a good idea to make photocopies of your passport. Keep these copies separate from the originals in case they are lost or stolen.

What are the health and vaccination formalities for travelling to India?

To travel to India, British nationals must comply with certain health and vaccination formalities to ensure their safety and well-being during their stay. Here are the main points to bear in mind:

Recommended vaccinations for India:

• Hepatitis A: Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for all travellers, as the virus can be contracted through contaminated food and water.
• Hepatitis B: Recommended especially for extended stays or for people likely to have intimate or medical contact with the local population.
• Typhoid: Recommended for longer stays, particularly in rural areas or where hygiene conditions are poor.
• Rabies: Recommended for long-term stays, high-risk activities (such as working with animals) or travel to rural areas.
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Polio (DTP): Make sure your vaccination is up to date.
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR): Make sure you are up to date, especially for children and young adults.

Vaccination against COVID-19

• COVID-19: Although not compulsory, it is strongly recommended that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before travelling.

General Health Precautions

• Malaria: There is a risk of malaria in some parts of India. Consult your doctor to find out whether malaria prophylaxis is necessary depending on your itinerary.
• Water and food: Avoid drinking tap water. Drink only bottled or treated water and be careful with raw or undercooked food.

Other Health Advice

• First-aid kit: Take a first-aid kit containing basic medicines (antidiarrhoeals, analgesics, antiseptics, mosquito repellents).
• Health insurance: Take out health insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation.

Take your up-to-date international vaccination booklet (also known as the yellow booklet) with you, including the recommended vaccinations and those against COVID-19.

Other formalities and documents required to travel to India :

In addition to the visa, there are other important formalities and documents to consider when travelling to India.

First of all, make sure you have a valid passport with sufficient validity. Most travellers need to have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of intended entry into India. Also make sure you have blank pages in your passport for entry and exit stamps.

As far as health is concerned, it is essential to check the vaccination requirements recommended for India. For example, some parts of India may require proof of vaccination against yellow fever. In addition, in the event of a pandemic or epidemic, vaccination requirements may apply.

When should I apply for a visa before travelling to India?

It is advisable to apply for an India visa as soon as you have planned your trip and know your departure and arrival dates. It is best to submit your visa application online several weeks in advance to allow sufficient time for processing and to avoid any last-minute problems.

Processing times for online visa applications may vary depending on various factors such as the time of year, the category of visa requested and the workload of the relevant authorities. In general, we recommend that you submit your visa application at least 4 to 6 weeks before your planned date of departure.

What are the restrictions on travelling to India?

Restrictions on travel to India may vary depending on developments in the epidemiological situation and the regulations put in place by the Indian government. Here is some general information on current restrictions on travel to India:

• Restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, India has put in place temporary travel restrictions. These restrictions may include limitations on international flights, pre-departure and arrival COVID-19 testing requirements, mandatory quarantine periods and specific restrictions for travellers from certain countries. It is important to check the latest guidelines and requirements with the relevant authorities before travelling to India.
• Area-specific restrictions: Some areas of India may have specific travel restrictions due to security concerns, civil unrest or other considerations. Before travelling, it is advisable to consult the travel warnings and advice issued by the governments of your home country and to check the restrictions specific to the region you plan to visit.
• Health requirements: Apart from the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be specific health requirements for entering India. These may include mandatory or recommended vaccinations, including yellow fever in some areas. Please check travel recommendations and health requirements with the relevant authorities before departure.

Conclusion: Our advice for preparing your trip to India

To sum up, travelling to India requires you to take into account certain requirements and formalities. Obtaining a visa online via the e-Visa system offers a convenient and simplified method of obtaining your travel authorisation. There are different categories of visa, depending on the purpose of your trip. Make sure you meet the common requirements, such as a valid passport, return tickets, financial proof and a recent passport photo.

In addition to a visa, it is crucial to have a valid passport with sufficient blank pages for entry and exit stamps. Make sure you also comply with health requirements, such as recommended vaccinations, by checking the information with the relevant authorities. Don't forget to bring other important documents such as proof of hotel booking, a detailed travel itinerary and travel insurance.

It is always advisable to check the latest information with the relevant authorities or Indian embassies before travelling. In this way, you can ensure that you have all the necessary documents and that you meet the conditions required to make the most of your trip to India.