Travel to India.
Confidently.
Visa and e-Visa rules, customs limits, OCI/NRI exemptions, baggage allowances, SIM cards and immigration e-Gates — everything you need to know before you land. Each section carries an official-source link and a last-verified date.
Visa & e-Visa
Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter India. India's e-Visa system covers 170+ countries and is the fastest route for tourism, business and medical visits.
- Available for citizens of 170+ eligible countries.
- Validity: 30 days (single entry), 1 year (multiple entry) or 5 years (multiple entry).
- Apply online: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa — typically approved in 3–5 working days.
- Entry only through 29 designated airports and 6 seaports.
- e-Business Visa: for meetings, conferences, trade — single or multiple entry.
- e-Medical Visa: for recognised Indian hospitals; attendants may apply for e-Medical Attendant Visa.
- Carry a printed copy of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) when you fly.
Customs & Duty-Free
Indian Customs follows a two-channel (Green / Red) system at every international arrival terminal. Declare dutiable goods and currency above the thresholds in the Red Channel.
- ₹50,000 of articles for Indian residents returning after staying abroad > 3 days.
- ₹35,000 for Indian residents returning after staying abroad < 3 days.
- 1 L of alcoholic beverages or wine (NO additional duty).
- 100 cigarettes OR 25 cigars OR 125 g tobacco.
- Cash exceeding USD 5,000 (or equivalent) in notes OR USD 10,000 incl. travellers cheques.
- Any gold or jewellery brought by a male resident > ₹50,000 (or 20 g); female resident > ₹1,00,000 (or 40 g).
- Satellite phones, drones, high-value electronics for commercial use.
- Agricultural products, meat, dairy — restricted by the Plant Quarantine authority.
OCI / NRI travel
OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card holders enjoy visa-free travel for life. NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) carry an Indian passport and don't need a visa, but may need to declare foreign assets.
- No visa required — travel to India on your foreign passport + original OCI card.
- If your foreign passport is renewed, you must update the OCI card after 20th birthday (and once after 50th).
- Entitled to the special Indian immigration e-Gate (ICA SMART) at DEL, BOM, BLR, HYD, MAA, COK.
- Cannot buy agricultural land, vote, or hold constitutional posts in India.
- Carry your Indian passport only — no visa needed.
- You may still need to show return ticket + address proof at some foreign departure airports.
- Foreign assets > USD 2 lakh must be disclosed in your Indian ITR under FA Schedule.
- RBI-regulated NRE/NRO accounts allow repatriation of funds.
Baggage rules
India follows the ICAO baggage framework. Each airline sets its own cabin + checked allowance, but DGCA mandates minimum cabin size and prohibited-item lists.
- 1 handbag ≤ 7 kg, 55 × 35 × 25 cm (varies by airline).
- 1 small personal item (handbag/laptop sleeve).
- IndiGo & Akasa are strictest — SpiceJet weighs cabin bags at the gate.
- Air India/Vistara Business: 2 pieces × 10 kg each.
- Economy domestic: 15 kg (IndiGo/Akasa) or 20–25 kg (Air India/Vistara).
- Economy international: usually 23 kg × 1 or 2 pieces depending on destination.
- Lithium batteries, power banks (≤ 100 Wh) must stay in cabin baggage — NEVER in check-in.
- Dangerous goods list on BCAS site covers aerosols, matches, flammable liquids etc.
SIM & Connectivity
India has the world's cheapest mobile data. A pre-paid tourist SIM activates in 1–2 hours and gives 1.5 GB/day on 5G for about ₹300 for 28 days.
- DEL · BOM · BLR · HYD · MAA · COK — all have Jio, Airtel and Vodafone-Idea kiosks at Arrivals.
- You'll need: passport + visa + 1 photo + Indian local address (hotel is fine).
- Airport SIMs are typically ₹500–₹800 for the tourist pack (data + 28 days + ₹100 recharge).
- Activation takes 1–2 hours via SMS verification.
- Jio and Airtel both support eSIM — bring your passport and complete KYC in-store.
- International eSIMs (Airalo, Nomad, Holafly) work from the moment you land — pricier but zero paperwork.
- Avoid airport Wi-Fi for banking — most airports require OTP for the open Wi-Fi.
Money & Currency
The Indian Rupee (INR, ₹) is the only legal tender. UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is the fastest way to pay — foreign visitors can now use it via international partner apps.
- Thomas Cook, Centrum Direct and bank branches have ForEx counters at every major Indian airport.
- Airport rates are 2–3% worse than city rates — exchange ₹5,000–₹10,000 for immediate taxi + food, then switch to UPI/card.
- Carrying > USD 5,000 cash must be declared at Customs (Red Channel).
- RBI + NPCI permit international travellers to open UPI One World wallets at the airport.
- Accepted everywhere — street food, metro, auto-rickshaws, ride apps.
- Credit/debit cards work at hotels, restaurants and modern retail; carry cash for autos and small shops.
Immigration & e-Gates
Indian passport, OCI card and Fast Track Immigration (FTI-TTP) members use the dedicated e-Gates at the six largest airports. Everyone else goes through standard immigration counters.
- Launched 2024 — free for Indian passport & OCI card holders.
- Register once at ftittp.mha.gov.in — approval is biometric + background check.
- e-Gates live at: DEL T3, BOM T2, BLR T2, HYD T1, MAA T2, COK T3.
- Clearance in under 30 seconds — faster than any manual counter.
- Fill the arrival card on board or at the counter — some flights have switched to digital.
- Have your e-Visa printout, hotel address and return ticket ready.
- APIS (Advance Passenger Information) is submitted by your airline — no action from you.
Now plan your airport.
Browse airports by state, see terminal maps and lounges, and start your trip in confidence.