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New Delhi Entry Requirements

New Delhi Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Government Travel Advisories
Verified 2026-10-01
Before you travel: official formalities

  • India e-Arrival Card

    Who
    All foreign nationals, including OCI cardholders
    When
    Within 72 hours before arrival

    Required before entry since 1 October 2025. The Government of India does not authorise any agent or intermediary to charge fees for the e-Arrival card.

    Official site
    Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Most visitors touch down at Indira Gandhi International Airport to begin their New Delhi entry. Immigration moves along without much fuss, though peak hours mean standing in line. Have your documents sorted and within reach. Entry rules mirror India's national policy, hinging on your passport and why you're coming. Check your visa status and any pre-arrival steps early. Requirements shift.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

India sorts visitors by nationality, with each passport facing its own set of rules. Your options break down into visa-free entry, electronic authorization, or an embassy visa. Stay limits differ by category. For the definitive word on where you stand, consult India's official government immigration portal.

Visa-Free Entry
The allowed stay varies, often between 30 and 90 days.

A small handful of nationalities can skip the visa line entirely for tourism visits.

Includes
Bhutan Maldives Nepal

Restrictions apply, and the visit must be for leisure. Confirm your eligibility and allowed days before booking anything.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
This usually allows a stay of up to 30 days, with double-entry permitted.

Travelers from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and most EU nations need electronic visas secured before landing.

Includes
United States United Kingdom Australia Canada Germany France Italy Spain Japan South Korea
How to Apply: Submit your application through India's official e-Visa portal. Processing runs a few business days, though a week's lead time is smarter.
Cost: The fee is a modest, government-set amount.

The e-Visa covers tourism, business, or medical trips only. You must fly into an approved airport, including Delhi's Indira Gandhi International. Your passport needs six months' validity from arrival plus two blank pages.

Visa Required
The stay permitted is determined by the visa type and duration granted.

Many passport holders must secure traditional visas through Indian embassies or consulates prior to departure.

How to Apply: You'll hand in forms, photos, and supporting papers to an Indian diplomatic mission, either personally or through an authorized agent. Expect several weeks for processing.

This covers extended stays, specific employment, study, or other non-leisure purposes. Begin your application well ahead of your New Delhi departure date.

Arrival Process

Arriving in New Delhi means moving through immigration and customs in sequence. Indira Gandhi International Airport runs an efficient operation, though lines build up. Organized paperwork speeds things along.

1
Pre-Arrival Formality
Every foreign visitor must complete an e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours of landing. This is compulsory and costs nothing. Use India's official government site. You'll get a receipt. Keep it handy, printed or on your phone.
2
Immigration Check
Present your passport, visa or ETA approval, and e-Arrival receipt to the immigration officer. They may ask about your visit purpose and accommodation. Expect fingerprinting and a photo at this desk.
3
Baggage Claim and Customs
Post-immigration, grab your bags and head to customs. Pick the green channel for nothing to declare, or red if you're carrying goods past duty-free limits or restricted items.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
Needs six months' validity past your New Delhi arrival date, plus two blank pages minimum for stamps.
Visa or ETA
Carry the correct, valid visa or electronic authorization matching your nationality and visit purpose. Show either the approval document or the visa sticker itself.
e-Arrival Receipt
Bring the confirmation received after submitting your mandatory online e-Arrival Card before flying.
Onward/Return Ticket
Officers may request proof of onward travel, such as a ticket to another destination or your return flight home.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Stash your passport, visa, e-Arrival receipt, and a pen in your carry-on for instant access.
Complete the e-Arrival Card once your flight is booked, comfortably inside the 72-hour window. Don't wait.
Connecting domestically? You still clear immigration and reclaim bags at your first entry point, which could be New Delhi.

Customs & Duty-Free

India sets clear limits on duty-free imports, with outright bans on some goods. Uncertain? Declare it.

Alcohol
Up to 2 liters of wine or spirits
The traveler must be of legal drinking age, which is 25 years in Delhi.
Tobacco
Up to 100 cigarettes, or 25 cigars, or 125g of tobacco
These are personal use limits.
Currency
Foreign currency has no ceiling. But amounts over USD 5,000 (or equivalent) must be declared.
Indian currency (INR) import is limited to ₹25,000.
Gifts/Goods
Indian residents may bring personal effects and gifts valued up to ₹50,000; foreigners, a reasonable quantity for personal use.
Commercial quantities or high-value items may attract duty.

Prohibited Items

  • Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances - illegal
  • Live plants, seeds, and soil - biosecurity risk
  • Counterfeit currency and goods - illegal
  • Pornographic materials - illegal
  • Wireless transmitters without a license - restricted

Restricted Items

  • Firearms and ammunition require a license from the Indian government
  • Gold and silver bullion or coins beyond personal jewelry allowances require declaration and may incur duty.
  • Professional camera gear or drones face extra scrutiny if officers suspect commercial intent.

Health Requirements

New Delhi imposes few universal health document requirements, though smart travelers prepare anyway. Guidelines evolve, so verify official health advisories near your departure.

Required Vaccinations

  • Yellow fever vaccination proof is mandatory if you're arriving from a risk country.

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Keep routine vaccinations current: MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella, polio, and influenza.
  • Hepatitis An and Typhoid are recommended for most travelers to India.
  • Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, and Rabies shots may be advised based on your stay length and planned activities.

Health Insurance

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Check the current entry rules on the official government website before you travel. Still, get it. Coverage for medical evacuation matters. Healthcare costs for foreigners run high. Many hospitals in New Delhi demand upfront payment. Do not skip this step.

Current Health Requirements: Yellow fever certificates are mandatory for travelers from at-risk regions. Otherwise, no health documents are required on entry. Rules shift. Check the official website of India's Ministry of Health. Check your own government's travel health advisory too. Do this before departure.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Note your embassy's contact details. Do this before you travel. Your consulate in New Delhi should be easy to reach. Emergencies happen. Be ready.
Find this information on your government's foreign affairs website. Travel advisory pages carry it too. The data is public. Look it up.
Immigration Authority
The Bureau of Immigration website holds official visa and entry information. It is the primary source. Trust it. Ignore unofficial channels.
Use this for checking procedures and official announcements.
Emergency
The general emergency number in India is 112.
You can also dial 100 for police, 102 for ambulance, and 101 for fire.

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Minors need their own passport and visa for New Delhi. Traveling with one parent? Carry notarized consent letters from the other parent. Traveling without parents? Bring letters from both. Immigration officers ask questions. Rules are applied strictly. Check current requirements before flying.

Traveling with Pets

Importing pets into India is complex. Dogs and cats need a microchip. Rabies vaccination and titer test are required. You need an import permit. A veterinary health certificate is mandatory. Start the process months ahead. Confirm all details with the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service station. For New Delhi, this is at the airport.

Extended Stays

Want to stay longer than your tourist visa allows? You must usually leave India. Apply for a new visa from abroad. Extensions within India are rare. Medical treatment is one limited exception. Overstaying brings fines. Deportation follows. Re-entry bans are possible. Do not risk it.

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