You must have a visa to travel

Travel requirements to India for British citizens

If you're travelling from the United Kingdom to India, the first step is understanding the visa requirements. Securing the right visa makes your entry into India as smooth as possible. Let's explore all the necessary travel documents, visa types, and health requirements for British citizens visiting India.

India visa requirements for British citizens

Travellers need a visa to visit India for Business.

An India eVisa is the fastest way to obtain a visa. Travellers can apply online. Once approved, travellers receive their eVisa confirmation electronically.

Entry to India with an eVisa is supported at 33 airports, 19 seaports, and 4 land ports. For more information, visit the government site.

The eVisa is only applicable to nationals of United Kingdom (British Citizens) and is not available to British Subject, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen, British National (Overseas) and British Dependent Territories Citizen.

This visa requirement doesn’t apply to the following travellers:

  • Travellers with a valid OCI card.

Indian eVisas are not permitted for employment, NGO activities, journalism, or missionary activities.

When preparing to travel, check your visa for any rules or restrictions on the places you can visit.

Travellers need a visa to visit India for Tourism for a maximum stay of 180 days in each calendar year for 5 years.

An India eVisa is the fastest way to obtain a visa. Travellers can apply online. Once approved, travellers receive their eVisa confirmation electronically.

Entry to India with an eVisa is supported at 33 airports, 19 seaports, and 4 land ports. For more information, visit the government site.

The eVisa is only applicable to nationals of United Kingdom (British Citizens) and is not available to British Subject, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen, British National (Overseas) and British Dependent Territories Citizen.

This visa requirement doesn’t apply to the following travellers:

  • Travellers with a valid OCI card.

Indian eVisas are not permitted for employment, NGO activities, journalism, or missionary activities.

When preparing to travel, check your visa for any rules or restrictions on the places you can visit.

Travellers need a visa to visit India for Tourism for a maximum stay of 180 days in 1 calendar year.

An India eVisa is the fastest way to obtain a visa. Travellers can apply online. Once approved, travellers receive their eVisa confirmation electronically.

Entry to India with an eVisa is supported at 33 airports, 19 seaports, and 4 land ports. For more information, visit the government site.

The eVisa is only applicable to nationals of United Kingdom (British Citizens) and is not available to British Subject, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen, British National (Overseas) and British Dependent Territories Citizen.

This visa requirement doesn’t apply to the following travellers:

  • Travellers with a valid OCI card.

Indian eVisas are not permitted for employment, NGO activities, journalism, or missionary activities.

When preparing to travel, check your visa for any rules or restrictions on the places you can visit.

Travellers need a visa to visit India for Tourism for a maximum stay of 30 days.

An India eVisa is the fastest way to obtain a visa. Travellers can apply online. Once approved, travellers receive their eVisa confirmation electronically.

Entry to India with an eVisa is supported at 33 airports, 19 seaports, and 4 land ports. For more information, visit the government site.

The eVisa is only applicable to nationals of United Kingdom (British Citizens) and is not available to British Subject, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen, British National (Overseas) and British Dependent Territories Citizen.

This visa requirement doesn’t apply to the following travellers:

  • Travellers with a valid OCI card.

Indian eVisas are not permitted for employment, NGO activities, journalism, or missionary activities.

When preparing to travel, check your visa for any rules or restrictions on the places you can visit.

Travellers must complete a digital arrival card within 72 hours of arrival in India. Once complete, travellers receive a QR code to display upon arrival.

This requirement does not apply to:

  • Indian passport holders.

Arrival Card

Complete online

Travellers under 18 travelling alone should carry parental consent letters, birth certificates, and passport copies of both parents.

Minors travelling with a single parent must carry a copy of the divorce court order showing that the parent has sole custody of the child.

Minors travelling with an adult who is not a parent or legal guardian should carry proof of parental consent for travel and accommodation.

See the source for more details.

Contact your airline, as they may have additional requirements for minors beyond standard visa rules.

Travellers require a passport to enter India. The traveller's passport must remain valid for at least 6 months at the time of applying for a visa to India. The passport must have at least 2 blank pages.

Travellers should consider:

  • Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines;
  • Typhoid vaccine for visits to smaller cities or rural areas;
  • Routine vaccines including Measles;
  • Japanese Encephalitis vaccine for extended stays or rural activities (not recommended for short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese Encephalitis season).

Additional vaccine recommendations may apply. Consult your healthcare provider and check the source for details.

Travellers don’t need proof of COVID-19 vaccination before travelling to India.

Travellers importing dogs or cats into India must obtain an Advance No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) at least 7 working days before embarkation. Pets must be microchipped, vaccinated (including rabies at least 31 days before entry), and travel with an official veterinary health certificate.

A Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) license may also be required depending on the traveller's residency status and purpose of visit.

Pets may only enter through airports with AQCS facilities.

Airlines have their own policies for transporting pets. Check with your airline and the government source for more details.

On arrival, pets are examined by AQCS. Healthy pets receive a Final NOC at the port of entry, while those with clinical signs or incomplete documents may be quarantined for 15 days.

Different requirements may apply to the following travellers:

  • Commercial importers or those importing pets for breeding purposes;
  • Travellers on temporary visits, who require a DGFT import license in addition to the AQCS NOC.

Step-by-step guide to India visa applications

For British citizens travelling to India, it's important to find out the type of visa you need. Check if you need a single-entry eVisa, multiple-entry eVisa, or a visa on arrival. Once you know, you'll be ready to apply.
Complete the online visa application. Follow the instructions carefully and make sure you have all the required documents. You may need a passport valid for at least six months after your visit, a return ticket, and proof of enough funds to cover any fees.
Once your visa is approved, you’ll receive an email with your eVisa and important instructions. Be sure to read everything carefully.

Exploring more visa-free destinations for British citizens

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic

Travel requirements
United States

United States

Travel requirements
Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago

Travel requirements
United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Travel requirements
Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda

Travel requirements
British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands

Travel requirements
Türkiye (Turkey)

Türkiye (Turkey)

Travel requirements
Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands

Travel requirements
Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Travel requirements
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Travel requirements

Select your passport to see visas and travel requirements by country

Visa FAQs: For British citizens travelling to India

If your visa application is denied, review the reason given by the Indian consulate or embassy. Address any issues or missing information that may have caused the denial. You may have the option to reapply with the corrected or additional information. Consulting a visa specialist or immigration attorney can help you understand your next steps and improve your chances of approval.
If you lose your visa while in India, contact the nearest embassy or consulate for assistance. They can guide you on obtaining a replacement visa or emergency travel documents. It's advisable to keep digital copies of important travel documents, including your visa and passport, to expedite replacement.
Yes, British citizens can easily apply for an eVisa online. You can apply for both single entry and multiple entry eVisas by filling out an application form, submitting the required documents, and paying the visa fee. Once approved, the eVisa will be sent to your email, making the application process convenient and efficient.
Generally, no specific health checks or vaccinations are required when applying for a India visa. However, you should be aware of the following health-related regulations in place while in India:
  • Health screening: While not always required, officials might ask for a health certificate or a medical exam upon arrival. This is more likely if you're coming from an area with a health outbreak or if you show signs of illness.
While these are the current regulations, it is always advisable to check for any updates or changes to health requirements closer to your travel date.