India Tourist Visa Rules 2026
Last checked: 21 March 2026
Important: The FCDO advises against all travel to the India-Pakistan border (excluding crossings) and Jammu and Kashmir (except Jammu city/Ladakh). Avoid all but essential travel to Manipur.
Planning a holiday to India with a full British citizen passport?
This guide explains the current tourist entry rules for UK travellers, including whether you need a visa, passport validity rules, the new e-arrival card process, registration rules after arrival, electronic systems now in use, costs, and the official government links to check before travel.
This article is restricted to tourist entry for UK citizens. It does not cover work, study, residence permits, or longer-term immigration routes except where needed to explain what does not apply to a normal holiday.
India uses the Indian rupee (INR) and is not part of the Schengen area.
Index
- 1. Quick answer
- 2. Passport and visa rules
- 3. E-arrival card and arrival formalities
- 4. Registration after arrival
- 5. Electronic systems in use
- 6. Costs for UK tourist entry
- 7. Official UK and Indian government links
- 8. Frequently asked questions
1. Quick answer
A visa is required for a UK citizen visiting India as a tourist, unless they hold a valid OCI card.
For most British travellers, the key points are:
- You must have a visa before travelling, unless you are travelling on a valid OCI card.
- Your passport must expire at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
- Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages.
- You must complete the e-arrival card online within 72 hours before arrival.
- The e-arrival card is not a visa, so you still need a valid visa or OCI card.
- You should make sure your passport is stamped on arrival.
- There is an official e-visa system, but you must check eligibility and entry-point restrictions carefully before relying on it.
In simple terms, a British tourist should assume India is a visa-required destination, with a passport-validity rule, an e-arrival card requirement, and possible registration rules for longer stays.
2. Passport and visa rules
If you are travelling to India as a tourist on a full British citizen passport, your passport should meet these conditions:
- It must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
- It must have at least 2 blank pages.
- You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or if you try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
You must have a valid visa to visit India unless you are an OCI cardholder.
India has a number of visa categories. Make sure you get the right visa for your travel. You could be refused entry, deported, or banned from entering India in the future if you arrive with the wrong visa.
It is illegal to overstay your visa in India. Make sure you leave before it expires, or obtain an official extension if that is available for your circumstances.
India is outside Schengen, so time spent in India does not count towards your Schengen 90 days in 180 days allowance.
3. E-arrival card and arrival formalities
This is one of the most important recent practical changes for travellers to India.
Foreign nationals arriving in India must complete an e-arrival card online before reaching immigration.
- You can complete it up to 72 hours before arrival.
- It is available through the official Indian visa or Bureau of Immigration systems.
- It is not a visa.
- You still need a separate valid visa or OCI card to enter India.
When you arrive, make sure the immigration officer stamps your passport. You may need that stamp when you leave India.
When leaving India, officials will check when you entered. If you do not have an entry stamp, for example because you are travelling on a newly issued passport or emergency travel document, you may need to apply for a special exit permit before departure.
4. Registration after arrival
There are two practical registration points worth knowing about.
First, hotels, hostels and other accommodation providers must register foreign guests with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office. Make sure your accommodation provider registers you using the online C-form.
Second, if you plan to stay in India for more than 180 days and do not hold an OCI card, you must register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office.
You may also need to register your stay depending on the type of visa you hold, so check the conditions attached to your particular visa type before travel.
5. Electronic systems in use
India currently has several digital systems that matter for tourist travel.
Regular online visa application
India’s official visa system allows travellers to complete the regular visa application online before submitting it through the appropriate mission or visa centre.
India e-visa system
India also has an official e-visa system.
- You apply online.
- You pay online.
- You receive an ETA online by email.
- You print the ETA and present it at an authorised immigration checkpoint.
The official website says the e-visa fee is country-specific and that bank transaction charges of 3% apply additionally. Because the publicly visible page does not give one clean fixed UK-specific tourist e-visa fee, this article does not insert an unverified amount for the e-visa route.
The e-visa website also says biometric details are mandatorily captured at immigration on arrival in India for e-visa holders.
E-arrival card
Separate from the visa itself, foreign nationals and OCI cardholders can complete the e-arrival card online within 72 hours before arrival. This is arrival information only and does not replace the need for a visa or OCI card where required.
So the current position for UK tourists is:
- India is not a visa-free destination for ordinary British tourists
- India has both a regular visa route and an official e-visa route
- The e-arrival card is now part of the arrival process
- There is no India-only tourist ETA separate from the visa system itself
- EES and ETIAS do not apply to entry into India
6. Costs for UK tourist entry
India uses the Indian rupee (INR). For a British tourist, a visa is required, so the official costs are more important than in many visa-free destinations.
Approximate rupee conversions below use the Reserve Bank of India reference rate shown for 4 March 2026 of INR 122.8622 per GBP.
| Item | Does it apply to a normal UK tourist? | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Regular tourist visa up to 1 year, UK nationals | Yes, this is one official UK-facing tourist-visa route | About ₹15,603.50 (£127) |
| Regular tourist visa more than 1 year up to 5 years, UK nationals | May apply depending on the visa requested | About ₹46,441.91 (£378) |
| India e-tourist visa | May apply depending on your eligibility and route, but the public official page shows the fee as country-specific rather than one fixed UK amount | Official UK-specific amount not inserted here to avoid using an unverified figure |
| E-arrival card | Yes, but it is part of the arrival process, not a visa fee | ₹0 (£0) |
Important: the official Indian e-visa page says e-visa fees are country-specific and shown during the application process. It also says an additional 3% bank transaction charge applies. Because the public page does not provide one clean fixed UK tourist e-visa fee, this article does not insert an unverified amount for that route.
7. Official UK and Indian government links
Use these official pages before booking, before travel, and again shortly before departure:
- UK Government travel advice for India
- UK Government India entry requirements
- UK Government foreign travel checklist
- India Visa Online official portal
- India official e-visa portal
- High Commission of India in London, visa fee structure
- High Commission of India in London, fee structure
- Reserve Bank of India exchange rates
If your circumstances are unusual, for example OCI status, Pakistani-origin documentation issues, or a stay beyond 180 days, rely on the official pages above rather than third-party websites.
8. Frequently asked questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for India?
Yes. A British citizen normally needs a visa to visit India, unless they hold a valid OCI card.
How long must my passport be valid for India?
Your passport must expire at least 6 months after the date you arrive and must have at least 2 blank pages.
Do I need to complete an e-arrival card for India?
Yes. Foreign nationals arriving in India must complete the e-arrival card online within 72 hours before reaching immigration.
Is the e-arrival card the same as a visa?
No. The e-arrival card is not a visa. You still need a valid visa or OCI card to enter India.
Does India have an e-visa?
Yes. India has an official e-visa system, but you should check your eligibility, entry-point restrictions, and category carefully before relying on it.
How much is the India tourist visa for a UK citizen?
The current official UK-facing fee for a regular tourist visa up to one year is £127, and for more than one year up to five years it is £378. This article shows the approximate rupee equivalents using the Reserve Bank of India rate visible when checked.
Do I need to register after arriving in India?
Your hotel or other accommodation provider must register you using the online C-form. If you plan to stay for more than 180 days and do not hold an OCI card, you must also register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office within 14 days of arrival.
What happens if my passport is not stamped on arrival?
You may have problems leaving India. In some cases you may need to apply for a special exit permit before travel.
Final check before travel
For a British tourist, India is not a visa-free destination. The main things to get right are your visa before travel, your passport validity, your e-arrival card, making sure your passport is stamped on arrival, and understanding any registration requirements if your stay is long enough.
