Just like most countries, India indiaevisas.org also has list of Foreign Nationals/Citizens who are eligible to enter India as Tourists Visa-free, Visa On Arrival, and with an E-Visa! The requirements for each Visa schemes differ as follows;
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VISA-FREE
Who are eligible foreign nationals to enter India Visa-free?
According to indiaevisas.org, the foreign nationals who are entitled for a Visa-free entry to India (for as long as they are not arriving from China) are from the following countries;
- Bhutan
- Maldives (Up to 90 days stay)
- Nepal
- Citizens of Bhutan and Nepal may also have the liberty to live or work in India without any limit of stay. In addition, Persons with ‘Indian Origin Card‘ are also entitled for Visa exemption listed here.
VISA-ON-ARRIVAL
Who are eligible foreign nationals to enter India using Visa On Arrival schemes?
Visa on Arrival schemes were previously offered to most countries, but (as of 2014) the Indian Government has limited it to just Japanese citizens, provided that their origin are not Bangladeshi or Pakistani to be eligible for this visa scheme with a validity of up to 30 days.
E-VISA
E-Visa schemes were launched by the Indian Government for foreigners from more than 165 Countries, who would like to visit India as tourists and this Visa scheme can be applied and obtained 100% online through indiaevisas.org.
Who are eligible for Indian E-Visa schemes?
In order to be eligible for an Indian E-Visa scheme you must meet the following criteria as follows;
1. Visitors who are visiting for the purpose of tourism/recreation (sightseeing/tours) or visiting to see friends/relatives who live in India. And;
2. Must be citizens/nationals of ANY of the following countries or territories;
Albania, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Island, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte D’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger Republic, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Christopher and Nevis Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Island, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. And the;
3. Point of Entry should be ONE of the following;
- AIRPORTS of: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, and Varanasi.
- SEA PORTS of: Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Kochi, Mangalore, and Mumbai.
- If you are wondering why just these entry points, it’s because they are the only borders/checkpoints who accept and can facilitate E-VISA schemes.
4. Must have a passport with at least 6 months’ remaining validity prior to your intended travel date.
5. Must NOT be a Diplomatic/Official passport holder nor own a Laissez-passer travel document.
6. Must NOT have a Pakistani Origin up to the third generation including parents or grandparents nor they lived in Pakistan. Otherwise, even if your citizenship is eligible for the E-Visa scheme, you will be disqualified.
NOTE: If you are a Journalist, Intent to work for NGO/volunteering activities, or Intend to attend work conferences in India, there’s a different type of visa for that! Submit your Visa application to the nearest Indian Embassy. For all other situations or intentions of visit, it’s best to directly contact the Bureau of Immigration of India for more information.
Now, after careful considerations, and you are eligible for an Indian E-Visa scheme based on the criteria listed above, then READ THIS: INDIAN E-VISA STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE & REQUIREMENTS. If you are a Philippine Passport Holder, I have a more specific guide for you, READ THIS: INDIAN E-VISA GUIDE for Filipinos.
