India Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a booking through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. ✅ Quick Answer Yes, you need a visa for India — and there’s no getting it at the airport. US, UK, EU, Canadian and Australian tourists (among around 166 eligible nationalities) must apply for an e-Tourist Visa online, in advance, only at the official government portal indianvisaonline.gov.in. As of July 2026 it comes in three multiple-entry tiers: 30-day ($25, or $10 in the April–June low season), 1-year ($40) and 5-year ($80), each plus a 2.5% bank charge. Apply 4 to 120 days before arrival and wait for the approved e-Visa by email before you fly. Your passport needs six months’ validity and two blank pages. This is general guidance — verify the current rule on the official portal before you travel. Do You Need a Visa for India? Yes — and Here’s the Trap Here’s the one thing that catches people out, and it costs them the trip before it starts: India has no visa-on-arrival for Western passports. None. You cannot show up at Delhi airport with a hopeful smile and sort it at a counter. If your e-Visa isn’t approved and sitting in your inbox before you board, the airline won’t let you on the plane. ...