last edited Mar 16, 2026
Entry Requirements and Visa for India
Location Map of India
India
Open the interactive map
People
For French Citizens
For tourist travel, you need a passport valid for at least 6 months after the visa expiry date, a visa (mandatory in advance, or you’ll be turned away), and, since 2025, an e-Arrival Card. Authorities may also ask for proof of an onward ticket and/or sufficient funds for your stay.
The Visa
While paper visas still exist, the e-Visa is the simplest option. Apply on the official site, where it’s usually processed in 3–4 days. The basic version allows a 30-day stay, costing $10 or $25 depending on the season, for one or two entries, rarely more.
Alternatively, there are 1- and 5-year tourist visas with multiple entries, permitting stays of up to 180 days per calendar year (renewable every 90 days). Like the standard visa, these can be applied for 4–120 days before arrival, costing $40 and $80 respectively, and neither can be extended or modified once in India.
Note that with the e-Visa, entry must be by air (24 airports) or sea (3 ports). It doesn’t work for land arrivals (but is valid for land departures). So, if you’re making a round trip between India and Nepal, you can leave India any way you like but must return by air.
The e-Arrival Card
Don’t confuse this with the visa. It’s the digital arrival form for foreigners, where you provide personal and travel details. Introduced in 2025, it’s free and available online via the official site or a dedicated app. Complete it up to 72 hours before arrival. Once submitted, you’ll receive a QR code to present to authorities at the airport.
Other Nationalities
The same rules apply to Canadians, Swiss citizens, EU nationals, and many others.
Special Permits
Some parts of India have long required special permits. For trekkers, this mainly means access to Sikkim and Ladakh in the Himalayas, though other areas like Arunachal Pradesh, parts of the Northeast, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and border zones may also require them. These permits are in addition to standard requirements, are fee-based, and must be obtained online via dedicated sites.
Long Stays
For extended stays or multiple trips, the easiest option is a 1- or 5-year multiple-entry e-Visa, allowing up to 180 days per calendar year (renewable every 90 days).
In Case of Overstay
As in many countries, the penalty is a fine based on the overstay duration—at least $10 per extra day. You may also face deportation and a temporary entry ban, depending on the circumstances.
Consulates in France
- Consulate General: 20 rue Albéric Magnard, 75016 Paris. Tel.: +33 1 40 50 71 71.
- Consulate in Marseille: 397 avenue du Prado, 13008 Marseille.
- Consulate in Réunion: 266 rue du Maréchal Leclerc, 97400 Saint-Denis. Tel.: +262 41 75 47.