India tourist short stay: mostly eVisa, not broad visa-free travel
India receives 0 out of 100 points for visa-free tourist stay days. The very low result matters because India does not offer a broad visa-free tourist-entry regime for ordinary travellers. In practice, planning usually starts with an eVisa, a narrow visa-on-arrival exception or a regular visa.
That does not make India unreachable, but it changes the preparation: travel window, entry airport, passport validity, permitted purpose and use of the official portal all need to be checked before flying.
What the measured value means
The measured value is 0 days. For India, it means there is no regular tourist stay without a visa or eVisa, not a shortened visa-free stay window.
India's official visa site frames the baseline clearly: foreign nationals generally need a valid passport and a valid visa or eVisa to enter India unless a bilateral arrangement applies. The value therefore signals that India offers no broad visa-free room compared with classic 90-day or 180-day destinations.
Current rules and requirements
India centralizes tourist entry through its official visa and eVisa portals. The main distinction is important: an e-Arrival Card is not a visa and does not replace entry permission. Tourists must choose the route that fits nationality and purpose.
- e-Tourist Visa: available in variants including 30 days, 1 year and 5 years.
- 30-day eVisa: double entry within the stated validity window.
- 1-year and 5-year eVisa: repeated tourist visits are possible within the rules; the official eVisa page refers to a 180-day cap per calendar year.
- Visa on Arrival: limited to nationals of Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates under conditions, not a general tourist rule.
- Timing: eVisa applications should be filed before travel; the official page refers to a minimum 4-day lead time for relevant categories.
Visa-on-arrival exception
India's visa on arrival is narrow. The official page lists Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, with UAE nationals additionally needing previous Indian eVisa or regular visa history. It is not available to diplomatic or official passport holders.
The stay under this route must not exceed 60 days, is non-extendable and cannot be converted to another category. Entry is limited to selected airports: Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. The official fee is 2,000 Indian rupees.
Planning the route in practice
For a trial stay in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa, Kochi or Jaipur, the crucial step is not border-free travel but the right approval before the trip. Travellers should use only the official portal, check fees and timing, and avoid stretching the permitted purpose.
They should also keep the approval letter, passport details, travel dates and entry airport aligned. The narrow visa-on-arrival route separately refers to passport validity, return or onward travel and sufficient money, which are sensible checks for any India trip even when the route is an eVisa.
Anyone who wants to stay longer, work in India, serve local clients, run a business, study or reside long term needs a different visa or residence route. Remote work can also raise immigration or tax questions depending on clients, place of performance and duration.
What this indicator does not measure
The indicator does not measure eVisa portal quality, approval chances, airport admission decisions, local registration duties, work rights, tax residence, overstay consequences or later residence options.
It also does not replace checking the traveller's nationality. Many visitors use eVisas, some need regular visas, and only a small group falls within the narrow visa-on-arrival route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is India generally visa-free for tourists?
No. India's official visa site states that foreign travellers generally need a valid visa or eVisa unless a specific exception applies.
What does the low measured value mean in practice?
It signals restrictive short-stay access compared with countries offering broad 90-day or 180-day visa-free travel. For India, ordinary tourists should plan around a visa or eVisa route.
Who can use visa on arrival?
The official page lists nationals of Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates under conditions. The stay is up to 60 days and only through selected airports.
Is there a 30-day eTourist Visa?
Yes. India offers a 30-day eTourist Visa, alongside longer multiple-entry variants that still have stay and purpose limits.
Related indicators
- 🛃 Visa Application Ease in India
- 🚧 Border Openness in India
- 🛬 Travel and Entry Comfort in India
- 💰 Visa Income and Asset Requirements in India
Sources
- Government of India - official visa portal and baseline visa or eVisa requirement
- Government of India - eVisa categories, timing and tourist stay limits
- Government of India - visa on arrival, eligible nationalities, 60 days and airports
- Government of India - regular visa provisions and tourist visa rules
This article was created on July 22, 2026
