Flying to India with an e-Visa: Airports and Entry Requirements
If you plan a trip to India with a valid Indian e-Visa, you can enter the country through any of the 29 designated airports. Here's what you need to know about using your e-Visa to enter India, transferring flights, and using e-Passport gates.
Designated Airports for e-Visa Entry
India's e-Visa is valid for entry at 31 designated airports nationwide. These airports are located in major cities and tourist destinations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, and Agra. If you're flying into any of these airports with a valid e-Visa, you can enter India without any additional documentation.
Entry Requirements for e-Visa
When you arrive at the airport in India, you must present your passport and e-Visa to the immigration officer. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from arrival and has two blank pages for the entry stamp.
Transferring Between Flights in India
If transferring flights at an Indian airport, you must go through immigration and security before boarding your connecting flight. Ensure you have enough time between flights to go through the necessary procedures.
Using e-Passport Gates in India
If you have an e-Passport, you can use the e-Passport gates at select Indian airports for faster processing. These gates use facial recognition technology to verify your identity and can significantly reduce your wait time at immigration. Ensure your e-Passport has a biometric chip and is compatible with Indian e-Passport gates.
Using an India e-Visa at the Airport: Step-by-Step Guide
If you're traveling to India with a valid e-Visa, here's how to use it to enter the country at the airport.
Step 1: Check Your Travel Documents
Ensure you have your passport and a printed or digital copy of your e-Visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from arrival and have two blank pages for the entry stamp. Also, ensure that your passport to enter India matches the one used to apply for your e-Visa.
Step 2: Arrival at the Airport
When you arrive at the airport, proceed to immigration, where you'll be asked to present your travel documents. The immigration officer will verify your paperwork, and if everything is in order, you'll be granted entry into India.
Step 3: Using e-Visa Counters
Passengers who have obtained an e-Visa for India can proceed directly to one of the designated electronic visa counters. These counters are available at 46 airports nationwide, including the major international airports.
Step 4: Customs Clearance
After passing through immigration, visitors proceed to customs. You can take the green channel and exit the airport if you have nothing to declare.
Most Commonly Used Airports in India: Key Information
India has several airports, but the busiest is Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Here's what you need to know about these airports.
Indira Gandhi International Airport: New Delhi
As India's central aviation hub, Indira Gandhi International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the country. Located 9.9 miles (16 km) from the center of New Delhi, it serves as a gateway to the government for many international travelers.
Using your e-Visa at Indira Gandhi International Airport
Visitors with an e-Visa for India can head straight to one of the 46 designated electronic visa counters after passing through immigration. This saves time and makes the entry process smoother. After customs clearance, travelers can exit the airport and explore the vibrant city of New Delhi.
Mumbai Airport: A Major Transport Hub in India
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, also known as Mumbai Airport, is one of the busiest airports in India. It welcomes almost 50 million passengers annually, making it the second busiest after Delhi International Airport.
Traveling to Mumbai Airport with an e-Visa
Passengers traveling to Mumbai Airport with an e-Visa will undergo immigration checks on departure and arrival. After passing through security, they will be directed toward the immigration counters. Foreign nationals must present their passport and Indian visa (if required) before being granted entry.
Transferring Between Connecting Flights in India
India has several major international airports where flight transfers are possible. These airports include Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, and Chennai International Airport.
Connecting Flights in India: How it Works
The process of connecting flights in India depends on whether a passenger has booked a single ticket for the entire journey or separate tickets for each flight. When a passenger secures a single ticket, it creates a single Passenger Name Record (PNR) in the airline's database. However, if a passenger books separate tickets for each flight, it makes multiple PNRs.
It is essential to note that PNR is not the same as a boarding pass. A boarding pass is necessary for each flight, regardless of whether a passenger has one or more PNRs.
Connecting Flights in India: A Complete Guide
India has several major international airports where flight transfers are possible, including Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, and Chennai International Airport. The process for connecting flights in India can vary depending on the type of booking.
Connecting Flights for Passengers with a Single PNR
Passengers with a single booking can board their onward flight without clearing immigration. After landing in India, they must follow the "International Transfers" signs, pass a security check, and enter the departure lounge. Their luggage will be transferred automatically to the connecting flight, even if they fly with different airlines. There will still be a security check between arrival and departure.
Connecting Flights for Passengers with Multiple PNRs
The PNR for the first flight will list the first airport as the final destination. Passengers with multiple bookings must handle their transfer themselves. In most cases, this means passing through immigration, collecting checked luggage, passing customs, checking luggage in for the next flight at departures, passing through airport security to the departure lounge, and going to the gate. To go through immigration, foreign nationals will need a visa. The easiest option is to apply for an India e-Visa, which permits transit and can be obtained online.
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Do You Have to Go Through Security Again for a Connecting Flight in India?
Passengers with a single booking must still go through a security check between arrival and departure. Passengers with multiple bookings must pass through security again after checking their luggage for the next flight.
Leaving the Airport Between Connecting Flights in India
Leaving the airport between connecting flights in India is possible, but you must have a valid visa that permits transit. Foreign nationals can use the digital visa system to specify that they require a transit visa for India, which will be delivered by email. If you wish to spend longer than three days in the country between flights, you must obtain a tourist e-Visa instead.
Are There e-Passport Gates in Indian Airports?
Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi installed e-gates in 2021. The gates are installed in all three airport terminals, streamlining passport checks for international passengers. Passengers with an e-Passport (biometric passport) can enjoy faster immigration checks using these automatic gates.
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If you are planning to visit India, then the most convenient method is to apply online. Learn more at How to obtain an India Visa online?
Government of India allows visit to India by applying for Indian Visa online on this website for several purposes. For example if your intention for travelling to India relates to a commercial or business purpose, then you are eligible to apply for Indian Business Visa Online (Indian Visa Online or eVisa India for Business). If you are planning to go to India as a medical visitor for medical reason, consulting doctor or for surgery or for your health, Government of India has made Indian Medical Visa Online available for your needs (Indian Visa Online or eVisa India for Medical purposes). Indian Tourist Visa Online (Indian Visa Online or eVisa India for Tourist) can be utilised for meeting friends, meeting relatives in India, attending courses like Yoga, or for sight-seeing and tourism.
Citizens of many countries including United States, Canada, France, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy, Singapore, United Kingdom, are eligible for Indian Visa Online (eVisa India) including visiting beaches of India on tourist visa. Resident of over 180 countries quality for Indian Visa Online (eVisa India) as per Indian Visa Eligibility and apply the Indian Visa Online offered by the Government of India.