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India Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to India

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces.

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Can I travel to India from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter India.

Can I travel to India if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter India without restrictions.

Can I travel to India without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter India without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter India?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering India.

Can I travel to India without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in India?

Mask usage in India is not required in public spaces.

Are the restaurants and bars open in India?

Restaurants in India are open. Bars in India are .

Update on COVID-19 India issues Revised Guidelines for International Travelers in view of reported cases of new SARS-CoV-2 variant (Omicron) across the world Guidelines require all travelers (irrespective of COVID-19 vaccination status) coming to India from countries identified as ‘countries at-risk’ to Mandatorily undergo post-arrival COVID-19 testing at Airport on Arrival

In continuation of the proactive and risk based approach for management of COVID-19 pandemic,Union Ministry of Health issuedrevised ‘Guidelines for International arrivals’ on 28 th November, 2021. The updated guidelines require all travelers (irrespective of COVID-19 vaccination status) coming to India from countries identified as ‘countries at-risk’ to mandatorily undergo post-arrival COVID-19 testing at airport on arrival in addition to pre-departure COVID-19 testing undertaken 72 hours before the departure. For passengers found positive in these test, they will be isolated and treated as per the clinical management protocol besides their samples also taken for Whole Genome Sequencing. The passengers found negative can depart the airport but have to undergo home isolation for 7 days, followed by repeat testing on 8 th day of arrival in India, followed by 7 days of self-monitoring.

Further, in view of reports of increasing number of countries reporting the Omicron variant, the present Guidelines also mandate that 5% of the travelers coming from countries which are not in the ‘at risk category’ will also be tested on random basis at the airports for COVID-19.

Samples of all individuals testing positive for Covid-19, either at airports under home isolation or during random sampling, will also be sent for Whole Genomic Sequencing at identified INSACOG network laboratories to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 variants (including Omicron).

The B.1.1.529 variant (Omicron) was first reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 November 2021 and the WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) on 26 th November 2021 has classified it as Variant of Concern (VoC) in view of large number mutations noted in the variant, some of which may make this mutation more transmissible and have immune escape behaviour. The emerging evidence on the issue is being monitored by Union Ministry of Health.

States have also been advised for rigorous surveillance of international passengers, enhanced testing, monitoring the hotspots of COVID -19, ensuring augmentation of health infrastructure, including undertaking samples for whole genome sequencing.

While Union Ministry of Health continues to closely follow the evolving nature of pandemic, strict adherence to COVID Appropriate Behavior (use of mask/face cover, physical distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene) and undertaking Covid-19 vaccination remain the mainstay for managing COVID-19 at the community level.

The new guideline shall come into effect on 1 st December 2021 (00.01 Hrs.). The detailed guidelines are available at: ( https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrival28112021.pdf ) 

HFW/COVID Revised Travel Guidelines (Omicron)/29 th November2021/4

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Guidelines for International Arrivals

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• Home > PERMITTED CATEGORIES FOR TRAVEL TO INDIA
• PERMITTED CATEGORIES FOR TRAVEL TO INDIA

A. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholders

All OCI/PIO card holders are permitted to travel to India irrespective of their nationalities. It may be mentioned that the Government of India has also allowed extension till 31 December, 2021 for re-issuance of OCI card.  Further, there is no need to carry the old passport on which the OCI was issued. Please see related details at  https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/pages/NjI

• The Government of India has restored most visas, which had been suspended earlier, except Tourist Visas (e-Tourist and regular Tourist Visa) issued before 6 October 2021 and e-Visas of all other types issued before 30 March, 2021 .
• Tourist visas (electronic and regular) are also being issued as per details available at  https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/extra?id=87
• Applicants are also advised that the Embassy does not process e-visas and any enquiries in this regard will need to be made directly on the e-visa portal.
• Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan are permitted to travel to India from any country (including any third country).
• Tibetan migrants who have residence in India and holding Certificate of Identity issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and Return Visa to enter India, are permitted to travel to India.  In case the visa has expired, an application for fresh visa may be made with the Embassy/concerned Consulate.

For any queries, the applicants may contact the Embassy or the respective Consulate depending on their location.

The Government of India has decided to permit all OCI/PIO card holders regardless of which country passport they hold.  It may be mentioned that the Government of India has recently decided to grant further extension of time till 31 December, 2021 to get the OCI card re-issued and that there is no need to carry the old passport on which the OCI was issued. Please see related details at  https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/pages/NjI

For any queries, the applicants may contact the Embassy or the respective Consulates depending on their location.

The Government of India has decided to permit all OCI/PIO card holders regardless of which country passport they hold.  It may be mentioned that the Government of India has recently decided to grant further extension of time till 31 December, 2021 to get the OCI card re-issued and that there is no need to carry the old passport on which the OCI was issued, the details of which are available at https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/pages/NjI

• Government of India has restored most of the visas, which had been suspended earlier.
• Entry (X) Visa
• Business (B) Visa
• Employment (E) Visa
• Student (S) Visa
• In case the validity of such a visa has expired, an application to obtain a fresh visa of appropriate category may be made with the Embassy/concerned Consulate depending on the location of the applicant.
• In addition, w.e.f. 30 March, 2021 the Government of India has opened e-visas for the following categories, the details of which are available at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html :
• eMedical Visa;
• eBusiness Visa;
• eConference Visa; and
• eMedical Attendant Visa

However, it may be noted that previous valid e-visas for the above categories, as well as for other categories, including eTourist Visa, will continue to remain suspended.  Applicants with e-visa for the above categories, which have been obtained on or after 30 March, 2021 will be allowed entry into India. The applicants are also advised that the Embassy does not process the e-visas and any enquiries in this regard will need to be made directly on the e-visa portal.

• In addition, applications for Medical Visas, including for Medical Attendants, by foreign nationals intending to visit India for emergency medical treatment, may also be made with the Embassy/concerned Consulate. 
• Foreign nationals not covered by the above categories requiring travel to India urgently due to a family emergency may make an application for Entry Visa.  Such visas will be issued on a case-to-case basis depending on the merit of the case.

12 April 2021

The Government of India has decided to permit all OCI/PIO card holders regardless of which country passport they hold.

• The Government of India has restored most of the visas, which had been suspended earlier. However, these do not include electronic visas (e-Visa) of any type, Tourist Visa and Medical Visa, which continue to remain suspended.
• Below is the list of some of the categories where in case the applicant has a valid regular paper visa (and not an electronic visa), there is no need for a fresh visa:
• Entry (X) Visas
• Business (B) Visas
• Employment (E) Visas
• Student (S) Visas
• In case of Medical Visas, including for Medical Attendants, foreign nationals intending to visit India for emergency medical treatment, may also make an application with the Embassy/concerned Consulate. 

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India’s Current Guidelines for International Arrivals from High-risk and Non-risk Countries

The current guidelines for inbound international travelers to India took effect on 1 January 2023 . With six countries having been classified as high-risk, travelers even from non-risk countries are looking to know India’s entry regulations in view of COVID resurgence in some parts of the globe. Currently, China, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong have been identified as high-risk countries.  

Are you traveling to India from or through a high-risk country? If yes, you are required to take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours before your international departure and upload the negative report on the Air Suvidha portal. You will be able to travel only if you are COVID negative. Asymptomatic children under 12 years of age are exempted from pre-departure testing.         

Are you traveling to India from a non-risk country like the United States? If yes, you’re good to travel to India. Neither pre-departure RT-PCR testing nor Air Suvidha applies to your travel on nonstop flights to India from USA , or one/two-stop flights to India with transit in a non-risk country. However, the government of India recommends you should be fully-vaccinated and carry your vaccination proof.

Air Suvidha for International Travel to India

After 40 days of being eliminated with effect from 21 November 2022, the Air Suvidha portal has been reinstated for travelers coming from or transiting in the high-risk countries . Whether you need to fill out an Air Suvidha form online or not, it depends on your travel origin and international transit. Is Air Suvidha mandatory for your US to India travel? Yes if your itinerary has international transit in any of the high-risk countries: Singapore, Japan, China, Thailand, South Korea, and Hong Kong. We recommend checking our Air Suvidha guide for up-to-date information on how to fill out a self-declaration form and what information to provide, if there is high-risk international transit in your itinerary.

Post-arrival procedure at Indian airports

The current post-arrival procedure for international arrivals at Indian airports is much less rigorous than that during the pandemic. All passengers of international flights to India are obligated to undergo a body temperature check (thermal screening) upon arrival, and only 2% of them are subject to post-arrival random COVID-19 testing . If you are in the 2%, your swab samples will be collected for random testing. You can leave the airport or take a connecting flight for onward domestic travel. Only asymptomatic children younger than 12 years are exempted from random testing in India.

‘What if my sample collected for random testing is found positive?’ Your swab sample will be sent for genomic testing at a government-affiliated laboratory. The test result will be communicated to you, and you will have to follow the standard protocol. ‘What if thermal screening detects COVID-19 symptoms in me?’ You will be isolated and tested at a designated medical facility at or outside the airport.

What is India’s post-arrival procedure for travelers from high-risk countries? The aforementioned post-arrival guidelines equally apply to travelers arriving in India from or through the high-risk countries. Besides, their pre-departure RT-PCR test report and the self-declaration form submitted on the Air Suvidha portal will be strictly verified on arrival in India.

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Related Stories

114 thoughts on “ india’s current guidelines for international arrivals from high-risk and non-risk countries ”.

I have a Visa that expires in 2027.. Will I be able to fly into India from the U.S. with this visa? How long am I able to stay? I have a family there that I stay with each time I come… I am vaccinated with Moderna. I need to know what I have to do to come for a visit with them…

Hi Team I will be travelling from Sharjah to Mumbai as final destination next week do I need to under go PCR test on arrival? As per above article UAE is exempted from pcr on Arrival can you please clarify my dought

Hi Maria! Mumbai Airport does still follows the guidelines issued by the government of Maharashtra earlier. Therefore, you will have to take a self-paid RT-PCR test on arrival and undergo 14-day home quarantine.

Do you have information if passengers (from countries at risk) still after 25th October have to wait for the result of the PCR test before being allowed to take a connecting flight.

Hi Swati! In our knowledge, travelers from the countries at risk don’t have to wait for the result of the test taken on arrival.

When is India going to address the issue of people who already have multi-entry visas… My visa don’t expire til 2027.. AM I going to be able to use this visa to come to India in December 2021? India needs to put out clear instructions as to what we are suppose to do to come for visit. I AM Vaccinated and just got my 3rd shot (a booster) I am USA Citizen. I need to know what to do… I would be flying from USA to Delhi

I found this on the Consulate of General India (this is the consulate in Houston, Texas)

The Government of India has decided to issue fresh tourist visas with effect from 15 October, 2021 for group tourism and from 15 November, 2021 for individual tourist travel. It may be noted that existing valid e-Tourist Visa/regular paper Tourist Visa, issued before 6 October 2021, will continue to remain suspended and travel on such visas is not permitted. Since individual travel on fresh tourist visa is allowed only from 15 November, applicants are advised not to send their application to the Consulate before 10 November, 2021. A Single Entry e-Tourist Visa/regular paper Tourist Visa valid for a stay of up to 30 days will be issued, which will have to be utilized within a period of 120 days from the date of issue. This visa will be issued on a gratis basis for a limited time once to each applicant. It may be noted that existing valid e-Tourist Visa/regular paper Tourist Visa issued before 6 October, 2021 will continue to remain suspended and travel on such visas is not permitted.

Traveling from US to india via Middle East, do we still need to take a PCR test in Middle East to enter india? And there is no quarantine required for travelers from US right? One test taken in US prior to boarding and uploading in india’s air suvidha website is enough? Can you please confirm?

Hi Juliana! No test to be taken in the Middle East. If Mumbai Airport is your port of entry, you will have to take a self-paid RT-PCR test on arrival in spite of the test you will take in the US.

For travelling in November from US to Mumbai via Dubai, does one need to undergo institutional quarantine if partially / not vaccinated? Are they still to conduct COVID tests after arrival despite of having negative RTPCR? Does Dubai halt add to the complication?

Hi Abee! There is no institutional quarantine in India. For travelers from the US, vaccination is still not a mandatory requirement for entry to India. As per Maharashtra’s guidelines, you need to take a self-paid RT-PCR test on arrival at Mumbai Airport.

My wife and 11 month old are travelling November 2nd. I am travelling with my 5 year old on November 18. Do we all need to take a covid test. Myself and my wife are vaccinated in USA. Myself and my wife are green card holders and our kids are US citizens.

Hi Manikandan! Everyone traveling to India, irrespective of their age, citizenship and travel origin, has to take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure.

HI, Thank you for patiently answering everyone’s questions on these confusing directives from India.

I am thinking of traveling from US to Dubai to Chennai in November. Do I have to take a Covid test upon arrival? Is there minimum stay required in India? What are the quarantine requirement in Tamil Nadu? If one is fully vaccinated, does it make it easier in terms of quarantine requirements?

Hi Resnick! As per India’s revised guidelines for travelers from abroad, bot the US and Dubai are outside the government’s list of countries at risk. On submission of a self-declaration form on Air Suvidha, you will receive a copy of the filled form to the registered email ID. If it shows a green strip, you don’t need to undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival at Chennai Airport. There is no minimum stay requirement. No quarantine for asymptomatic travelers from the US.

It looks like my actual itenary will be US – Athens – dubai to chennai.

Does it change anything?

Hi Resnick! You have higher chances of being exempted from taking a test on arrival.

Does Chennai airport require TN Epass requirement?

Hi, I am Pravin, will travel from Toronto with Negative RT-PCR test on 12th November to Ahmedabad via Abu Dhabi transit. Will I need to under go RT-PCR test at Ahmedabad being my final destination?

Hi Pravin! As per the revised guidelines that took effect on OCT 25, you are not required to take a test on arrival. Please note the local rules of the state may be different from the revised guidelines.

I have a qatar airways flight from US to India with transit in doha. They just cancelled my flight. Do we know why are they doing this and what should I do? I need to be in India by next week and the reschedule options are crazy expensive.

Hi Anurag! The flight might have been cancelled due to low occupancy. If you are a customer of IndianEagle.com, please call our customer support helpline.

I am US citizen and need to travel to India on Nov 15. Can I apply for Indian e tourist visa and travel? or is the travel not allowed on visitor visa

Hi Gaurav! You can apply for a fresh tourist visa for travel on or after NOV 15.

Hello IndianEagle team, thanks for sharing the guidance, much appreciated!

I am planning to travel from US to Delhi via Amsterdam (Netherlands). Would I be required to take RT-PCR test upon arrival on Delhi airport? If so, can I exit after giving the sample, or will have to wait till a negative result arrives? My domestic flight departs around four hours after I arrive (both are on Terminal-3). It seems I’ll miss the flight if I’ll be required to wait till the negative result arrives. Looking forward to your guidance.

Thank you in advance!

Hi Mustafa! If you’re asymptomatic, you have higher chances of being exempted from taking a test on arrival at Delhi Airport. In case you are required to undergo a test, you won’t have to wait for the test result. So, no worries.

Hi IndiaEagle team,

I have a flight from USA to Bangalore with one stop layover of 8 hrs in Dubai. Further i have a domestic connecting flight to Hyderabad after 4 hours in Bangalore airport. I am fully vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine.

I will be taking the RT PCR test within 72 hours of travel and upload on Air Suvidha.

I) Do I need to take any on arrival RT PCR test in Bangalore airport? Ii) will I be allowed to connect to the domestic flight to Hyderabad without any issues or testing requirements at Bangalore airport? iii) Is there any testing requirement on arriving in Hyderabad from Bangalore.?

Hi Siddharth! As per the revised guidelines, travelers arriving or transiting through the Middle East are not required to take a test on arrival if they are asymptomatic. No testing requirement at Hyderabad too.

Hi, We are planning to travel from US to Chennai on December 4th. We are a family of 4, 2 adults and 2 young kids aged 9 and 14. Just would like to confirm current requirements. 1. Need to upload RT-PCR negative report which is taken 72 hours prior to boarding. Interms of calculating the 72 hours, my domestic flight boarding starts on Dec 4th at 1:36PM but my first international connection at Chicago is at 6PM

Question is, if we take the RT-PCR test at 2PM on December 1st would that be okay and then upload the results as soon as it arrives?

2. We are reading about the Tamil Nadu e-Pass, When should we need to fill out the e-pass, can we go ahead do that now and get that out of the way

3. We are transiting through Abu Dhabi, are we subject to on arrival RT-PCR test at Chennai?

Thanks for you help

Hi Viswanathan! As per India’s revised guidelines, you are not subject to a post-arrival RT-PCR test if you are asymptomatic. You can register for a TN e-pass within 7 days prior to your scheduled departure. If your itinerary starting from the first domestic airport to the final destination has only one PNR, you should take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to your scheduled travel from the first domestic airport in the US.

Thank you for the clarification . Much appreciated

I’m a US citizen with OCI. I’m planning to travel to Hyd at the end of December. I’m not sure why there are few options available now to book. I see a couple of flight options with reasonable prices. One is flying from SFO to Istanbul to Muscat to Hyderabad. Another is via Doha-Colombo-Hyd. Are these flights part of air bubble to agreement to land in India or will they cancel them eventually? Any special requirements (additional covid tests etc.) for travel through Istanbul? Thank you.

Hi Krishna! You can choose to travel the route Doha-Colombo-Hyd and book the flight on our portal IndianEagle.com. This is part of the air bubble corridor. You may need a transit visa (ETA) for Colombo.

Hello I am traveling usa to delhi via dubai (emirates)- with my wife and 2 kids {1 year (14 months) and 5 year old.}

I understand we still need the rt-pcr 72 hrs before departing under the new guidelines, but is there option for kids to be exempt using suvidha app?

Also is the molecule test that was mandatory at arrival in the past guidelines because of connecting flight in middle east(dubai) , has that ended? Can we just exit the airport on arrival? Or we still need to get the test?

Hi Sunny! Unfortunately, kids are not exempted from taking an RT-PCR test prior to traveling from the US. A post-arrival test is no more required for international travelers arriving from the US and transiting via the Middle East as per the revised guidelines if all of you are found asymptomatic on arrival at Delhi Airport.

hi do I need e pass travel from uk to Bangalore

Hi Thomas! You must register on https://sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in/Sevasindhu/English for a travel pass.

Hi, my parents and I are traveling in november from boston to mumbia via british airways, so it has a layover in heathrow. We are all vaccinated and will comply with air suvidha rules. Will we need to be re tested in mumbai at arrival? or quarantine at the airport? i have elderly, that is why i am concerned.

Hi Mahebub! If you are found asymptomatic during thermal screening, you don’t need to take a post-arrival test at Mumbai Airport and undergo any sort of quarantine.

Hi, This is not clear what are rules for UK fully vaccinated arrival & what about kids ? Article says UK is in list of Risk & Category A both. I am travelling in December from UK to Mumbai then Ahmedabad. Do we have to take tests at mumbai airport? Thanks

Hi Pragnesh! Fully-vaccinated travelers from the UK, Germany and France are exempted from additional testing and quarantine in India. Make sure to upload your vaccination certificate and a negative RT-PCR test report on Air Suvidha within 72 hours prior to your scheduled departure from the UK.

Thanks for reply Indianeagle. We are planning to take test for all of us & have vaccine certificate for us. For kids only negative test is sufficient?

Hi Pragnesh! A negative RT-PCR test report is sufficient for kids traveling to India. FYI, kids below 5 years of age are exempted from taking an RT-PCR test before and after arrival in India.

Hello. I will be traveling on November 18 th from USA to Bangalore via Paris . I am taking delta airlines . Do I need to get the RTPCR test done once I arrive at Bangalore

Hi Ranjani! Not required if you are found asymptomatic during thermal screening at BLR Airport.

Hi there, If I want to travel for one week from USA to India, Is that a possibility? I notice 14 days self-monitoring for now. What is the rule if my trip s 7 days or less than 14 days. Thank you

Hi Mani! Self-monitoring of health is unlike home-quarantine. If you are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, you are exempted from any sort of quarantine in India. So, you can travel back in a week of arrival.

Hi IndianEagle

I have trip which has been planned for over a year and all the changes are confusing, could you clarify a few areas please. Myself and my wife are flying from UK to Bangalore, with a 7 hour layover to then transit on to Sri Lanka. We are both fully vaccinated and will have taken a PCR test 72 hours prior to leaving the UK. I have two issues currently with our planning 1. Issues regarding getting an e-Visa to travel, are these likely to be available again for UK residents soon or do we need to travel to an Indian High Commission in UK for paper visas? 2. Being fully vaccinated would we need a PCR/molecular test when arriving in Bangalore? If so do we need to await the 6-8 hours as stated or is this superseded by the Pct 25th update?

Hi Whisker! The UK citizens are currently barred from availing an e-tourist visa to India. But they can seek an Indian transit visa through the e-visa facility. Please be advised to go through https://www.evisasindia.org/transit-visa-for-india-guide/ . Fully-vaccinated travelers from the UK are exempted from additional testing on arrival in India if they are found asymptomatic during thermal screening.

Hi, I am travelling from UK to Chennai on December 2021, do I need to take a swab test in airport after arrival and home quarantine? I am fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination. Where do I apply for the TN e-pass? I will complete the Air Suvidha form and upload a negative RT-PCR test. Is there anything else I need to do? Thank you very much.

Hi Kunal! Fully-vaccinated travelers from the UK are exempted from additional testing and quarantine in India. Make sure to upload your vaccination proof and a negative RT-PCR test report on Air Suvidha. https://tnepass.tnega.org/ is where you can apply for a TN e-pass.

HI can i carry printed documents like my proof of vaccine and PVR test result instead of downloading on air suvidha app, i am really struggling to download documents.

Hi Ashalata! You are not supposed to download documents from Air Suvidha. Rather, you are required to upload your vaccination proof and a negative RT-PCR report on Air Suvidha, which you will find on the website of Delhi Airport. You must upload and carry these documents.

Hello.. What are rules as recovered Covid19 ? I hold a certificate from EU saying i recovered from Covid19 (immunity certificate) – can i enter with this ?

Hi Jesper! Despite having the recovery certificate, you need to take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to your scheduled travel to India. If you are fully-vaccinated, you won’t face any sort of quarantine in India.

Hi, I will be traveling from US to Mumbai and then to Coimbatore in December with one PNR. I have layover in Mumbai for 8 hrs. My domestic flight to Coimbatore will be more than 72 hrs of RT-PCR test. Do i need to take new RT-PCR test in Mumbai to travel to Coimbatore?

Hi Swetha! The 72 hours of the RT-PCR test is not linked to your domestic flight to Coimbatore. It is counted prior to your scheduled departure on an international flight. So, no worries.

Hi, we are flying on AA flight of JFK to Delhi next week for two vaccinated parents with a unvaccinated 4 year child. We are to stay in a hotel near the Delhi Airport then take flight to Kolkata following day. All 3 of us hold oci.

I’ve noticed on latest guidelines document of 7 day home quarantine for unvaccinated minors. Would you know if this will cause trouble in Delhi with planned one night hotel stay then onward domestic flight on next day? Or can this home quarantine be avoided by having her do the pcr test before leaving even when not required? Thanks

Hi Vijay! FYI, asymptomatic kids below 5 years of age are exempted from taking an RT-PCR test before and after arrival in India, irrespective whether they are vaccinated or not. In our knowledge, unvaccinated minors are not subject to home-quarantine in India if they are asymptomatic.

Thanks. Also I later found this flow chart on India’s Ministry of Affairs website which cleared out confusion as well, it clearly shows that the quarantine requirement is only if you are from a “country at risk”. Moreover it seems to show that they dont care for vaccination status at all if your not from a “country at risk” so from USA/Canada no requirement but it does matter from Europe, UK, etc which are on the list:

https://mea.gov.in/Images/french/Algorithmforrevis.pdf

Hello Indian Eagle , What are rules as recovered Covid19 ? I hold a recovery letter from my medical provider saying I recovered from Covid19, can I enter with this ? and in spite of that, If I need to take test 72 hours within my departure and If I come out to be positive than, what will be the scenario?

Hi Jay! If you’re traveling to India from abroad, it is mandatory to take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to your scheduled travel to India.

Hi, I am travelling from NewYork – Franfurt – Bengaluru on Dec 23rd. As per the new guidelines , do i need to take a self paid PCR test at BLR and wait for results before leaving the airport, even though i am fully vaccinated and provide RT-PCT negative at the time of boarding?

Hi Sella! As of now, the state government of Karnataka has made post-arrival RT-PCR testing mandatory for travelers arriving from or through South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong. Your travel is still three weeks away. We will keep sharing latest updates on our Twitter page.

Hey great article! Thank you for the info. For those not fully vaccinated what is the quarantine requirement? does it have to happen in a special hotel? What if I don’t have a home to do it in? Thanks!

Hi Trina! Those not fully vaccinated are subjected to a self-paid RT-PCR test on arrival in India. If they are found negative, they will undergo 7-day home quarantine in their final destination. Institutional quarantine applies only if the result is positive. In case of having no residence, you can home-quarantine yourself at a hotel.

I am traveling WAS-FRA-DEL-BHO on the 5th of December. Am I required to take RT-PCR in Delhi and wait for the results before boarding connecting flight? Are the RAPID PCR test accepted in this case? Also, will we have to quarantine for 7 days after reaching destination. FWIW, we are fullly vaccinated.

Hi Sachin! Usually, fully-vaccinated travelers from the US are exempt from post-arrival COVID-19 testing, except at Mumbai Airport. But, only 2% of total passengers of a flight arriving from the US will be tested randomly on arrival at other airports in India. If you fall in 2%, you will have to give your swab sample for a non-payable RT-PCR test at Delhi Airport. If you are found asymptomatic during thermal screening at Delhi Airport, you will be allowed to take the connecting flight after giving your swab sample. No quarantine. You shall only self-monitor your health for 14 days.

Hi, Thanks for the article. I wanted to make sure the rules are updated as of Nov 30, 2021. I am fully vaccinated and I have a direct flight from USA to Delhi. Do I have to undergo 7 day quarantine?

Can you please clarify?

Hi Achal! If you are found asymptomatic during thermal screening at Delhi Airport, you will be given exemption from home-quarantine. You will only have to self-monitor your health for 14 days post arrival.

Thanks a bunch for your updates on the covid protocol. I am fully vaccinated traveling on Dec 2nd from SF to Delhi and connecting to Bangalore after a 5 hour layover. As per the new guidelines issued by Karnataka yesterday, do I still need to take a RT-PCR test on arrival at BLR and quarantine for 7 days even though I am fully vaccinated?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi Alex! Usually, fully-vaccinated travelers from the US are exempt from post-arrival COVID-19 testing, except at Mumbai Airport. But, only 2% of total passengers of a flight arriving from the US will be tested randomly on arrival at other airports in India. If you fall in 2%, you will have to give your swab sample for a non-payable RT-PCR test at Delhi Airport. If you are found asymptomatic during thermal screening at BLR Airport, no additional testing and quarantine. You shall only self-monitor your health for 14 days.

Sorry but this is confusing. You indicate her that US travelers to Mumbai will require a PCR test on arrival. But in reply to another question below, you say that vaccinated travelers are exempt from arrival PCR testing in Mumbai. So the 2% applies to Mumbai or is it true only for other airports? Thanks!

Hi John! Initially, Maharashtra made post-arrival testing mandatory for everyone traveling to Mumbai from abroad. With effect from December 2, 2021, this regulation has been revoked for fully-vaccinated travelers arriving from countries not at risk. 2% of the total passengers of every flight from a country not at risk will be randomly tested at any entry airport in India.

I am traveling on Saturday Dec 4. My itinerary is: Greensboro NC to LaGuardia to Montreal on American Airlines, then from Montreal to Doha to Cochin on Qatar Airways.

I was told I need an RT PCR test 72 hours before my trip. I have been receiving conflicting information: do I calculate 72 hours from the start of my domestic flight from Greensboro to LaGuardia, from the flight from LaGuardia to Montreal (my first international flight, or from Montreal to Doha?

Hi Promod! You need to take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to your scheduled departure on an international flight from the US and that is LaGuardia to Montreal.

If my flight is connecting through Amsterdam, but my origin is US, do I have to do the 7 day quarantine?

Hi Kayal! If you are fully-vaccinated and if you are found asymptomatic in thermal screening on arrival, you will be allowed to go home and self-monitor your health for 14 days post arrival. Please note Mumbai/Pune is your first port of entry in India, the rules are different.

Hi, I’m travelling from Frankfurt to Bangalore on 10th Dec. I have connecting flight to Mangalore with 6 Hour Transit time. Since I have to wait for RTPCR test result, is the 6Hr. transit time is enough? Is it recommended to take appointment for rtpcr testing? What are the quarantine rules for travelers from Germany in Karnataka?

Thank you !

Hi Suman! If you choose to take a rapid RT-PCR test on arrival at BLR Airport, then 6-hr layover is sufficient. FYI, a rapid RT-PCR test costs approximately Rs. 5000 per person and the result is available in 1-2 hours. You can pre-book the test online. If you test negative, no institutional quarantine. Only 7-day home quarantine.

Hi, I have booked a flight in etihad airways from USA to Abu Dhabi to Bangalore in Dec last week. I’m an Indian passport holder living in USA. will it be a problem? Is India allowing passengers from Abu Dhabi originated from USA? as per the India Air bubble agreement, it says below ( https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/en/about-air-transport-bubbles ) Only Passengers originating from UAE or any country in South America or Africa should be allowed to travel on flights from UAE to India.

Hi Vinay! You can travel on Etihad Airways from USA to India. We booked Etihad flights for many of our customers and they traveled to their destinations in India hassle-free.

Hi traveling from UK to India via Kuwait (transit time 3 hrs) and arriving airport is Hyderabad Dec 16. I see you mention we can prebook RT-pcr test online. Where can we boom for it? Any website? If there is a website is it same for all airports in India? Or respective airport have their own website to book online? If so what is the website to pre-book online test at Hyderabad airport

Hi, I have booked a flight with Virgin Atlantic flight from New York to Delhi via London. I am fully vaccinated and will upload the pre-departure negative Covid test. I won’t be stepping out of the international transit passenger zone in London. Will I need to take an on arrival test? Thanks.

Hi Siddharth! As per the clarification from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, you are exempted from mandatory post-arrival testing if you are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic. But only 2% of the total passengers of every flight from a country not at risk, such as the US, will be tested randomly.

Going Newark to Mumbai nonstop on Dec 17. Fully vaccinated. With the new rules now following omicron, will we have a mandatory 7 day home quarantine in Mumbai. Alternately, if we choose to fly to Chennai – either right after Mumbai arrival, or after 3 days at home in Mumbai, can we do that? Or will the 7 day quarantine come in the way if we leave Mumbai airport? We heard that there are exceptions for short stays. Appreciate any advice, thank you.

Hi, I am going to Bengaluru from San Francisco with a transit stop in Dubai on Dec 25. Layover at Dubai is about 27 hours. I plan to visit dubai during this time. I am an indian passport holder with US green card. I will complete and upload RT-PCR test results to air suvidha 72 hours before departure at SFO. Do I still need to take the covid test on arrival on Bengaluru as I stayed in dubai for more than a day? Thanks

Hi Sunil! The UAE is not yet among the countries that the government of India has identified as countries at risk. Hence, in our knowledge, you may not be needed to take a test on arrival at BLR airport if you are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic. FYI, only 2% of the total passengers of a flight from a country not at risk will be tested randomly on arrival at any airport in India. If you’re identified for random testing, you can leave the airport or take a connecting domestic flight after giving your swab sample.

Hi, I have a domestic flight which starts at Noon and then international flight from JFK to DOH to AMD. Flight from JFK starts 9.30pm. When do i need to schedule my RT-PCR test? Within 72 hrs of my first leg of the journey which starts at Noon? Or within 72 hrs of my international flight from JFK which starts at 9.30pm?

Hi Tarang! You can take an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to your international flight from JFK.

So even if i have single ticket (same PNR), i need to calculate 72 hrs from the start of international flight and not the first domestic leg?

I am getting my pcr test done before travelling fro usa to mumbai Is this test same as Rtpcr.

Hi Ruchi! It may be the same. Make sure that the negative report must mention RT-PCR.

Hi Are OCI card holder travellers from US to Mumbai transiting through London, UK subject to 7 day home quarantine ?

We are not changing airport in London – will be in the airside all the time (5 hour transit)

Hi Krish! If you are fully-vaccinated, COVID negative and asymptomatic, you are exempt to home-quarantine in India.

Hi, I am going to Hyderabad from Los Angeles via Doha on Dec 28. The layover at Doha is about 17 hours. I am an Indian passport holder with H1B. I will complete and upload RT-PCR test results to air suvidha 72 hours before departure at LAX. Here are my questions:

– Do I have to get a Covid Test in Doha again? – Do I still need to take the on-arrival Covid Test at Hyderabad airport?

Hi Sameera! In our knowledge, taking a test is not mandatory during transit/layover at Doha Airport if you don’t leave the immigration area/transit area. Both the US and Qatar being not in the risk category, you are exempt to mandatory post-arrival testing. But if you are found symptomatic in thermal screening, if you are unvaccinated/partially vaccinated, or if you are identified among the 2% of total passengers arriving from a country not at risk (for random testing), your swab sample will be collected for a test before you leave the airport.

Hi I am flying to Mumbai from Australia next week with a layover of 5 hours in Sri Lanka. I am fully vaccinated but my daughter who is 9 years old is unvaccinated. We both will get tested within 72 hours prior to flying. Does my daughter need to get tested again on arrival at Mumbai Airport? If yes do I have to book an appointment in advance and will she have to be quarantined at home even if RTPCR is negative. Thanks

Hi Usha! Pre-booking a post-arrival test is mandatory for travelers from countries at risk. Neither Australia nor Sri Lanka is in the risk category. If you (though vaccinated) or your daughter is found symptomatic in thermal screening on arrival, a test will be conducted.

Hi, My cousin tested positive for covid 3 days back. His 14 days isolation period ends on Dec 31st . When can he fly from Toronto to New Delhi via Air Canada. Also, does he need to get a travel RT PCR test ?. My understanding, it will come positive regardless ,for several weeks. Kindly clarify. Thanks

Hi Ranu! As per the government of India’s guidelines, you must have a negative RT-PCR test report to travel to India.

Hello Indianeagle,

Thanks for this amazing site which is providing more information than airline website.

I have upcoming travel from US to India on Dec 30 2021 via London British airways and return trip from India to USA via London on Jan 3rd week of 2022 by British Airways.

We are green card holder with full vaccinated and having Indian passport holder, will outbound travel from India to U.S via London is Allowed or Not . Please do let us know on recent travel policy .

Hi Kumar! Outbound travel from India to the US via London is allowed for Indian passport holders. May we know the flight number (s) in your itinerary from India to the US?

Thanks for your reply. Here is the details:::

Onward travel from US to India via London- Last week of Dec 2021 BA192 (Dallas to London) and BA 119 (London to Bangalore)

Outbound travel from India to US (via London) – 3rd week of Jan,2022 Bangalore to London (BA 118) and London to Phoenix (BA 289).

I had booked my flight with American airlines, where they say as on date, I am eligible to travel from India to US via London, where British airways website says I can’t travel Outbound travel from India to U.S via London.

Not sure, which airlines is correct here….Please do let us know, whether we can make round trip from US to India (via london) being a Green card holder and fully vaccinated.

However, when we check with British Airways website & spoke to their Customer service team as part of Entry Additional Requirement, it was told to us by British Airways team and their website info that we are NOT eligible to travel (Indian Citizen -Out bound Travel from India). https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/incident/coronavirus/entry-requirements

——-Below Details from British Airways as Additional Requirement which states we are NOT ELIGIBLE—————————————————————————

India Travel eligibility Only customers meeting the criteria below, can travel between India and the UK on a British Airways flight. Please make sure you qualify before travel: Outbound flights from India: You must check if you are eligible to travel from India. You will not be allowed to board your flight if you do not meet these requirements. Indian nationals Due to India’s air travel agreement with the UK, please be aware that Indian nationals can only travel with British Airways from India to the UK, Ireland and Cayman Islands and must hold a valid visa. India nationals, regardless of foreign residency status, are not allowed to travel further to any other countries, unless their spouse is a foreign national or they are a seaman travelling with authorised documentation from the Ministry of Shipping.

Also not sure whether British airways -Covid19 information as Additional requirement is updated as on date or it is old info where BA website needs to update.

Hi Kumar! American Airlines and British Airways are codeshare partners. In our knowledge, you can travel from India on flights ticketed by American Airlines, though operated by BA.

I have an upcoming travel in January from USA to Mumbai with transit in Amsterdam. What are the current rules for testing upon arrival and home quarantine for transiting through Amsterdam (Netherlands) which in I believe a At risk country. We are fully vaccinated traveling with a 4 year old.

Hi Jay! As of today, fully-vaccinated, COVID-negative and asymptomatic travelers arriving from the US and transiting in Europe (without leaving the immigration area of the transit airport in a country at risk) are not bound to post-arrival testing and home-quarantine. Please note the regulations may be revised any time given the volatile scenario.

Hi IndianEagle, US citizen, fully vaccinated and Boosted (3 vaccine doses) traveling to Mumbai via Dubai (transit only, 3 hour connection time) in Mid January 2022. Upon arrival in Mumbai , will be going to Pune via private car. Final destination is Pune. Am I subject to mandatory 7-day home quarantine rule upon reaching Pune? Thanks,

Hi Vee Kay! 7-day home quarantine is mandatory for only those final destination is Mumbai. So, those traveling to Pune may not face home-quarantine if they are asymptomatic.

Thanks IndianEagle, However, I would be subjected to home quarantine in Mumbai, if I get out of the airport, right?

The guidance from MahaGovt says such passengers will not be allowed to use public transport and the DistrictCollector of Mumbai will arrange the transportation from them. Does that mean private transportation will not be allowed? thanks again for your feedback.

Hi Vee Kay! Private transportation is allowed for road travel from Mumbai Airport to any other part of the state. If you reside or stay in Mumbai, only then you will be subjected to mandatory home-quarantine.

Hello Indian Eagle – Our flight is on Jan 11th and will be travelling with 4 year old and 10 month old. Do they need to have RTPCR test or kids under 5 are exempt? Also when we should we take the covid test and submit Air suvidha ? Wea re planning to take the test on Jan 10th and submit air suvidha on 11th before our flight. Please advise if the form needs to be submitted early.

Hi Priya! As of now, kids under 5 years of age are exempt from taking an RT-PCR test before and after arrival. Travelers above five years of age are required to take an RT-PCR test, upload the negative report and submit a self-declaration form on Air Suvidha. Make sure to fill out and submit the self declaration form a few hours before your flight. Please note you can provide the details of your kids as co-travelers in the same self-declaration form.

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Here's how to get a visa to visit India

Dec 20, 2023 • 6 min read

From applying for an e-Visa to extending your stay, here's what you need to know about entry requirements for India © beavera / Getty Images

With its dense tapestry of cultures and landscapes, India feels like dozens of countries rolled into one, but a single visa will cover you for travel across more than 3 million sq km (more than a million sq miles) of territory, taking in everything from steamy jungles to the high passes of the Himalayas.

Every Indian state is as large and diverse as a nation, so take your time navigating this enormous and fascinating country. The good news is that visas are easy to obtain and allow plenty of time for exploring.

Here’s everything you need to know about visa requirements for India, from the application process for e-Visas to overland travel and extending your stay.

You'll probably need a visa to go to India

Almost everyone needs a visa to visit India , but for most nationalities, tourist visas are easy to obtain online or through your local Indian embassy or consulate. Citizens of 166 countries – including most nations in the EU and EEA, the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand, and many countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America – can apply for an e-Visa before traveling via a simple online form .

Applying online is a fairly painless process, and it will save you hours compared to applying in person at an embassy or through a visa agency (in countries where Indian embassies no longer issue visas directly). Tourist e-Visas are available with a validity of 30 days, one year or five years, with the one- and five-year visas allowing for multiple entries for a maximum stay of 180 days on each visit.

For one- and five-year tourist visas, applications are accepted up to 120 days in advance of travel. The 30-day visa allows two entries into India, which is handy if you’re planning a side trip to Nepal , and you can apply up to 30 days in advance of travel. All e-Visas take at least 72 hours to process, so be sure to apply in plenty of time (at least 4 days in advance is recommended).

Applying online is the most hassle-free way to obtain a visa

The Indian government’s online e-Visa portal can be used to apply for tourist visas, business visas, and visas for medical treatment and attending conferences. The cost and duration of the visa vary depending on your nationality, and you may need to show proof of return travel arrangements and sufficient funds to support yourself during your trip.

Rules for non-tourist visas can be complex. Business travelers usually need to provide letters of introduction from Indian companies and organizations that they plan to meet. Assuming you meet the requirements, business visas are usually valid for multiple entries over the space of one year.

Working for an Indian company is more complicated. You’ll need an employment visa and a work permit, and most people need a firm job offer and assistance from an Indian employer to complete the paperwork. As with all visa requirements, the situation is subject to change; contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.

Applying for a tourist e-Visa is fairly straightforward

To apply for an Indian e-Visa, visit the government’s official e-Visa portal . You’ll need to upload a digital passport-style photo and copies of your passport ID pages, and pay the visa fee, which varies depending on your nationality.

Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of entry, and you’ll need two spare pages for the visa, which will be physically stamped into your passport on arrival. Assuming your application is accepted – which is the case for most applicants – you’ll receive a digital Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which you should print out and carry with you when you travel, so you can present it to the immigration authorities on arrival. 

Enter India via air or sea on your e-Visa

E-Visas allow entry to India through 25 designated airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Bengaluru (Bangalore), Hyderabad, Kochi (Cochin), Goa, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Gaya, Jaipur, Lucknow, Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), Varanasi, Kozhikode (Calicut), Mangaluru (Mangalore), Pune, Nagpur, Coimbatore, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Chandigarh and Visakhapatnam.

They’re also valid for entry via the designated seaports at Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, New Mangalore and Mormugao (in Goa).

Apply for a visa before you travel to enter India overland

If you plan to enter India overland – for example, from Nepal or Pakistan – you’ll need a visa stamped into your passport before you leave home, which you’ll need to obtain from the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country, or through an approved visa application office.

If you plan to visit India and Nepal on the same trip, get a multiple-entry visa – it used to be possible to arrange a new Indian tourist visa through the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu , but the authorities may now insist on a two-month gap before issuing a new visa.

There’s no need to worry about applying for a visa for Nepal in advance – they’re available on arrival at border crossings (bring passport photos and US dollars to pay the fee).

If you can't apply for an e-Visa, get one in person in advance

Contact your local embassy or consulate to check the application process in your country; the Indian Ministry of External Affairs maintains a list of diplomatic missions online. It’s best to apply for a visa in your home country – obtaining an Indian visa from an embassy in another country can be tortuously slow, assuming it’s possible at all. Fees and the permitted duration of stay will vary depending on your nationality.

As an alternative to applying through an Indian embassy or consulate, you may be able to apply for a visa through a visa agency – however, this tends to be more expensive than applying directly. In practice, many of these agencies just collect together applications and then send over a staff member to the embassy to apply in person.

Student visas are available to those on full-time courses in India

Student visas are reserved for people enrolled in approved full-time educational courses in India (which can include training courses in yoga, meditation, and traditional Indian art forms). Student visas are valid for up to five years, depending on the length of the course, but the rules are strict, and you’ll need documentation from the institution where you are studying to apply. The Ministry of Home Affairs provides some information online, but contact your local Indian embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date requirements.

Extending your stay in India is for exceptional circumstances only

E-Visas cannot be extended, but other types of visas can, though only in exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies or theft of your passport. To apply, you’ll need to use the government’s special online portal , providing evidence of a valid reason for extending your stay in India (e.g., a letter from the hospital where you are being treated or a police report).

You may then be called in for an in-person interview at the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Delhi. If there is a fee, it will be made clear during the application process.

Some border areas in India require additional travel permits

Under a system carried over from British colonial rule, special permits (known as “protected area permits” or “restricted area permits”) are required to visit many areas close to India’s disputed external borders with China , Pakistan and other territories – a zone known as the “inner line.” Applying for these permits outside India is tricky, but you can apply locally in India without too much difficulty.

Permits are especially important for highly sensitive border areas (which tend to be off-limits to all travelers). Applications can be made through local government offices or local travel agencies; contact the state government offices for these regions to get the latest information. In some areas, you may need to register with the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office on arrival, but this is an easy process.

This article was first published Mar 12, 2022 and updated Dec 20, 2023.

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Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

India-Pakistan border area

FCDO advises against all travel within the vicinity of the India-Pakistan border, except for at Wagah where travellers can cross the border.

Jammu and Kashmir

FCDO advises against all travel to the region of Jammu and Kashmir (including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, the city of Srinagar, and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway), except for:

• travel by air to and from the city of Jammu
• travel within the city of Jammu
• travel within the region of Ladakh

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Manipur.

In April-May 2023 violent ethnic clashes broke out across Manipur, including in the state capital Imphal. Curfews and other restrictions have been imposed in many parts of the state. There may be transport disruptions. Internet services may be limited and restrictions might be imposed at short notice.

You should:

• avoid protests or large gatherings
• follow the advice of the local authorities and your travel company
• monitor local media and follow any curfew restrictions

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these regions .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and potential expenses in an emergency.

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India Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 23, 2024, india - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Updated to reflect information on the northeastern states.

Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism.  Some areas have increased risk. 

Do not travel to:

• The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest .
• Within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict .
• Portions of Central and East India due to terrorism.
• Manipur due to violence and crime .

Reconsider travel to:

• The northeastern states due to terrorism and violence .

Country Summary:  Indian authorities report that rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has happened at tourist sites and other locations.

Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas. These areas stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. U.S. government employees must get special authorization to travel to these areas.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to India.

Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

If you decide to travel to India:

• Do not travel alone, particularly if you are a woman. Visit our website for Women Travelers .
• Review your personal security plans and remain alert to your surroundings.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report for India.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .

Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Do not travel to this state (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh). Violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. It also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam.  The Indian government does not allow foreign tourists to visit certain areas along the LOC.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .

India-Pakistan Border – Level 4: Do Not Travel

India and Pakistan have a strong military presence on both sides of the border. The only official border crossing for non-citizens of India or Pakistan is in Punjab. It is between Attari, India, and Wagah, Pakistan.  The border crossing is usually open, but check its current status before you travel. To enter Pakistan, you need a Pakistani visa. Only U.S. citizens residing in India may apply for a Pakistani visa in India. Otherwise , apply for a Pakistani visa in your home country before traveling to India

Portions of Central and East India – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Maoist extremist groups, or “Naxalites,” are active in a large area of India that spans from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. Attacks against officers of the Indian government continue to occur sporadically in the rural parts of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand that border with Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. Southwest areas of Odisha are also affected. The Naxalites have carried out many terrorist attacks, targeting local police, paramilitary forces, and government officials.

Due to the fluid nature of the threat, U.S. government employees are required to obtain permission prior to traveling to most areas in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Odisha. Permission is not required if employees are traveling only to the capital cities of these states.

U.S. government employees also need approval to travel to the eastern region of Maharashtra and the eastern region of Madhya Pradesh

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Manipur -  Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do not travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime.  Ongoing ethnic-based civil conflict has resulted in reports of extensive violence and community displacement. Attacks against Indian government targets occur on a regular basis.  U.S. government employees traveling in India require prior approval before visiting Manipur. 

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .  

Northeastern States – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Ethnic insurgent groups occasionally commit acts of violence in parts of the northeast. These incidents include bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets. There have been no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura.

U.S. government employees traveling in India require prior approval before visiting the states of Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as when visiting any areas outside of the capital cities of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura. 

Travel Advisory Levels

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India Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in India. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 2 Practice Enhanced Precautions

• New   Zika in the state of Maharashtra, India August 22, 2024 There is an outbreak of Zika in the state of Maharashtra, India. All travelers to Maharashtra should take steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual transmission of Zika virus during and after travel.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Updated   Global Measles August 14, 2024 Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles. Destination List: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Togo, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil
• Avoid floodwater

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

• Tick bite 
• Touching the body fluids of a person or animal infected with CCHF
• Avoid Bug Bites
• Mosquito bite

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

Avian/bird flu.

• Being around, touching, or working with infected poultry, such as visiting poultry farms or live-animal markets
• Avoid domestic and wild poultry
• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Avoid skin contact

Antimicrobial-resistant (ar) ringworm.

• Close contact with infected person
• Shared objects (e.g., towels, bed sheets)
• Shared surfaces (e.g., locker room and shower floors)
• Keep skin clean and dry.
• Do not share bedding, towels, or clothes.
• Avoid touching the infected area so it does not spread to other parts of your body. 
• Consult a healthcare provider for treatment and testing.
• Avoid steroid creams, as they can make the ringworm worse.
• Use prescribed or over-the-counter (OTC) antifungals exactly as directed and contact a healthcare provider if treatment is not working.
• Topical antifungals and oral terbinafine are frequently ineffective against AR ringworm.

Emerging Severe and Antimicrobial-Resistant Ringworm | Ringworm | CDC

Counsel your patients on actions they can take on their trip to stay healthy and safe.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in India. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Some diseases in India—such as dengue, Zika, filariasis, and leishmaniasis—are spread by bugs and cannot be prevented with a vaccine. Follow the insect avoidance measures described above to prevent these and other illnesses.

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in India include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis and leptospirosis, infections that can be spread in fresh water, are found in India. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call India’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in India. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of India may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in India, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in India.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in India, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for India .

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

To call for emergency services while in India, dial 100 or, from a mobile phone, 112. Write these numbers down to carry with you during your trip.

Learn as much as you can about India before you travel there. A good place to start is the country-specific information on India from the US Department of State.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Remind your patients to pack health and safety items. Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for India for a list of health-related items they should consider packing.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

India travel advice

Latest updates: The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada)

Last updated: August 15, 2024 09:58 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, india - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country.

In and around Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in and around Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai. Consular services in-person are temporarily unavailable in those cities or surrounding areas. If you need consular services, contact the High Commission of Canada in India, located in New Delhi. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

Parts of Northeastern India - Avoid non-essential travel

Union territory of jammu and kashmir - avoid all travel.

This advisory excludes travelling to or within the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Border areas with Pakistan - Avoid all travel

This advisory excludes the Wagah border crossing.

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General elections are scheduled to take place between April 19 and June 1, 2024. Demonstrations could occur before, during and after the elections.

Disruptions to traffic and public transportation may also occur. Curfews may be imposed without notice.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Security situation

In the context of recent developments in Canada and in India, there are calls for protests and some negative sentiment towards Canada in traditional media and on social media. Demonstrations, including anti-Canada protests, could occur and Canadians may be subjected to intimidation or harassment. In Delhi and the National Capital Region, you should keep a low profile with strangers, and not share your personal information with them. Avoid crowded areas, including public transportation. You should always travel with someone and inform a friend or a family member of your travel plans.

Consular services in person are temporarily unavailable in and around Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai. Consular services in person at the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi will remain available.

Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir

The security situation in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is tense. There are high risks of violent protests, civil unrest and acts of terrorism and militancy.

Violent clashes between militants and security forces occur regularly. Terrorist attacks against security forces have led to civilian casualties. Further attacks could take place at any time. You could find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Indian army has enhanced powers in this territory. Authorities may impose curfews and security restrictions on short notice.

• Avoid gatherings and demonstrations
• Always carry ID
• Expect a heightened security presence and security checks

Border areas with Pakistan

The level of tension between India and Pakistan may change suddenly. You could experience difficulties when travelling between the two countries. You may be subject to scrutiny if officials from either country become aware that you have recently travelled to the other.

The security situation along the border with Pakistan, especially along the Line of Control (LoC), which separates the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, remains volatile. Cross-border gunfire and shelling are occurring sporadically along the LoC. The presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance also constitute a risk.

Although international travellers regularly use the Wagah border crossing linking Amritsar, India, to Lahore, Pakistan, it remains vulnerable to attack. Security measures are in place. You may experience long delays.

Parts of Northeastern India

Several extremist and insurgent groups are active in the northeastern states of Assam and Manipur. They regularly target local government and security forces and may use various criminal activities to finance their activities.

Ethnic tensions in the State can also lead to conflict and civil unrest.

There is a threat of terrorism in India, particularly in:

• the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir
• the State of Manipur
• the State of Assam
• areas of East India where Naxalites groups are active

Maoist extremist insurgents, known as Naxalites, are responsible for the majority of terrorist attacks in India. These groups are usually based in rural and forested areas within zones of concerns, as defined by the Government of India, which include:

• Andhra Pradesh
• Chhattisgarh
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Uttar Pradesh
• West Bengal

Extremist and insurgent groups usually target government and security forces, and sometimes, trains and railway tracks. While tourists are not usually specifically targeted, bystanders could be affected. Be particularly vigilant during election periods and in the lead-up to, and during, religious holidays and times of national significance, such as:

• Republic Day (January 26)
• Independence Day (August 15)

Targets of terrorist attacks could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

While in India:

• always be aware of your surroundings when in public places
• if you see a suspicious package, immediately leave the area and report it to authorities

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is common. Criminals may target foreigners, especially in major cities and tourist areas.

• Be vigilant in all crowded locations
• Don’t carry large sums of money
• Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times

Petty crime frequently occurs on public transportation and overnight trains.

• Ensure that the train compartment contains packages belonging only to you and other occupants
• Store personal belongings in a safe place, and don’t leave the compartment unattended
• Securely lock the doors

Serious crime against foreigners is less frequent, but incidents do occur.

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Exercise caution in tourist areas and airports where scammers particularly target foreigners.

Scams involving the exportation of jewels, gemstones, carpets, and other items have occurred. Taxi drivers may approach you, offering money to export such items.

• Don’t accept any offer, no matter how convincing
• Beware of offers for cheap transportation or accommodation, extended taxi rides and unsolicited guided tours

Romance scams

If you’re travelling to India to meet someone you’ve otherwise only met online, you may be the victim of a scam.

Be alert to attempts at fraud by persons who profess friendship or romantic interest over the internet.

Investment scams

Unsolicited emails offering attractive business or financial opportunities are most likely fraudulent.

Don’t travel to India to obtain restitution after losing money to a scam.

Overseas fraud

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Women’s safety

Crimes committed against women frequently occur in India. Foreign women are often the target of unwanted attention.

Staring, verbal abuse, groping, and other forms of sexual harassment can occur anywhere, including in tourist sites and areas. Attackers sometimes act as a group.

Reports of rape and assault against foreign women have increased. You should be particularly vigilant:

• on all forms of public transportation
• at Yoga centres, ashrams and other places of spiritual retreats

Local authorities may not always respond adequately to reports of sexual violence and harassment.

• Avoid travelling alone, particularly at night
• Be extremely vigilant on public transportation, taxis and auto-rickshaws
• Be careful when dealing with strangers or new acquaintances
• Be wary of accepting snacks or beverages from new acquaintances
• Avoid less populous and unlit areas
• Respect local customs and dress codes
• Reach police immediately if you feel threatened

If you are the victim of a sexual assault, you should report it immediately to local authorities and the nearest office of the Government of Canada.

Advice for women travellers

Forced marriages

Forced marriage affecting foreigners occurs, sometimes without the affected person’s prior knowledge or consent.

Some Canadians have been forced into marital arrangements and have been detained against their will. They have been subjected to threats, intimidation and violence by family members.

If you’re in Canada

If you’re in Canada and you believe that you’re being forced to travel overseas to marry, you should call your local police for assistance.

If you’re in India

If you’re in India and you believe that you’re being forced to marry, contact the nearest office of the Government of Canada. You may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre .

Family members may retain passports to prevent victims from returning to Canada. Keep digital or physical copies of your travel documents in a safe place.

General information and advice about forced marriage

Demonstrations and mass gatherings

Protests in manipur.

Violent demonstrations have been taking place in Manipur State since May 3, 2023, resulting in casualties. Protests have led to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Curfews have been imposed in several districts and mobile and internet services may be limited.

If you are in Manipur:

• monitor local media for the most recent information
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• be prepared to modify your plans in case of disturbances
• expect enhanced security measures and an increased police presence

Demonstrations, mass gatherings, general strikes, “bandh” or “hartal,” take place frequently. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

Stampedes have occurred during mass gatherings, including religious ceremonies, and resulted in deaths and injuries.

Local authorities may impose curfews and other restrictions on short notice.

• Follow the instructions of local authorities, including curfews

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country. Most roads, including major highways, are poorly maintained. There is severe traffic congestion. Driving conditions may be hazardous during the rainy season, and some roads can become impassable.

Drivers don’t respect traffic laws. They are often aggressive or reckless. Driving can be hazardous due to the presence of livestock or wandering cows, including in urban areas.

Fatal road accidents are frequent. They can lead to mob anger and assault.

• Avoid travelling outside urban centres after dark
• Avoid driving or riding motorcycles in India, even if you are an experienced motorcyclist
• Be very careful when crossing the street, even at pedestrian crossings
• If involved in an accident, contact local authorities immediately

Public transportation

India has an extensive passenger train system. Rail accidents are common, mostly due to poor maintenance. Thefts are frequent on certain train lines.

If you use a taxi, get it from a reputable hotel, an official taxi stand, or a trusted ride-sharing app. At the airport, use officially marked taxis or pre-paid transport services.

• Negotiate fares in advance, or insist that the driver use the meter, as you may be overcharged
• Avoid travelling alone, especially at night
• Don’t share taxis with strangers

Maritime transportation

Maritime accidents occur regularly due to the overloading and poor maintenance of some vessels.

• Don’t board vessels that appear overloaded or unseaworthy
• Always wear a life jacket

Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Live piracy report - International Maritime Bureau

Water activities

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Riptides are common. Several drownings occur each year.

Beaches are not usually supervised by lifeguards. Many beaches don’t display warnings of dangerous conditions.

• Seek local advice before swimming
• Avoid swimming if red flags are flown
• Avoid swimming during Monsoon season
• Always wear a life jacket if you use a boat or a small embarkation

Water safety abroad

No commercial mountain rescue services are operating above 3,000 metres.

If you intend on trekking:

• never do so alone and always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• ensure that you’re adequately equipped and well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary, including when you expect to be back to camp
• know the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, which can be fatal
• obtain detailed information on trekking routes or ski slopes before setting out and do not venture off marked trails or slopes

Wildlife viewing

Wildlife viewing may pose risks, particularly on foot or at close range. If you plan on visiting a wildlife area such as a tiger reserve:

• always maintain a safe distance when observing wildlife
• only exit a vehicle when a professional guide or warden says it’s safe to do so
• only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators
• closely follow park regulations and wardens’ advice

Large groups of monkeys are present in several parts of India, including some urban regions. Monkeys can get aggressive and rapidly overwhelm travellers in their search for food. They can also steal your belongings.

Be vigilant when in the presence of monkeys.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Indian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for 6 months from your date of entry into India and must contain at least two blank pages for use by immigration officials.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Certain types of Indian visa services for Canadians have resumed. For additional information, please contact the visa service provider directly.

Latest information – Indian Visa Application Center in Canada

Ensure you apply for the proper type of visa for the specific purpose of your trip. If you are denied entry by immigration officials, you will be returned to your point of departure.

Canadian-Pakistani citizens are subject to different visa application and registration procedures.

You can only stay in India for up to 180 consecutive days on a tourist visa, even when its validity exceeds 180 days.

Residency registration

If you stay in India for more than 180 days, you must register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

• e-FRRO online portal (for Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru) – India's Bureau of Immigration
• FRRO Contact List – India's Bureau of Immigration

Penalties for overstaying

Strict penalties are enforced for overstaying. If you overstay, you could be subject to fines, detention and a future travel ban.

If you have overstayed your visa, you must request an exit visa from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). This process can be lengthy.

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Dual citizenship

If you hold an Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card, you must present it upon entry and exit.

You must present a boarding pass and a photo identification to access airport departure terminals and public areas.

Lost or stolen passport

If your passport is lost or stolen, an exit visa is required to leave India.

To obtain an exit visa, you must present the FRRO with:

• a police report
• two current passport-size photographs
• a letter providing details of the loss or theft from the High Commission of Canada to India in New Delhi or Consulate General of Canada in either Chandigarh or Mumbai

The FRRO will verify the entry details before issuing an exit visa. This process can take several days.

Restricted and Protected Areas

Special permits are required to visit certain parts of India designated as restricted or protected areas.

Restricted or protected areas – India's Bureau of Immigration

• Poliomyelitis

You may need to produce proof of polio vaccination if you are arriving in India from:

• Afghanistan
• the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Confirm this requirement with the nearest Indian diplomatic office before travelling.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Outbreak Monitoring

Chandipura virus in india.

Cases of acute encephalitis syndrome have been reported in India, primarily in Gujarat state.

The cause of the outbreak remains under investigation, but some cases have been linked to Chandipura virus, which can cause severe illness and death, particularly in children.

Bites from infected sandflies are thought to be the most likely way Chandipura virus is spread to humans. The best way to protect yourself when travelling is to prevent insect bites at all times.

Learn more: Insect bite and pest prevention Personal insect repellents Tips for healthy travel

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country   where yellow fever occurs.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Contact a designated  Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre  well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that  country entry requirements  may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest  diplomatic or consular office  of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that can cause swelling of the brain.  It is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Risk is very low for most travellers. Travellers at relatively higher risk may want to consider vaccination for JE prior to travelling.

Travellers are at higher risk if they will be:

• travelling long term (e.g. more than 30 days)
• making multiple trips to endemic areas
• staying for extended periods in rural areas
• visiting an area suffering a JE outbreak
• engaging in activities involving high contact with mosquitos (e.g., entomologists)

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Travellers going to countries in South Asia should speak to a health care professional about getting vaccinated.

Malaria  is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.   There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination. 

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times:  • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.  • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.  • Wear permethrin-treated clothing.    If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

In this destination, rabies is carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. Rabies treatment is often available in this destination. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Cholera is a risk in parts of this country. Most travellers are at very low risk.

To protect against cholera, all travellers should practise safe food and water precautions .

Travellers at higher risk of getting cholera include those:

• visiting, working or living in areas with limited access to safe food, water and proper sanitation
• visiting areas where outbreaks are occurring

Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk travellers, and should be discussed with a health care professional.

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country. The level of risk may vary by:

The virus that causes chikungunya is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can cause fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times.

Learn more:

Insect bite and pest prevention Chikungunya

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is a viral disease that can cause fever, pain and bleeding under the skin.  In some cases, it can be fatal.  It spreads to humans through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, or from the bite of an infected tick.  Risk is generally low for most travellers. Celebrations which include the slaughtering of animals and contact with their blood and/ or tissues may increase the risk of exposure to the virus.  

Protect yourself from tick bites and wear gloves or other protective clothing if you are in contact with the blood and tissues of  animals, particularly livestock. There is no vaccine available for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

Visceral  leishmaniasis   (or kala azar) affects the bone marrow and internal organs. It is caused by a parasite spread through the bite of a female sandfly. It can also be transmitted by blood transfusion or sharing contaminated needles. If left untreated it can cause death. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from sandfly bites, which typically occur after sunset in rural and forested areas and in some urban centres. There is no vaccine or medication to protect against leishmaniasis.

Lymphatic filariasis , also known as elephantiasis, is caused by filariae (tiny worms) spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can cause a range of illnesses. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from mosquito bites. There is no vaccine available for lymphatic filariasis although drug treatments exist.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

There is a risk of Nipah virus infection in this country. Nipah virus infections can range from asymptomatic (no symptoms) to severe illness and death.

Nipah virus is spread to people from animals (such as fruit bats) but it can also be spread through contaminated food or close contact with someone who is ill.

Travellers to areas where Nipah virus is found should:

• avoid consuming date palm sap products, including raw date palm juice
• thoroughly wash and peel fruit before consumption
• wash hands regularly with soap and water
• discard fruit with signs of bites or fruit that has been found on the ground
• avoid contact with fruit bats and areas where they are known to roost

For more information on preventing Nipah virus infection, visit Nipah virus: Prevention and risks .

There is no vaccine or medication that protects against Nipah virus infection.

Human cases of avian influenza have been reported in this destination. Avian influenza   is a viral infection that can spread quickly and easily among birds and in rare cases it can infect mammals, including people. The risk is low for most travellers.

Avoid contact with birds, including wild, farm, and backyard birds (alive or dead) and surfaces that may have bird droppings on them. Ensure all poultry dishes, including eggs and wild game, are properly cooked.

Travellers with a higher risk of exposure include those: 

• visiting live bird/animal markets or poultry farms
• working with poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks)
• hunting, de-feathering, field dressing and butchering wild birds and wild mammals
• working with wild birds for activities such as research, conservation, or rehabilitation
• working with wild mammals, especially those that eat wild birds (e.g., foxes)

All eligible people are encouraged to get the seasonal influenza shot, which will protect them against human influenza viruses. While the seasonal influenza shot does not prevent infection with avian influenza, it can reduce the chance of getting sick with human and avian influenza viruses at the same time.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

Medical services and facilities

The quality of health care varies significantly throughout the country.

Medical care in major cities may be good, but it’s usually very limited or unavailable in rural areas.

Government hospitals provide free services or at a minimal cost. Private facilities often offer a higher level of care but can be expensive. Most hospitals require up-front payment or confirmation of insurance coverage before commencing treatment.

Specialised treatment for psychiatric illness may not be available outside major cities.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Ambulances are often equipped with basic and old medical equipment.

Response times can be very slow. Traffic doesn’t yield to emergency vehicles.

In case of serious illness or injury, you may consider taking a taxi or private vehicle to go to the hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

Medical tourism

Some Canadian citizens have had severe health complications following cosmetic or other elective surgeries abroad.

Before leaving for medical travel:

• make sure you have done your research
• use competent health-care providers only

Receiving Medical Care in Other Countries

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and jail sentences. Detention during the investigation is common and can be lengthy.

Laws regarding the purchase and consumption of alcohol, including the legal drinking age, differ from state to state. Authorities often call for dry periods during:

• religious festivals
• national holidays

Drugs, alcohol and travel

It is prohibited to import, possess or use e-cigarettes, vaporisers and their refills.

Beef consumption

Cows are protected and venerated by several groups of faith in India.

Several states impose prohibitions on beef slaughter and consumption. In some rural areas, cow protection vigilantes have attacked people suspected of selling, consuming, or possessing beef or items made with cowhide.

Avoid consuming beef or its derived products while in India.

Religious proselytism

In certain states, it’s illegal to engage in religious proselytism, such as preaching, possessing, or distributing religious literature or material with the intent of converting. Indian authorities require foreign missionaries to obtain a missionary visa.

If you plan to conduct religious activities in India, ensure that:

• the activities are legal
• you possess the proper visa for the activities you plan to perform

Satellite devices

It’s illegal to carry or use a satellite device in India.

Photography

It is prohibited to take pictures of military installations, airports and dams.

Ask permission before photographing places of worship such as temples or mosques.

Imports and exports

There are strict regulations on the importation or exportation of items such as:

• antiquities
• electronic equipment
• local currency
• ivory and gold objects
• protected animals
• pornographic material

Among others, you must register antique items for export with local police, with a photograph of each item.

Customs Guide for Travellers - India’s Central Board of Excise and Customs

Dress and behaviour

India is a traditional, conservative and multi-faith society. To avoid offending local sensitivities:

• Dress conservatively
• Behave discreetly
• Respect religious and social traditions
• Avoid displays of affection in public
• Avoid using footwear in places of worship

Indian family law is very different from Canadian law.

In case of dispute, consult a local lawyer to be fully aware of local laws regarding marital fraud, dowry abuse or extortion, custody, guardianship and visitation rights. Individuals facing charges may be forced to remain in India until their cases have been settled or charges dismissed.

Commercial surrogacy

If you’re planning to visit India to commission surrogacy arrangements, you should consider the potential challenges involved in pursuing international surrogacy. Seek specialist legal advice on Indian and Canadian laws before making any arrangements.

A proposed Indian government ban on foreign commercial surrogacy could affect Canadians travelling to India to enter into a surrogacy agreement.

You should also consult with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on current policies regarding citizenship through descent and the issuance of Canadian travel documents.

Land and property disputes

If you plan on buying property or are involved in a land dispute in India, you should seek legal advice. Do so before making commitments. Related disputes could take time and be costly to resolve.

The offices of the Government of Canada in India can’t provide assistance or legal advice related to private legal matters.

2SLGBTQI+ persons

Indian law doesn't criminalize sexual acts or relationships between persons of the same sex.

However, 2SLGBTQI+ persons could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in India.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of India, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and India.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in India by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in India to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Identification

You must carry your passport and Indian visa at all times.

Traffic drives on the left.

You must carry an International Driving Permit.

International Driving Permit

The currency in India is the Indian Rupee (INR).

Non-residents are prohibited from importing or exporting the Indian rupee. A limit of 25,000 rupees is imposed on residents.

Upon entering or leaving India, you must make a declaration to customs if you have USD 5,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies.

India is prone to extreme weather events such as:

• dust storms
• earthquakes

Extreme temperatures can occur in both spring and summer.

The rainy (or monsoon) season extends from June to September.

Heavy rain can cause flooding throughout the country, resulting in significant loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure. Seasonal flooding and landslides can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

India’s coastline is subject to cyclones, particularly between April and December. These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area:

• know that you may expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad
• Weather forecasts and warnings - Indian Meteorological Department
• Current cyclone activity - Tropical storm risk

Seismic activity

Parts of India are located in active seismic zones. Earthquakes occur.

In the event of an earthquake, follow the instructions of local authorities.

What to do during an earthquake

Air pollution

Smoke haze and other types of air pollution can be extremely hazardous in urban areas and cities such as Delhi. It’s typically at its worst in winter. In rural areas, air quality can be affected by agricultural burning.

Dust storms also occur across northern India.

Monitor air pollution levels, which change quickly, especially if you suffer from respiratory ailments or have pre-existing medical conditions.

During periods of high pollution:

• limit your activities outdoors
• monitor local media
• System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research - Ministry of Earth Science of India
• Real time ambient air quality data - Delhi Pollution Control Committee
• Air pollution in India - World Air Quality Index

In mountainous regions, avalanches present a risk and have resulted in fatalities.

• Monitor local media and weather forecasts
• Follow the advice of local authorities

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

• police: 100/112 from cellular telephones
• firefighters: 101
• medical assistance: 102
• victims of sexual harassment: 1091

General services

The Indian Ministry of Tourism offers 24-hour general advice for tourists.

Dial: 1-800 111-363.

Consular assistance

The Consulates General of Canada in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai are temporarily suspending in-person operations. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information from the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi.

Consular services in person remain available at the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

For emergency consular assistance, call the High Commission of Canada in India, in New Delhi and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

India Entry and Travel Requirements

• Evisa.Express
• India e-Visa Application
• India Travel Requirements

India Entry Requirements can vary depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. The majority of foreign visitors, apart from a valid passport that will not expire for at least 6 months from the planned date of entry, also need to obtain a visa for India .

The Government of India allows travelers from a number of countries to obtain a visa online. e-Visa for India can be issued as a tourist, medical, or business electronic visa. All these visa types allow visiting India for short-term periods. Only a few countries qualify for visa exemption, including Buthan, Maldives, and Nepal. 

Travelers from Buthan and Nepal may travel to India passport and visa-free if they do not arrive from Hong Kong, Macau, China, the Maldives, or Pakistan. There is no time limit for their stay in India. In turn, the nationals of the Maldives are allowed to visa-free travel to India for maximally 90 days unless they arrive from mainland China. For longer stays, they will need to obtain a relevant visa. 

Citizens of countries not eligible for an electronic visa must apply for a regular visa at the nearest Indian Embassy. Embassy visas are also mandatory for relocating, working, studying, or all kinds of long-term purposes.

Over the past two years of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, only some travelers could enter India under a few operating travel bubbles. On March 27, 2022, the Indian authorities restored international flights, and since then, all foreign travelers can enter India without needing to have an essential travel purpose . They still need to, however, obtain certain travel documents and meet some entry requirements.

Keep in mind that travel requirements may change at any time, so it's always best to check with the Indian embassy in your home country before you travel.

If you plan to travel to India soon, read more about the recent Indian entry rules and find out what documents you will need to prepare before your trip.

Documents check-list for entering India

• Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form
• a PCR test taken 72 hours before the trip (if unvaccinated)
• a valid vaccination certificate confirming taking the full regimen of COVID-19 vaccine (if vaccinated)
• a visa to India or e-Visa (if eligible)
• travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage (optional)

Testing, vaccination, and quarantine requirements

Testing requirements.

Unvaccinated travelers need to upload a negative report of COVID-19 RT-PCR conducted within 72 hours before the planned journey.

Vaccinated travelers do not need to take a pre-departure coronavirus test. Instead, they may use a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate as a document confirming their immunization status.

Additionally, India has been maintaining on-arrival random testing (2% of the total passengers on the flight).

Vaccination Requirements

India allows entry for both vaccinated and non-vaccinated travelers. Those who have received the full regimen of the COVID-19 vaccine are exempt from taking the pre-departure test. The vaccination proof must be submitted via the Air Suvidha platform.

At least 14 days must elapse from the date of receiving the coronavirus vaccine in order to be recognized as fully vaccinated.

Currently, the Indian Government accepts the following manufacturers of the COVID-19 vaccine:

• Oxford/AstraZeneca
• Johnson&Johnson
• Sputnik Light
• Zydus Cadila
• Biological E Limited

Quarantine Requirements

The Indian Government has recently removed a mandatory quarantine. Nevertheless, some travelers may be required to undergo random coronavirus testing upon arrival at the airport. If tested positive, they may be subject to undergo institutional quarantine.

Moreover, all passengers are thermally screened on arrival and if found with COVID-19 symptomatic, they may be isolated and/or taken to a medical facility.

Travel requirements to enter India by sea or land

International passengers who wish to enter India through land ports or seaports fall under the same entry protocol as travelers arriving in India by air.

However, they cannot submit Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form since it is currently available only for air travelers. Those travelers who enter India by land or sea should submit their self-declaration form to the appropriate Indian authorities at a given seaport or land port (depending on the way they enter the country).

Entry Rules for Children

Covid-19 testing.

All children younger than 5 years of age are exempt from coronavirus testing requirements both pre-departure and post-arrival.

However, if found symptomatic upon arrival, they are subject to the health protocol including testing or/and quarantine. Parents or guardians traveling with them may not always be allowed to have access to the children during their self-isolation period.

Visa requirements for Children

All children not being Indian nationals must hold a valid online visa to enter India. Their parents or guardians are responsible for submitting visa applications for underage travelers.

Transit requirements

You can transit through India visa-free only when meeting the following requirements:

• you have an onward ticket to the country being your final destination
• your layover time in India is maximally 24 hours or less
• you do not plan to exit the tranist zone at one of the Indian airports when awaiting the flight to your final destination

Those who wish to leave the transit area will need to obtain an eVisa in order to legally and hassle-free transit through India.

Coronavirus-related restrictions

There are no testing and quarantine requirements for transit passengers upon arrival. Nevertheless, all arrivals to India are subject to random testing and health screenings.

Non-vaccinated travelers should take a PCR test performed within 72 hours before the planned arrival.

All transit passengers also need to complete the Air Suvidha declaration.

India visa requirements

Like the majority of the countries, Indian visa policy distinguishes two main categories of visas:

• countries required to apply for a regular visa
• countries eligible for India eVisa

If your country is not included on the list of eligible for eVisa to India, you will need to visit the nearest Indian Embassy and get the necessary information on how you can obtain the necessary permit to visit India.

Electronic visa

In 2014, the Indian Government introduced an electronic visa system to facilitate the visa application process and allow travelers from certain countries to travel to India with eVisa for business, leisure, or medical-related purposes. Applicants have 5 different options to choose from, depending on the reason why they wish to enter India.

To get an eVisa to India online, one only needs to fill out the online application form, attach some documents, and cover the service fee. The maximum processing time to get the approval for the Indian electronic visa is only 3 business days.

Air Suvidha Self Declaration

India has reopened its borders to international visitors but in order to ensure their safety, all incoming travelers must complete the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form.

This declaration including all travel and health-related details of the person entering India must be submitted within 72 hours before the intended departure to India (or as soon as a traveler knows all the necessary travel details). Every traveler will receive the confirmation receipt in PDF form which will be checked upon crossing the Indian border.

Submitting the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form is obligatory and those who will not be able to show it during the border control may be denied entry to the country.

Travel Insurance

Despite the fact that travel insurance is not obligatory to travel to India during the coronavirus pandemic, all travelers are highly advised to purchase the one with COVID-19 coverage. This will cover all the potential treatment costs in case you become infected and will be requiring hospitalization.

Choose the travel insurance that best matches your travel plans in India and travel to the country relaxed and ready for every circumstance.

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Where Kamala Harris Stands on the Issues: Abortion, Immigration and More

She wants to protect the right to abortion nationally. Here’s what else to know about her positions.

• Share full article

By Maggie Astor

• Published July 21, 2024 Updated Sept. 11, 2024

Follow along with live updates and debate analysis on the Trump and Harris campaigns .

With Vice President Kamala Harris having replaced President Biden on the Democratic ticket, her stances on key issues will be scrutinized by both parties and the nation’s voters.

She has a long record in politics: as district attorney of San Francisco, as attorney general of California, as a senator, as a presidential candidate and as vice president.

Here is an overview of where she stands.

Ms. Harris supports legislation that would protect the right to abortion nationally, as Roe v. Wade did before it was overturned in 2022, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

After the Dobbs ruling, she became central to the Biden campaign’s efforts to keep the spotlight on abortion, given that Mr. Biden — with his personal discomfort with abortion and his support for restrictions earlier in his career — was a flawed messenger. In March, she made what was believed to be the first official visit to an abortion clinic by a president or vice president.

She consistently supported abortion rights during her time in the Senate, including cosponsoring legislation that would have banned common state-level restrictions, like requiring doctors to perform specific tests or have hospital admitting privileges in order to provide abortions.

As a presidential candidate in 2019, she argued that states with a history of restricting abortion rights in violation of Roe should be subject to what is known as pre-clearance for new abortion laws — those laws would have to be federally approved before they could take effect. That proposal is not viable now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe.

Climate change

Ms. Harris has supported the Biden administration’s climate efforts , including legislation that provided hundreds of billions of dollars in tax credits and rebates for renewable energy and electric vehicles.

“It is clear the clock is not just ticking, it is banging,” she said in a speech last year , referring to increasingly severe and frequent disasters spurred by climate change. “And that is why, one year ago, President Biden and I made the largest climate investment in America’s history.”

During her 2020 presidential campaign, she emphasized the need for environmental justice , a framework that calls for policies to address the adverse effects that climate change has on poor communities and people of color. She has emphasized that as vice president as well.

In 2019, Ms. Harris, then a senator, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, introduced legislation that would have evaluated environmental rules and laws by how they affected low-income communities. It would have also established an independent Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Accountability and created a “senior adviser on climate justice” within several federal agencies. In 2020, Ms. Harris introduced a more sweeping version of the bill. None of the legislation was passed.

Ms. Harris was tasked with leading the Biden administration’s efforts to secure voting rights legislation, a job she asked for . The legislation — which went through several iterations but was ultimately blocked in the Senate — would have countered voting restrictions in Republican-led states, limited gerrymandering and regulated campaign finance more strictly.

This year, she met with voting rights advocates and described a strategy that included creating a task force on threats to election workers and challenging state voting restrictions in court.

She has condemned former President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. In a speech in 2022 marking the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, she said that day had showed “what our nation would look like if the forces who seek to dismantle our democracy are successful.” She added, “What was at stake then, and now, is the right to have our future decided the way the Constitution prescribes it: by we the people, all the people.”

Economic policy

In campaign events this year, Ms. Harris has promoted the Biden administration’s economic policies, including the infrastructure bill that Mr. Biden signed, funding for small businesses, a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act that capped the cost of insulin for people on Medicare and student debt forgiveness.

She indicated at an event in May that the administration’s policies to combat climate change would also bring economic benefits by creating jobs in the renewable energy industry. At another event , she promoted more than $100 million in Energy Department grants for auto parts manufacturers to pivot to electric vehicles, which she said would “help to keep our auto supply chains here in America.”

As a senator, she introduced legislation that would have provided a tax credit of up to $6,000 for middle- and low-income families, a proposal she emphasized during her presidential campaign as a way to address income inequality.

Immigration

One of Ms. Harris’s mandates as vice president has been to address the root causes of migration from Latin America, like poverty and violence in migrants’ home countries. Last year, she announced $950 million in pledges from private companies to support Central American communities. Similar commitments made previously totaled about $3 billion.

In 2021, she visited the U.S.-Mexico border and said : “This issue cannot be reduced to a political issue. We’re talking about children, we’re talking about families, we are talking about suffering.”

More recently, she backed a bipartisan border security deal that Mr. Biden endorsed but Mr. Trump, by urging Republican lawmakers to kill it , effectively torpedoed. The legislation would have closed the border if crossings reached a set threshold, and it would have funded thousands of new border security agents and asylum officers. “We are very clear, and I think most Americans are clear, that we have a broken immigration system and we need to fix it,” Ms. Harris said in March .

Israel and Gaza

Ms. Harris called in March for an “immediate cease-fire” in Gaza and described the situation there as a “humanitarian catastrophe.” She said that “the threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel must be eliminated” but also that “too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.”

In an interview later that month , she emphasized her opposition to an Israeli invasion of Rafah, the city in southern Gaza to which more than a million people had fled. “I have studied the maps,” she said. “There’s nowhere for those folks to go, and we’re looking at about 1.5 million people in Rafah who are there because they were told to go there, most of them.”

She has said on multiple occasions that she supports a two-state solution.

Racial justice

Racial justice was a theme of Ms. Harris’s presidential campaign. In a memorable debate exchange in 2019 , she denounced Mr. Biden’s past work with segregationist senators and opposition to school busing mandates.

She has called for ending mandatory minimum sentences, cash bail and the death penalty, which disproportionately affect people of color.

Amid the protests that followed the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, she was one of the senators who introduced the Justice in Policing Act, which would have made it easier to prosecute police officers, created a national registry of police misconduct and required officers to complete training on racial profiling. It was not passed.

Her record as a prosecutor also came into play during her presidential campaign. Critics noted that as attorney general of California, she had generally avoided stepping in to investigate police killings.

Maggie Astor covers politics for The New York Times, focusing on breaking news, policies, campaigns and how underrepresented or marginalized groups are affected by political systems. More about Maggie Astor