What UK Citizens Actually Need to Enter India in 2026 — Visa, e-Arrival Card & Airport Rules

Important: The e-Tourist Visa Cannot Be Extended Inside India

This catches people off guard every season. 

Once you’re in India on a tourist eVisa, you cannot extend it — full stop. 

No exceptions for “I just need a couple more weeks” or “I lost track of time.” 

The stay limits are fixed and enforced.

If you want to stay beyond your authorized stay, you’d need to exit India and re-enter (if your visa allows multiple entries and your remaining validity permits), or arrange a longer-stay regular visa from the Indian High Commission in London before you travel.

Overstaying is a serious offence. It can result in fines when you try to leave and complications — sometimes permanent restrictions — on future India visa applications.

How to Apply for an India eVisa from the UK

Quick Answer: Go to the official Government of India portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in, fill in the form, upload your photo and passport scan, pay by card, and receive your ETA by email within 72 hours. 

Apply at least 4–7 days before departure to allow time to correct any errors.

Step 1: Go to the ONLY official portal

The official website is indianvisaonline.gov.in.

This matters more than you might think. 

There are hundreds of fake eVisa websites — many built to look almost identical to the official one. 

The Indian Consulate General in Edinburgh has issued formal scam warnings, and the Indian Embassy in Kuwait recently flagged several fraudulent sites by name, including some that appear at the top of Google search results. 

These sites take your money and personal data and provide nothing usable in return.

The only safe route: navigate directly to indianvisaonline.gov.in. 

Type it. Don’t search for it.

Step 2: Choose your visa type

Select e-Tourist (30-day, 1-year, or 5-year), e-Business, e-Medical, or e-Conference depending on your purpose of travel.

Step 3: Complete the application

You’ll need:

• Your UK passport details (exactly as printed — even a typo in the passport number can trigger rejection)
• Your intended travel dates and first accommodation address
• Emergency contact information
• Recent travel history

Step 4: Upload your documents

• Passport photograph: White background, specific dimensions (check the portal for current specs — they’re strict)
• Scanned bio-data page: Use a proper scanner if possible. Phone photos often cause issues.

Step 5: Pay and submit

Payment is by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex). The fee is charged in US dollars. A 2.5–3% transaction surcharge is added at checkout.

Step 6: Receive your ETA

Most approvals arrive within 72 hours. Some take 4–6 business days. You can apply up to 120 days before your arrival date.

Apply at least 2 weeks before you travel. Not because it takes that long — but because if your application is rejected or flagged, you need time to fix it and reapply.

Step 7: Print your ETA

Print a copy and carry it with your passport. Your ETA is linked digitally to your passport number, but many airline check-in staff and immigration officers still ask to see the physical printout. Don’t rely on your phone.

The e-Arrival Card — What It Is and Why You Can’t Skip It

Quick Answer: Since April 1, 2026, all foreign nationals arriving in India — including UK citizens and OCI cardholders — must complete a free digital e-Arrival Card before flying. 

It replaces the old paper disembarkation form. 

File it via indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or the Su-Swagatam app within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival. 

It takes about 10 minutes and is 100% free.

This is the biggest change to India’s entry process in 2026, and it’s missing from most travel guides.

The paper disembarkation card — the form handed out on flights for decades — is permanently gone as of April 1, 2026. The Bureau of Immigration confirmed the full enforcement effective that date, with a transition period that ran from October 1, 2025. The paper form is no longer accepted at immigration.

The e-Arrival Card is not your visa. 

It doesn’t replace your eVisa or OCI card. It’s a separate mandatory pre-arrival declaration form that immigration uses to process your arrival digitally.

What you’ll need to file it:

• Passport details (same passport as your eVisa)
• Your visa number or OCI card number
• Your flight details
• Your address in India (hotel name and address — have this before you file)
• Emergency contact
• Recent travel history

When and how to file:

• Window: No earlier than 96 hours before arrival, ideally within 72 hours
• Where: indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or the Su-Swagatam mobile app (available on iOS and Android)
• Cost: 100% free
• Time: About 5–10 minutes

If you file within 72 hours of arrival, you’ll receive a QR code. Show this to immigration officers — either on your phone or printed. 

If you file earlier than 72 hours, your reference number is sufficient; you won’t get a QR code immediately.

One family, one form: One submission covers up to 5 family members travelling together.

OCI holders — you are not exempt

When the e-Arrival Card launched in October 2025, OCI cardholders were initially announced as exempt. 

That exemption lasted three days. On October 4, 2025, the Bureau of Immigration revised the policy: all OCI holders must now complete the e-Arrival Card before every trip to India. 

If you assumed your OCI card covered this — it doesn’t. You still need to file.

Passport Requirements UK Travelers Often Miss

Quick Answer: Your UK passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in India, have at least 2 blank pages, and be in good physical condition. 

Airlines will check this at check-in in the UK — if your passport doesn’t qualify, you won’t board. Check your expiry date before you apply for your eVisa.

These are the passport requirements that catch travelers out at the check-in desk — before India immigration ever sees them.

Your UK passport must:

• Be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in India (not your departure date from the UK)
• Have at least 2 blank pages available for immigration stamps
• Be in good physical condition — torn pages, water damage, or missing covers can cause serious problems

Why airlines check this before departure:

Airlines are responsible for passengers who are refused entry at immigration. 

If your passport doesn’t meet these rules, the airline may deny boarding in the UK — before you’ve even reached India. 

So if your passport is cutting it close on the 6-month rule, renew it before you apply for your eVisa.

And one more thing: your eVisa is tied to the specific passport number you used on your application. 

If you renew your passport after receiving your eVisa, the eVisa is now linked to your old passport number. In that case, travel with both passports, or cancel the eVisa and reapply on your new passport. 

The original official guidance from indianvisaonline.gov.in should always be your reference for this.

Which Indian Airports Accept eVisa?

Quick Answer: The eVisa is accepted at 33 designated airports (plus 19 seaports and select land ports). 

All major international airports — Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Goa, Kochi, Jaipur — are included. 

It is NOT valid for entry at most land border crossings. 

If you’re crossing from Nepal or Sri Lanka overland, you’ll need a regular paper visa.

The major eVisa airports include:

• Delhi — Indira Gandhi International
• Mumbai — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International
• Bangalore — Kempegowda International
• Chennai International
• Hyderabad — Rajiv Gandhi International
• Kolkata — Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International
• Kochi International
• Goa — Manohar International Airport
• Jaipur International
• Ahmedabad — Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International
• Varanasi — Lal Bahadur Shastri International
• Amritsar — Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International

The full list of 33 designated airports is available on the official eVisa portal.

If you’re entering from Nepal or Sri Lanka by land or ferry, check the current rules on the official portal before you travel — you may need a regular visa from the Indian High Commission rather than an eVisa for specific border crossings.

What to Carry at Indian Immigration

When you land in India, have these documents in your hand — not at the bottom of your bag.

You must have:

• Original UK passport (the same one used for your eVisa application)
• Printed eVisa / ETA confirmation
• Return or onward ticket
• e-Arrival Card QR code (on phone or printed)

Have these ready too — they may be asked for:

• Hotel booking confirmation or address of your first stay
• Travel insurance documents
• Proof of sufficient funds (credit card or bank statement)

Keep everything in a single travel wallet. 

Immigration queues move fast at Delhi and Mumbai. 

Searching through your bag with an officer watching adds stress you don’t need.

What the Airport Arrival Experience Actually Looks Like

Here’s what happens from the moment you land — so nothing feels unfamiliar.

Step 1 — Follow signs to immigration After landing, signs direct you to Passport Control or Immigration. Join the queue marked “Foreign Nationals.” Not the Indian passport queue.

Step 2 — Document check Hand over your passport and printed ETA. The officer scans both and verifies the details against the system.

Step 3 — Biometrics At most major airports, your fingerprints and photograph are taken. This is routine and takes under a minute.

Step 4 — Questions, if asked You might be asked: “What is the purpose of your visit?” or “Where are you staying?” Keep it simple. “Tourism” or “sightseeing” is a completely normal answer. You don’t need to explain your whole itinerary.

Step 5 — Entry stamp Your passport gets stamped and you’re officially in India.

From landing to clearing immigration at Delhi or Mumbai typically takes 30–60 minutes, depending on flight timing, terminal congestion, and how many other flights arrived around the same time.

Are There Restricted Areas in India UK Travelers Should Know About?

Quick Answer: Yes. Several states and remote regions require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) or special entry permit in addition to your tourist visa. 

Most mainstream tourist destinations don’t require one — but if you’re planning to visit northeast India or remote border zones, check well in advance.

Most of India is open to UK tourists without any extra permits. 

But a handful of areas require additional clearance — and discovering this at the last minute can derail an itinerary.

Areas requiring a Protected Area Permit:

• Arunachal Pradesh
• Nagaland (some areas)
• Manipur (inner regions)
• Mizoram

Other permit requirements:

• Andaman & Nicobar Islands — popular tourist islands are open; tribal reserve areas are restricted
• Lakshadweep — entry permits are needed and usually arranged through a registered tour operator
• Sikkim — some border zones near China require a Protected Area Permit

If any of these are on your itinerary, check with the relevant state authority or a travel consultant well before departure. 

Permits sometimes require a licensed tour operator to sponsor the application, and they can take time to process.

Common Entry Mistakes UK Travelers Make

These are the problems that actually cause disruption at the airport — and every one of them is avoidable.

Passport validity under 6 months The most common reason for boarding denial in the UK. Check your expiry date before you start the visa application — not after.

Using the wrong visa category An e-Tourist visa cannot be used for business activities, journalism, or NGO work. 

If your trip involves trade shows, commercial meetings, or conference attendance, apply for the appropriate visa category.

Not printing the eVisa Your ETA is digitally linked to your passport — but print it anyway. Many immigration officers and airline staff still want to see a physical copy.

Applying on a fake website Thousands of fraudulent eVisa websites exist and some rank high on Google. 

The only official site is indianvisaonline.gov.in. 

If you’ve used a third-party site and paid significantly more than the standard fee, check your application status on the official portal.

Renewing your passport after applying for the eVisa Your eVisa is tied to your old passport number. 

Travel with both passports or cancel and reapply.

Not knowing your hotel details Immigration sometimes asks where you’re staying on your first night. 

Know the name and address of your first accommodation — or have it pulled up on your phone.

Forgetting the e-Arrival Card This is the newest and fastest-growing mistake. 

Since April 2026, the e-Arrival Card is mandatory. 

Not completing it before you fly can cause delays at Indian immigration. 

File it at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or via the Su-Swagatam app within 72 hours of arrival.

Assuming the 5-year visa is still cheap For UK nationals, it’s now approximately £420 due to reciprocal fee changes. 

For most travelers, the 1-year eVisa at around £32 is the better value.