Essential Passport Validity Requirements for Traveling to India

For a seamless Indian journey, all travelers, regardless of visa type, must have passports valid six months past arrival and two blank pages for immigration stamps. Consult official Indian government websites for up-to-date travel regulations. Travelers planning a trip to India must ensure their passport validity aligns with the Indian government’s regulations. This requirement is essential for visitors from all countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany. Here’s a quick and easy guide to understanding passport validity needs for a hassle-free journey to India. Passport validity Regardless of the Indian visa type, whether regular or e-Visa, the following passport validity rules must be adhered to by travelers: Passport Validity: As per the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, to apply for all Indian visas, including e-Visas (tourist, medical, etc.), the passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the planned arrival date.

Six-month rule: This requirement helps ensure safe travel across borders. If the passport doesn’t meet the six months validity rule, travelers cannot apply for any Indian visa. Visa exceptions: Individuals with a valid visa - 1 year, 5 years or a 10 year visa to India can enter the country even if their passport expires within six months of their arrival date, as long as their passport is valid at the time of entry. However, for new visa applications, it’s essential to have a passport that remains valid for at least six months. Early renewal: Remember, if the passport expires within six months of the planned travel date, tourists need to obtain a new passport before starting their visa application. This rule ensures smooth and applies to all visa types. Expired passport with an active e-Visa Travelers with a valid Indian e-Visa (1 year tourist e-Visa or 5 year electronic visa) but an expired passport can still go to India.

They simply need to get a new passport and carry both the new and old passports during travel. It ensures their e-Visa remains valid and they can enter India without any issues. For ease of travel, it is recommended to transfer the existing Indian visa from the old passport to the new valid one. Passport expires within 3 months If the traveler’s passport is set to expire within three months of the planned arrival date, they’ll need to obtain a new passport before applying for the Indian visa. The rule applies to all visa types, including tourist and medical e-Visas. Please note that if a traveler already holds a valid Indian visa, he/she can still enter the country even if the passport is set to expire within three months. The only condition is that it remains valid for the duration of their stay. Here’s a quick tip: Natvisa recommends transferring the existing Indian visa to the new passport to ensure a stress-free arrival.