Understanding Indian Transit Visa Requirements for Travelers

International travelers need an India transit visa if they are on a long journey that includes two or more flights with a change in India. Moreover, they will need to have booked a connecting flight to another destination from an airport in the country. Generally, layovers in India typically last 24-72 hours. A transit visa is required under the following conditions: For layovers over 24 hours, even if travelers stay at the airport. For stopovers exceeding 72 hours, another visa type, like an Indian e-visa/embassy visa, is needed. If travelers need to leave the transit area and clear customs for some reason. If travelers plan to spend the night in a nearby hotel before the connecting flight. If travelers want to leave the onboarded ship Example: For instance, a French citizen is traveling from France to Nepal, and he/she wants to spend a day or two in India on the way. However, he/she will be in India for less than 72 hours, and he/she has a valid onward ticket to Nepal. In such cases, a transit visa to India will be required.

A foreign traveler does not need an Indian transit visa if the: Layover time between the connecting flights is less than 24 hours. Citizens of Bhutan and Nepal are exempt from transit visa requirements. Holders of a valid Indian diplomatic or official visa are exempt from transit visa requirements. Crew members on aircraft or ships transiting are exempt from transit visa requirements. If a traveler doesn\'t have to go through customs, re-check their luggage, or leave the designated transit area. Foreigners holding an Indian e-visa for tourism, business, or medical treatment do not need a transit visa for India. Example: Suppose a US citizen traveling from the US to Thailand has a connecting flight in Delhi, India. However, they will be in India for less than 24 hours and intend to stay in the airport transit area. In this case, the US citizen will not need a transit visa for India.

Foreign travelers transiting through India need a transit visa. To obtain the visa, they must show proof of their onward journey, such as a flight ticket. There are single and double-entry Indian transit visas with a validity of 15 days. It is to be noted that the visa validity is calculated from the date of issuance, and travelers who are not planning a trip after the validity period should not apply for it. If they need a break on their way back, after 15 days, they must get a new transit visa for India. Documents required for an Indian transit visa A passport that is valid for at least six months and two blank pages Two photographs Completed visa application form Flight tickets for an onward flight. A flight transit in India is when a passenger stops at an Indian airport on their way to their final destination.