It’s all set—you’re going to India. You’ve packed your things, prepared the itinerary, you’ve even looked up a few new words to surprise the locals.
And yet, one question is still bugging you—
What’s the minimum passport validity to enter India?
Worry not! This article will discuss all the essentials of traveling to India with a US passport. We’ll also mention different instances to address the holders of other documents.
Passport near the expiration date? Secure your travel and apply for a new passport today. With our Passport Photo Booth App for iOS or Passport Photo Maker App for Android, you’ll create a 100% compliant picture within minutes and receive it immediately in your email or directly to your door in 3 days!
We’ve discussed more passport-related issues for travelers! Check them out:
- Emergency Travel with an Expired Passport
- Where Can You Travel Without a Visa as a Green Card Holder?
- Can You Travel with a Green Card and an Expired Passport?
Passport validity: All you need to know before traveling to India
Let’s take a look at the general requirements first:
Every tourist, regardless of nationality, must carry a valid passport and visa to enter India. The purpose of their visit and the length of stay is determined by the type of Indian visa they apply for.
Generally, your passport must be valid for at least six months upon arrival to India. Also, it’s recommended that your passport is valid for at least three months when leaving the country.
Now, as you already know—your passport is not the only document necessary for traveling to India. Below, we’ll discuss these cases in more detail.
US passport validity for travel to India
To answer shortly—your US passport must be valid for at least six months to enter India without any issues.
However, as a US passport holder, you must also apply for an eVisa before traveling to India.
US citizens can choose between three types of tourist visa, depending on their desired stay. These visas can be valid for:
- 30 days
- 1 year
- 5 years
Important: You must apply for an eVisa with a valid passport. If your passport is valid for less than six months before your trip to India, you must apply for a new passport and redo the process of acquiring a tourist visa. See different options to renew a US passport.
Also, regardless of the time left on your visa—say, it’s still valid for three years—if your passport expires, so does your visa.
Passport validity for travel to India with OCI
The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards are issued to Indian nationals and their spouses who have or have obtained a different nationality. Since Indian authorities don’t allow dual citizenship, the OCI card permits foreign nationals of Indian origin to live and work in India.
OCI cardholders must also obtain visas before traveling to India—in that case, a 5-year visa is automatically issued.
However, your passport must still be valid for at least six months upon visiting India. Otherwise, you must apply for a new passport.
Technically, an OCI card is a life-long visa. There are some instances, though, in which you’ll have to renew your card. If that’s your case, see how you can prepare and resize your OCI photo effortlessly.
Travel to India with an Indian passport that’s valid for less than 6 months
If you’re an Indian passport holder, you can visit India without applying for a visa.
However, even for Indian citizens, the country has a 6-month passport validity rule. That means if your passport is valid for less than six months, you’ll be denied entry to India.
Need a new passport? See how you can renew your expired Indian passport in the US.
Pro tip: Ensure your passport has two blank pages for the Immigration Officer to stamp.
Travel stress-free and always prepared! Get your passport photo quickly with our Passport Photo Booth App for iOS or Passport Photo Maker App for Android, and worry not about your document expiring.
FAQ
Can I travel to India with less than 6 months on my passport?
Can you travel to India if your passport expires in 3 months?
How many months of passport validity is required to travel to India?
Can I travel to India with a US passport expiring in 3 months with OCI?
Key takeaway
Now you know—
In every case, your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of entering India.
If you aren’t an Indian passport holder, additionally you’ll have to apply for eVisa—and for that, your passport must also be valid for six months. Renew it early enough before your travel to ensure a stress-free trip.
Roxana is a writer with 3+ years of experience. As a Master in psycholinguistics, she blends her passion for language and communication with insights from diverse cultures, making her content resonate with a broad audience.
