Extending your India Tourist Visa: What you need to know

Navigating visa requirements in India can be complex. Here's a clear guide to help you understand your options if your India Visa is expiring.

Understanding India Visa extensions

The India Tourist eVisa offers multiple entries with validity options of 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years.

However, it’s crucial to note:

• The India eVisa cannot be extended.
• The India eVisa is not cancellable, transferable, or amendable.

If your stay exceeds the validity of your eVisa, you must exit the country. To re-enter, you'll need to apply for a new visa.

India Tourist Visa: Overstay penalties and avoiding issues

Overstaying on any visa in India can result in fines or legal consequences:

• Up to 1 week overstay: $100 fine
• Up to 90 days overstay: $500 fine
• Over 90 days: Potential travel ban

To avoid these penalties, ensure your travel aligns with your visa's validity.

iVisa Pro Tip: If you need more time in India, consider traveling to a neighboring country like Nepal or Sri Lanka and applying for a new eVisa.

Alternative options for longer stays in India

If you require a longer stay for purposes beyond tourism:

• Apply for an appropriate through the Indian Embassy in your country before traveling.

• Consider visa categories such as Business, Medical, or Student Visas if they align with your purpose of travel.

Other entry and exit rules to consider

Other entry and exit rules to consider for India

• ✅ Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival and have at least two blank pages.

• ✅ Yellow fever certificate: Required only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

• ✅ Restricted/protected areas: Some regions (like parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands) require a special permit (Protected Area Permit or Restricted Area Permit) in addition to your visa.

• ✅ Overstaying penalties: Overstaying a visa, even by one day, can lead to fines, detention, or future visa bans. Always check your visa expiry carefully.

• ✅ Entry points: Ensure you arrive at an airport, seaport, or land border that accepts your visa type. For example, e-visas are valid only at certain airports and seaports.

• ✅ Currency rules: You can carry up to ₹25,000 in Indian rupees when entering or exiting. For foreign currency, amounts over USD 5,000 (cash) or USD 10,000 (total) must be declared.

• ✅ Customs rules: India has strict regulations on items like gold, electronics, and certain medicines. Prohibited items include satellite phones, some types of drones, and narcotics.

💡 Michael Angelo from The Project Kosmos shared his experience:

"Leaving Mumbai, security was the strictest I’ve faced. They searched all bags and wouldn’t let me carry my GPS, saying it’s a prohibited item. I had to check the GPS separately and carried only my laptop, charger, and iPod until picking up my bag in Bangladesh."

• ✅ Biometric data: You may be required to provide fingerprints and a photo upon entry.

Need more info about traveling to India?

At iVisa, we've been simplifying visa processes for more than 10 years. Our customer service team is ready to assist if you have any questions about India travel. Contact us any time via our customer service agents via chat or WhatsApp.