Before you go to India: what to know

Entry and visas

Visitors from most countries need a visa; the simplest option is the e-Tourist Visa (30 days double entry, or 1 or 5 years multiple entry with max 180 days per year). Visa on arrival exists only for Japan, South Korea and some UAE nationals. Nepal and Bhutan citizens need no visa. All foreigners, including OCI holders, must file the e-Arrival Card. Pakistani nationals are not eligible for e-Visa.

Online arrival forms and permits

• India e-Arrival Card ↗ required
  Online or in the Su-Swagatam app within 72 hours before arrival · Fee: Free · All foreign nationals including OCI cardholders; save the QR code/PDF.
• India e-Visa ↗ optional
  At least 4 days before arrival (30-day visa: max 30 days ahead; 1/5-year: up to 120 days ahead) · e-Visa-eligible nationalities without another valid Indian visa.

Passport validity: At least 6 months from arrival, with at least 2 blank pages.

At the border you may be asked for

• Show e-Visa approval (ETA) and e-Arrival QR code; biometrics are taken.
• Foreigners staying in hotels are registered via Form C automatically; long stays may require FRRO registration.

Customs

• Declare foreign currency notes over USD 5,000 or total foreign exchange over USD 10,000.
• Satellite phones/devices, e-cigarettes, drones (without DGCA permission) and narcotics are prohibited.
• Indian rupees: import/export by foreigners is restricted—don't carry large amounts out.
• Duty-free: 2 litres of alcohol and 100 cigarettes per adult.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: indianvisaonline.gov.in ↗, indianvisaonline.gov.in ↗, indiainfiji.gov.in ↗, envoyglobal.com ↗, india.journeydmc.com ↗, boi.gov.in ↗, gov.uk ↗

Money

Cash and cards are both common. Cards are accepted mainly in cities and tourist areas.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners, JCB

Apple Pay — works in some places · Google Pay — works in some places

Where to exchange money

• Authorised money changers (e.g. Thomas Cook, BFC) and bank branches in cities
• ATM withdrawals from major banks (SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis) usually beat cash exchange

Where not to exchange

• Airport counters (poor rates)
• Hotels
• Unlicensed street changers

ATMs: ATMs are everywhere in cities; many charge about INR 200–500 per foreign-card withdrawal with limits of INR 10,000–20,000. Decline dynamic currency conversion.

Tipping: 10% in restaurants if no service charge; INR 50–100 for porters and housekeeping; drivers and guides on tours expect a tip at the end.

• Daily life runs on UPI QR payments; foreigners can't link foreign cards, but prepaid UPI wallets for tourists exist at some airports (UPI One World).
• Contactless cards and phone wallets work in hotels, malls and chains; markets, rickshaws and small shops want cash or UPI.
• Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard cards do not work abroad; bring USD/EUR cash or a card issued elsewhere.
• Keep small notes (INR 10–200); change for INR 500 is often scarce.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: rbi.org.in ↗, npci.org.in ↗, support.apple.com ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Hinduism about 80%, Islam about 14%, Christianity about 2%, Sikhism about 2%, Buddhism and Jainism under 1% each (2011 census).

Clothing: Temples, mosques and gurudwaras: cover shoulders and legs, remove shoes; cover your head at Sikh gurudwaras (scarves provided) and at mosques for women. Some temples bar non-Hindus or leather items. Women travelling should dress modestly outside resorts.

Etiquette

• Use the right hand for eating, giving and receiving.
• Greet with 'namaste' (palms together).
• Don't point feet at people or deities; remove shoes before entering homes.
• Ask before photographing people and inside religious sites.
• Public displays of affection are frowned upon.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: incredibleindia.gov.in ↗, gov.uk ↗

Climate

Huge variation. Most of the country: cool, dry winter Oct–Mar; very hot pre-monsoon Apr–Jun (40°C+ in the north); south-west monsoon Jun–Sep. Himalaya/Ladakh best May–Sep. Tamil Nadu's main rains come Oct–Dec. North Indian winter mornings bring fog and heavy pollution.

Best season: October–March for most of India; May–September for Ladakh and the high Himalaya.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: mausam.imd.gov.in ↗, en.wikipedia.org ↗

What to pack

• Plug adapter (types C, D, M; 230V)
• Loose clothing covering shoulders and knees; scarf for temples and gurudwaras
• Slip-on shoes for frequent temple visits
• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
• Diarrhoea remedies and oral rehydration salts
• Insect repellent (dengue, malaria in some regions)
• N95 mask for northern cities in Oct–Feb
• Printed e-Visa and passport copies

Do not bring / prohibited to import

• Satellite phones, Garmin inReach or similar devices
• Vapes and e-cigarettes
• Drones
• Revealing clothing outside beach resorts
• Large amounts of Indian rupees bought abroad

Practical

Plugs: Types C, D, M; 230V 50Hz

Water: Don't drink tap water; use sealed bottled or filtered water and avoid ice from unknown sources.

Traffic: drives on the left

Mobile and eSIM: Jio, Airtel and Vi tourist SIMs at major airports (passport, visa and photo needed; activation can take hours); eSIMs available.

Apps: Uber, Ola, Rapido, IRCTC Rail Connect, Zomato, Su-Swagatam, Google Maps

Internet: Authorities sometimes impose regional mobile internet shutdowns during unrest (notably Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur). Some apps (e.g. TikTok) are banned.

Health: Traveller's diarrhoea is very common. Consider hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies and (rural/long stays) Japanese encephalitis vaccines; malaria risk in some areas; dengue widespread. Altitude sickness in Ladakh. Severe winter air pollution in Delhi.

Insurance: Not required for the e-Visa; strongly recommended.

Emergency: All emergencies 112; Police 100; Ambulance 102/108; Tourist helpline 1800-11-1363

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, wwwnc.cdc.gov ↗