Visitor and transit guidance

Route confirmed; detailed checklist retained from earlier review · Checked 2026-10-05

Apply online. The granted stay is individual; the source review does not establish a universal 90-day limit.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Entry guidance reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

Indian visitors use a permit rather than a tourist visa. Passport or original voter ID; under-18s may use a birth certificate with a legal guardian. Apply ahead or at entry. Tourist route permits are no longer required.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Local checklist reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

New Delhi additional checklist, May 2026: visitor and transit branches differ. Use alongside the personalised application list.

Transit: Transit branch on page 8 requires flight itinerary with every Canadian entry/exit, destination visa if needed and invitation or purpose letter. Existing permissions and transit eligibility require separate assessment.

Application channel reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

Use France-Visas for the personalised document list and responsible Indian consular office; VFS receives applications.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Tourism checklist reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

India tourism checklist available; private visits have a separate checklist. Existing Schengen permissions and main-destination rules still apply.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Local checklist reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

India embassy checklist covers core documents and employment, sponsor and minor circumstances. Preparation questions are available in the document checker.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Entry guidance reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

Ordinary passport valid six months and successful PAR required for this concession. Print and sign the notification. An unsuccessful PAR requires a visa application to Immigration. Longer visits need a different route.

Transit: PAR is not needed for direct airside transit without leaving the airport transit area. Entering Hong Kong is a separate assessment.

Fresh verification incomplete · Checked 2026-10-05

Official pages returned access errors. Existing evidence has not been given a new verification date; current eligibility and document details need confirmation.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Bengaluru checklist reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

Reviewed checklist applies to Bengaluru jurisdiction only. Other Indian consular districts must use their own checklist; confirmation is required before adding these documents.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Core checklist reviewed; local additions vary · Checked 2026-10-05

MOFA core checklist separates tourism from invitations and guarantees. New Delhi-specific preparation remains available; other district requirements may differ.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Entry guidance reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

Ordinary Indian visitors need eTA unless another exemption applies. Prepare passport, photo, itinerary and accommodation; family hosts provide invitation and identity/status evidence.

Transit: Transfer passengers remaining within the airport precincts are exempt from eTA. A landside connection needs an entry assessment.

Policy end date confirmed; full entry conditions not reverified · Checked 2026-10-05

The immigration authority lists the Indian exemption through 31 December 2026. This review does not extend it to 2027 or replace the full arrival conditions and MDAC requirement.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Entry documents reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

No tourist pre-approval. Prepare a machine-readable passport with at least one month validity, onward/return booking, registered prepaid accommodation and funds or approved sponsorship. Submit IMUGA within 96 hours before arrival; yellow-fever evidence is conditional.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Identity documents verified; visa source unavailable · Checked 2026-10-05

For flights between India and Nepal, carry a valid Indian passport or original Election Commission photo voter ID. Aadhaar, PAN and downloaded voter-ID printouts are not accepted. The Nepal immigration visa-exemption page could not be rechecked.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Tourism checklist reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

Tourism financial evidence preserves the bank-statement OR tax-return alternatives. A printed photograph is unnecessary when the external provider takes a digital one. Family visits use a separate checklist.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Visitor preparation reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

Online visitor preparation includes passport, photo, funds, temporary-visit evidence and onward arrangements. Sponsor, family, translation, health and character evidence depends on circumstances.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Indian-specific entry notice reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

The short-visit concession requires passport validity, accommodation, funds and onward/return travel. It is nonextendible; longer trips or other purposes need their own assessment.

Transit: Indian-specific guidance requires a transit visa; its interaction with older general airside-transfer guidance remains unresolved. No automatic airside exemption.

New Delhi tourism checklist reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

New Delhi tourism preparation is available after jurisdiction confirmation. Goa and private-visit checklists are separate and have not been fully reverified.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Visitor application documents reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

Prepare Form 14A, recent photo and passport biodata copy with six-month arrival validity. Introduction letters are case-dependent. An arrival card does not replace a visa.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Fresh India-specific verification incomplete · Checked 2026-10-05

India consular source retrieval was unsuccessful. Check the Visa Navigator and responsible Korean consulate. Checklists for applicants resident in other countries have not been substituted.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Mumbai checklist reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

Mumbai checklist requires proof of local jurisdiction. Other consular districts may differ. Host, sponsor, minor and refusal evidence is conditional.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Tourist ETA policy reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

The notice effective 25 May 2026 includes India: obtain ETA before arrival despite the fee waiver. It allows 30 days and two entries within that period. This is not visa-free travel without authorisation.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

India tourism checklist reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

India checklist includes named transport/accommodation, accepted insurance and financial evidence tailored to employment, business or pension status. Family-visit applications need their own list.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Current embassy policy reviewed; full checklist incomplete · Checked 2026-10-05

The embassy states 30 days from 15 September 2026. Older 60-day guidance must not be used. Arrival formalities and eligibility conditions still need to be checked for the actual dates; no new automatic exemption added.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Dubai service reviewed; other routes incomplete · Checked 2026-10-05

Dubai tourism service offers 30 or 60 days through accredited tourism offices. Passport copy, photo, six-month passport validity, departure ticket and UAE medical insurance are listed. Visa-on-arrival exceptions and other emirates require separate assessment.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Visitor preparation reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

Existing Standard Visitor preparation retained. Evidence must establish the visit, funding and intention to leave. Existing UK permissions and transit routes are assessed separately.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

Visitor documents reviewed · Checked 2026-10-05

DS-160 confirmation, passport and applicable fee evidence; printed photo if upload fails. Purpose, funding and return-intention evidence may be requested. Invitation letters are not a standard requirement.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

E-visa route reviewed; portal checklist not fully reverified · Checked 2026-10-05

Official guidance confirms e-visas for all nationalities, up to 90 days with single or multiple entry. Use an authorised entry/exit port and the official application portal for current upload requirements.

Transit: Separate transit assessment needed; no exemption inferred from this visitor review.

The current European Commission country table has no Indian-nationality airport-transit requirement for this destination. This covers international airside transit only. Border crossing, baggage recheck requiring entry, terminal closure or an intra-Schengen flight requires a separate entry assessment. The Indian row identifies Czechia and Romania, outside the present supported set.

• European Commission: nationality-specific airport transit requirements ↗

The current European Commission country table has no Indian-nationality airport-transit requirement for this destination. This covers international airside transit only. Border crossing, baggage recheck requiring entry, terminal closure or an intra-Schengen flight requires a separate entry assessment. The Indian row identifies Czechia and Romania, outside the present supported set.

• European Commission: nationality-specific airport transit requirements ↗

The current European Commission country table has no Indian-nationality airport-transit requirement for this destination. This covers international airside transit only. Border crossing, baggage recheck requiring entry, terminal closure or an intra-Schengen flight requires a separate entry assessment. The Indian row identifies Czechia and Romania, outside the present supported set.

• European Commission: nationality-specific airport transit requirements ↗

The current European Commission country table has no Indian-nationality airport-transit requirement for this destination. This covers international airside transit only. Border crossing, baggage recheck requiring entry, terminal closure or an intra-Schengen flight requires a separate entry assessment. The Indian row identifies Czechia and Romania, outside the present supported set.

• European Commission: nationality-specific airport transit requirements ↗

The current European Commission country table has no Indian-nationality airport-transit requirement for this destination. This covers international airside transit only. Border crossing, baggage recheck requiring entry, terminal closure or an intra-Schengen flight requires a separate entry assessment. The Indian row identifies Czechia and Romania, outside the present supported set.

• European Commission: nationality-specific airport transit requirements ↗

MC2025-003 covers tourism only. Fourteen-day admission requires passport validity six months beyond contemplated stay, hotel confirmation, financial evidence, onward/return ticket and eTravel registration. Thirty-day AJACSSUK admission requires a valid qualifying visa or permanent residence from Australia, Japan, Canada, Singapore, Schengen, the UK or US; transit/seafarer visas do not qualify. Both concessions are nonextendible and nonconvertible; immigration clearance remains required.

The 2022 general circular permits secured airside transfers without entry admission and defines transit within 72 hours. The newer Indian-specific circular expressly requires transit visas for transit passengers with onward-country visas. Their interaction for wholly airside Indian passengers is unresolved; do not issue an automatic visa-free result.

• Philippines: Indian tourism concessions, MC2025-003 ↗
• Philippines: comprehensive transit guidelines, IMC2022-001 ↗

The current European Commission country table has no Indian-nationality airport-transit requirement for this destination. This covers international airside transit only. Border crossing, baggage recheck requiring entry, terminal closure or an intra-Schengen flight requires a separate entry assessment. The Indian row identifies Czechia and Romania, outside the present supported set.

• European Commission: nationality-specific airport transit requirements ↗

The current European Commission country table has no Indian-nationality airport-transit requirement for this destination. This covers international airside transit only. Border crossing, baggage recheck requiring entry, terminal closure or an intra-Schengen flight requires a separate entry assessment. The Indian row identifies Czechia and Romania, outside the present supported set.

• European Commission: nationality-specific airport transit requirements ↗
• Spain: Indian airport transit exemption from 4 March 2026 ↗

The current European Commission country table has no Indian-nationality airport-transit requirement for this destination. This covers international airside transit only. Border crossing, baggage recheck requiring entry, terminal closure or an intra-Schengen flight requires a separate entry assessment. The Indian row identifies Czechia and Romania, outside the present supported set.

• European Commission: nationality-specific airport transit requirements ↗

Assess DATV for airside transit and Visitor in Transit for border-crossing transit up to 48 hours, subject to distinct exemptions. TWOV remains available through the published Annex A concession despite accidental deletion of the Rules appendix in March 2026. TWOV requires air arrival/departure, confirmed departure before 23:59 the next day, onward admissibility and a qualifying permission/journey. Electronic permission evidence rules differ between DATV exemptions and TWOV; do not merge them.

• UK Home Office transit guidance v9, 25 March 2026 ↗

Where you apply: India

• VIDEX and declarations

  Signed; all pages and barcodes included

• Passport

  Issue age <=10 years; >=2 blank pages; >=3 months beyond scheduled return

• Accommodation and itinerary

  Dates and destinations cover the trip

• Travel insurance

  All Schengen; whole trip; >=EUR30000; accepted insurer

• Financial and employment evidence

  When applicant economic status: Select employed, self-employed, retired, student or unemployed branch

• Sponsor evidence

  When third-party funding: Select India or Germany/EU sponsor and relationship branch

Where you apply: India

• Signed invitation

  Host contact, visit dates, traveller passport and purpose

• Host identity/residence

  Match host; residence permission where applicable

• Relationship evidence

  When relationship and host citizenship: Use relevant family branch; do not impose a marriage certificate on friends

• Child consent/custody

  When minor: Both parents/signatures or applicable custody/consent evidence

Where you apply: India

• Form

  Applicant-specific code and signature

• Passport

  Age <=10 years; >=2 blank pages; >=3 months after Schengen exit; signature

• Financial means

  Three months bank statements OR two assessment years Indian income-tax returns

• Flight reservation

  Named reservation; paid ticket not necessary

• Insurance

  Named; entire Schengen stay; >=EUR30000

• Passport copies

  Colour identity page, Indian last page and previous Schengen visa/stamp copies

• Cover letter

  Purpose, dates, companions, transport and accommodation

• Accommodation

  Evidence for the entire Schengen trip

• Photograph

  When applying somewhere that does not take a digital photo: Recent compliant printed photo

Where you apply: India

• Accommodation/sponsorship form

  When staying with inviter: Host signed and municipality legalised

• Separate host invitation

  When funder and accommodation host differ: Record both parties

• Inviter identity

  Dutch ID/passport or valid Dutch residence permit

• Child travel consent

  When minor travelling alone or with one guardian: Notarised consent or applicable sole-custody proof

Where you apply: outside Australia

• Passport identity pages

  Photo, identity, issue and expiry pages

• National ID/name change

  When held/changed name: Match names across application

• Funds and return ties

  Record evidence supplied; no invented bank-balance threshold

• Invitation/funder evidence

  When host or sponsor involved: Match host and support offered

• Form1229 or consent declaration

  When minor with non-travelling decision-maker: Consent plus signer photo/signature ID

• Form1257

  When minor not staying with relative/legal guardian: Accommodation adult signature

• Translation

  When non-English evidence: Original plus English translation and translator details

Where you apply: outside Australia

• Identity

  Certified passport identity/validity pages; recent photograph

• National ID

  When held: Certified copies of both sides

• Onward journey

  Confirmed departure within 72 hours and destination entry permission

• Travel plans

  Describe intended activities in Australia

Where you apply: London consular jurisdiction, UK

• Passport/form/photo

  Original passport with two blank pages; ink signature; 35x45mm photo taken within six months

• UK status

  Status printout plus S-share code, or valid passport entry clearance/ILR plus copy

• Employment/study letter

  When employed/student: Issued within three months

• Itinerary and funds

  Daily schedule and three months bank statements; credit-card statements excluded

• Flights/hotels

  When already booked: Provide confirmations; source labels both if booked

Where you apply: New Delhi application jurisdiction

• Local and main forms

  Use IMM5881 with main/personalised checklist; family form and conditional background schedule

• Funds

  Two years tax returns and six months bank evidence; select sponsor/employment branches

• Host

  When private visit: Invitation, host status and relationship evidence

• Transit itinerary

  Every entry/exit date/time; onward visa where applicable; destination invitation or purpose letter

• Minor consent

  When minor: Non-travelling parent consent and identity evidence

• Translation

  When not English/French: Certified translation

• Passport

  Valid passport and biodata copy; previous passports if held

• Family Information

  Completed, signed and dated IMM5707

• Schedule 1

  When you answered yes to a background question: Completed IMM5257 Schedule 1

• Employment

  When you are employed: Employer letter confirming leave, position, salary and hire date

• Sponsor

  When someone else pays: Signed funding letter, sponsor photo ID, bank certificate and relationship; dated within three months

• Tourist itinerary

  When tourism: Detailed itinerary with flight and hotel booking evidence

Where you apply: direct Immigration Department submission

• Form/photo/passport

  ID1003A, recent photo and passport identity/validity copy

• Funds/transport

  Financial and itinerary evidence; employment evidence where applicable

• Purpose

  Tourism plans, transit onward visit, or family relationship evidence

• Sponsor

  When sponsor nominated: ID1003B and appropriate identity/residence or business evidence

• Translation

  When not Chinese/English: Certified translation

Where you apply: India

• Passport

  Issued within ten years; two blank pages; valid three months beyond return

• Application and photograph

  Signed form and recent white-background photograph

• Insurance

  Accepted insurer; €30,000 medical/repatriation coverage throughout Schengen stay

• Journey and accommodation

  Named flight reservation, internal transport and accommodation bookings

• Employment and finances

  When you are employed: Employer introduction/leave letter; three months payslips and bank statements; two assessment years ITR

• Business finances

  When you are self-employed: Registration, three months personal bank statements and two assessment years ITR

• Pension

  When you are retired: Three months pension bank statements and other regular income

• Education

  When you are a student over 16: College ID and institution introduction letter

• Parental evidence

  When applicant is under 18: Parent IDs and notarised consent from non-travelling parent(s)

Where you apply: Bengaluru consular district: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh or Puducherry

• Passport and copies

  Passport issued within ten years, two blank pages, three months after stay; identity-page copies

• Application and photographs

  Two signatures, two photos and applicant contact details

• Cover letter

  Purpose, dates, companions, occupation and funding

• Travel and accommodation

  Round-trip reservation, internal journeys and entire-stay accommodation

• Finances

  Three months stamped personal bank statements; three years ITR acknowledgement or Form 16A

• Insurance

  €30,000 including repatriation; minimum ten days from departure

• District residence

  When passport was issued outside the district or addresses differ: Six months address proof

• Employment

  When you are employed: Leave approval, three payslips and employment evidence

• Host

  When visiting a resident: Invitation in official format and host identity/residence evidence

• Sponsor

  When someone sponsors you: Funding letter, ID and financial evidence

• Minor consent

  When applicant is under 18: Required parental consent and legalisation; see official exceptions

Where you apply: Mumbai consular district

• Application and photo

  Signed, dated form and recent white-background photograph

• Passport and copies

  Issued within ten years; two blank pages; three months beyond stay; identity, visa and stamped pages

• Residence

  Evidence of residence within Mumbai consular jurisdiction

• Travel insurance

  €30,000 medical/repatriation cover throughout Schengen stay

• Trip evidence

  Cover letter, round-trip and internal reservations, accommodation

• Finances

  Six months stamped bank statements, two years ITR-V or Form 16 and PAN copy

• Host invitation

  When staying with family or friends: Spanish police-issued invitation

• Sponsor

  When someone sponsors you: Signed funding letter, relationship evidence and sponsor bank statements

• Refusal

  When visa refused during last two years: Refusal notice or explanation

• Minor

  When minor travels without both parents: Notarised parental authorisation and relevant parent ID copies

Where you apply: New Delhi consular district (not the Goa district)

• Application

  Completed and signed Schengen form

• Passport and photos

  Passport issued within ten years, two blank pages, three months beyond return; two recent photos

• Journey

  Cover letter, round-trip reservation and internal Schengen itinerary

• Accommodation

  Evidence covering the entire visit

• Insurance and declaration

  €30,000 Schengen medical cover from accepted insurer and Travel Health Declaration

• Employment

  When you are employed: Leave letter, three months payslips/bank statements and two years ITR

• Business

  When you are self-employed: Registration/GST, three months business statements and two years tax evidence

• Pension

  When you are retired: Three months pension evidence

• Study

  When you are a student: School no-objection letter and funding evidence

• Previous travel

  When you have previous passports or refusals: Previous passports/visas and recent refusal evidence as applicable

• Sponsorship

  When a Portugal resident sponsors you: Official responsibility form, sponsor identity/status and finances; follow local checklist

Where you apply: ICA online channel or the responsible mission / authorised visa agent

• Application

  Completed and signed Form 14A

• Photograph

  Colour passport photograph taken within three months

• Passport copy

  Biodata page; passport valid at least six months on arrival

• Translations

  When documents are not in English: Official English translations with originals

• Introduction

  When requested for your application: Form V39A letter of introduction