India
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area; the most populous country since 2023; and, since its independence in 1947, the world's most populous democracy. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal on the southeast, it shares land borders with Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. In the Indian Ocean, India is near Sri Lanka and the Maldives; its Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Exercise increased caution due to heightened risks to safety and security.
Visa Types & Categories13 visa options for foreign nationals visiting India
New| Visa Type | Duration | Fee (USD) | Processing | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e-Business Visa (1-year) Business meetings, trade, conferences. Does not permit employment. | 1 year | $140 | 3-5 business days | e-Visa |
| Diplomatic/Official Visa Government officials on official duty. | Varies | — | Varies | Embassy |
| e-Entry Visa For spouses, dependents, or persons of Indian origin visiting family. | 3 months to 1 year | $69 | 3-5 business days | e-Visa |
| e-Medical Visa Medical treatment at Indian hospitals. | 60 days | $80 | 3-5 business days | e-Visa |
| e-Conference Visa Attending conferences hosted by government or approved organizations. | 30 days | $89 | 3-5 business days | e-Visa |
| e-Ayush Visa Traditional Indian medicine treatments (Ayurveda, Yoga, etc.). | 60 days | $80 | 3-5 business days | e-Visa |
| OCI Card (Overseas Citizen of India) Lifelong multiple-entry residency rights for persons of Indian origin. | Lifelong | $275 | 4-8 weeks | Embassy |
| e-Student Visa Studying at a recognized Indian educational institution. | Course duration, up to 5 years | $80 | 3-5 business days | e-Visa |
| e-Tourist Visa (30-day) Short tourism visits up to 30 days. Double entry. | 30 days | $25 | 3-5 business days | e-Visa |
| e-Tourist Visa (1-year) Extended tourism with multiple entries over 1 year. | 1 year | $40 | 3-5 business days | e-Visa |
| e-Tourist Visa (5-year) Long-term tourism with multiple entries over 5 years. | 5 years | $80 | 3-5 business days | e-Visa |
| e-Transit Visa Transit through India to a third country. | Up to 30 days from issuance | $69 | 3-5 business days | e-Visa |
| Employment (E) Visa Employment by an Indian-registered company. For skilled/professional roles. | 1-5 years, renewable | $25,000 | 4-8 weeks | Work |
India Passport PowerVisa-free access & travel freedom
NewEntry Requirements for IndiaWhat U.S. citizens need to enter
Gov DataUS passport holders must obtain a visa before travel to India; there is no visa-free entry and no visa-on-arrival. e-Visas are the most convenient option and typically take 3-5 business days. A printed copy of the Electronic Travel Authorization must be carried. Biometrics are collected on arrival for e-Visa holders. Yellow fever vaccination proof is required only when arriving from endemic countries.
- Biometrics
- Collected on arrival
- Arrival Card
- Required (electronic or paper)
- Return Ticket
- Required
- Proof of Funds
- Not explicitly required but may be asked for
- Prohibited Items
- Drones (permit required), e-cigarettes (banned), meat/dairy (restricted), satellite phones (restricted)
- Customs
- Narcotics, firearms without permit, certain maps/obscene materials, satellite phones (restricted), endangered species products
- COVID-19
- None (lifted post-2022)
Immigration StatisticsIndia nationals & U.S. immigration data
New- Top Destinations
- UAE, USA, Saudi Arabia, Canada, UK, Australia, Malaysia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar
- Top Origins
- Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Tibet/China
- Annual Emigrants
- 2,500,000
- Net Migration Rate
- -0.3 per 1,000
- DV Lottery
- Not Eligible
Safety Overview — IndiaCrime, terrorism, and practical safety tips
Gov Data10 = safest
- Political Stability
- Mostly stable
- Women Travelers
- Exercise caution
- LGBTQ+ Safety
- Exercise caution
- Emergency Number
- 112
Jammu & Kashmir (especially Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam), India-Pakistan border areas and Line of Control, parts of Northeast India (especially Manipur). Exercise extra caution in crowded budget districts in Delhi/Mumbai. Avoid protests and political gatherings.
1. Use app-based taxis (Uber/Ola) rather than negotiated rickshaws, especially at night. 2. Drink only bottled/filtered water and eat freshly cooked food to avoid traveler's diarrhea. 3. Buy tickets only from official counters or online; ignore unsolicited 'helpers' or fake travel agents. 4. Secure valuables in hotel safe; keep bags in front in crowded areas. 5. Monitor regional advisories especially for Kashmir and border areas; avoid demonstrations.
Health InformationVaccinations, water safety, medical facilities
Gov Data- Required Vaccines
- Yellow Fever (if arriving from a yellow fever risk country), Polio (if arriving from polio-endemic areas)
- Malaria Risk
- Yes — Widespread below 2,000m elevation, highest in rural areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. Peaks June-December.
- Dengue Risk
- Yes — prevent mosquito bites
- Healthcare Quality
- Adequate — low cost
- Travel Insurance
- Strongly recommended
- Altitude Risk
- Yes — acclimatize gradually at high elevations
Traveler's diarrhea and food/waterborne illness, mosquito-borne diseases (dengue, malaria, Japanese encephalitis), air pollution and respiratory irritation in major cities, heat and sun exposure, road traffic accidents
Comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation coverage strongly recommended. Evacuation costs can exceed $10,000. Variable quality of care outside major cities may necessitate transport to Delhi, Mumbai, or Singapore.
Cost of Living in IndiaAverage costs in major cities (USD)
NewCost of living is approximately 81% lower than the United States.
- Budget Traveler
- $400/mo
- Mid-Range
- $800/mo
- Comfortable
- $1,500/mo
- Rent (Outside Center)
- $130/mo
- Utilities
- $38/mo
- Taxi per km
- $0.30
Work & Employment in IndiaWork permits, salary requirements, and in-demand jobs
NewStudy in IndiaTop universities, tuition, and student visa
New- Student Visa
- e-Student Visa / Regular Student Visa — $80 (Course duration, up to 5 years)
- Avg. Tuition
- $6,000/year (international students)
- Work While Studying
- Not permitted
- Post-Study Work Visa
- No automatic right — must convert to Employment Visa
- Language
- English (primary), Hindi (some institutions)
- Academic Year
- Starts July-August
ICCR scholarships (covers tuition, living, airfare for eligible countries). Study in India (MHRD) tuition waivers up to 100%. A2A scholarships for African/Asian students. Competitive and merit-based.
Local Laws & Customs — IndiaLaws visitors must know
Gov Data- Drinking Age
- 21
- Alcohol Restrictions
- Varies by state: completely prohibited in Bihar, Gujarat, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Lakshadweep (5-10 year prison sentence possible). Dry days during elections and certain festivals. Delhi drinking age 21, Goa 18. Public drinking prohibited in most areas.
- Drug Laws
- Extremely strict under NDPS Act. Possession of small amounts: minimum 6 months imprisonment. Larger amounts: up to 10-20 years. Trafficking: up to death penalty for repeat offenses. Zero tolerance enforced; foreigners not exempt.
- Photography
- Restricted near military installations, government buildings, border areas, airports, and certain religious/historical sites. Always check for signs or ask permission. Activities with cameras/binoculars near sensitive areas may be misunderstood.
- Dress Code
- Modest dress recommended especially at religious sites (cover shoulders and knees). Remove shoes when entering temples, mosques, gurdwaras. Head covering required at Sikh gurdwaras and some mosques.
- LGBTQ+ Status
- Legal
- Death Penalty
- In force
- VPN Legal
- Yes
- Tipping
- 10% in restaurants if no service charge already added. Small tips for drivers (INR 50-100), hotel staff (INR 50-100/day), guides (INR 200-500/day). Not mandatory but appreciated.
Always carry passport/visa copies. Register with FRRO/FRO for stays over 180 days. Remove shoes when entering homes and places of worship. Use right hand for eating and handshakes. Avoid public displays of affection. Be sensitive about beef — cow is sacred in Hindu culture. Hotels must report foreign guests to police within 24 hours (Form C).
Digital Nomad Guide — IndiaRemote work, connectivity, and coworking
NewIndia does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Most remote workers use a tourist or business visa.
- Best Cities
- Goa, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Rishikesh, Pune, Jaipur
- Tax Obligations
- Stays under 183 days = non-resident status, no Indian tax on foreign income. Stays 183+ days may trigger tax residency. Remote work not officially permitted on tourist visa, though commonly done. DTAA treaties with 95+ countries may reduce/avoid double taxation.
- Coworking
- Widely available
Citizenship & Residency — IndiaPathways to long-term residency and citizenship
New-
Naturalization 12 years of residence required. Proficiency in any Eighth Schedule language (Hindi, English, Tamil, Bengali, etc.).
-
Marriage Spouse of citizen can apply after 7 years of residence.
-
By Birth Citizenship by birth (jus soli) — conditions may apply.
-
By Descent Citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis) — at least one parent must be a citizen.
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Renunciation
- Allowed
Acquiring foreign citizenship terminates Indian citizenship. OCI card provides lifelong residency as alternative. CAA 2019 provides accelerated naturalization (6 years) for select religious minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh.
Emergency Contacts
NewTransportation — IndiaGetting around in India
New| Airport | IATA | City |
|---|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi International Airport | DEL | New Delhi |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport | BOM | Mumbai |
| Kempegowda International Airport | BLR | Bengaluru |
| Chennai International Airport | MAA | Chennai |
| Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport | CCU | Kolkata |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Airport | HYD | Hyderabad |
| Cochin International Airport | COK | Kochi |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport | AMD | Ahmedabad |
| Goa International Airport | GOI | Goa |
| Trivandrum International Airport | TRV | Thiruvananthapuram |
- Driving Side
- Left
- IDP Required
- Yes
- Rail Network
- Available — Adequate
- Metro Cities
- Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kochi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jaipur, Nagpur, Noida
- Ride-sharing
- Uber, Ola, Rapido, InDrive
- Road Quality
- Adequate
- Taxi Cost
- $0.30/km
- Ferry Routes
- Mumbai-Goa (RORO), Kochi-Andaman/Lakshadweep, Kolkata-Port Blair, Gujarat coastal (Ghogha-Hazira DG Sea Connect), Kerala backwater ferries (Alleppey/Kollam/Kottayam), Mumbai harbor ferries (Gateway of India-Alibaug/Elephanta/Mandwa)
Economy — IndiaEconomic indicators and tax information
- GDP per Capita (PPP)
- $10,300
- Industries
- IT and software services, manufacturing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, automotive, steel
- Exports
- Software and IT services, petroleum products, gems and jewelry, pharmaceuticals, textiles, rice
- Imports
- Crude oil, gold, electronics, coal, machinery, fertilizers
- Trade Agreements
- FTA with UAE, FTA with Australia, FTA with UK (2024), ASEAN FTA, EU negotiations ongoing. Withdrew from RCEP.
- Income Tax
- 5-30% progressive (plus surcharges up to 37% for very high incomes)
- Corporate Tax
- 25.17% domestic companies; 15% new manufacturing companies; 35% foreign companies
- GST / VAT
- GST: 5%, 12%, 18%, 28% (standard rate 18%)
- Corruption Index
- 39.00/100 (Transparency International)
- Ease of Business
- #63 (World Bank)
- Region
- Asia
- Capital
- New Delhi
- Area
- 3,287,263 km²
- Population
- 1,417,492,000
- Timezone
- UTC+05:30
- Languages
- English, Hindi, Tamil
- Calling Code
- +91
- Drives On
- Left
- ISO Code
- IN