Flying to India with an e-Visa: Airports and Entry Requirements
Indian e-Visa holders can enter India through any of the designated airports of their choice. This article helps eliminate confusion and queries regarding airports and entry requirements.
Designated Airports for Indian e-Visa Holders
There are numerous designated airports in India for e-Visa holders. All of them are in major cities. e-Visa holders can choose according to their itinerary.
Essential Entry Requirements
You must have your passport and e-Visa while entering the designated airport. The immigration officers will check them. Please note that The validity of your passport should be longer than six months. Moreover, your passport should have 2 blank pages as well.
Taking Connecting Flights
If you take connecting flights in India, you should go to immigration and security before boarding the connecting flight. Please ensure you have enough time in between these 2 flights. Plan accordingly.
The entire procedure depends upon the tickets the traveler booked. If they booked a single ticket for the whole journey, it will create a Passenger Name Record (PNR) in the airline’s database. If they booked 2 separate tickets then they will have two PNRs.
So, here is a small guide to know more about connecting flights in India
Connecting Flights for Passengers with a Single PNR
Passengers with a single booking can board their onward flight without clearing immigration. After landing in India, they must follow the "International Transfers" signs, pass a security check, and enter the departure lounge. Their luggage will be transferred automatically to the connecting flight, even if they fly with different airlines. There will still be a security check between arrival and departure.
Connecting Flights for Passengers with Multiple PNRs
The PNR for the first flight will list the first airport as the final destination. Passengers with multiple bookings must handle their transfer themselves. In most cases, this means passing through immigration, collecting checked luggage, passing customs, checking luggage in for the next flight at departures, passing through airport security to the departure lounge, and going to the gate. To go through immigration, foreign nationals will need a visa. The easiest option is to apply for an India e-Visa, which permits transit and can be obtained online.
Going Through Security Again for a Connecting Flight in India
Passengers with a single booking must still go through a security check between arrival and departure. Passengers with multiple bookings must pass through security again after checking their luggage for the next flight.
Leaving the Airport Between Connecting Flights in India
Leaving the airport between connecting flights in India is possible, but you must have a valid visa that permits transit. Foreign nationals can use the digital visa system to specify that they require a transit visa for India, which will be delivered by email. If you wish to spend longer than three days in the country between flights, you must obtain a tourist e-Visa instead.
How to use your e-Visa to enter India?
Here is a list to assist you-
Prepare Your Travel Document
Please ensure you carry your passport, digital or printed copy of your e-Visa, and all the documents. The validity of your passport should be longer than six months. Moreover please ensure that your passport has 2 blank pages for the stamps. Your passport's details and those on your eVisa should match exactly. If not, entry to the country may be blocked.
Upon Arrival at the Airport
Go to the immigration right after entering the designated airport. The immigration officers check your travel documents, sometimes they ask you some questions regarding the purpose of your visit. If all your documents are clean and authentic they will let you enter the country.
Proceed to e-Visa Counters
The e-Visa holders should head to the e-Visa counter at the airport. They can show their travel documentation at the specified e-Visa counters.
Clear Customs
After immigration, the Indian e-Visa holders can proceed to customs. After customs clearance, you can enter India.
Using e-Passports in India
If you have an e-passport, you can use e-passport gates in Indian Airports. This will simplify your whole process. These e-passport gates perform face recognition for identity purposes and also ensure your e-passport has a biometric chip. This procedure will shorten the amount of time you spend at immigration and is far more convenient.
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The most common port of entry for international tourists traveling to India are Indian capital city of New Delhi. The Indian capital New Delhi landing airport is named the Indira Gandhi International Airport landing field. It is the busiest and biggest airport in India, tourists can reach it by taxi, car and metro rail.
Government of India allows visit to India by applying for Indian Visa online on this website for several purposes. For example if your intention for travelling to India relates to a commercial or business purpose, then you are eligible to apply for Indian Business Visa Online (Indian Visa Online or eVisa India for Business). If you are planning to go to India as a medical visitor for medical reason, consulting doctor or for surgery or for your health, Government of India has made Indian Medical Visa Online available for your needs (Indian Visa Online or eVisa India for Medical purposes). Indian Tourist Visa Online (Indian Visa Online or eVisa India for Tourist) can be utilised for meeting friends, meeting relatives in India, attending courses like Yoga, or for sight-seeing and tourism.