page_title: Tourism in India
section_title: Visa policy of India
hierarchical_section_title: Tourism in India / Visa policy of India
caption_attribution_description: English: Visa policy of India&#160;&#160; India&#160;&#160; Free movement&#160;&#160; Visa-free&#160;&#160; e-Visa&#160;&#160; Visa on arrival&#160;&#160; Visa required&#160;&#160; Government clearance required in advance Tiếng Việt: Chính sách thị thực của Ấn Độ &#160;&#160; Ấn Độ &#160;&#160; Đi lại tự do &#160;&#160; Miễn thị thực &#160;&#160; Thị thực điện tử &#160;&#160; Thị thực tại cửa khẩu &#160;&#160; Cần xin thị thực &#160;&#160; Cần chính phủ cho phép từ trước
context_page_description: Tourism in India is important for the country's economy and is growing rapidly. The World Travel and Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated ₹16.91 lakh crore or 9.2% of India's GDP in 2018 and supported 42.673 million jobs, 8.1% of its total employment. The sector is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 6.9% to ₹32.05 lakh crore by 2028. In October 2015, India's medical tourism sector was estimated to be worth US$3 billion, and it is projected to grow to US$7–8 billion by 2020. In 2014, 184,298 foreign patients traveled to India to seek medical treatment.
  Over 10.04 million foreign tourists arrived in India in 2017 compared to 8.89 million in 2016, representing a growth of 15.6%. Domestic tourist visits to all states and union territories numbered 1,036.35 million in 2012, an increase of 16.5% from 2011. In 2014, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh were the most popular states for tourists. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Agra and Jaipur were the five most visited cities of India by foreign tourists during the year 2015.
context_section_description: India requires citizens of most countries to hold a valid passport and apply for a travel visa at their local Indian embassy or consulate, before their visit. Travellers can apply directly by mail or in person, or through their local travel services company. India has recently implemented an online method for citizens of 168 countries to apply for an e-Tourist Visa.
  Nationals of Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal do not require a travel visa to enter India. Citizens of Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, DPR Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, South Africa and Uruguay are not required to pay a fee when obtaining an Indian visa.
  A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required to enter the states of Nagaland and Sikkim and some parts of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Uttaranchal. A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required to enter the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of Sikkim. Special permits are needed to visit the Lakshadweep islands.
caption: Visa policy of India   India  Free movement  Visa-free  e-Visa  Visa on arrival  Visa required  Government clearance required in advance
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