Short answer: yes. Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada — along with most other nationalities — need a visa to enter India. The good news is that for tourism, business and medical visits, you almost certainly qualify for the India e-Visa (an Electronic Travel Authorization), which you apply for entirely online before you travel. No embassy visit required.
The one exception: OCI cardholders
If you hold an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, you don't need a visa — the OCI card itself allows entry. Everyone else travelling on a US, UK, or Canadian passport needs an e-visa (or a regular visa for purposes the e-visa doesn't cover).
What the India e-Visa covers
The e-Visa comes in several categories depending on your trip:
- Tourist e-Visa — sightseeing, visiting friends and family, short yoga programs. Available in different validity lengths.
- Business e-Visa — meetings, trade, and business activities.
- Medical e-Visa — treatment at a recognised hospital (with a separate attendant visa for a companion).
The e-Visa is not valid for employment, journalism, or long-term study — those need a regular visa from an Indian mission.
Nationality-by-nationality
The process is the same for all three, with small differences in fees set by the Government of India:
- Indian visa for American citizens →
- Indian visa for British citizens →
- Indian visa for Canadian citizens →
Each guide covers eligibility, the documents you'll need, and the specifics for your passport.
Timing: when to apply
Two rules matter. You must apply at least 4 days before your arrival in India, and you generally can't apply more than 120 days ahead for the short-validity tourist e-visa. The practical advice: apply about a week to ten days before you fly — early enough to handle any document re-upload request, not so early you fall outside the window. Don't book non-refundable flights before your e-visa shows GRANTED.
Passport and photo requirements
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival, with at least two blank pages.
- A clear scan of the passport bio page (PDF).
- A recent square passport-style photo — plain background, face fully visible, no glasses. Photo and passport-detail issues are the most common causes of delays and rejections.
How to apply
You can apply directly on the official government portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in. The form is long (100+ fields) and unforgiving — small mistakes on the photo, passport details, or visa category are what trip people up, and the government fee is non-refundable whether or not the visa is granted.
If you'd rather not risk it, EasyIVisa reviews and files your application on the official portal after checking your photo, passport details and category against the requirements — so a small error doesn't cost you the trip.
Planning the rest of the trip
Once the visa's underway, our free AI trip planner builds your India itinerary and lines up flights, an eSIM, airport transfers and tours in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa for India? Yes. US citizens need an Indian visa; for tourism, business or medical visits they can apply online for an e-visa before travelling.
Do UK citizens need a visa for India? Yes. British citizens need a visa and are eligible to apply for the India e-visa online.
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for India? Yes. Canadian citizens need a visa and can apply for the India e-visa online, unless they hold an OCI card.
How early should I apply for an India e-visa? At least 4 days before arrival, and usually within 120 days of travel for the short tourist e-visa. Around a week ahead is a safe target.