India visa requirements for Pakistani citizens

Protected and restricted areas: different entry rules

An Indian visa is not enough to enter the areas declared protected or restricted under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963. The list published by the High Commission of India covers all areas in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim, the whole Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Every foreigner except a citizen of Bhutan also needs a special permit from the competent authority, applied for through the e-FRRO portal and best requested thirty days ahead. The list has been amended several times, so check it before each trip.

Source: hcikampala.gov.in (Alta Comisión de India, Protected Area Permit / Restricted Area Permit); mha.gov.in, Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963 (comprobado 18/09/2026)

Authorization system

e-Visa + e-Arrival Card (separate procedures)

The e-Visa is the entry procedure. In addition, India requires a separate "e-Arrival Card", completed online up to 72 hours before arrival at boi.gov.in or indianvisaonline.gov.in, or via the official "Indian Visa Su-Swagatam" app. Watch out for third-party websites that imitate the official portal.

Fee

USD 25.00

e-Tourist 30 days: 25 USD (Jul-Mar) / 10 USD (Apr-Jun). e-Tourist 1 year: 40 USD. e-Tourist 5 years: 80 USD. A 3% bank fee is added on top of the applicable rate. Official rates by country of origin are published at indianvisaonline.gov.in — they may vary by nationality, verify before publishing a final figure.

Required documents

• Passport valid for at least 6 months from the planned travel date.
• Recent digital passport-style photo (within the last 6 months), per official specifications.
• e-Arrival Card, separate from the e-Visa, up to 72h before arrival.

Vaccinations

• No mandatory vaccines for general entry. Special yellow fever regime: anyone arriving without a valid vaccination certificate (except children under 6 months) may be isolated for up to 6 days if, within the previous 6 days, they left —or transited through— an area with risk of transmission. India keeps its own list of countries regarded as at risk (much of sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America). Airport transit without leaving the terminal may be exempted with the health officer’s agreement.

Health insurance

Not mandatory for this destination.

Transit rules

With an e-Visa, entry and exit do not work the same way, and it is worth knowing before booking. To ENTER you may only use designated posts: 33 airports and 19 seaports authorised by the Government. To LEAVE, by contrast, you may use any Immigration Check Post in the country. Separately from the visa, you must submit the e-Arrival Card, filled in online within the 72 hours before arrival.

Customs limits

Cash

Declare Indian rupees if they exceed 25,000 INR.

Alcohol

2 liters duty-free (18+); above that, an effective duty of ~150% applies to spirits.

Tobacco

100 cigarettes, or 25 cigars, or 125g of tobacco, within the general 50,000 INR exemption (non-resident travelers).

Overstay penalties

Overstaying brings financial penalties and other adverse legal action, and damages your chances of obtaining Indian visas or entry in the future. The authority draws a distinction. Where the overstay was unintentional or caused by compelling circumstances, the period is regularised and the visa extension fee for those days is charged. Where it is found to be intentional and without justifiable reasons, a Leave India Notice is served on top of the fee and penalty.

Common reasons for denial

• Uploading documents or a photograph that are not clear or do not meet the specifications: that alone leaves the application liable to rejection.
• Submitting documentation not in English — business cards and invitation letters included: the official source names it expressly as a ground for rejection.
• Applying for an e-Visa for a purpose outside those allowed: recreation, sightseeing, a casual visit to friends or relatives, a short-term yoga programme, medical treatment, or business.
• Not being eligible for the e-Visa: it is unavailable if you, your parents or your grandparents (on either side) were born in or permanently resident in Pakistan, and to holders of diplomatic or official passports, UN laissez-passer, or other international travel documents such as INTERPOL’s.
• Worth knowing before you pay: the e-Visa fee is non-refundable, because it covers processing and does not depend on the authorisation being granted or refused.