Border entry and exit rules

Transiting in India without a visa does not guarantee entry. If entry is denied at passport control, passengers are held in the transit zone. While standard procedure is deportation to the country of origin, there have been rare instances where authorities allowed passengers to purchase tickets to a third country. This is highly discretionary and depends on negotiation. Passports are often confiscated by security and returned only at the boarding gate.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs expanded the list of international entry points for e-visa holders. As of August 10, 2026, there are 88 authorized entry points, including 9 new land crossings and 2 airports (Bhopal and Tirupati). Approved land crossings include those bordering Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar, as well as Attari (road) for non-Pakistani citizens. However, it is crucial to note that e-visas are generally valid only for entry through airports and seaports. Crossing a land border typically requires a sticker visa in the passport. Therefore, travel plans should adhere to these entry/exit point regulations to avoid issues.

Upon entering India on an e-visa, it is standard procedure to receive an entry stamp and a visa-specific sticker/stamp in the passport. If the visa sticker is missing, it is not just a formality; it indicates an administrative error by immigration. The traveler must visit the nearest FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) to have the record corrected or contact immigration officials at the departure airport well in advance of their flight to avoid exit issues.

For the first entry into India using an e-Visa (ETA), it is generally required to enter through designated airports. However, the list of authorized entry points is expanding to include some seaports and land border crossings. Always verify the current list of eligible entry points on the official e-Visa website before your travel.

For Indian e-visas with a specified entry date, such as November 29, 2026, and a general validity period ending December 1, 2026, arriving a couple of days earlier (e.g., November 27, 2026) is generally permissible as long as it falls within the overall validity window. Similarly, specifying one entry point (e.g., Mumbai) and exiting through a different one (e.g., Kolkata) is usually not an issue with e-visas. The primary requirement is to enter and exit within the visa's validity period and adhere to the general immigration rules.

For India e-visa holders, the first entry is generally recommended through an airport. There are 37 designated airports, 38 seaports, and 13 land checkpoints for entry, but it's crucial to verify the official list as not all are open for e-visa. For example, entry into Myanmar via land border is problematic due to the political situation. Additionally, specific permits (Inner Line Permit) have been reinstated for foreign nationals visiting Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur.