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India counts visa duration based on the entry stamp date in the passport. The day of arrival and the day of departure both count as full days. It is strictly recommended to depart at least one day before the expiration date to avoid overstay issues due to potential flight delays or other unforeseen circumstances.

If your Indian visa expires soon after your planned arrival or departure date, it is advisable to obtain a new visa. For example, if your visa expires on September 8, 2026, and you plan to stay until September 12, 2026, you will need a visa valid for your entire duration of stay. Entering with an expired visa can lead to issues during departure, and hotels may deny check-in if your visa does not cover the entire length of your stay.

For tourist visas in India, the rule is generally a maximum stay of 90 days per entry, with a limit of 180 days per calendar year. e-Tourist visas are valid for 30 days and are often free for certain nationalities, making them a better choice for layovers than transit visas. Business visas have stricter requirements, including proof of a legitimate business relationship, invitation letters from both sides, and sometimes a business card (often requested at immigration).

A transit visa for layovers in Mumbai, India, is generally not required if the traveler remains within the international transit zone and does not need to re-check luggage or change terminals. However, specific situations like terminal changes or mandatory baggage re-claim (even when flying with the same airline on a single ticket) necessitate a visa. Travelers are strongly advised to confirm the exact requirements with their airline for their specific itinerary to avoid complications.

For transit through India (e.g., Mumbai), some travelers apply for a free tourist e-visa as an alternative to a paid transit visa. The India e-visa application process can be challenging: the website is prone to hanging (save application ID), phone numbers must start with '8', and passport scans may require compression. Applicants need to specify a random hotel address. Approval times range from 10 minutes to 24 hours, potentially longer if submitted on a Sunday. Note: User experiences vary on the necessity of a passport scan; some reported recent approvals without it.

Travelers transiting through India (e.g., flying via Indigo airlines from Colombo) require a transit visa. Do not confuse this with the Sri Lankan ETA (eta.gov.lk). Indian visa requirements depend on nationality and specific transit duration/airport policy; check official Indian e-Visa portals for transit visa (TRV) eligibility before departure.

For a tourist visa to India, a return ticket is generally required by immigration officials. While not always checked, its absence can lead to denial of entry or a requirement to purchase a ticket on the spot (requiring internet access). It is advisable to have a confirmed onward or return ticket, which can be to your home country or a third country, to demonstrate your intention to leave India. Some visa agencies offer ticket booking services.

When entering India, immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel (return ticket). While not always checked, there are instances where travelers have been denied boarding or entry without it. Some travelers report being asked for it at the point of entry, particularly in destinations like Bali. To mitigate this risk, consider booking a refundable or hold ticket, or using a booking service that provides tickets for immigration purposes (typically around $16 USD). This is a precaution, as the strictness of this check can vary.

For long-term stays in India, specific visa types are required. Information regarding these visas, such as student visas or other long-term residency permits, should be sought from official Indian immigration channels or relevant consulates.

Long-term stays in monasteries on a tourist visa can trigger border control scrutiny, especially if special permits are involved. Border officials may suspect unauthorized work or pilgrimage activities. For activities related to religious sites or extended stays at monasteries, suggest applying for a specific Pilgrim Visa rather than a Tourist Visa to avoid complications at immigration.

When traveling to India with a visa issued for an old passport and purchasing tickets for a new passport, it is generally acceptable. The Indian immigration officers usually transfer the visa to the new passport upon entry. Ensure the old passport is valid (at least 6 months remaining validity) at the time of arrival. Carrying both passports is recommended.

If you obtain a new passport while holding a valid Indian e-visa issued on your old passport, you should carry both the old (invalid/cancelled) and new passports when crossing the border. Indian immigration authorities typically accept both documents together to verify the visa. If the old passport was fully surrendered or lost, you may need to apply for a new visa, as e-visas are strictly linked to the passport number used during the application.

Indian 30-day e-tourist visas for Russian citizens are currently free of charge when applied for independently. Annual visas cost approximately 40 USD and require a non-Russian credit/debit card for payment. Applicants are advised to avoid declaring sensitive professions like 'journalist' or 'blogger' on visa forms to prevent administrative delays.

Indian e-visa application fees cannot be paid using an Indian-issued bank card. Payment must be processed via a non-Indian payment card. This is a standard policy designed to prevent unauthorized local agents from facilitating mass visa applications.

Changing from an electronic tourist visa to a student visa while in India may not be permissible. Typically, visa conversions require departing India and reapplying for the new visa category from abroad. It is crucial to consult the official Indian visa regulations or contact the Indian Bureau of Immigration for accurate guidance.