Yes, you can travel to India without an OCI card, but whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and the purpose and duration of your visit.
Who doesn’t need an OCI or visa:
- Citizens of countries with visa-free entry to India: A few countries, such as Nepal and Bhutan, have visa-free agreements for short-term stays (typically up to 180 days).1
- Foreign nationals holding a valid Indian visa: There are different types of visas available for tourism, business, employment, etc., with varying validity periods and allowed duration of stay.1
Who needs a visa (but not an OCI):12
- Foreign nationals whose countries don’t have visa-free entry to India.1
- Those wishing to stay for longer than the visa-free allowance (typically 180 days).
- Those traveling for purposes other than tourism (e.g., business, employment, study).
Alternatives to an OCI card:
- Tourist Visa: The most common option for short-term visits (up to 180 days with multiple entries).
- E-Visa: Online visa application system for eligible countries, faster and more convenient.1
- Business Visa: Required for business activities that don’t involve employment.1
- Employment Visa: Necessary for working in India.1
- Student Visa: For pursuing academic studies.1
If you are planning to visit India for tourism, business, medical, or conference purposes, you may need to obtain a visa or an electronic travel authorization before your trip. If you are a foreigner of Indian origin, Visas for Future highly recommends applying for the India OCI program. This program has numerous benefits, including visa-free travel and the ability to invest in India. It may be worthwhile to explore this option to see if it aligns with your goals. By choosing Visas for Future, you can save time and money on your visa application and contribute to a greener future.
What We’re Offering
If you are a foreign national of Indian origin, you may want to consider applying for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. Our service will process your application within two business days, after which you will receive your OCI card within seven to eleven weeks.
- Unlimited stay.
- Multiple entries.
- $368 fee (Including Government fee).
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Our order forms are easy and simple.
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What are the alternatives to an OCI card for traveling to India?
An OCI card is a permanent residency document available to individuals of Indian origin and their spouses. It provides them with the freedom to live and work in India for an indefinite period without having to give up their foreign citizenship.23 However, if you are ineligible for an OCI card or need to visit India for a short period. In that case, you can apply for alternative types of visas such as e-Visa, regular visa, or visa on arrival.4
- e-Visa is an electronic tourist visa that permits you to visit India for up to 60 days annually. You can use it for tourism, business, medical, or conference purposes, and apply for it seamlessly online through Visas for Future.5
- A regular visa is a paper visa that allows you to visit India for different purposes and durations. The type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your visit. You can apply for a regular visa through the Indian embassy or consulate in your country.5
- Visa on Arrival. If you are a citizen of certain countries and hold a valid Schengen, US, or UK visa, you can obtain a visa on arrival at any of the designated airports in India. This visa allows you to enter India without applying for a visa in advance.5
What is a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card?
The Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card was once a valuable document for those with Indian heritage living abroad. Introduced in 1991, it granted certain privileges and simplified travel to India for foreign nationals of Indian descent. However, it’s important to note that as of January 9, 2015, the Indian government stopped issuing new PIO cards.3
What are the different visas in India?
India offers various types of visas for different purposes and durations of stay. Some of the most common visas are:5
- Tourist visa: This visa is for travelers who want to visit India for sightseeing, to visit friends or relatives, or to attend short-term courses. It can be valid for up to 10 years, depending on the nationality of the applicant, and allows multiple entries of up to 90 days each.
- Business visa: This visa is for travelers who want to visit India for business-related activities, such as meetings, conferences, trade fairs, or recruitment. It can be valid for up to 10 years, depending on the nationality of the applicant, and allows multiple entries of up to 180 days each.
- Employment visa: This visa is for foreigners who want to work in India for a registered organization. It is valid for up to 5 years, or the duration of the contract, whichever is less, and allows multiple entries of up to 180 days each.
- Student visa: This visa is for foreigners who want to study in India at a recognized institution. It is valid for the duration of the course, or up to 5 years, whichever is less, and allows multiple entries of up to 180 days each.
- Medical visa: This visa is for foreigners who want to seek medical treatment in India at a reputed hospital. It is valid for up to 6 months, or the duration of the treatment, whichever is less, and allows up to three entries.
- e-Visa: This is an electronic visa that can be obtained online through Visas for Future. It is available for tourism, business, medical, or conference purposes, and allows a single or double entry of up to 60 days.
These are some of the main types of visas in India, but there are also other visas for specific purposes, such as journalist visas, research visas, transit visas, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an OCI to enter India?
No, you don’t necessarily need an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to enter India.
Can I travel to India while waiting for OCI?
Yes, you can travel to India while waiting for your OCI application to be processed. However, keep in mind that you will need to apply for a valid visa if you are from visa required country.
Can OCI be denied entry to India?
Yes, while an OCI card generally grants the right to enter and stay in India without a separate visa, OCI cardholders can be denied entry under certain circumstances like Violating Immigration Laws, having a criminal record, presenting an invalid or expired OCI card, failing to provide proper travel documents (passport, etc.) and providing false or misleading information during immigration checks.
How long can I stay in India without an OCI card?
The length of time you can stay in India without an OCI card depends on two main factors:5
1. Your Nationality:
–Citizens of countries with visa-free agreements: Some countries, like Nepal and Bhutan, have visa-free entry agreements with India for short stays (typically up to 180 days).
–Other nationalities: For most foreign nationals, you will need a regular Indian visa to enter and stay in India. The duration of stay permitted under a specific visa varies depending on the type of visa.
2. Type of Visa:
Tourist Visa: The most common option for short-term visits. Most tourist visas for India are valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries, but each entry has a maximum stay of 180 days. Some exceptions allow stays of up to 1 year with multiple entries.
Other visa types: There are diverse visa categories for business, employment, education, medical treatment, etc., each with varying validity periods and permitted durations of stay.
- Details of Visas granted by India. (2018). https://www.mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/AnnexIII_01022018.pdf [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩]
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-07/oci-faq.pdf [↩] [↩]
- Brochure Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder. (2017). https://www.mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/Brochure_OCI_25042017.pdf [↩] [↩]
- Embassy of India, Manila, Philippines. (2022, June 12). Www.eoimanila.gov.in. https://www.eoimanila.gov.in/eoi.php?id=oci/ [↩]
- Details of Visas Granted by India. (2018). https://www.mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/AnnexIII_01022018.pdf [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩]
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Written by
Jenilyn Samortin 
Jenilyn Samortin is an Environmental Science graduate and a content writer at Visas for Future, a company that supports reforestation and urban forestry projects. She is an expert at e-visas and travel documents, such as India e-visa and Turkey e-visa, which she handles and assists customers every quarter. She loves helping people with their international travel needs and providing them with the latest information, tips, and guidance on how to apply online.
Managed by Glen Vidania
Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.
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MLA Style
Samortin, Jenilyn. "Can I travel to India without an OCI card?." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/can-i-travel-to-india-without-an-oci-card/. Accessed on 3 October 2023.
Chicago Style
Samortin, Jenilyn. "Can I travel to India without an OCI card?." Visas For Future. October 3, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/can-i-travel-to-india-without-an-oci-card/.