India entry requirements for Canadian passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Visa (Government of Canada): Read the official visa text below
Passport validity (Government of Canada): Valid for 6 months from the date you enter India, and must contain at least two blank pages for use by immigration officials. Official text
Official source: Government of Canada – India travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Entry and exit requirements” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Whether Canadians need a visa for India and how long a Canadian passport must be valid, as published by the Government of Canada, quoted word for word with the date of the official page.
Other passports: British passport · Australian passport
Driving in India, do you need an international driving permit? Canadian licence · UK licence · Australian licence
Visa fee: India e-Visa fee for Canadian citizens ($200 for five years in the official table) · e-Arrival card
Do Canadians need a visa for India?
We quote the official text word for word and do not summarise it. The official visa text does not match a wording we summarise.
Official text, “Visas”:
Tourism visa: required
Work visa: required
Business visa: required
Student visa: required
Ensure you apply for the proper type of visa for the specific purpose of your trip. If you are denied entry by immigration officials, you will be returned to your point of departure.
Canadian-Pakistani citizens are subject to different visa application and registration procedures.
You can only stay in India for up to 180 consecutive days on a tourist visa, even when its validity exceeds 180 days.
Residency registration
If you stay in India for more than 180 days, you must register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
Useful links
- e-FRRO online portal (for Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru) – India's Bureau of Immigration
- FRRO Contact List – India's Bureau of Immigration
Penalties for overstaying
Strict penalties are enforced for overstaying. If you overstay, you could be subject to fines, detention and a future travel ban.
If you have overstayed your visa, you must request an exit visa from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). This process can be lengthy.
Also in the official “Entry and exit requirements” section:
Other entry requirements
Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.
E-Arrival Card
You must complete the e-Arrival Card online up to 72 hours before your arrival, using one of the following methods:
- Indian Bureau of Immigration website
- Indian Visa portal
- official "Indian Visa Su-Swagatam" mobile application on iOS App Store or Google Play
- e-Arrival webform
You should complete the digital process in advance to reduce wait times at the airport.
Dual citizenship
If you hold an Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card, you must present it to enter and exit India. If you have an Electronic Overseas Citizen of India card (e-OCI), you don’t need to carry a physical one.
Online OCI Services – Ministry of Home Affairs of India
Departure
You must present a boarding pass and a photo identification to access airport departure terminals and public areas.
Lost or stolen passport
If your passport is lost or stolen, an exit visa is required to leave India.
To obtain an exit visa, you must present the FRRO with:
- a police report
- two current passport-size photographs
- a letter providing details of the loss or theft from the High Commission of Canada to India in New Delhi or Consulate General of Canada in either Chandigarh or Mumbai
The FRRO will verify the entry details before issuing an exit visa. This process can take several days.
Useful links
- e-FRRO online portal (for Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru) – India's Bureau of Immigration
- FRRO Contact List – India's Bureau of Immigration
Restricted and Protected Areas
Special permits are required to visit certain parts of India designated as restricted or protected areas.
Restricted or protected areas – India's Bureau of Immigration
More from the official “Entry and exit requirements” section (other requirements)
Poliomyelitis
You may need to produce proof of polio vaccination if you are arriving in India from:
- Afghanistan
- the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Syria
Confirm this requirement with the nearest Indian diplomatic office before travelling.
Useful links
- Poliomyelitis
- Foreign Representatives in Canada
Official source: Government of Canada – India travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Visas” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
How long must my Canadian passport be valid for India?
In short: Valid for 6 months from the date you enter India, and must contain at least two blank pages for use by immigration officials.
Our one-line summary of the official sentence below, which matches a wording we recognise. Your airline may apply stricter rules.
Official text, “Regular Canadian passport”:
Your passport must be valid for 6 months from your date of entry into India and must contain at least two blank pages for use by immigration officials.
Official source: Government of Canada – India travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Regular Canadian passport” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
For Canadian passport holders. These rules are published by the Government of Canada (Global Affairs Canada) for Canadian citizens travelling on a regular Canadian passport. Before You Fly is an independent site: it is not a Government of Canada site and is not endorsed by the Government of Canada. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice. British passport? See the UK (FCDO) rules.
Read the full official travel advice for India (safety, health, local laws) before you travel.
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