In order to board your flight to Paro International Airport, you will need to leave the transit area and clear customs and have to re-check your luggage; you officially enter India. Thus, you must apply in advance for a visa in order to transit through India.
For those just passing through and only going into Delhi for one month, one could think of a Transit visa.
The E Tourist Visa will give you 3 months, multiple entry and therefore, with this visa you can return back to India from Bhutan.
The best and most reliable way to process a visa (E Tourist Visa) for India is through a Government of India website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html. Do note that there is a fee for the E Tourist Visa.
Types of Indian Visas:
- Transit Visa:
- Issued for the sole purpose of transiting through India to another destination.
- Typically valid for a single or double entry for a maximum of 15 days from the date of issue.
- Allows a maximum stay of 72 hours (3 days) at a stretch during transit.
- Crucially, Transit Visas generally cannot be obtained on arrival at Indian airports. You must apply for it in advance from an Indian Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
- You’ll need proof of confirmed onward travel (flight tickets).
- e-Tourist Visa (e-Visa):
- This is often the most convenient option if you do need a visa and are eligible.
- It’s applied for entirely online.
- It grants multiple entry and allows you to leave the airport and stay for a longer period (e.g., up to 90 days for some nationalities).
- If you’re unsure if you’ll need to leave the transit area, or if you simply want more flexibility (e.g., for a longer layover, or to do some quick sightseeing in India), an e-Tourist Visa is a safer bet than a Transit Visa, as it covers transit needs and more.
- Note: e-Visas are typically valid for entry only at specific airports and seaports in India.
Recommendation:
- Check with your airline: Confirm their specific policies regarding transit, baggage check-through, and whether you will stay on the aircraft or need to disembark during your Indian layover.
- Check with the Embassy/Consulate of India in your country: This is the most authoritative source for visa requirements for your specific nationality. Visit their official website or contact them directly.
- When in doubt, get an e-Tourist Visa: If there’s any uncertainty about needing to leave the transit area, or if your layover is long, applying for an e-Tourist Visa in advance is the safest and most flexible option. Trying to sort out a visa on arrival (if even possible for your nationality/situation) can lead to significant delays or denial of boarding.
Always secure your necessary visas well in advance of your travel dates to avoid any issues.
There is much confusing information on the internet and no definitive facts. Safest would be to get the visa mentioned above. Even if you are not leaving the airport, you will probably need to clear immigration in order to collect you baggage and check them in for the flight to Paro, so in this case, you will still need a visa.
You should also check with your local Indian Embassies or Consulates about transit visa possibilities, but if you are told that you can get a transit visa on arrival, you should have a WRITTEN PROOF before leaving home.
