Visa requirements for India for Australian citizens
Australians must hold a valid visa before travelling to India. The online e-Visa process is quick, affordable, and suitable for most purposes, including tourism, business, or medical visits.
Apply online in minutes; multiple-entry available.
Get your Indian e-Visa online – Quick & Easy
Travelling from Australia to India requires a valid visa. Whether you are planning a holiday, a business trip, or a medical visit, Australian citizens must apply for an Indian visa before departure. The most convenient option is the India e-Visa, available entirely online. With just a valid passport, a recent photo, and a few details, the process takes only minutes, and approval is usually issued within a few days. In this guide, we explain step by step the visa requirements for Australians, the types of visas available, processing times, costs, and how to complete the application successfully.
Visa requirements to India from Australia
- ✅ Visa required – All Australian citizens need a visa to enter India.
- 💻 Easy online process – The e-Visa can be applied for fully online in a few minutes.
- 📑 Documents needed – Valid passport, digital photo, return flight details, and completed form.
- ⏱ Processing time – Standard approval in 3–5 business days.
- 🎯 Visa types – Tourist, business, and medical e-Visas available.
- 💳 Costs – Official fees depend on visa type; additional service fees may apply.
✅ Yes, Australian citizens need a visa to travel to India. There is no visa exemption for Australians, meaning you must obtain approval before flying from Australia to India. Whether your trip is for tourism, business, or medical reasons, a visa is mandatory.
The most convenient option is the Indian e-Visa for Australian citizens. This online system allows travellers to apply in just a few minutes, without visiting an embassy or consulate. The process is simple: complete the application form, upload a passport copy and a digital photo, and pay the official fee. Once approved, the e-Visa is sent by email and can be printed or stored on a smartphone for arrival in India.
Most Australians receive their India e-Visa within 3 to 5 business days, making it the fastest way to meet entry requirements. Traditional visas remain available, but they are usually chosen for longer stays, study, or specialised activities. For the majority of travellers, the e-Visa is the best solution.
Here are the main Indian visa options for Australians:
In summary, if you are travelling to India from Australia, a visa is always required. The Indian e-Visa for Australian citizens is the fastest and most practical option for tourists, business travellers, and medical visitors. By preparing documents in advance and applying online, Australians can ensure a smooth journey and avoid delays at the airport.
Australian citizens travelling to India have several visa options, depending on the purpose of their stay. While all travellers must apply before departure, the Indian e-Visa for Australian citizens has made the process faster and easier. Below are the main visa categories available.
The tourist visa for India from Australia is the most popular choice for Australian travellers. It is designed for those visiting India for leisure, cultural experiences, or family reunions. This visa cannot be used for business activities or employment.
Australians can apply for different durations depending on their travel needs:
The application is fully online and usually processed within 3 to 5 business days. Travellers only need a valid passport, a digital photo, and a return flight booking. For most Australians, this visa is the most convenient option for travelling to India.
Australians travelling to India for professional purposes must apply for a business visa. This includes attending meetings, trade fairs, or establishing contacts with Indian companies. Unlike the tourist visa, the business visa for Australians requires additional documentation, such as an invitation letter from an Indian business partner or organisation.
The business visa is available in longer durations, often for 1 year or more, and usually allows multiple entries. Each stay is typically limited to 180 days. This makes it suitable for frequent business travellers who need to enter India several times in the same year.
Required documents include:
Because of its extended validity, the business visa remains the best option for Australian professionals regularly travelling to India.
For Australians seeking healthcare in India, a medical visa is required. India is a popular destination for medical tourism thanks to its advanced healthcare facilities and lower treatment costs. The medical visa for Australians allows entry for surgery, specialised treatment, or long-term medical care.
Applicants must provide:
The medical visa is generally valid for 60 days, with up to three entries allowed, so patients can enter India multiple times for follow-up treatments. In some cases, longer validity may be granted for extended care.
Whether applying for a tourist visa, business visa, or medical visa, all Australian citizens need a visa to travel to India. The India e-Visa system offers a quick, fully online solution for most travellers, ensuring a smooth process and faster approval. By selecting the right visa category and preparing documents in advance, Australians can enjoy stress-free travel to India for holidays, work, or medical treatment.
Applying for an Indian e-Visa from Australia is a simple, fully online process that saves time and avoids unnecessary paperwork. Every Australian citizen must hold a valid visa before boarding a flight to India, and the e-Visa is the fastest way to obtain it. Here is the complete step-by-step guide with all the details you need.
The first step for Australians is to fill out the official India e-Visa application form. This digital form asks for:
⚠️ It is crucial that all information matches the passport exactly. Even small errors, such as spelling mistakes in your name or a wrong digit in the passport number, can result in rejection or delays.
After completing the form, Australians must upload the supporting documents. These are:
For certain visa categories, extra documents may be needed:
Once the application and documents are submitted, the next step is to pay the India visa fees. Australian citizens can pay with a credit card, debit card, or PayPal directly online.
The official government fees depend on the visa type:
💡 Some authorised service providers offer additional support, including simplified forms, multilingual assistance, and 24/7 customer service. While the visa fees may include a small service charge, many Australians appreciate the peace of mind, guided process, and faster corrections compared to handling the application alone.
After payment, the application is processed electronically. Most Australian citizens receive their Indian e-Visa within 3 to 5 business days. Once approved, the e-Visa is sent to the applicant’s email address.
Travellers should:
The e-Visa is linked electronically to your passport, but immigration officers may ask for a printed copy as additional proof.
To ensure a smooth process, Australians should carefully review their application. The most common errors are:
Although most visas are approved within a few days, delays can happen. It is strongly recommended to apply at least 1–2 weeks before departure.
✅ Summary of the e-Visa application process for Australians
The Indian e-Visa for Australian citizens can be obtained in just four simple steps:
🖊️ Fill out the online application form with accurate details.
📑 Upload a valid passport scan and photo (plus extra documents if needed).
💳 Pay the official visa fee (USD 25–80 depending on visa type).
📧 Receive the e-Visa approval by email and carry it when travelling.
By following these steps carefully, Australians can enjoy a quick, secure, and stress-free entry into India. The e-Visa is the fastest way to meet the visa requirements for Australian citizens travelling to India, whether for tourism, business, or medical treatment.
India and Australia maintain strong diplomatic and economic ties through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Economic Cooperation Agreement. This close relationship often translates into smoother travel procedures and greater accessibility for Australian citizens applying for an Indian visa. Being part of a priority group of countries helps ensure that the e-Visa system is reliable and efficient for Australians.
Another advantage for Australians is the availability of direct flights between major Australian cities and Indian hubs:
All these airports are among the official e-Visa entry points in India, making arrival and border checks much more convenient for Australian travellers.
Two factors are particularly important for Australians when applying for an Indian visa.
India has become increasingly popular with Australians. In 2024, more than 500,000 Australian citizens visited India, placing Australia among the top 5 non-Asian source countries for Indian tourism. This strong and growing flow of travellers means the e-Visa system is well tested, making the process smoother and more reliable for Australians compared with some other nationalities.
✅ In summary: Australians benefit from strong bilateral relations, direct flights to official e-Visa entry points, and a reliable, tested visa system. By applying early and using the correct passport, travellers can enjoy a seamless journey from Australia to India.
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
Yes, Australian citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to India. There is no visa exemption, meaning that even short tourist trips require prior approval. The most popular option is the Indian e-Visa, available entirely online and accepted at major airports. This system allows Australians to apply from home without visiting an embassy. With a valid passport, digital photo and travel details, approval is usually granted in 3–5 working days, making it the fastest way to meet India’s visa requirements.
Yes, Australians can easily apply for an Indian tourist visa through the e-Visa system. There are three main options: a 30-day visa (double entry), a 1-year visa (multiple entries, up to 90 days per stay), and a 5-year visa (multiple entries, maximum 90 days per visit). Applications are made online by filling out a form, uploading a passport scan and a digital photo, and paying the required fee. Processing typically takes 3–5 business days, making this the preferred solution for travellers.
To apply for an Indian e-Visa, Australians need a passport valid for at least six months with two blank pages, plus a recent digital passport-size photo. A scanned copy of the passport’s bio page must be uploaded during the application. Travellers should also provide basic travel details such as a return ticket or onward journey confirmation. For a tourist visa, these documents are usually sufficient. However, for business visas, an invitation letter is required, and for medical visas, a letter from an Indian hospital is needed.
Yes, Australians can apply for an Indian business visa via the e-Visa platform. This visa is intended for professional activities such as attending meetings, conferences, trade events, or exploring partnerships with Indian companies. The business e-Visa is usually valid for one year and allows multiple entries, with each stay limited to 180 days. Required documents include a valid passport, a digital photo, and an invitation letter from an Indian business partner. The process is fully online and generally approved within a few working days.