Do Children Need a Visa to Visit India?

Yes, foreign children generally need their own visa to visit India, including babies and infants, unless an exemption applies. For the e-Visa route, each child needs a separate application and an individual passport. A parent’s approval does not cover their children.

Before applying, check your child’s nationality, existing travel permission and purpose of visit. Children who hold valid OCI cards normally do not need an additional visa for an ordinary family visit.

Which children need a separate visa?

An India visa for children depends on the child’s own circumstances, even when the whole family travels together.

Your child’s situation	What to check
Foreign passport holder without OCI or an applicable exemption	Obtain the appropriate individual visa.
Eligible foreign child visiting for tourism	Check whether an e-Tourist Visa suits the trip.
Child holding a valid OCI card	Check the child’s OCI and current passport rather than applying automatically for another visa.
Child covered by a nationality-based exemption	Confirm the exemption’s conditions before travel.

OCI status and nationality-based exemptions must be assessed separately from ordinary visa applications. Being young does not itself create a visa exemption. Start by checking the Indian visa requirements for your child’s nationality.

What documents should parents prepare?

For an India visa for children through the e-Visa route, prepare the child’s passport details, with validity of at least six months from arrival. and a recent photograph.

Additional documents depend on the application route and the responsible Indian mission. The common checklist for children under 16 includes:

• A birth certificate showing both parents’ names.
• A consent letter signed by both parents.
• Copies of the parents’ passports.
• Relevant custody documents where applicable.

Follow the instructions applicable to your child’s specific application.

If your child will travel with one parent, grandparents or another adult, also confirm the airline’s and departure country’s requirements for parental permission before booking.

How should parents organise the application?

When arranging an India visa for children, keep each child’s application and travel documents together.

1. Check eligibility individually. Siblings may have different passports or immigration status.
2. Use the child’s details. Avoid copying a parent’s passport number or date of birth into the child’s form.
3. Review the documents before submission. Compare names and passport details carefully.
4. Allow time for each decision. One family member’s approval should not be treated as confirmation for everyone.
5. Check every approval before departure. Keep a printed copy of each child’s granted ETA with their passport.

Apply early enough to address questions or corrections. Avoid relying on a last-minute approval when making family travel arrangements.

What if the child has OCI or travels with one parent?

An India visa for children should not be confused with OCI documentation or permission to travel.

My child has OCI. Do they also need a tourist visa?

Normally, no. OCI provides lifelong, multiple-entry permission to visit India. Check that the child’s own OCI documentation and passport are ready for travel.

I have OCI, but my baby does not. Is my baby covered?

Assess your baby separately. Your OCI card does not establish that your child holds OCI status; check whether the child needs a visa before departure.

Does a visa replace parental consent?

Treat these as separate checks. Confirm the rules for your application location and travel arrangements.

Planning a family visit? Contact Indian Immigration Services to check eligibility for an India visa for children and, where eligible, start your child’s e-Visa application through our service. We provide private application assistance; visa decisions remain with the Indian authorities.