Travelling to India While Your OCI Application Is Pending
A pending OCI application does not let you enter India. Here is how to travel on an India e-Visa while you wait: which visa to pick, what it costs and what to keep consistent.
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Short answer: No. A pending OCI application does not let you enter India. Until your OCI card is issued, you need a valid visa, and for most foreign passports the quickest option is an India e-Visa, applied for online at least 4 days before you fly.
The e-Visa and the OCI are separate applications. An e-Visa covers this trip; your OCI application carries on in its own process. Choose the e-Visa by the purpose and length of your trip, and keep your details identical on both forms.
Can I travel to India on my OCI application receipt?
No. The acknowledgement, file number or "under process" status on the OCI services portal shows that you applied. It is not permission to enter. Airlines check that a foreign passport holder has either a valid visa or an issued OCI card before boarding, and immigration checks again when you land. If the OCI card is not in your hand on the day you fly, plan on a visa.
If you already hold an OCI card and are only updating it for a new passport, the rules are different and you may not need a visa at all. Check your situation on the OCI services portal before you pay for an e-Visa you might not need. If you hold a valid regular visa already, see do I need an e-Visa if I already have a regular Indian visa.
Which e-Visa should I get while my OCI is processed?
Pick the e-Visa that matches the purpose of this trip. Most people visiting family choose an e-Tourist visa.
- 30-day e-Tourist: double entry, valid for 30 days from your first arrival. Fine for one short family visit.
- 1-year e-Tourist: multiple entry, up to 90 days per visit for most passports. A sensible choice if your OCI could take months and you may need a second trip.
- 5-year e-Tourist: multiple entry, with the same per-visit limit. Only worth it if you are not sure your OCI will be approved.
- e-Business: valid for 1 year, multiple entry, up to 180 days stay, for meetings and trade.
- e-Medical: 60 days from arrival, triple entry, for treatment at an Indian hospital.
An e-Visa cannot be extended or converted once you are in India. If there is any chance your stay will run past 30 days, buy the 1-year visa instead of counting on an extension. The differences are set out in types of Indian e-Visas explained.
How much will the e-Visa cost me?
The government fee depends on your passport, not on your OCI application. Most passports, including Canada and Australia for tourist visas, pay the standard rates below, plus a 3% bank charge.
| e-Visa | Most passports (USD) |
|---|---|
| 30-day e-Tourist (arrival April–June) | $10 |
| 30-day e-Tourist (arrival July–March) | $25 |
| 1-year e-Tourist | $40 |
| 5-year e-Tourist | $200 |
| e-Business | $120 |
| e-Medical / e-Medical Attendant | $80 |
US passports pay $160 for the 5-year e-Tourist, $140 for e-Business and $100 for e-Medical. UK passports pay $484, $242 and $129 for the same three. The 30-day and 1-year rates are the standard ones for both. You can check your own passport with the India visa fee calculator.
You can apply yourself on the Indian Visa Online portal and pay only the government fee. If you would like your documents checked before submission, our all-inclusive price for a 30-day e-Tourist visa is $97 standard, $127 priority or $149 urgent.
I was an Indian citizen. Do I need my surrender certificate?
If you once held an Indian passport, Indian citizenship generally ends when you take another nationality, and the old Indian passport has to be surrendered. You will usually have dealt with this already, because the OCI application itself asks for proof of renunciation or surrender. The e-Visa form asks for your previous nationality and how you acquired your current one, so answer honestly and keep the certificate within reach in case it is requested. Check the government portal for the current document list.
Does an e-Visa affect my pending OCI application?
They are processed separately. The e-Visa will not turn into an OCI and cannot be converted into one later. What matters is consistency: use the same passport, the same spelling of your name and the same parents' details on both forms. A mismatch between applications is the kind of thing that causes questions. If you are unsure how the office handling your OCI treats a trip in the middle of processing, ask that office directly.
How soon before my trip should I apply?
Apply at least 4 days before arrival. Most complete applications are decided within 24 to 72 hours, but that is not guaranteed, so leave more time if you can. If the trip is urgent, for example a family illness, read our guide to an emergency visa to India.
Common mistakes
- Booking flights on the assumption the OCI will arrive in time.
- Trying to board with the OCI acknowledgement or a screenshot of the status page.
- Choosing the 30-day visa for a stay that might run longer, then finding it cannot be extended.
- Applying on a passport that is about to be renewed, or that has less than 6 months of validity left or fewer than 2 blank pages.
- Writing your name differently from the passport, or differently from your OCI form.
- Hiding a previous Indian nationality on the form.
Next step
Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from arrival, scan the bio page as a PDF and prepare a square photo with our free visa photo tool. Then start your e-Visa application with us, or apply directly on the Indian Visa Online portal. Keep a copy of the e-Visa to show at the airport or seaport when you arrive.
Related: OCI card or e-Visa: which one you need · e-Visa after giving up Indian citizenship
Don't Risk a Rejection or a Ruined Trip
One small mistake — a name that doesn't match your passport, the wrong occupation, a non-compliant photo, or the wrong visa category — can get your India e-Visa rejected or frozen in review for weeks. Government fees are non-refundable, a rejection can flag your passport for future applications, and most travelers only find out after they've paid and their flight is days away.
Our visa experts check every detail before submission, catch the errors that cause rejections, and back it with 24/7 human support — so you board your flight with total peace of mind.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I show my OCI application number at the airport instead of a visa?
No. The application number only shows that you applied. You need a valid visa or an issued OCI card to board and to pass immigration.
Should I cancel my OCI application if I get an e-Visa?
No. The two are separate. The e-Visa covers this trip, and your OCI application continues in its own process.
Can I stay in India on the e-Visa until my OCI is ready?
Only within the e-Visa's own limits. The e-Visa cannot be extended, so plan to leave before it runs out, whatever stage your OCI is at.
Is the e-Visa fee refunded if my OCI arrives before I travel?
No. Government fees are not refunded once an application is submitted. With us, if you cancel before we submit, we refund what you paid minus $25.
Can my spouse who is applying for OCI as a foreign spouse also use an e-Visa?
Yes, if their passport is eligible for the e-Visa. Eligibility follows the passport they travel on, not the OCI application.
Official Sources
- Government of India e-Visa portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in
- Bureau of Immigration, India: boi.gov.in
