Visa for Goa: Do You Need One, and Which e-Visa to Get
Goa is part of India, so you need an Indian visa to go there. Most visitors use the 30-day e-Tourist visa and fly straight into Dabolim or Mopa. Here is which one to get, what it costs and what happens when you land.
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Short answer: Yes, you need a visa for Goa. Goa is a state of India, not a separate country, so the rules are India's: most visitors apply online for the 30-day e-Tourist visa and fly straight into Dabolim or Mopa. There is no Goa-only visa and no extra permit.
The e-Visa is applied for on the Government of India portal, usually approved within a few days, and checked against your passport when you land. Which e-Visa you want depends on how long you stay and how often you come back. The fee depends on your passport, not on where in India you go.
Key takeaways
- Everyone except Indian, OCI, Nepali and Bhutanese passport holders needs a visa for Goa.
- The 30-day e-Tourist visa allows two entries; the 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist visas allow unlimited entries.
- Both Goa airports (Dabolim and Mopa) and the Mormugao cruise terminal accept the e-Visa.
- Apply at least 4 days before you land, and no more than 120 days before.
- UK passport holders pay US$25 for the 30-day e-Visa for arrivals from July to March, which covers the whole Goa season.
Do you need a visa to go to Goa?
Yes, unless you hold an Indian passport, an OCI card, or a passport from Nepal or Bhutan. Goa has the same immigration rules as Delhi or Mumbai. People sometimes expect a beach state to work like a visa-free island, but it doesn't: immigration officers at Goa's airports check the same e-Visa as everywhere else.
You don't need anything extra for Goa itself. Some parts of India's north-east and some border areas need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit. Goa is not one of them.
Which visa should you get for a Goa holiday?
For a holiday, the e-Tourist visa. Pick the length by how you travel, not by how long you'll be on the beach this time.
| e-Tourist visa | Entries | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | Two, within 30 days of first arrival | One trip of up to a month |
| 1 year | Unlimited | A long winter in Goa, or two trips in a year |
| 5 years | Unlimited | People who come back every season |
On the 1-year and 5-year visas, each stay is limited to 90 days for most nationalities and 180 days for a few, including the US, UK, Canada and Japan. If your Goa winter runs from November to March, check that limit before you book a one-way flight. The India e-Tourist visa guide covers the rules in detail.
Coming for a yoga course or a short retreat? A short, informal course is fine on a tourist visa. A trip to meet hotels, tour partners or property agents is business travel, and needs the e-Business visa.
How much does a visa for Goa cost?
The government fee is set by your passport. As an example, UK passport holders pay US$25 for the 30-day e-Tourist visa for arrivals from July to March (US$10 from April to June), US$40 for the 1-year visa and US$484 for the 5-year visa. A 3% bank charge is added to every fee.
Other passports pay different amounts, and the gaps are large. Look up yours in the India e-Visa fee table by nationality. UK travellers can find the full picture in the India visa guide for UK citizens.
Can you fly straight into Goa on an e-Visa?
Yes. Goa has two airports and both accept the e-Visa: Dabolim (GOI) in the south, and Manohar International at Mopa (GOX) in the north. Cruise passengers can enter through the Mormugao port. The application asks for your expected port of arrival. Choose the airport your flight lands at, and check the airport code on your ticket, because the two are easy to mix up.
Arriving overland from Nepal or by a land border? The e-Visa does not work at land crossings, so you would need a regular visa from an Indian embassy.
When should you apply for a Goa e-Visa?
At least 4 days before you land. Don't apply more than 120 days before your trip, because the e-Visa has to be used within 120 days of being issued. Most applications come back in a few working days (see how long the India e-Visa takes), but a blurry photo or a passport scan with glare sends it back to you.
For Christmas and New Year, Goa's busiest weeks, apply two to three weeks ahead. That leaves time to fix a problem without moving your flight.
What happens when you land in Goa?
- Show your passport and your e-Visa approval (on paper or on your phone) at immigration.
- The officer takes your fingerprints and photo and stamps your passport.
- Have your India e-Arrival card ready, and keep your hotel address to hand.
Your hotel, guesthouse or homestay then registers your stay with the immigration authorities. That's normal, and it's why they ask to copy your passport and visa page. For what to expect at the airport itself, see our India airport arrival guide.
Mistakes that cause problems on a Goa trip
- Counting on visa on arrival. It's only open to a few nationalities, such as Japan and South Korea. Everyone else needs the visa before boarding. See e-Visa vs visa on arrival.
- A passport that runs out too soon. It needs at least 6 months of validity from the day you arrive and two blank pages.
- Choosing the 30-day visa for a long winter. It runs out 30 days after your first arrival, however many days you've actually been in India.
- A name that doesn't match the passport. Enter it exactly as printed on the passport's photo page, including middle names.
What to do next
Decide between the 30-day and the 1-year e-Tourist visa, check your fee in the nationality table, then apply at least 4 days before you fly. You can apply yourself on the Government of India e-Visa portal and pay only the government fee, or start your application with us and we'll check the photo, passport scan and every field before it is submitted.
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
Do I need a visa to go to Goa?
Yes. Goa is a state of India, so you need an Indian visa unless you hold an Indian passport, an OCI card, or a Nepali or Bhutanese passport. There is no separate Goa visa or Goa permit.
Which visa is best for a Goa holiday?
For one trip of up to a month, the 30-day e-Tourist visa. It allows two entries within 30 days of your first arrival. If you spend the winter in Goa or come back every year, the 1-year or 5-year e-Tourist visa is better value.
Can I fly directly into Goa on an e-Visa?
Yes. Both Goa airports, Dabolim (GOI) and Manohar International at Mopa (GOX), accept the e-Visa, and so does the cruise terminal at Mormugao. On the form, choose the airport you expect to fly into.
Is there visa on arrival in Goa?
Only for a few nationalities, such as Japan and South Korea, under conditions. Visitors from the UK, Europe, the US, Russia and most other countries need an e-Visa or a regular visa before they fly.
How early should I apply for a Goa e-Visa?
At least 4 days before you land, and no more than 120 days before, because the e-Visa must be used within 120 days of issue. For Christmas and New Year in Goa, apply two to three weeks ahead so a photo or passport problem can still be fixed.
Official Sources
- Government of India e-Visa portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in
- Bureau of Immigration, India: boi.gov.in
