Is there a digital nomad visa in India? We’ve heard this question often enough and decided to write about it. To answer your question, no, India does not have a separate digital nomad visa.
But the Indian government is in the process of creating a digital nomad visa and you might get your hands on one pretty soon! It all started when location-independent professionals began moving to Goa after the pandemic to escape the crowded cities. Goa’s greenery and quiet rural landscapes paired with the fact that it housed plenty of good coworking spaces, made it the ideal destination for remote workers in India.
If you are planning to travel to India it’s important to know that remote work for a foreign national on a tourist e-visa is not permitted. However, as per this article on remote work laws, you can be a digital nomad in India on a business visa.
This guide on the Indian digital nomad visa will cover the types of Indian visas, how to apply for an Indian visa, the duration of stay for foreign nationals in India and special provisions for digital nomads of different nationalities.
Table of Contents
Types of Indian Digital Nomad E-Visas for Foreign Nationals
As of 2024, India provides 3 different e-visas to foreign nationals looking to visit the country. These are tourist visa, business visa & medical visa.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, “An Indian e-Visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short term yoga programme, medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine and business purpose and no other purpose/ activity”
If you opt for a tourist e-visa, you cannot engage in educational courses that offer certification or engage in any business-related activities in Goa.
What is the best Indian E-Visa for Digital Nomads?
As a foreign national looking to visit India, you can opt for the business e-visa or a tourist e-visa.
According to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Anyone with financial standing, sufficient proof of expertise, and not intending to do full-time employment or opt for business of money-lending can get a business e-visa in India” and “anyone looking to travel to India for recreational purposes, to meet their close friends and family or be part of a yoga retreat can do so on a tourist e-visa.”
Application process for E-Visa for Digital Nomads India
The application process for the Indian Digital Nomad Visa is pretty simple. You can apply 4-5 days before your date of journey. The processes for the Indian Business and Tourist E-Visa is the same. However, you can avail a Tourist E-Visa for Digital Nomads from the
Head over to the online portal for e-visa application.
Here, the process is pretty self-explanatory:
Documents required to apply for an Indian E-Visa:
For e-Tourist Visa
Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details *
For short-term courses, a copy of the letter from the institute/organization/hospital etc. concerned on its letter-head *
For voluntary work of short duration, a copy of the letter from the organization concerned on its letter-head *
For e-Business Visa
Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details*
Copy of Business CardAny letter of invitation if applicable from Indian parties which wish you to conduct the business (optional).
Note that if you are a freelancer or a self-employed digital nomad travelling to India, consider getting a letter from your clients. If you work with a company, then it is recommended to get a letter from them.
Visa guidelines on duration of stay for Digital Nomads in India
For digital nomads coming to India, you can avail of a 1-year multiple-entry business e-visa or a 1 or 5-year tourist e-visa with a maximum 180-day stay at a time.
Note that if your stay exceeds 180 days, you can apply for a visa extension in India on the websites of a Foreign Registration Office (FRO)/Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
Airports in India for foreign digital nomads
If you are travelling to India as a foreign national, you are allowed entry at specific airports. These are listed below:
Delhi
Mumbai
Chennai
Kolkata
Trivandrum
Bangalore
Hyderabad
Cochin
Goa
Ahmedabad
Amritsar
Gaya
Jaipur
Lucknow
Trichy
Varanasi
Calicut
Mangalore
Pune
Nagpur
Coimbatore
Bagdogra
Guwahati
Chandigarh
Visakhapatnam
Ready to be a digital nomad in India?
India is a vast and versatile country full of diverse cultures and some amazing, lip-smacking food. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, Indian cities and towns are well-equipped to support a remote worker’s needs. Most locals can speak English and you can order food, book a cab or pay at the tap of a button. So if you are ready to embark on your adventure as a digital nomad in India, use the resources below to make the most of your stay!
