Entry
Requirements for Goa (India)
1.
Visa Types Available
India offers several visa categories
depending on your purpose of visit:
- Tourist Visa:
Valid up to 10 years (for some countries like USA, Canada, Japan),
typically allows multiple entries
- E-Tourist Visa (e-TV):
Available for citizens of many countries. Requires application 4–30 days
in advance; allows either 30-day or, for some nationalities, up to 180-day
stay. Non-extendable, non-convertible, max 2 times/year
- Typical duration: 30 days; U.S., U.K., Japan, and
Canada visitors may stay up to 180 days
- Medical Visa:
For those seeking medical treatment in recognized facilities—generally
valid up to 1 year
Other categories include business, conference, student, employment, research, transit, etc.
2.
Visa-Free/Exemptions
- Nepal and Bhutan nationals: No visa or passport required (unless arriving via
Pakistan, China, Hong Kong, Macau)
- Maldivian nationals:
Visa-free entry for up to 90 days for tourism
- OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) / PIO (Persons of
Indian Origin) cardholders:
Exempt from visa requirements; can live and work in India indefinitely
(some exceptions apply)
3.
Arrival in Goa
- E-Visa Entry via Goa’s Mopa International Airport: Goa’s Mopa Airport (MIA) is now authorized for e-Visa
arrivals
- Stay Duration and Conditions:
- E-Tourist Visa: Up to 30 days (or 180 days for select
nationalities), single entry unless otherwise specified
- Regular tourist or other long-term visas follow the
validity stamped—some up to 5 or 10 years
Foreigners
Registration (FRRO) in Goa
- Visitors with visas longer than 180 days must
register with Foreigners Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of
arrival.
- Goa FRRO office: Panaji—Police Headquarters, opposite
Azad Maidan; contact available online.
- Certain nationalities have shorter registration
windows: e.g., Pakistani nationals within 24 hours, Afghans within 7 days.
- Registration continues to be mandatory for visa
extensions and must be surrendered upon final departure.
Ongoing:
Visa-On-Arrival for Goa?
- Goa’s government has requested the central
government to extend visa-on-arrival (VoA) to Goa, citing rising
tourist numbers
- Currently, VoA is limited to nationals of Japan,
South Korea, UAE, and Russia, and only at certain metro airports—not
yet active in Goa.
Summary
Table
|
Visitor
Category |
Visa
Requirement |
Validity
/ Notes |
|
Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan |
No visa (unless arriving from
restricted regions) |
No stay limits |
|
Maldivian passport holders |
Visa-free for up to 90 days |
Tourism only |
|
OCI / PIO cardholders |
No visa required |
Indefinite stay and work rights |
|
Supported countries for e-Tourist
Visa |
E-TV application required |
4–30 days prior, 30–180 days stay
(max 2 entries/year) |
|
Medical tourists |
Medical visa required |
Up to 1 year validity |
|
Tourist/business/other long-term
visas |
Apply via embassy |
Varies: up to 5–10 years |
|
Foreign nationals staying >180
days |
Must register at FRRO within 14
days |
Location: Goa FRRO, Panaji |
Key
Action Points for Travelers
- Check your nationality to determine the applicable visa route.
- E-visa:
Apply through IndianVisaOnline.gov.in at least 4 days before arrival.
Print ETA and carry with you.
- Arrival in Goa:
Mopa International Airport accepts e-visas.
- Long-stay visitors:
Register with FRRO within 14 days (see details above).
- Monitor developments:
While VoA is not yet available in Goa, the State continues to push for it.
