Do Cruise Passengers Need an India e-Visa?
Yes — nearly all international cruise passengers need a pre-approved India e-Visa (Electronic Travel Authorization - ETA) or regular visa before boarding a cruise ship calling at any Indian port.
Unlike some destinations that waive visas for daytime shore excursions, Indian immigration requires valid visa authorization for cruise passengers arriving at Indian seaports — and most major cruise lines (including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC, Costa, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, Regent, Silversea, and Oceania) will deny embarkation at the starting port (such as Dubai, Singapore, Doha, or Mumbai) if you do not hold a printed, Granted India e-Visa before you board.
Sailing to India soon? Apply for your India Cruise e-Visa online (up to 15 passengers per checkout)
Designated Indian Cruise Seaports for e-Visa Entry
When you apply on /apply, select Port Type: Seaport (if arriving in India by ship) or Airport (if flying into Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, or Goa to board your ship). Our form supports India's primary international cruise seaports:
| Seaport Name on Form | Official Port / Terminal | State / Region | Common Cruise Itineraries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Seaport | Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (Ballard Pier) | Maharashtra | Arabian Sea, Dubai–India, & world cruises |
| Goa Seaport | Mormugao Port (Vasco da Gama) | Goa | West coast India & Arabian Sea cruises |
| Cochin Seaport | Cochin Port (Willingdon Island / Ernakulam Wharf) | Kerala | Kerala backwaters, Sri Lanka, & Maldives loops |
| Mangalore Seaport | New Mangalore Port (Panambur) | Karnataka | West coast India cruise calls |
| Chennai Seaport | Chennai Port Cruise Terminal | Tamil Nadu | Bay of Bengal, Sri Lanka, & Andaman cruises |
| Port Blair Seaport | Haddo Wharf / Port Blair Harbor | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Andaman Sea & Southeast Asia expedition cruises |
For the full list of 34 airports, 38 seaports, and 4 land borders authorized by the Government of India, see our India e-Visa Entry Points Guide.
Choosing the Right Visa for Multi-Port Cruise Itineraries
Cruise schedules often enter and exit Indian territorial waters multiple times. Selecting the right Tourist e-Visa duration and entry count is essential so you are not stranded mid-voyage:
| Your Cruise Itinerary Pattern | How Indian Immigration Counts Entries | Recommended India Tourist e-Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Consecutive Indian ports only (e.g., Dubai → Mumbai → Goa → Cochin → Colombo) | 1 Single Continuous Entry (ship stays along the Indian coast without calling at a foreign port in between) | 30-Day Tourist e-Visa (Double Entry) or 1-Year Multiple Entry |
| Two separate Indian visits within 30 days (e.g., Dubai → Mumbai → Muscat → Goa → Cochin → Singapore) | 2 Entries (exiting to Oman and re-entering India counts as a second entry) | 30-Day Tourist e-Visa (Double Entry) or 1-Year Multiple Entry |
| Three or more separate Indian entries (e.g., Mumbai → Maldives → Cochin → Sri Lanka → Chennai → Port Blair) | 3+ Entries (exceeds the 2-entry limit of a 30-day e-Visa) | 1-Year Tourist e-Visa (Multiple Entry) or 5-Year Tourist e-Visa (Multiple Entry) |
| Booking more than 30 days before arrival | The 30-day Tourist e-Visa is valid for entry only within 30 days of ETA grant | 1-Year or 5-Year Tourist e-Visa (valid from the date of issue so you can secure your visa months before sailing) |
Cruise planning tip: Many experienced cruise passengers choose the 1-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist e-Visa because it can be obtained well in advance of embarkation and allows multiple entries if the ship's route changes between Indian, Sri Lankan, or Maldivian ports.
How to Apply for an India Cruise e-Visa (1 to 15 Passengers)
- Confirm your first Indian arrival point: Check your cruise ticket to see where you first clear Indian immigration:
- If you fly into India (for example, Mumbai BOM or Cochin COK Airport) to join the ship, select Port Type: Airport and choose that airport.
- If you arrive by cruise ship from a foreign port (such as Dubai, Muscat, Colombo, or Singapore), select Port Type: Seaport and choose your first Indian port (Mumbai Seaport, Goa Seaport, Cochin Seaport, Mangalore Seaport, Chennai Seaport, or Port Blair Seaport).
- Select your passenger count (1–15): On Step 1 of /apply, include your spouse, children, or cruise travel companions in one shared checkout (see our Family & Group Guide).
- Upload passport & photo for each cruiser: Provide a clear colour scan of each traveler's ordinary passport bio page (valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages) and a front-facing photo on a plain white background.
- Enter cruise accommodation/port agent details: Where the form asks for reference or accommodation details in India, list your cruise ship name and port terminal/hotel details from your cruise confirmation.
- Receive & print your Granted ETA: Our team reviews every document before filing. Once approved, print at least two paper copies of each passenger's Electronic Travel Authorization (one for embarkation check-in and one for Indian port immigration).
Biometrics & Immigration Clearance at Indian Seaports
- Biometric capture on arrival: First-time India e-Visa arrivals at designated seaports (Mumbai, Mormugao/Goa, Cochin, New Mangalore, Chennai, Port Blair) complete fingerprint and facial biometric capture with Indian Bureau of Immigration officers either at the cruise terminal or onboard the vessel.
- Keep your stamped passport and ETA copy together: When going ashore in subsequent Indian ports (for example, sailing from Mumbai to Goa and Cochin), carry your passport with the Indian entry stamp, your printed ETA, and your ship Seapass card at every gangway check.
Fees for Cruise Passengers
Each cruise passenger's fee is itemised transparently before payment:
- Government of India e-Visa Fee: Determined by your passport nationality and whether you choose the 30-Day Double-Entry, 1-Year Multiple-Entry, or 5-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist e-Visa (check your exact rate on our India e-Visa fees page).
- Assistance Service Fee: $69.99 per passenger, which includes manual passport/photo review, port-selection verification, individual form filing, and a 100% service fee refund guarantee if rejected.
Checklist Before You Sail
- Ordinary passport valid for at least 6 months from your first Indian port arrival, with at least 2 blank pages
- Printed Granted India e-Visa (ETA) for every adult and child (at least 2 paper copies per person)
- Passport number on the printed ETA matches your physical passport character-for-character
- Entry count (Double Entry vs Multiple Entry) covers every time your cruise enters Indian waters after visiting a foreign port
- First port listed on the application matches your actual first Indian arrival airport or seaport
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an India e-Visa if I stay on the cruise ship and do not go ashore? In practice, yes. Indian port immigration and major cruise lines require nearly all eligible passengers on voyages calling at Indian ports to hold a valid India visa before boarding the ship at embarkation, even if you plan to remain onboard during an Indian port call.
Which port should I select if my cruise stops at Mumbai, Goa, and Cochin? Select the first Indian port where your ship arrives (in that example, Mumbai Seaport). Your e-Visa allows you to continue to subsequent designated Indian cruise ports such as Goa (Mormugao) and Cochin on the same voyage.
What if I fly into Mumbai Airport and board the cruise ship at Mumbai Seaport? Select Port Type: Airport and Chhatrapati Shivaji – BOM – Mumbai as your arrival port, because your first Indian immigration clearance happens at the airport when your flight lands.
Is a 30-day India e-Visa enough for a cruise? A 30-day Tourist e-Visa includes double entry (up to 2 entries into India), which covers a continuous coastal run (such as Mumbai → Goa → Cochin) or up to two separate entries. However, if your cruise enters India three or more separate times around foreign stops (such as Maldives + Sri Lanka + Andaman Islands), or if you want your visa approved more than 30 days before sailing, choose the 1-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist e-Visa.
Can my cruise group apply together? Yes. You can submit 1 to 15 passengers in one checkout on our online application form.
Summary: Cruise passengers calling at Mumbai, Goa (Mormugao), Cochin, New Mangalore, Chennai, or Port Blair must hold an approved visa before embarkation. Check your nationality on India visa requirements or start your cruise e-Visa application now.