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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

India travel advice

Latest updates: Safety and security – added information about general elections

Last updated: April 17, 2024 11:08 ET

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Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, india - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country.

In and around Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in and around Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai. Consular services in-person are temporarily unavailable in those cities or surrounding areas. If you need consular services, contact the High Commission of Canada in India, located in New Delhi. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

Parts of Northeastern India - Avoid non-essential travel

Union territory of jammu and kashmir - avoid all travel.

This advisory excludes travelling to or within the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Border areas with Pakistan - Avoid all travel

This advisory excludes the Wagah border crossing.

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General elections are scheduled to take place between April 19 and June 1, 2024. Demonstrations could occur before, during and after the elections.

Disruptions to traffic and public transportation may also occur. Curfews may be imposed without notice.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Security situation

In the context of recent developments in Canada and in India, there are calls for protests and some negative sentiment towards Canada in traditional media and on social media. Demonstrations, including anti-Canada protests, could occur and Canadians may be subjected to intimidation or harassment. In Delhi and the National Capital Region, you should keep a low profile with strangers, and not share your personal information with them. Avoid crowded areas, including public transportation. You should always travel with someone and inform a friend or a family member of your travel plans.

Consular services in person are temporarily unavailable in and around Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai. Consular services in person at the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi will remain available.

Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir

The security situation in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is tense. There are high risks of violent protests, civil unrest and acts of terrorism and militancy.

Violent clashes between militants and security forces occur regularly. Terrorist attacks against security forces have led to civilian casualties. Further attacks could take place at any time. You could find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Indian army has enhanced powers in this territory. Authorities may impose curfews and security restrictions on short notice.

• Avoid gatherings and demonstrations
• Always carry ID
• Expect a heightened security presence and security checks

Border areas with Pakistan

The level of tension between India and Pakistan may change suddenly. You could experience difficulties when travelling between the two countries. You may be subject to scrutiny if officials from either country become aware that you have recently travelled to the other.

The security situation along the border with Pakistan, especially along the Line of Control (LoC), which separates the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, remains volatile. Cross-border gunfire and shelling are occurring sporadically along the LoC. The presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance also constitute a risk.

Although international travellers regularly use the Wagah border crossing linking Amritsar, India, to Lahore, Pakistan, it remains vulnerable to attack. Security measures are in place. You may experience long delays.

Parts of Northeastern India

Several extremist and insurgent groups are active in the northeastern states of Assam and Manipur. They regularly target local government and security forces and may use various criminal activities to finance their activities.

Ethnic tensions in the State can also lead to conflict and civil unrest.

There is a threat of terrorism in India, particularly in:

• the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir
• the State of Manipur
• the State of Assam
• areas of East India where Naxalites groups are active

Maoist extremist insurgents, known as Naxalites, are responsible for the majority of terrorist attacks in India. These groups are usually based in rural and forested areas within zones of concerns, as defined by the Government of India, which include:

• Andhra Pradesh
• Chhattisgarh
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Uttar Pradesh
• West Bengal

Extremist and insurgent groups usually target government and security forces, and sometimes, trains and railway tracks. While tourists are not usually specifically targeted, bystanders could be affected. Be particularly vigilant during election periods and in the lead-up to, and during, religious holidays and times of national significance, such as:

• Republic Day (January 26)
• Independence Day (August 15)

Targets of terrorist attacks could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

While in India:

• always be aware of your surroundings when in public places
• if you see a suspicious package, immediately leave the area and report it to authorities

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is common. Criminals may target foreigners, especially in major cities and tourist areas.

• Be vigilant in all crowded locations
• Don’t carry large sums of money
• Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times

Petty crime frequently occurs on public transportation and overnight trains.

• Ensure that the train compartment contains packages belonging only to you and other occupants
• Store personal belongings in a safe place, and don’t leave the compartment unattended
• Securely lock the doors

Serious crime against foreigners is less frequent, but incidents do occur.

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Exercise caution in tourist areas and airports where scammers particularly target foreigners.

Scams involving the exportation of jewels, gemstones, carpets, and other items have occurred. Taxi drivers may approach you, offering money to export such items.

• Don’t accept any offer, no matter how convincing
• Beware of offers for cheap transportation or accommodation, extended taxi rides and unsolicited guided tours

Romance scams

If you’re travelling to India to meet someone you’ve otherwise only met online, you may be the victim of a scam.

Be alert to attempts at fraud by persons who profess friendship or romantic interest over the internet.

Investment scams

Unsolicited emails offering attractive business or financial opportunities are most likely fraudulent.

Don’t travel to India to obtain restitution after losing money to a scam.

Overseas fraud

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Women’s safety

Crimes committed against women frequently occur in India. Foreign women are often the target of unwanted attention.

Staring, verbal abuse, groping, and other forms of sexual harassment can occur anywhere, including in tourist sites and areas. Attackers sometimes act as a group.

Reports of rape and assault against foreign women have increased. You should be particularly vigilant:

• on all forms of public transportation
• at Yoga centres, ashrams and other places of spiritual retreats

Local authorities may not always respond adequately to reports of sexual violence and harassment.

• Avoid travelling alone, particularly at night
• Be extremely vigilant on public transportation, taxis and auto-rickshaws
• Be careful when dealing with strangers or new acquaintances
• Be wary of accepting snacks or beverages from new acquaintances
• Avoid less populous and unlit areas
• Respect local customs and dress codes
• Reach police immediately if you feel threatened

If you are the victim of a sexual assault, you should report it immediately to local authorities and the nearest office of the Government of Canada.

Advice for women travellers

Forced marriages

Forced marriage affecting foreigners occurs, sometimes without the affected person’s prior knowledge or consent.

Some Canadians have been forced into marital arrangements and have been detained against their will. They have been subjected to threats, intimidation and violence by family members.

If you’re in Canada

If you’re in Canada and you believe that you’re being forced to travel overseas to marry, you should call your local police for assistance.

If you’re in India

If you’re in India and you believe that you’re being forced to marry, contact the nearest office of the Government of Canada. You may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre .

Family members may retain passports to prevent victims from returning to Canada. Keep digital or physical copies of your travel documents in a safe place.

General information and advice about forced marriage

Demonstrations and mass gatherings

Protests in manipur.

Violent demonstrations have been taking place in Manipur State since May 3, 2023, resulting in casualties. Protests have led to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Curfews have been imposed in several districts and mobile and internet services may be limited.

If you are in Manipur:

• monitor local media for the most recent information
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• be prepared to modify your plans in case of disturbances
• expect enhanced security measures and an increased police presence

Demonstrations, mass gatherings, general strikes, “bandh” or “hartal,” take place frequently. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

Stampedes have occurred during mass gatherings, including religious ceremonies, and resulted in deaths and injuries.

Local authorities may impose curfews and other restrictions on short notice.

• Follow the instructions of local authorities, including curfews

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country. Most roads, including major highways, are poorly maintained. There is severe traffic congestion. Driving conditions may be hazardous during the rainy season, and some roads can become impassable.

Drivers don’t respect traffic laws. They are often aggressive or reckless. Driving can be hazardous due to the presence of livestock or wandering cows, including in urban areas.

Fatal road accidents are frequent. They can lead to mob anger and assault.

• Avoid travelling outside urban centres after dark
• Avoid driving or riding motorcycles in India, even if you are an experienced motorcyclist
• Be very careful when crossing the street, even at pedestrian crossings
• If involved in an accident, contact local authorities immediately

Public transportation

India has an extensive passenger train system. Rail accidents are common, mostly due to poor maintenance. Thefts are frequent on certain train lines.

If you use a taxi, get it from a reputable hotel, an official taxi stand, or a trusted ride-sharing app. At the airport, use officially marked taxis or pre-paid transport services.

• Negotiate fares in advance, or insist that the driver use the meter, as you may be overcharged
• Avoid travelling alone, especially at night
• Don’t share taxis with strangers

Maritime transportation

Maritime accidents occur regularly due to the overloading and poor maintenance of some vessels.

• Don’t board vessels that appear overloaded or unseaworthy
• Always wear a life jacket

Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Live piracy report - International Maritime Bureau

Water activities

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Riptides are common. Several drownings occur each year.

Beaches are not usually supervised by lifeguards. Many beaches don’t display warnings of dangerous conditions.

• Seek local advice before swimming
• Avoid swimming if red flags are flown
• Avoid swimming during Monsoon season
• Always wear a life jacket if you use a boat or a small embarkation

Water safety abroad

No commercial mountain rescue services are operating above 3,000 metres.

If you intend on trekking:

• never do so alone and always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• ensure that you’re adequately equipped and well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary, including when you expect to be back to camp
• know the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, which can be fatal
• obtain detailed information on trekking routes or ski slopes before setting out and do not venture off marked trails or slopes

Wildlife viewing

Wildlife viewing may pose risks, particularly on foot or at close range. If you plan on visiting a wildlife area such as a tiger reserve:

• always maintain a safe distance when observing wildlife
• only exit a vehicle when a professional guide or warden says it’s safe to do so
• only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators
• closely follow park regulations and wardens’ advice

Large groups of monkeys are present in several parts of India, including some urban regions. Monkeys can get aggressive and rapidly overwhelm travellers in their search for food. They can also steal your belongings.

Be vigilant when in the presence of monkeys.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Indian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for 6 months from your date of entry into India and must contain at least two blank pages for use by immigration officials.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Certain types of Indian visa services for Canadians have resumed. For additional information, please contact the visa service provider directly.

Latest information – Indian Visa Application Center in Canada

Ensure you apply for the proper type of visa for the specific purpose of your trip. If you are denied entry by immigration officials, you will be returned to your point of departure.

Canadian-Pakistani citizens are subject to different visa application and registration procedures.

You can only stay in India for up to 180 consecutive days on a tourist visa, even when its validity exceeds 180 days.

Residency registration

If you stay in India for more than 180 days, you must register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

• e-FRRO online portal (for Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru) – India's Bureau of Immigration
• FRRO Contact List – India's Bureau of Immigration

Penalties for overstaying

Strict penalties are enforced for overstaying. If you overstay, you could be subject to fines, detention and a future travel ban.

If you have overstayed your visa, you must request an exit visa from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). This process can be lengthy.

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Dual citizenship

If you hold an Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card, you must present it upon entry and exit.

You must present a boarding pass and a photo identification to access airport departure terminals and public areas.

Lost or stolen passport

If your passport is lost or stolen, an exit visa is required to leave India.

To obtain an exit visa, you must present the FRRO with:

• a police report
• two current passport-size photographs
• a letter providing details of the loss or theft from the High Commission of Canada to India in New Delhi or Consulate General of Canada in either Chandigarh or Mumbai

The FRRO will verify the entry details before issuing an exit visa. This process can take several days.

Restricted and Protected Areas

Special permits are required to visit certain parts of India designated as restricted or protected areas.

Restricted or protected areas – India's Bureau of Immigration

• Poliomyelitis

You may need to produce proof of polio vaccination if you are arriving in India from:

• Afghanistan
• the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Confirm this requirement with the nearest Indian diplomatic office before travelling.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country   where yellow fever occurs.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Contact a designated  Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre  well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that  country entry requirements  may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest  diplomatic or consular office  of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that can cause swelling of the brain.  It is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Risk is very low for most travellers. Travellers at relatively higher risk may want to consider vaccination for JE prior to travelling.

Travellers are at higher risk if they will be:

• travelling long term (e.g. more than 30 days)
• making multiple trips to endemic areas
• staying for extended periods in rural areas
• visiting an area suffering a JE outbreak
• engaging in activities involving high contact with mosquitos (e.g., entomologists)

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Travellers going to countries in South Asia should speak to a health care professional about getting vaccinated.

Malaria  is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.   There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination. 

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times:  • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.  • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.  • Wear permethrin-treated clothing.    If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

In this destination, rabies is carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. Rabies treatment is often available in this destination. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Cholera is a risk in parts of this country. Most travellers are at very low risk.

To protect against cholera, all travellers should practise safe food and water precautions .

Travellers at higher risk of getting cholera include those:

• visiting, working or living in areas with limited access to safe food, water and proper sanitation
• visiting areas where outbreaks are occurring

Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk travellers, and should be discussed with a health care professional.

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is a viral disease that can cause fever, pain and bleeding under the skin.  In some cases, it can be fatal.  It spreads to humans through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, or from the bite of an infected tick.  Risk is generally low for most travellers.  Protect yourself from tick bites and avoid animals, particularly livestock.  There is no vaccine available for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

Visceral  leishmaniasis   (or kala azar) affects the bone marrow and internal organs. It is caused by a parasite spread through the bite of a female sandfly. It can also be transmitted by blood transfusion or sharing contaminated needles. If left untreated it can cause death. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from sandfly bites, which typically occur after sunset in rural and forested areas and in some urban centres. There is no vaccine or medication to protect against leishmaniasis.

Lymphatic filariasis , also known as elephantiasis, is caused by filariae (tiny worms) spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can cause a range of illnesses. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from mosquito bites. There is no vaccine available for lymphatic filariasis although drug treatments exist.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

There is a risk of Nipah virus infection in this country. Nipah virus infections can range from asymptomatic (no symptoms) to severe illness and death.

Nipah virus is spread to people from animals (such as fruit bats) but it can also be spread through contaminated food or close contact with someone who is ill.

Travellers to areas where Nipah virus is found should:

• avoid consuming date palm sap products, including raw date palm juice
• thoroughly wash and peel fruit before consumption
• wash hands regularly with soap and water
• discard fruit with signs of bites or fruit that has been found on the ground
• avoid contact with fruit bats and areas where they are known to roost

For more information on preventing Nipah virus infection, visit Nipah virus: Prevention and risks .

There is no vaccine or medication that protects against Nipah virus infection.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

Medical services and facilities

The quality of health care varies significantly throughout the country.

Medical care in major cities may be good, but it’s usually very limited or unavailable in rural areas.

Government hospitals provide free services or at a minimal cost. Private facilities often offer a higher level of care but can be expensive. Most hospitals require up-front payment or confirmation of insurance coverage before commencing treatment.

Specialised treatment for psychiatric illness may not be available outside major cities.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Ambulances are often equipped with basic and old medical equipment.

Response times can be very slow. Traffic doesn’t yield to emergency vehicles.

In case of serious illness or injury, you may consider taking a taxi or private vehicle to go to the hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

Medical tourism

Some Canadian citizens have had severe health complications following cosmetic or other elective surgeries abroad.

Before leaving for medical travel:

• make sure you have done your research
• use competent health-care providers only

Receiving Medical Care in Other Countries

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and jail sentences. Detention during the investigation is common and can be lengthy.

Laws regarding the purchase and consumption of alcohol, including the legal drinking age, differ from state to state. Authorities often call for dry periods during:

• religious festivals
• national holidays

Drugs, alcohol and travel

It is prohibited to import, possess or use e-cigarettes, vaporisers and their refills.

Beef consumption

Cows are protected and venerated by several groups of faith in India.

Several states impose prohibitions on beef slaughter and consumption. In some rural areas, cow protection vigilantes have attacked people suspected of selling, consuming, or possessing beef or items made with cowhide.

Avoid consuming beef or its derived products while in India.

Religious proselytism

In certain states, it’s illegal to engage in religious proselytism, such as preaching, possessing, or distributing religious literature or material with the intent of converting. Indian authorities require foreign missionaries to obtain a missionary visa.

If you plan to conduct religious activities in India, ensure that:

• the activities are legal
• you possess the proper visa for the activities you plan to perform

Satellite devices

It’s illegal to carry or use a satellite device in India.

Photography

It is prohibited to take pictures of military installations, airports and dams.

Ask permission before photographing places of worship such as temples or mosques.

Imports and exports

There are strict regulations on the importation or exportation of items such as:

• antiquities
• electronic equipment
• local currency
• ivory and gold objects
• protected animals
• pornographic material

Among others, you must register antique items for export with local police, with a photograph of each item.

Customs Guide for Travellers - India’s Central Board of Excise and Customs

Dress and behaviour

India is a traditional, conservative and multi-faith society. To avoid offending local sensitivities:

• Dress conservatively
• Behave discreetly
• Respect religious and social traditions
• Avoid displays of affection in public
• Avoid using footwear in places of worship

Indian family law is very different from Canadian law.

In case of dispute, consult a local lawyer to be fully aware of local laws regarding marital fraud, dowry abuse or extortion, custody, guardianship and visitation rights. Individuals facing charges may be forced to remain in India until their cases have been settled or charges dismissed.

Commercial surrogacy

If you’re planning to visit India to commission surrogacy arrangements, you should consider the potential challenges involved in pursuing international surrogacy. Seek specialist legal advice on Indian and Canadian laws before making any arrangements.

A proposed Indian government ban on foreign commercial surrogacy could affect Canadians travelling to India to enter into a surrogacy agreement.

You should also consult with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on current policies regarding citizenship through descent and the issuance of Canadian travel documents.

Land and property disputes

If you plan on buying property or are involved in a land dispute in India, you should seek legal advice. Do so before making commitments. Related disputes could take time and be costly to resolve.

The offices of the Government of Canada in India can’t provide assistance or legal advice related to private legal matters.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Indian law doesn’t criminalize sexual acts or relationships between persons of the same sex.

However, 2SLGBTQI+ travellers could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in India.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of India, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and India.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in India by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in India to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Identification

You must carry your passport and Indian visa at all times.

Traffic drives on the left.

You must carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

The currency in India is the Indian Rupee (INR).

Non-residents are prohibited from importing or exporting the Indian rupee. A limit of 25,000 rupees is imposed on residents.

Upon entering or leaving India, you must make a declaration to customs if you have USD 5,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies.

India is prone to extreme weather events such as:

• dust storms
• earthquakes

Extreme temperatures can occur in both spring and summer.

The rainy (or monsoon) season extends from June to September.

Heavy rain can cause flooding throughout the country, resulting in significant loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure. Seasonal flooding and landslides can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

India’s coastline is subject to cyclones, particularly between April and December. These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area:

• know that you may expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad
• Weather forecasts and warnings - Indian Meteorological Department
• Current cyclone activity - Tropical storm risk

Seismic activity

Parts of India are located in active seismic zones. Earthquakes occur.

In the event of an earthquake, follow the instructions of local authorities.

What to do during an earthquake

Air pollution

Smoke haze and other types of air pollution can be extremely hazardous in urban areas and cities such as Delhi. It’s typically at its worst in winter. In rural areas, air quality can be affected by agricultural burning.

Dust storms also occur across northern India.

Monitor air pollution levels, which change quickly, especially if you suffer from respiratory ailments or have pre-existing medical conditions.

During periods of high pollution:

• limit your activities outdoors
• monitor local media
• System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research - Ministry of Earth Science of India
• Real time ambient air quality data - Delhi Pollution Control Committee
• Air pollution in India - World Air Quality Index

In mountainous regions, avalanches present a risk and have resulted in fatalities.

• Monitor local media and weather forecasts
• Follow the advice of local authorities

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

• police: 100/112 from cellular telephones
• firefighters: 101
• medical assistance: 102
• victims of sexual harassment: 1091

General services

The Indian Ministry of Tourism offers 24-hour general advice for tourists.

Dial: 1-800 111-363.

Consular assistance

The Consulates General of Canada in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai are temporarily suspending in-person operations. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information from the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi.

Consular services in person remain available at the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

For emergency consular assistance, call the High Commission of Canada in India, in New Delhi and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Authorized Portal for Visa Application to India Indianvisaonline.gov.in

All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document in the form of a national passport with a valid visa from an Indian Mission/Post or eVisa (Limited Categories) from Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Visa on Arrival for the nationals of Japan, South Korea and UAE (only for such UAE nationals who had earlier obtained e-Visa or regular/paper visa for India) Available at selected Airports

Advisory: Government of India has not authorized any agent or intermediary to charge any fee for facilitation of emergency / express Visa/eVisa. For travel to India a regular/eVisa along with passport is mandatory. Only categories exempted under bilateral arrangments may not need a visa. For persons of Indian origin (all categories), OCI card is mandatory.

e-Visa - Only Ordinary Passport holders may apply for eVisa application online. Select Visa Service as G20 eConference Visa and purpose as "To Attend G20 Conference/Meeting" .

Regular Visa - Diplomatic/Official/Ordinary Passport holders may fill online application and submit at concerned Indian Embassy/Mission in their country. Select Visa Service as Conference Visa and purpose as "To Attend G20 Conference/Meeting" .

India Travel Restrictions

Traveller's COVID-19 vaccination status

Travelling from Canada to India

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces.

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Can I travel to India from Canada?

Most visitors from Canada, regardless of vaccination status, can enter India.

Can I travel to India if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from Canada can enter India without restrictions.

Can I travel to India without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from Canada can enter India without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter India?

Visitors from Canada are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering India.

Can I travel to India without quarantine?

Travellers from Canada are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in India?

Mask usage in India is not required in public spaces.

Are the restaurants and bars open in India?

Restaurants in India are open. Bars in India are .

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India Reopening to Canadian Travellers: What You Need to Know

Information may change on a day-by-day basis. While we make every effort to keep the information here updated, the responsibility to keep abreast of ever-changing travel restrictions is ultimately your own.

India will open their borders to quarantine-free non-essential travel as of February 14, 2022.

As a country that was hit particularly hard by COVID-19 (especially the Delta variant throughout 2021), it’s hopeful to hear that India has managed to recover and has deemed the situation stable enough to welcome foreigners.

We’ve seen many countries in the South & South East Asia region gradually reopen since late 2021, including Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane scheme ,  Thailand restarting their quarantine-free entry , and the Philippines only recently .

India had actually opened their borders to tourists to November 15, 2021, but only for those on charter flights. Then, when the Omicron variant began ravaging the globe, a seven-day quarantine was put in place almost immediately.

Now that cases are once again dropping worldwide, India is dropping all test and quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers from most major countries.

India Travel Restrictions

India’s travel restrictions are straightforward, with a list of 82 countries whose residents are permitted to enter quarantine-free, including Canada.

India is also continuing to process tourist visas at this time. Those with a tourist visa issued prior to October 2021 will have to reapply, as those are no longer valid.

How Can Canadians Enter India?

Travellers are allowed to enter India through all international airports. As of October 2021, when departing Canada by air, travellers are required to present proof of vaccination .

Travellers coming from Canada must fulfill one of the following conditions before entering India:

• India accepts all WHO-approved vaccines.
• Your Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination will suffice.
• Children under 12 are exempt.
• Show a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure.

Everyone arriving in India also has to submit a self-declaration form online before departure, and around 2% of arrivals will be randomly tested at their own expense.

Testing & Quarantine Upon Return

India used to be a bit of unique case in this scenario – until January 28, 2022, Canada only accepted test results from a single lab in New Delhi. As you can imagine, this created a huge headache, as travellers would have to trek out to a single lab in the seventh-largest country in the world within 72 hours of their direct flight to Canada. 

The good news is that Canada has removed that strict requirement and now accepts tests from any lab recognized by the Indian Council of Medical Research .

Even better, as of April 1, 2022, a negative test is no longer required prior to travelling back to Canada.

If you do need to find a test in India, it’s best to look for a lab from the Indian Council of Medical Research list above, and tests appear to cost in the range of 500–1,200 INR  ($8–20). 

Alternatively, consider purchasing a Switch Health RT-LAMP or antigen test kit for an easy remote testing option via telehealth video link.

Current Health Requirements in India

COVID-19 restrictions in India differ between states and even cities, as each jurisdiction is allowed to set their own rules and limitations.

In Delhi, there is currently a curfew from 11pm to 5am. However, gyms and spas are open, and restaurants are allowed to open for indoor dining with a 50% capacity limit. 

In Mumbai, all national parks, safaris, and tourist restrictions are open. Spas have a 50% capacity limitation, and the night curfew has been lifted completely.

Throughout the country, masks are universally required to be worn in all public spaces, including urban areas, indoors, and on public transportation.

Since each state in India can impose their own restrictions, travelling between states can have its own ramifications. For example, those flying into West Bengal must carry PCR tests conducted a maximum of 72 hours before arrival.

If you are planning to travel around the country, it’s important to stay on top of the rules for domestic travel, as they can change at any time.

How to Get to India

Air Canada operates non-stop flights from Toronto to both Mumbai and New Delhi, as well as from Vancouver and Montreal to New Delhi.

Cash fares in economy class to Mumbai are in the region of $1,500 (CAD), while fares to New Delhi are significantly higher from all Canadian departure points.

For most Canadians, Aeroplan is the first loyalty program that comes to mind for international long-haul premium class bookings.

A direct flight to India will cost 85,000 points one-way per person in business class. Air Canada can be priced higher dynamically, while Air India will always fall under the partner fixed pricing.

Using the “Latitude Attitude” to instantly apply eUpgrades for an upgrade into business class is the ideal way to fly to India at reasonable prices.

If you’d like to fly transpacific or through the Middle East on Etihad Airways, you’ll pay 100,000 Aeroplan points one-way in business class and 130,000 Aeroplan points in First Class.

Meanwhile, using Alaska miles , you can book on Japan Airlines for 60,000 miles in business class or 70,000 miles in First Class. 

Lastly, with American Airlines AAdvantage , you can fly Qatar Airways Qsuites from North America to India via Doha for only 75,000 American miles.  

The same booking can also be achieved with 85,000 Alaska miles if you’ve collected more Alaska miles than American.

On February 14, 2022, India will open their borders to some 82 countries, including Canada. Be sure to apply for a tourist visa prior to flying.

In order to enter India, you only need to present proof of vaccination with a WHO-approved vaccine. Chances are low you’ll be selected for testing upon arrival, although it is always a possibility.

India itself has so much to explore, from seeing the Taj Mahal to wandering off the beaten path with a boat cruise in Goa. Of course, you can also take a longer trip through the South Asia region, as many countries are now reopening their borders with the Omicron variant subsiding. 

As always, you can refer to our Travel During COVID-19 Resource for Canadians for the most up-to-date information on travelling in the pandemic era.

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More red tape for new Canadians needing travel visas for India

By The Canadian Press

Posted November 1, 2023 3:02 pm.

Canadians of Indian descent are scrambling to surrender their Indian passports so they can travel to their home country.

Indian-born travellers have to submit “surrender certificates” in order to apply for a visa and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to return to India after the Indian government suspended its e-visa program last month.

A surrender certificate is a document issued when an Indian passport is handed in once the holder receives a Canadian passport. The certificate is now crucial for obtaining an entry visa to India and to apply for an OCI card. On Oct 25, the Indian Embassy in Ottawa announced the partial resumption of visa services for Canadians travelling to India, but it has not restarted the e-visa program.

Sanjay Verma, Indian High Commissioner in Canada, confirmed there has been an increase in the total number of OCI applications from across the country and that processing times will be longer than usual as a result.

“India has unilaterally (not as a part of any reciprocal measure) provided eVisa facility to citizens of many nations, including Canada, till the suspension of all visas in September 2023 was implemented for Canadian citizens,” Verma said in an emailed statement.

“Visa-related decisions are sovereign actions of issuing countries. My advice to all Canadian citizens eligible to apply for an Indian visa is to submit their applications well in advance and not to buy travel tickets without having (an) Indian visa in hand. All Canadian citizens of Indian descent fall in this category too. They may also consider applying for OCI Cards for their future journeys.”

Tejas, who recently got his Canadian citizenship, stood for four nights in the queue outside the BLS Centre in Brampton, Ont. hoping to get a surrender certificate because he couldn’t book an appointment online and in-person appointments are limited. He asked that NCM use only his first name because he fears repercussions.

He first went to BLS Brampton on Oct. 26, and he was the 79th person in the queue. He said he has to visit India in December for a family function and was not expecting the sudden changes in visa procedures. Tejas received his Canadian citizenship in September and surrendered his passport at the end of the month.

A surrender certificate is expected to take six to eight weeks to be issued, but he is hoping to get an entry visa based on the formal acknowledgement that he has surrendered his Indian passport.

“I finally got into the BLS Centre on Monday (Oct. 30) and they accepted my entry visa application without a surrender certificate as I had adequate documents to prove that I was born in India,” said Tejas. “I would recommend to people that if they have not surrendered the Indian passport, it’s better to submit it on the same day, along with the visa application. I think they make an exception to surrender certificate submission on a case-to-case basis.”

Said Verma, Indian High Commissioner in Canada: “We try to help the OCI applicants in the best possible ways. If they meet the documentation requirements, the process mentioned can be followed.”

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Travelling To India From Canada: Travel Guidelines for Covid-19

April 6, 2023 Admin

Are you planning for travelling to India from Canada in the upcoming days? If your answer is YES, read on to Canada to India travel restrictions .

You might have heard in the recent news that Coronavirus continues to circulate again in several parts of the world including Canada and India. So the government of each country has initiated some steps toward safety. This includes some updates in the travel guidelines across the country borders.

Key Highlights

• Canadian travelers can enter India regardless of their Covid-19 vaccination status.
• You can enter India from Canada without COVID-19 vaccination certificates.
• No need to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test antigen result.
• Canadian visitors do not require to follow quarantine rules after entering India.

Travelling To India From Canada Requirements

As per the Public Health Agency of Canada, travellers must practice strict health precautions during international travel. You must also check the COVID-19 situation at your destination and cross borders. Because the situation can change rapidly and

vary from one place to another. Also, consult a health care professional preferably 6 weeks prior to your travel schedule. If you have not completed a COVID-19 vaccine series, you must avoid non-essential travel.

Departure Travel Requirements

Visa Requirements

• You need a visa to travel to India from Canada if you are not an Indian citizen.

Travel Restrictions

• Travel is permitted in India but travellers have to follow government restrictions and guidelines.

Documents and Forms

• A passport is always required to travel to India along with a visa (non-Indian citizens).

Public Health Requirements

• Quarantine may be needed (on arrival in India)
• COVID-19 test may be needed (on arrival in India)
• No COVID-19 proof is required in India

Additional Information

• Face masks are mandatory (in public places)
• Health screening is required (on arrival in India)

*Important Note* – This information may be updated from time to time. So you must always refer to government websites and airline websites.

Also read: Best Day of the Week To Book Cheapest Flights Tickets

Points To Consider Before You Travel

Prequities for Travelling to India Amid Covid-19

• You must meet COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination requirements.
• Check the COVID-19 status prior to travelling plans.
• Assess Canadian government travel requirements on return.
• Check insurance against Covid-19

Points To Consider During Your Travel

• Check the local COVID-19 situation and travel guidelines.
• Follow COVID-19 health advice and regulations by the government.
• Know possibilities for medical care facilities (COVID-19 test).
• Must follow physical distancing and face mask in public places

Frequently Asked Questions About Travelling To India From Canada During Covid-19

There are the most frequently asked questions about the latest guidelines for international travel to India during covid: –

Q – What Are The Latest Quarantine Laws In India For Tourists?

A – You would need to get a COVID-19 negative certificate issued within 48hrs by ICMR recognized lab. Otherwise, you will have to get the Covid test done at the airport and this could cost INR 2000. Also, you would be required to stay in paid institutional quarantine until the test results. But you can also opt for 14 days of home quarantine.

Q – Do Tourists From Canada Have To Quarantine In India?

A – No. Presently, the RT-PCR test is not mandatory. But tourists have to undergo 7 days of institutional quarantine (self-payment). And you can further go for another 7 days of home quarantine on arrival in India.

Q – What Are The Current Prerequisites For Travel To India For Canadian Citizens?

A – Travelers from Canada have to submit an e-Visa application 4 business days before departure flight.

Q – Is RT-PCR Needed To Enter India From Other Country?

A – A COVID-19 test is not required on arrival in India in the current scenario. But you must check the official website prior to the final visit to the country.

Q – What Is The Validity Period Of The RT-PCR Test For Travel In India?

A – Tourists/Travellers need to have valid ID proof to get their COVID-19 RT-PCR test accomplished within 72 hours of the validity period.

Also read: 6 Most Essential Things To Pack In Your Hand Luggage For Air Travel

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Consulate General of India Toronto, Canada

• Home ›   Consular ›   Visa ›   FAQ about Visa

Do I need a visa to go to India?

Yes, all foreigners need a visa to enter India.

Can I get a visa on arrival to enter India? 

No, you must obtain a visa before taking a flight to India. You cannot obtain a visa on arrival in India.

I want to visit India for tourism/to attend a friend's marriage/ to meet my friends. Which visa should I apply for?

You apply for a tourist visa.

Can I study in India?

Yes. With a valid student visa for a recognized university/educational institution.

Can I work in India?

Yes. With a valid employment visa.

I travel to India frequently for business meetings/to explore opportunities for partnerships with Indian companies. Which visa should I apply for?

You may apply for a business visa valid for multiple entries along with the requisite documents as per the checklist. Kindly note that a Business Visa does not permit you to work in India. In case you wish to work in India, you should apply for an Employment Visa.

I am a Canadian national and I go for one or two months every year for tourism. Which visa should I apply for?

You can apply for a Tourist visa. This visa is not extendable in India.

I will be changing flights/airports in India to travel to my final destination (say Nepal, Thailand etc.) Do I need a visa to change flights/airport terminals?

You need to apply for a transit visa if you are going to change from an international terminal to a domestic terminal of any Indian airport or if you are going to stay in an airport hotel even for a few hours. You don't need a transit visa if you stay in the waiting area reserved for international transit passengers in an Indian airport. Note that you can stay for a maximum period of 72 hours in India on a transit visa. You should have a confirmed air ticket for the onward journey.

I have to participate in a Conference/Seminar/Workshop in India. Which visa should I apply for?

You should apply for a Conference Visa to enable you to participate in the Conference/Seminar/ Workshop along with invitation letter, details of the Conference etc. Clearance from the competent authority in India is required.

I will travel at a much later date. Can my visa be issued to coincide with the date of travel?

No. Post - dated visas are not issued. The validity of the visa begins from the date of issue.

I have to go for internship/training in a university/institute/company in India for a short period. Which visa should I apply for

You should apply for an Intern/Student  visa along with a copy of the offer letter stating the terms of internship. You may also be required to submit a copy of the inter-university student exchange agreement if the proposed internship is a component of such an agreement. You would be required to submit proof of financial standing to support your stay in India. If you receive any monetary compensation/salary from the Indian organization, you will have to apply for a business visa.

I will be going to India for work/employment along with my family. Which visa should I apply for? Would my children be able to study in India?

You must apply for an employment visa along with the requisite documents. Once your visa application is approved, your spouse and children may apply for dependent employment visas in case they are accompanying you on your stay in India. Your children will be able to secure admission in schools/colleges in India once they have been granted appropriate visas. Kindly note that you have to undergo mandatory registration formalities at the nearest office of the FRRO/FRO within 14 days of your arrival in India if you are planning to stay in the country for a period longer than 180 days

I will be studying in India for one semester/trimester in an IIT/IIM/IISc/Indian university. Which visa should I apply for?

You should apply for a student visa along with a copy of the letter from the institute/university confirming your acceptance as a student. You would also be required to submit proof of financial standing to support your stay in India.

I had applied for a visa for India but I have changed my mind about visiting the country. Can I claim a refund of the visa fee?

Visa fees are non-refundable. Once the visa application is accepted and cannot be refunded even if the visa is refused/not granted.

Do I need a visa for my pet who is accompanying me on my visit to India?

Visa is not required for taking a pet to India but certain customs and vaccination-related regulations have to be complied with. Please check the following link : https://aqcsindia.gov.in/import-of-pets-under-baggage.html . You may also check with your airline.

My application and passport have been submitted and it has been a while, how can I enquire about the status of my application?

Please track your passport by logging on BLS Services website  http://www.blsindia-canada.com  or by calling their Helpline at +1 289 498 1320 (between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Saturday except closed Holidays).

How do I know when my passport is ready for collection from the Indian Consular Services in Canada?

Please track your passport by logging on  http://www.blsindia-canada.com . You can also call the BLS International Services Canada Inc. Helpline number at +1 289 498 1320 to check the status of your passport.

Can I collect my passport from the Consulate General in Toronto?

No. You have to collect your passport from the Indian Visa & Consular Services Centres in Canada where you made the application.

Do I have to submit my passport and visa application with the India Consular Services only?

Yes, However, Diplomats and officials of foreign diplomatic Mission, UN and other international organization personnel, Canadian government official holding diplomatic / official passport must submit their visa application directly to the Consulate General of India.

How do I pay for the visa and service charges?

Please visit the following link : www.cgitoronto.gov.in  or  http://www.blsindia-canada.com

Will I be allowed to carry liquor to India?

Yes. But if you are traveling to Gujarat, you will have to apply for a liquor permit ( http://eps.gpeonline.co.in/ ). Please check with your airline for other restrictions on alcohol.

Do all the applicants need to be present at the time of submitting an application?

No. An application can be sent either by mail or in person by an immediate family member. Applications are NOT received through agents or representatives

Will the visa and service fee courier service fees be refunded?

No refunds. Fees once received would not be refunded, even if the application is withdrawn or service denied.

I wish to visit certain areas in India like Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland etc. Can I obtain a visa to visit these areas?

A tourist visa is not sufficient to visit these areas because all of these regions in India are restricted/protected areas for which it is necessary to obtain a Restricted/Protected Area Permit (RAP/PAP). This permit can be obtained in India either from the Ministry of Home Affairs or FRRO concerned after entering India with a tourist visa. You can visit certain open areas in Sikkim for a maximum period of 15 days in case you request a 'special endorsement for Sikkim' at the time of applying for your tourist visa.

I have not surrendered my Indian passport after obtaining Canadian / Foreign Citizenship. How can I submit my entry visa application where in surrender certificate is one of the document to be submitted with visa application?

All the applicants who earlier held Indian passport are required to surrender their Indian passport after obtaining foreign/Canadian citizenship. Person of Indian origin must enclose a copy of Surrender Certificate of old Indian passport.  Please submit your surrender certificate application first at the BLS center and obtain the payment receipt having the bar code. You may enclose this receipt with your entry visa application and submit for visa.

I am a Canadian national. However, prior to taking up Canadian nationality, I was a citizen of Pakistan. I want to travel to India. What are the requirement to submit visa application?

Please check the guidelines for submission of visa application by Pakistani nationals and people of Pakistani origin at the following link : https://www.cgitoronto.gov.in/page/pakistani-nationals-and-people-of-pakistani-origin/

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Global Gallivanting

The complete guide to applying for an indian visa (for canadians).

FAQs and a Complete Guide to Applying for an Indian Visa (for Canadians)

Guest Post by Melanie Schorr from www.melanieschorryoga.ca

2019 Update! 1 year online tourist, business and medical Indian eVisas are now available for citizens of 161 countries! Hooray!   Read my NEW post about how to get a 1 year Indian eVisa online!   

Nearly all nationalities, including all Canadian citizens, need to apply for a visa before traveling to India . This can take a bit of time and forward planning, which means that applying for an Indian visa is an essential part of  planning any trip to India.  There are 2 main options for Indian visa for Canadians – you can send your passport off to apply for a longer term visa or apply online for an E visas which is valid for upto 60 days.

The process of applying for an Indian visa for Canadians can be quite frustrating and confusing so I thought I would write a step by step guide to make applying for your visa easier and I’ll go into full details about both types of visa in this post.

I have applied for an Indian visa at least 4 times, and every time I do it, it’s a little bit different, so I thought I would write a guide about the process of how to apply for a tourist visa to visit India. It is a frustrating process, but well worth it to be able to visit this incredible country!

Please bear in mind this is from the point of view of a Canadian passport holder and guidelines can change frequently and suddenly. Also, this is just from my experience and I am not an immigration professional) Requirements and processes for other nationalities are different – if you are from the UK see this post on how to apply for an Indian visa for UK citizens.    If you’re from the USA check out   How to apply for Indian tourist visa from the USA.   The process is also different for Canadians of Pakistani origin .

So how do you get a visa to visit India?

Canadian passport holders  must apply for a visa before visiting India , even if applying for an E-Visa. It’s important to be aware that Indian tourist visas are  valid from the date of issue,  not the date of your entry to India. So make sure that you prepare in advance and that you start the application process so that your visa coincides with your travel dates – don’t apply too early or your visa could expire before the end of your trip.

Short term Indian visas – visa on arrival and e-visas

How to get an indian e visa for canadians.

The E-Visa is the quickest way to get a visa for India, but even though it has sometimes been described as a ‘visa on arrival’ you must still apply for the visa in advance before you travel.   The E-Visa is the cheapest, quickest and easiest way to apply for an Indian visa for Canadians but it does have a few limitations, like, for example, the amount of time you can spend there.

Citizens from 161 countries are eligible to apply online for an  E Tourist Visa to India , including Canada, USA, Australia, UK and Ireland, New Zealand and many European Countries.

At first the ETA was only valid for 30 days (1 month), but it the E Visas are valid for 60 days (2 months) . The catch is that you can only apply for an E-Visa twice per year and it is NOT extendable. The E-Visa costs USD $50 (about CDN $62) plus a small admin fee. The application process is fully online, and you can apply a minimum of 4 days before your arrival date in India.

The E-visa has three subcategories; e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa and e-Medical Visa. Double entry is permitted on E-Tourist Visa and E-Business Visa. Triple Entry will be permitted on E-Medical visa. You can enter India on an E Visa at 24 airports and 3 seaports; Cochin, Goa and Mangalore.

How to apply for an Indian E Visa online

You can apply for an E Visa to India on  the government website here . Your visa will then be emailed to you, and a printed copy of it must be with you when you arrive in India . The visa will then be affixed to your passport at the airport when you arrive in India.

The ETA is not extendable or convertible and you can only apply for 2 ETVs in 1 year. As the process is fully online (you are not required to send off your passport and wait for 2 weeks for the visa to be processed) the E-Visa makes a quick holiday to India so much easier.

However, bear in mind that there is still quite a lot of paperwork to fill out and it can get confusing and you need to make sure the photo you upload meets the specific requirements. Plus, if you make a mistake on the forms you could be rejected and have to apply again and the fee for the visa and for processing of the application is non-refundable, even if the visa is not granted.

To take the stress and hassle out of applying for your Indian visa let  iVisa  sort everything out for you.  They do charge a small service free but they offer a zero frustration policy and make the process simpler and easier to follow. They can process your application and send your E Visa via email in only 18 hours. They also have a window for arrival of 120 days meaning you can get your visa sorted well in advance of your trip but remember you still need a apply online no later than 4 days in advance of your arrival date to India.

However, if your parents or grandparents were born in Pakistan, sadly you’re  not eligible to get an E-Tourist Visa whatever your current nationality, so unfortunately you will have to apply for a normal Tourist Visa.

Applying for a 6 month or 12 month Indian tourist visa in Canada with BLS

There is so much to see in India and its not a country you can rush through so if you can I would really recommend spending more than 1 or 2 months in India in which case an E Visa will not give you enough time.

If you want to travel in India for longer than 1 or 2  months then you will still need to apply for a visa by sending away your application and passport.

The Indian visa application process in Canada has been outsourced to BLS International Services . The website and instructions are pretty straightforward, although some may find applying for the visa a bit confusing and some of the information is out of date.

Read on and I’ll guide you through the process of applying for an Indian tourist visa with BLS International, or if you want to make the process easier for the longer visa then you can use an agency like   Visa HQ

Which Indian visa should I apply for?

Basically most Canadian citizens travel to India on a tourist visa  valid for 3 – 6 months.  You can get single, double or multiple entry, 3, 6 or 12 months. Tourist visas are non-extendable and non-convertible. You may as well apply for a  6 month or even 12 month multiple entry tourist visa  because the price and process for applying is still the same.

However, even on a 12 month visa you are still not allowed to spend more than 180 days (6 months) in India  in one go but you can leave for a day and come back without having to go through the hassle of applying again!

Tourist visas for India are only granted to foreigners who do not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives, etc. No other activity is permissible on a tourist visa. There are different visas for volunteering, studying, employment, business, research, journalism etc, which require more documents.

Up until recently, the maximum tourist visa a Canadian National could get was 5 years, but a 10 year Tourist visa has recently been introduced. Canadians can now apply for a upto 5 year or upto 10 year multiple entry tourist or business visa for India.  Again there is a maximum stay of 180 days per visit.

Be aware that  the duration of visa granted is at the at the sole discretion of the Issuing Authority.  The High Commission of India do not always give you the exact length and entries of visa that you have asked for, so you never know what you’ve got until you receive your passport back. All visa fees are non-refundable even if your visa is rejected or the duration granted is shorter than what you asked for. Also, the validity of the visa begins from the date of issue by the High Commission of India and not from the date of travel on your application form.

For the best chance of getting the longer visa, it’s always best to apply in your home country. You can apply from places like Nepal, Sri Lanka or Bali but often they will only grant 3 month single entry visas, or sometimes even less.

How much does a tourist visa for India cost for Canadians?

A tourist visa for India up to 1 year costs CDN $153 for Canadian passport holders.

But then after you add on other processing fees and BLS International’s fee the total cost for applying for an Indian tourist visa adds up to  CDN $164.40 in total. You then have to add on the postage and the photos, which vary depending on where you live. The 10 year visa costs CDN $202 plus additional processing fees.

The fee is also non-refundable—even if your application is denied the fee is not refunded.

How to apply for an Indian visa by post or in person

When applying for an Indian visa, you need to start by filling out the form on the BLS International website.

The first task is to work out where to start the application and where to find the online application form, to save you the trouble here is the link . Click on this and then click on the red tab that says ‘ regular visa application ’

The first hurdle is to figure out is which ‘mission’ you select. All postal applications are only being accepted in Toronto, Ottawa or Vancouver, but if you did find it more convenient to attend an appointment there are several other offices across the country. You can find the application centre closest to you on their home page .

Then continue to fill out the  ridiculously long form  and there are a plethora of questions to be answered. They wanted to know everything from my religion to whether or not I had any visible identification marks. They also want to know the place of birth of mother and father and whether my grandparents were born in Pakistan, details of previous visits to India with the previous visa number and all the countries that I have visited in the last 10 years.

Photos required for the Indian Tourist Visa Application

The Indian visa application also requires 1 recent photo but it is a  different sized photo  to normal Canadian passport photos –  51mm x 51mm.  You can quite easily get these done in most photo shops, but it is recommended to do it at a BLS Centre.

You can also check the specifications and take a photo yourself and upload a photo to the application, but the photo specifications are very strict and the visa will be rejected and not refunded if the photo is wrong.

It’s a good idea to get some extra ones because you will need them if you want to get a sim card for your cell phone. See more on this (also overly complicated process) on  how to get a Sim Card in India

References for applying for an Indian Visa

The form also asks you for a reference in India – if you don’t have any friends in India you can use a hotel or tour company as a reference. If you haven’t booked a hotel yet (because you are still figuring out how to get a damn visa!?) you could always book provisionally on  Booking.com  and cancel or change the booking later.

Next you need to provide a reference in Canada – I always just use my Dad!

Once you have answered all the questions, confirm the details. It then gives you your application number – it’s a good idea to make a note of the application number in case the website crashes, because if you have the application number you can log back in. If you don’t, not you’ll have to start again.

Then you need to print off the application form. Make sure you sign it in the right places (on both pages) and attach the right size photos. You can find the photo specifications here; http://www.blsindia-canada.com/photo_spec.php

How to submit the Indian visa application

Click on the button to ‘make appointments and payments’ and select your mode of submission – choose to either make an appointment or send your application in by post.

If you are sending by post you must enclose a CERTIFIED CHEQUE to BLS International Services Canada Inc, which includes Visa Fee + 7.40 (BLS Service charge) + ($20 or $30 for Return courier fee within Province OR for outside province respectively). If you apply in person then you will need to make an appointment and you can pay by Debit card or in cash. No credit card payments are accepted!

Where to send your Indian visa application

Check you have everything:

• Printed and signed application form
• One 51cm x 51cm photo, with your signature on the bottom (or send 2 just in case)
• Certified cheque with the visa fee
• Certified cheque for processing and courier charges

Don’t  send it to the address on the top of your Indian visa application form – send it to the centre in your jurisdiction, which can be found here; https://www.blsindia-canada.com/contactus.php

How long does the Indian visa take to process?

Officially it states that the processing time for a Indian tourist visa for Canadians takes a  5 to 12 working days, but it takes more time if you are not a Canadian National .  It is advised to apply at least 15 days before you plan to travel to India in case of any delays.

You should get an email saying ‘a decision has made on your application … your processed application is ready for collection or courier’. Once you get this you can go and collect your passport or if applying by post then it should be back with you in the next few days after that.

You will not know until you open the post whether your visa has been granted or refused or if it has been granted for the full amount of time and number of entries you have asked for.

There used to rule that you were not permitted to re enter India within 2 months, ( even if your visa was still valid you had to wait 2 months) which made a quick trip to somewhere like Nepal more inconvenient. It was only possibly to re enter without the gap of 2 months if you submitted an itinerary for the whole trip and applied in advance for a permit to re-enter. Thankfully  a re-entry permit is no longer required  and that restriction has been lifted for Canadians.

Also note that certain restricted areas including most of the states in the far  North East,  some border areas and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands still require special permits. The easiest way to obtain these is by going through a travel agency or on a tour.

Can you apply for an Indian visa outside of Canada or your country of residence?

It’s always better to apply for a visa in your home country or country of residence, but it is possible to obtain and Indian visa in neighbouring countries, like Nepal , Sri Lanka , Bali , Cambodia ,  Laos  and Myanmar , although since the introduction of the E-Visa this has become harder and some travellers have reported difficulties recently in obtaining Indian visas in Bangkok, Thailand or often only get single entry 3 month visas even if asked for multiple entry, 6 month visas. Now the E Visa is valid for 60 days and is much easier to obtain, so you might want to try that if applying for outside of Canada.

I actually recently applied for (and got) a tourist visa in Bangkok, but I lived there at the time and had a Thai business visa and work permit. BUT they only granted me a single entry 30 day visa, which meant I had to change my travel plans to accommodate this. I know many have been denied, but, to my knowledge, they did not have a long-term visa for Thailand. I think it’s only possible if you are a resident of Thailand so its better to apply for the E Visa.

As with everything in India really, the visa process requires a bit of persistence and patience but it will be worth it just make sure you plan ahead and get your Indian visa in good time when planning your trip to India.

You might also want to check out this  Complete Step by Step Guide to Planning for your First Trip to India and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!

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For the certificated cheques can you just send one with the total amount ? So how did you break it down one cheque for 153 and one for 31 dollars ? Not sure why there needs to be two cheques ? Thanks for your help.

Can you please how I can verify the requirement of 2 months ‘outside’ India to re-enter is the new rule. I am a canadian and have a 10 year multientry tourist visa.

The 2 month no reentry rule was removed 🙂

Hi. I am a Canadian citizen (by birth and ancestry) living in France. With your 10 yr Visa to India… Do you actually live in India full-time. Thx Chloé

This is really good and useful

article for me. I am a regular reader

of your articles. And here this one

is the best one. You have covered

everything. Thanks

i have a business visa for a year and i am to leave the country in every 180 days. Can i go to Sri Lanka or Nepal or Bhutan and re-enter India? Does Indian Visa for a Canadian count Sri Lanka and Nepal and Bhutan as the countries that I can visit to comply with the rule?

Yes with a business visa you just have to leave the country to any country after 180 days and then come back

really great information.thanks for sharing

Hey, thanks for the notes! I’m getting confused on the “Citizenship ID” requirement…. would you just put your SIN number? Thanks!

Excellent post. You saved me a lot of time and frustration! Thank you.

Thanks Heidi! so glad it helped you 🙂

Thank you so $#$@$!$! much for this. Trying to help my mom out doing this, and it’s a hassle and a half. You. Are. A. God send for this!!!

Thanks Parm! So glad it helped! I know how difficult and frustrating it can be. Good luck!

Thank you so much. Going through the designate agents for the Indian Consulate here in Ottawa was hard. I gave up and followed the e-Visa route. I already got my Visa!

One note: when they say to “print” is not so. It generates a pdf file and your computer places it where you assign it. It took me a few “print” commands to understand this and find the file.

Yes it’s not easy applying for the Indian visa and there often seems to be glitches in the website. Glad you got your visa ok though and hope you have a good time in India 🙂

Hi, I have dual citizenship, French and Canadian. I travel around but officially based in France. Do you think i could get a 10 year tourist visa if i applied in Paris?

Hi Mallika, I’m not sure if Europeans can even get the 10 year tourist visa. You should check with you embassy in Paris.

Even if I hold a Canadian passport? I was thinking if I could do this Visa in the country I reside in?

Hi Mallika,

This is super helpful! But I already submitted by visa application while I’m studying in the states and somehow got “VAF” stamp, visa applied for. Have you ever gotten this before? I’m a little worried.

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'A very tough time': Tour guides, travel agents in India suffer from country's tensions with Canada

Diplomatic chill also raises concern over whether canadian lentil exports will be affected.

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Yajur Chauhan glanced around the historic 16th-century Mughal monument Humayun's Tomb in east Delhi on a weekday morning and couldn't help but sigh in despair.

He would normally be explaining the landmark's significance to a group of Canadian sightseers but he was alone, just as India's tourist high season got underway. 

"All of my tours are now getting cancelled. Nobody is coming because of the visa issues," said the tour manager who's been in the business for more than 25 years. "I'm helpless.

"I'm really in shock, I don't know what to do," he added, saying that his savings were already depleted because of the two years lost after the COVID-19 pandemic hit India and the rest of the world, forcing lockdowns and decimating the tourism industry. 

Chauhan, 52, isn't the only tour guide to experience a dramatic loss of income after diplomatic tensions between Canada and India escalated into a full-blown conflict, with one of the retaliatory measures including India halting visa processing for Canadian citizens. 

The move followed a public statement from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that he had credible allegations linking Indian agents to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh Khalistani activist and Canadian citizen who was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., in June. 

A sense of "trepidation" over what further measures could come if the tensions worsen, as Chauhan described it to CBC News, has rippled through the tourism industry in India, particularly as this lull is hitting the start of India's tourist high season, which stretches from October to March, when the weather is cooler across the country. 

"We're going through a very tough time," said Chandar Bhan, 38. The professional driver caters mainly to tourists from Canada, and during an average high season he chauffeurs up to 15 tours full of Canadians.

"I usually would have finished four or five trips by now, but it is October and I haven't even made one trip so far," he said. 

"There is no other work." 

Canada is among the top five countries sending tourists to India, with more than 277,000 Canadians visiting the country in 2022, a rise from the pandemic-influenced 2021 figure of 80,000, according to India's Tourism Ministry. 

'It was devastating'

For those who specialize in tours from Canadian cities to India's tourism hot spots, the days following India's visa announcement were particularly stressful. 

"It was devastating. Our phone started ringing and people had fears," said Nazir Karnai, president of Explore India Journeys, a travel agency based in Vancouver.  

"It was really difficult to explain what the next steps would be because we had no idea how to answer," Karnai said during an interview in New Delhi, where he had travelled to help with trips for Canadians who had visas issued before the pause in processing took effect.

According to Karnai, his company had more than 500 people booked to travel to India between October and March, but only 10 per cent of them had a visa in hand. 

• India suspends visa services in Canada as diplomatic fight grows

Most of the travel agency's Canadian clients are retired and looking to cross off a travel destination on their bucket list. 

"They have saved every single penny all their life to fulfil their dream to see the Taj Mahal, and now their dreams have been shattered because they cannot get a visa," Karnai said, adding that some "have paid tens of thousands of dollars. Nonrefundable."

The financial hit has also been devastating for Karnai, who said his company has lost between $4 million and 5 million from plans that have been cancelled since the visa announcement.

"It's really been difficult for us," he said, both financially and mentally, as he's also been working to allay fears from his Canadian clients that there is any danger in travelling to India right now, with the political animosity between the two countries so high. 

"That's not the situation on the ground," Karnai said. 

Possible trade impact

The diplomatic dispute and the uncertainty over how long tensions will last are also causing some concern over a possible impact on trade, with Canada consistently India's biggest supplier of red lentils, which are critical in Indian homes. 

Two Canadian lentil exporters told Reuters that there is anxiety over whether Indian importers are hesistant to complete future sales of pulses. 

Data from India's Trade Ministry shows that last year's imports to India from Canada were worth $370 million US, making up more than half of the South Asian country's total lentil imports. Indian imports of Canadian lentils from April to July of this year jumped 420 percent, compared to 2022. 

That jump came as erratic weather patterns and a lack of rain, including the driest August in more than a century, hit India's agricultural yield, mainly affecting pulses, which have seen a 20 per cent price hike this year. 

India does grow its own lentils, but demand far outstrips production. Dal, which is the Indian word for lentils or any split legumes, is a staple in Indian kitchens, with most meals considered incomplete without lentils. 

In Bharti Jadhav's home, and in the kitchens of the five families she cooks for, it's a constant.

"At least 250 grams of dal are used in every household," she said. "And not just one kind of dal, all kinds." 

• Canadians trying to travel to India now face having their plans ruined
• Unease grows in Punjab as Canada-India tensions deepen

Jadhav, 30, added that even if prices rise with the uncertainty over imports, Indians will pay the extra rupees rather than cutting red lentils from their diets. 

But the spectre of a slowdown in lentil imports or possible retaliatory tariffs is not a serious concern for some industry insiders. 

Bimal Kothari, chairman of the India Pulses and Grains Association, believes the lentils trade market is too important and that as a price-driven industry it couldn't possibly become collateral damage from the deepening diplomatic strain between the two countries.

Rising food prices are also a sensitive issue for the Indian government, particularly with a general election looming and an already painful price spike this year for staples such as lentils, onions and tomatoes. 

Kothari told CBC News that he "understands the apprehensions that Canadian [lentil] exporters have in mind."

"But I don't think that this political situation … will have much impact on the [lentils] trade unless it worsens further and further," he said. 

"Then we do not know what may happen." 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Salimah Shivji is CBC's South Asia correspondent, based in Mumbai. She has covered everything from natural disasters and conflicts, climate change to corruption across Canada and the world in her nearly two decades with the CBC.

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Canada travel advisory to India updated to include protests, 'negative sentiments'

Canada has updated its travel advisory for India to include warnings about protests and "negative sentiments" towards Canadians in light of a recent breakdown in Canada-India relations.

Global Affairs Canada is urging travellers to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting the South Asian country.

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"In the context of recent developments in Canada and in India, there are calls for protests and some negative sentiment towards Canada on social media," reads an update to the travel advisory. "Please remain vigilant and exercise caution."

The update comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India last week of being involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen wanted for several years by authorities in that country.

Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was gunned down in June outside a Sikh temple in temple in Surrey, B.C., a Vancouver suburb with a high Sikh population. Nijjar was a prominent member of a political movement to create an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan. At the time of his murder, he was working with the group Sikhs for Justice to organize an unofficial referendum among the Sikh diaspora.

Trudeau called for India's help to investigate before revealing there were "credible allegations" implicating India's government in the killing. Then, last Tuesday, Canada expelled an Indian diplomat.

India called the allegations absurd and fired back by expelling a Canadian representative.

The Indian government also halted all visa services for Canadian citizens and, five days before Canada updated its travel advisory, urged Indian citizens in Canada to exercise caution over "growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence" here.

“Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant,” reads the travel advisory.

Meanwhile, Sikh activists are urging the diaspora in Canada to gather outside Indian embassies in protest of the killing.

Over the weekend, Sikhs for Justice director Jatinder Singh Grewal told Reuters his organization will lead demonstrations outside the Indian embassies and consulates in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver to increase public awareness about Nijjar’s killing.

– With files from The Canadian Press and Reuters

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