Wedding Guest Travel & Visa Guide: How to Help Foreign Guests Attend Your Indian Wedding (2026)

Most NRI couples have this exact conversation with a Western friend who has been invited to their Indian wedding: "Do I need a visa?" "Yes." "Where do I get one?" "Online, it's easy." "How long does it take?" And then, three days before the flight: "I forgot to apply."

Visa administration is one of those wedding guest logistics tasks that is completely invisible to most couples — until a close friend misses your wedding because they missed the application window. This guide gives you everything you need to help your non-Indian foreign guests navigate the visa process, including a template invitation letter you can adapt and send.

Who Needs a Visa to Enter India?

There are three categories of international visitors for Indian weddings. Understanding which category each of your guests falls into will tell you what, if anything, you need to help them with.

Category 1: OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) Cardholders — No Visa Needed

OCI cardholders can enter India multiple times with no visa, no prior approval, and no time limit. This covers most first-generation NRI guests from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, UAE, and other countries — they likely have an OCI card if they (or their parents) were born in India and later naturalised abroad.

Key OCI requirement: guests must travel with both their OCI card and the foreign passport it is currently registered with. If they have renewed their passport since registering the OCI, they need to carry their old (registered) passport as well — or update the OCI registration at an Indian Consulate before travel.

Category 2: e-Visa Eligible — Apply Online

As of 2026, India's Tourist e-Visa (e-TV) is available to nationals of 169 countries. This covers virtually all guests from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the EU, UAE, and most other countries that NRI couples' foreign friends would hold passports from.

e-Visa holders can enter India via most international airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, and others). e-Visa is NOT valid at land borders or most sea ports — only air entry.

Category 3: Sticker Visa (Consulate Visit) — Not e-Visa Eligible

A small number of nationalities are not eligible for the e-Visa and must apply for a sticker visa at an Indian Consulate. This includes Pakistani nationals, Afghan nationals, and a few others. If any of your guests fall into this category, direct them to the nearest Indian High Commission or Consulate for processing timelines, as these can take considerably longer than the e-Visa.

Complete India Tourist e-Visa Guide for Wedding Guests

Visa Types Within the e-Visa Category

India's Tourist e-Visa comes in two main variants:

• 30-day e-Visa (Double Entry): Valid for a maximum stay of 30 days, with up to two entries. Best for guests who are travelling purely for the wedding and returning soon after.
• 365-day e-Visa (Multiple Entry): Valid for 365 days from the date of issue, with multiple entries, but each stay is limited to 90 consecutive days. Best for guests who plan to travel around India before or after the wedding.

Most wedding guests should apply for the 365-day e-Visa — it gives them flexibility to arrive early or extend their trip without re-applying.

How to Apply for India's Tourist e-Visa

1. Go to the official India e-Visa portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in. This is the only official government portal — avoid third-party sites that charge extra fees for the same service.
2. Select "Apply Visa" → "Tourist e-Visa" → the appropriate sub-category (e-Tourist 30 days or e-Tourist 365 days).
3. Fill in the online application form: personal details, passport information, travel dates, purpose of visit (Tourism), and accommodation details (hotel name in India).
4. Upload a recent photograph (JPEG, white background, face clearly visible) and the photo page of the passport (JPEG or PDF).
5. Pay the application fee: approximately $25 USD for most nationalities (fee varies by nationality — check the current fee on the portal).
6. Submit and receive an Application Reference Number. Processing takes approximately 72 hours. Status can be checked on the same portal.
7. On approval, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is issued by email. Print and carry this on travel — immigration officers will scan the QR code on arrival. No physical stamp or sticker is applied to the passport before travel.

Common e-Visa Application Mistakes

Help your guests avoid these pitfalls — they are the most common causes of rejection or delay:

• Blurry or non-compliant photo: The photo must be on a plain white background, face clearly visible, taken within the last 6 months, eyes open and looking straight at the camera. Mobile selfies against a wall often fail the photo specification check.
• Name mismatch: The name on the application must exactly match the name on the passport — including middle names and spacing. Even a single character difference can cause a rejection.
• Wrong travel dates: The "proposed date of arrival" must be within the e-Visa's validity window. Do not enter earlier dates than actually planned.
• Using a third-party site: Many unofficial sites charge $150–200 for the same e-Visa. The official site is indianvisaonline.gov.in.
• Applying too close to travel: While processing is 72 hours, apply at least 4 weeks before travel to allow for any corrections if the first application is rejected.

What to Carry on Travel

Your guests should carry these documents when entering India:

• Original passport (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry)
• Printed Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) received by email
• Return ticket confirmation
• Hotel booking confirmation or the visa invitation letter from you
• Sufficient funds for the stay (credit card statement or bank statement may be requested at secondary inspection)

Visa Invitation Letter Template for Wedding Guests

India's Tourist e-Visa does not require a formal invitation letter as part of the online application. However, guests may be asked to present one at the airport immigration counter — particularly if they have a new passport, are travelling alone, or are entering India for the first time.

Prepare a signed invitation letter for any guest who requests one. Here is a template:

Sign and print this letter. For added credibility, you can have it notarised — but this is rarely required and not worth the effort for most guests.

When and How to Share Visa Information with Your Guests

The most common mistake NRI couples make is waiting until the formal invitation (sent 3–4 months before) to mention visa requirements. By then, some guests will have already booked flights without looking into visa requirements — and some will have booked non-refundable tickets for the wrong dates.

Include visa information in your save-the-date (6–8 months before):

• A brief note for non-OCI guests: "A Tourist e-Visa is required for non-OCI passport holders. The application is online and takes about 10 minutes: indianvisaonline.gov.in."
• Mention that OCI cardholders do not need a visa.
• Note any specific country exceptions if relevant to your guest list.

In the formal invitation (3–4 months before), include a more detailed visa information section:

• Step-by-step e-Visa application summary (or link to this guide).
• Offer to send a visa invitation letter to anyone who needs one.
• Recommended application timeline: at least 4 weeks before travel.
• Contact number they can reach for any visa-related questions.

Helping Guests with Flights and Arrival Logistics

Beyond visa support, NRI couples can significantly reduce guest stress by sharing helpful travel logistics proactively. Most international guests visiting India for a wedding are not seasoned India travellers — a brief guide goes a long way.

Recommended Flight Routes

Share suggested flight routes from the cities where your major guest clusters are located. For example:

• London → Jaipur: Direct flights on IndiGo and Air India (via Delhi); connecting via Delhi adds about 4 hours total journey time but offers more departure options.
• New York → Mumbai: Air India operates a non-stop JFK–Mumbai route; typical journey 14–15 hours.
• Dubai → any major Indian city: Multiple daily flights on Emirates, IndiGo, Air Arabia; Dubai is the easiest hub for UAE-based guests.

Share this information 4–6 months before the wedding — not as a requirement, but as a helpful nudge that prevents guests from discovering flights only when they are expensive.

Airport to Venue Transfer Information

Tell your guests how to get from the airport to the hotel. Include:

• Whether you are arranging airport pickup (and the process for confirming their flight details with you).
• Whether Ola/Uber is available from the arrival airport (it is in all major Indian cities).
• Approximate cab fare and journey time from the airport to the hotel.
• Whether a pre-paid taxi counter is available at the airport (yes, at all major Indian airports — use it if not using an app).

See also: the full NRI wedding guest logistics guide — airport pickup, hotel check-in, and arrival coordination

Practical India Tips for First-Time Visitors

For guests who have never visited India, a brief practical guide significantly reduces anxiety and confusion on arrival. Include this in your travel information package:

• Currency: India uses Indian Rupees (INR). Cards are accepted widely at hotels and major restaurants. Carry some cash for smaller shops and tips. ATMs are available at airports and in all cities.
• SIM card: Buy an Airtel or Jio tourist SIM at the airport international arrivals hall (₹300–500 for 30 days of data and calls). Much cheaper and faster than international roaming.
• Transport apps: Ola and Uber both work in India. Download before arriving. Use only Ola, Uber, or the official pre-paid taxi counter — never accept unmarked taxi offers at the airport.
• Food and water: Drink bottled water — avoid tap water in India, especially for first-time visitors. The wedding catering will be safe; use caution in outside restaurants if you have a sensitive stomach.
• Dress code at religious events: Hindu wedding ceremonies are held at temples or mandaps — guests should cover shoulders and knees. Sangeet nights are festive; Western guests who do not own Indian attire can wear formal Western clothing, but bright colours are welcome.
• Weather: For weddings in October–February (peak season), evenings can be surprisingly cool in North India (Rajasthan, Delhi). Pack a light layer. Goa and Kerala are warmer year-round.
• Health: No vaccinations are specifically required for India, but Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are often recommended for travellers. Check with a travel doctor 6–8 weeks before travel.

Visa & Travel Checklist for NRI Couples to Share with Guests

• Determine visa category: OCI (no visa needed) or e-Visa eligible.
• Check passport validity: must be valid for 6+ months beyond entry date.
• Apply for e-Visa at least 4 weeks before travel at indianvisaonline.gov.in.
• Print the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) after approval.
• Book flights to the nearest major airport to the wedding venue.
• Download Ola and Uber apps before arriving in India.
• Buy a SIM card at the airport on arrival.
• Carry: passport, printed ETA, return ticket, hotel booking confirmation, invitation letter.