When planning a trip with a stopover in India, there are a number of things to bear in mind, particularly when it comes to visas and baggage handling.
The length of your stopover and whether or not you intend to leave the airport's transit zone are determining factors:
Stopover of less than 24 hours without leaving the transit zone
- In this case, you generally do not need a visa.
- Make sure your baggage is checked in directly to your final destination to avoid having to collect it.
Stopover of more than 24 hours or need to leave the transit zone
- A transit visa or another type of visa valid for India will be required.
- This applies even if you simply need to collect your luggage or if you want to leave the airport to rest in a hotel.
Baggage handling
Managing your baggage during a stopover in India depends on a number of factors:
- Flights on the same reservation If all your flights are on the same reservation, your baggage will generally be transferred automatically to your final destination.
- Different airlines If you change airlines, you may have to collect your baggage and check it in again. In this case, you will need a visa to leave the transit zone.
Obtaining a visa if necessary
If your situation requires a visa :
- Most travellers can apply for an Indian e-Visa online.
- In the absence of an online visa, the transit visa - which is more complex to obtain than an e-Visa - is valid for 15 days from the date of issue and allows a stay of up to 72 hours.
- Make sure you apply several days before you arrive in India.
An agency service 