India eVisa for children and families from the UK

If you are planning a family trip to India from the UK - perhaps to introduce the children to relatives, or for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday - one question comes up again and again: does my child need their own visa? The answer is an unambiguous yes. Every traveller, regardless of age, needs their own India eVisa, and that includes babies and toddlers. Here is how UK families handle it without stress.

Every child needs their own eVisa

India does not add children to a parent's visa. Each child must have a separate eVisa tied to their own passport - and yes, that means your baby needs both a UK passport and their own India eVisa. There is no family or group application that covers everyone in one go; you complete a separate form for each family member.

Rule to remember: one passport, one eVisa, per person. A five-week-old baby needs the same eVisa as an adult.

Which eVisa for a family holiday?

For a family holiday or visiting relatives, everyone - adults and children - applies for the India Tourist eVisa. The category is the same for all ages. If your trip has a different purpose, check the full range of visa types, but for the classic family trip the tourist eVisa is what you need.

What you need for each child

The document requirements for a child are essentially the same as for an adult - see the full requirements page:

• The child's own UK passport, valid for at least six months from arrival with two blank pages.
• A digital scan of the child's passport bio page.
• A recent passport-style photo of the child meeting the photo specification - plain white background, face centred, neutral expression.
• Basic details including the child's date of birth and parents' details.

Getting a good photo of a baby or toddler

The photo is the step parents worry about most. For infants, the specification is relaxed on expression - a neutral face is ideal but a calm baby with eyes open is generally accepted. Practical tips:

• Lay the baby on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above.
• Make sure there are no shadows and the face fills the frame.
• No dummies, toys or other hands visible in the shot.
• For toddlers, a plain white wall and a moment of stillness usually does the job.

A practical timeline for families

With several applications to complete, give yourself time. Most eVisas are approved within 3 to 5 business days (see the processing time guide), but with a family it is wise to apply 1 to 2 weeks before departure so that if one child's photo needs redoing, there is no panic.

• 3-4 weeks before: check every passport's validity (six months beyond your return).
• 2 weeks before: take everyone's photos and apply for all family members.
• Day before travel: submit each traveller's e-Arrival Card - children included.
• Departure day: print every eVisa and e-Arrival Card; gate agents check each passport individually.

At the airport with children

Each child is processed individually at Indian immigration, so have each one's printed eVisa and passport ready. A single shared screenshot rarely satisfies check-in staff at Heathrow - print a copy for every family member. Once through, you will find India remarkably welcoming to families; children are doted on almost everywhere you go.

Common questions from UK parents

"Can I pay for all the applications together?" Often yes - many platforms let you complete multiple applications in one session and pay once, even though each visa is issued separately.

"My child has a different surname to me - is that a problem?" No, but carry documentation (such as a birth certificate) if a child's surname differs from the accompanying parent, as immigration or airlines occasionally ask.

"Does a child on an adult's passport count?" UK children can no longer be added to a parent's passport - every child has held their own passport for years, and they need their own eVisa to match.

The bottom line

Family trips to India are wonderful, and the visa admin is entirely manageable once you know the golden rule: everyone needs their own eVisa, babies included. Gather the passports, take care over each photo, apply a week or two ahead, and print everything. Then all that is left is the fun part - planning where to go.

Related guides