India and Israel's connection runs deeper than most travelers realize. Jewish communities have lived in India for centuries- the Bene Israelis of Maharashtra, the Cochin Jews of Kerala, and the Baghdadi Jews of Kolkata all trace their presence back generations, long before either country existed in its current form. Formal diplomatic relations only began in 1992, but the relationship has grown quickly since, with bilateral trade now running into billions of dollars and deep cooperation across defense, agriculture, and technology.
For Israeli travelers, that history translates into something more immediate today: a country with genuine historical ties, a recognizable diaspora connection, and an India e-Visa process you'll need to get right before booking a flight.
Do Israeli Citizens Need a Visa for India?
Yes. Israel is on India's eligible-nationality list for the India e-Visa scheme, and there's no visa-free entry and no visa-on-arrival for Israeli passport holders. Your India e-Visa needs to be applied for and approved online before you travel, it isn't something you can sort out after landing.
A few things worth knowing upfront:
- OCI cardholders (Overseas Citizens of India) don't need a visa at all, regardless of current nationality.
- Diplomatic and official passport holders can't use the India e-Visa system and need to apply through the Embassy of India in Tel Aviv directly.
- Everyone else with an ordinary Israeli passport applies through the India e-Visa portal, whichever category fits their trip.
India e-Visa Categories Available to Israeli Travelers
Most Israeli applicants need one of three categories.
➥ India e-Tourist Visa covers sightseeing, family visits, short yoga or Ayurveda programs, and casual travel. It's available in three durations:
30 days (double entry), 1 year, and 5 years (both multiple entry) and it's the category the overwhelming majority of Israeli travelers apply for.
➥ India e-Business Visa is for trade visits, meetings, and commercial exploration, valid one year from the date your ETA is granted, with multiple entries permitted.
➥ India e-Medical Visa is for treatment at a recognized Indian hospital, valid 60 days from first arrival with triple entry, and it requires a letter from the treating hospital. A travel companion can apply separately for an e-Medical Attendant Visa under the same terms, with up to two attendants allowed per patient.
None of these categories convert into one another once granted, so it's worth confirming which one actually matches your trip before you apply. India e-visas are non extendable and non-convertible once issued.
Learn through IVC about the exceptions for India e-visa extension:
What You Need: Tourist vs. Business vs. Medical
This is where the requirements genuinely diverge, and it's worth being specific rather than vague about it.
▸ For the e-Tourist Visa, you need:
- A valid ordinary Israeli passport with at least 6 months' remaining validity and 2 blank pages
- A recent passport-style photo on a plain white background
- A clear scan of your passport's bio page
- A valid email address, since your approved ETA is delivered there and nowhere else
That's it. No itinerary, accommodation proof, or invitation letter is required for tourism.
▸ For the e-Business Visa, add an invitation letter from the company or organization you're visiting in India, on their letterhead.
▸ For the e-Medical Visa, add a letter from the treating hospital confirming your appointment or admission, written in English. A Hebrew-language document, however official, risks rejection purely on translation grounds.
Across every category, you'll need a working payment card at checkout, and the visa fee is non-refundable once submitted, regardless of the outcome. That's why IVC helps eligible nationals of UK, Chile, Norway and many more get their India e-visa hassle-free.
How Much Does an India e-Visa Cost for Israeli Citizens?
Here's the actual breakdown by category:
- e-Tourist Visa, 30 days (April–June): $10
- e-Tourist Visa, 30 days (July–March): $25
- e-Tourist Visa, 1 year: $40
- e-Tourist Visa, 5 years: $200
- e-Business Visa: $120
- e-Medical Visa: $80
A bank transaction charge applies on top of all of these, the government portal currently lists it at up to 3% plus applicable taxes, though some older embassy pages still cite an earlier 2.5% figure, so it's worth checking the live rate at checkout and at the official portal too.
How to Apply: Step by Step
You have two options:
Option A: You fill the whole application on your own and before submitting, you get it reviewed by IVC. If we find any of the information or document inaccurate, we will inform you right away and review all the documents.
Option B: Choose IVC to fill the whole application on your behalf:
- Select your nationality, visa category, and expected date of arrival in India.
- Fill in your passport and personal details exactly as they appear on your passport, mismatches here are one of the most common causes of rejection.
- Upload your documents and pay the visa fee; with the full breakdown shown clearly before you confirm.
- From there, your application gets reviewed against the category's actual requirements before submission, catching mismatched names, non-compliant photos, and wrong category selections before your non-refundable fee is committed.
- You'll receive an application ID to track progress through the government portal or directly with us.
Once your status reads GRANTED, your ETA arrives by email as a PDF. Print it, since immigration wants a physical copy alongside your passport, not a phone screen.
Apply at least 2–3 weeks before travel. The government's stated minimum is 4 days before arrival, but that's a floor, not a realistic plan, particularly during India's peak travel season between October and March.
Rules That Actually Matter Before You Fly
A few conditions catch more travelers off guard than the rest of the process combined:
⚠️ Entry and Exit ports: Your India e-Visa permits entry through certain authorized immigration ports. No other crossing is permitted. Verify your entry point against the authorized ports list before booking.
⚠️ E-Arrival Card: Mandatory since April 2026. Complete it within 72 hours before arrival via the official portal or the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app, before boarding, not at the airport. Biometrics are captured on arrival and your passport is stamped. Ensure the stamp is affixed before leaving the immigration counter.
⚠️ Only India Visa grant does not guarantee entry: Carry your printed ETA, a confirmed return or onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds. Immigration officers at the arrival port retain full discretion.
⚠️ Stay within your visa's purpose: Using an e-Tourist Visa for business activity violates conditions and can result in denial of entry.
⚠️ Conversions, Extensions and overstays: India e-Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible. If genuinely unable to depart within validity, apply at FRRO before expiry. Overstaying without approval is an illegal act under Indian immigration law.
⚠️ Pakistani lineage: Israel nationals whose parents or grandparents were born in or were permanently resident in Pakistan are not eligible for an India e-Visa. Apply through the Indian Mission in Tel Aviv.
⚠️ Other restrictions:
- Defence, military, or police background holders are not eligible for an India e-Visa.
- Religious preaching or conversion-related activity is prohibited on all visa types.
- If you have transited through a Yellow Fever endemic country within 6 days of arrival, carry a valid vaccination certificate.
- Parts of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh require a Protected Area Permit in addition to your India e-Visa.
- Travel on the same passport used to apply.
Summary Checklist for Applicants from Israel
📝 Ordinary Israel passport; not diplomatic or official
📝 Passport valid for 6+ months from arrival date, 2 blank pages
📝 Previous passport on hand if the current one was issued within the last 6 months
📝 Clear PDF passport bio page scan — 10 KB–300 KB
📝 Compliant JPEG photo — white background, no glasses, within 6 months, plain alphabet file name
📝 Supporting documents in English for business, medical, or conference applications
📝 Entry point confirmed against the authorized ports list, whether it is airports, seaports, or land ports.
📝 Application submitted 2–3 weeks before travel
📝 e-Arrival Card completed within 72 hours before arrival
📝 Status reads 'GRANTED' at the portal and ETA printed and carried physically
Besides following the checklist, adhere to the official guidelines also or else you can be penalized.
India's Jewish Heritage Sites: A Guide for Israeli Travelers
One of the genuinely distinctive aspects of traveling to India as an Israeli citizen is the presence of Jewish communities and heritage sites that pre-date the founding of the modern state of Israel by centuries. These aren't tourist reconstructions; they're living communities and active synagogues that have stood in the same locations for hundreds of years. For Israeli travelers, this adds a layer to India that most other destinations simply don't offer.
The Major Sites
- Paradesi Synagogue, Kochi (Kerala) — Built in 1568, it is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth. Located in Mattancherry's Jewish Quarter ("Jew Town"), it still holds services and is one of Kerala's most visited heritage sites. The surrounding quarter has antique shops, spice merchants, and colonial-era architecture that make it worth a half-day visit even for non-religious travelers.
- Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, Mumbai — An 1884 Baghdadi Jewish synagogue in the Fort district, still active and beautifully maintained. Located close to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, it fits naturally into a Mumbai heritage walk.
- Magen Abraham Synagogue, Ahmedabad — Built in 1934, recently restored, and one of the lesser-visited but architecturally striking Jewish heritage sites in India.
- Sha'ar Harahamim Synagogue, Mumbai — Another Bene Israeli synagogue in the Mandvi neighborhood, reflecting the distinct architectural blend of Indian and Jewish traditions.
The Bene Israel and Cochini Communities
India's Jewish communities, primarily the Bene Israelis of Maharashtra and the Cochini Jews of Kerala, have lived on the subcontinent for an estimated 2,000 years, with no historical record of antisemitism in India across that period. Most members of both communities emigrated to Israel after 1948, but the remaining communities, synagogues, and cemeteries remain accessible and are genuinely significant for any Israeli traveler interested in diaspora history.
Practical Planning for Israeli Travelers
- Best entry point for Jewish heritage travel: Mumbai (connects to Ahmedabad and Kochi) or Kochi directly via a domestic flight from Delhi or Mumbai.
- Tour options: Several operators in Kochi and Mumbai run Jewish heritage walking tours specifically, worth booking in advance during October–March peak season.
- Direct flights: As of 2026, direct flight routes between Israel and India have been subject to operational changes; check current availability before booking and factor in connection times via hub airports if direct routes are unavailable on your dates.
- Language: English is widely used in tourism, government, and business across India, making navigation straightforward for Israeli travelers comfortable in English.
Why Israeli Travelers Choose IVC Visas?
Getting an Indian e-Visa right isn't complicated, but the government portal won't catch your mistakes before your non-refundable fee is gone. A mismatched name, a slightly off photo, or the wrong category selected can mean reapplying and paying twice.
At IVC Visas, every application is reviewed before it reaches the government portal, checking your documents, your photo, and your category against what you're actually traveling for. Whether this is your first trip to India or one of many, that review protects both the fee you've paid and the trip you're planning around it.
You are just a visa away from India! Apply from Israel for your Indian e-visa through IVC!
Get in touch with questions, or start your application whenever you're ready.
Disclaimer: IVC Visas is an independent visa service provider. We assist with application preparation and submission to official government portals. Final visa approval decisions are made solely by Indian immigration authorities. All information is based on current regulations as prescribed by the Government of India, which may change. Always verify the latest requirements before travel.