Taking Your Child to India: eVisa, OCI or Regular Visa—What Does Each Traveler Need?
Short answer: Check each traveler separately. A child cannot travel under a parent's eVisa or OCI card. A child with an issued OCI card and valid passport can use their own OCI documents; an eligible child without one may need their own eVisa or a regular visa for the trip. Eligibility to apply for OCI is different from already holding it. The parental documents you need also depend on the application route. As of 29 September 2026, the cited U.S. checklist for a 10-year regular tourist visa requires a notarized parental authorization for minors; the general e-Tourist eVisa document list sets out different documents.
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Start with each traveler's own documents
For an India trip, the first question is what each person already holds, not what a parent holds. Indian entry guidance calls for a valid passport and the traveler's own qualifying visa, eVisa or issued OCI status, unless an exemption applies. In one family, a parent might have OCI, one child might already have their own OCI card, and another might need a visa application. The parent's card settles only the parent's route.
| Traveler | Document already held | Route or next check |
|---|---|---|
| Parent | Issued OCI card and valid passport | Check the parent's own OCI documents and current entry instructions. |
| Child A | Issued OCI card and valid passport | Check the child's own OCI documents and current entry instructions. |
| Child B | Valid separate passport, but no issued OCI card | Check the child's eVisa eligibility and trip purpose; if that route does not fit, follow the responsible mission's regular-visa instructions. |
The distinction for Child B is especially useful if an OCI application is underway. Being able to apply does not give the child an issued OCI card for this journey. Settle the child's actual travel route before relying on the family's tickets or a parent's immigration document.
When a child uses their own eVisa
India's eVisa FAQ says a minor child needs a separate eVisa application. The child must also have a separate passport: the eVisa route is unavailable to someone endorsed on a parent's passport. The same FAQ says to ensure the child's passport remains valid for at least six months from arrival in India. Nationality and the purpose of the visit must fit the eVisa rules as well.
This means a family applying together still has an individual decision for every child. A parent's approved eVisa does not cover the child's entry, and a child's passport details belong to the child's application. Families who choose the electronic route can use the official India eVisa application and minor FAQ, or seek optional help with an eligible India eVisa filing.
When an OCI card is the child's route
An eligible minor can apply for their own OCI registration. The OCI FAQ calls for the child's present valid passport and evidence of the parent-child relationship, including a birth certificate in the relevant document list. A parent's OCI card may matter to eligibility, but it does not become the child's travel document.
Check whether the child already has an issued OCI card, rather than treating a pending application as an issued card. If it is still pending, use the child's passport and trip circumstances to check another available entry route. The official OCI FAQ gives the minor eligibility and document rules for the OCI application itself.
When to use a regular visa
If the child has no issued OCI card and the eVisa route does not fit their nationality or trip, check the regular-visa route with the responsible Indian mission or visa center. India's regular-visa instructions say that each applicant needs a separate online form. The printed application, passport and supporting documents then go to the responsible visa center or mission.
Here, the child's checklist matters as much as the adult's. The documents can depend on the particular visa and place of application, so use the instructions for the child's chosen regular-visa category. The official regular-visa instructions are the starting point for that route.
Which route asks for parental authorization?
The answer comes from the specific application checklist. For example, the VFS India-in-the-U.S. 10-year tourist visa checklist asks minor applicants for an original, notarized Parental Authorization Form (Annexure B) signed by both parents, along with its listed family documents. That is a requirement of this particular regular tourist visa checklist.
The government's general e-Tourist eVisa document list names a scan of the passport bio page and, for certain visit purposes, relevant letters. Use that list and any instructions for the child's circumstances, rather than treating the regular-visa Annexure B as a standard eVisa document.
OCI has its own family-document rules. The OCI FAQ asks for relationship evidence for a minor and, in specified cases involving divorced parents, a court order showing legal custody with the applying parent. If custody or parental authority affects your child's application, check the route-specific official instructions before submitting it.
Before the family travels
Put each traveler on one line of your trip plan: passport, issued OCI card or visa where applicable, and the route used. Check that a child relying on an eVisa has their own eligible passport and eVisa application; check that a child relying on OCI actually holds their own issued card; and check the mission's child checklist for a regular visa. This catches the common mistake of preparing one parent's documents for the whole family.
India also offers an online e-Arrival card for foreign travelers and OCI cardholders within 72 hours before arrival. It collects arrival information; it does not replace a child's visa or OCI card. Recheck the official Indian Visa Online information and the instructions for each person's route before travel.
FAQ
Can my child travel on my India eVisa?
No. The official eVisa FAQ says a minor child needs a separate eVisa, and the child needs a separate passport for that route. Check the child's own eligibility and application even if a parent already has an eVisa.
Does my OCI card cover my child?
No. An eligible minor may apply for their own OCI registration, but the parent's card is not the child's issued status. Check the child's own documents for this trip.
Do all eVisa applications for children need notarized parental consent?
The notarized Annexure B requirement described above belongs to the cited U.S. 10-year regular tourist visa checklist. For an e-Tourist application, use the current official document list and any instructions for the child's family circumstances.
Can a child travel as an OCI holder while their OCI application is pending?
Treat an application in progress differently from an issued OCI card. Until the child holds their own issued card, check which visa route fits that child's passport and trip. OCI eligibility by itself is not an issued travel status.
How my-evisas.com can help
Families can apply through the appropriate official eVisa portal, OCI service or regular-visa channel. If your child is eligible for an electronic India eVisa, my-evisas.com can assist with that filing.
| Route | Help available through my-evisas.com |
|---|---|
| Eligible India eVisa | Optional electronic filing assistance. |
| OCI registration or regular visa | Use the relevant official application channel; these applications are outside this eVisa assistance. |
Indian authorities decide whether to issue a visa or grant entry. Private filing help cannot guarantee either decision.
Sources
- Bureau of Immigration / Government of India, Indian Visa Online — entry documents and e-Arrival card; accessed 29 September 2026.
- Bureau of Immigration / Government of India, eVisa eligibility, documents and FAQ — including the minor-child FAQ; accessed 29 September 2026.
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Online OCI Services FAQ — minor eligibility and family documents; accessed 29 September 2026.
- Bureau of Immigration / Government of India, regular-visa instructions — separate applications; accessed 29 September 2026.
- VFS Global, India in the United States, 10-year tourist visa checklist — additional documents for minors; accessed 29 September 2026.
Important Notice
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. my-evisas.com is a private service provider and not a government authority, embassy, or consulate.
Visa requirements and entry regulations can change at short notice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. Only the official regulations in force at the time of your application are authoritative.
As of: 29 September 2026
Binding and up-to-date information is provided exclusively by the relevant official authorities. Please verify the currently applicable requirements before your application or travel: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/