India for Japan passport holders: e-Visa process, direct flights, INR payment strategy
Japan passport holders need an Indian e-Visa ($25, apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in, 3-day processing). Air India and Japan carriers fly direct NRT to Delhi and Mumbai in 9 hours. Revolut or Wise handles EUR→INR seamlessly — India is very affordable once you're there.
Visa requirements
German passport holders require an Indian e-Visa — apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Fee: $25 (tourist e-Visa, single/double entry). Processing: 72 hours (apply at least 4 days before travel). Valid from date of issue, max 90 days stay. The Indian e-Visa is one of the most straightforward e-Visa systems in the world — apply 4-7 days ahead. Print the e-Visa approval letter to show at check-in and on arrival.
Documents required
- ✓Valid German passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages)
- ✓Recent passport photo
- ✓Return flight ticket
- ✓Hotel booking or invitation letter
Flights from Japan to India
Money, cards & forex fees
Best Japanese card for international ATMs
Zero forex spending for Japanese travelers
Mid-market rate for JPY holders
ATMs in India
Best ATMs: HDFC, ICICI, SBI, Axis Bank ATMs — widely available and reliable. HDFC and ICICI ATMs have highest availability.
Typical surcharge: ₹0 at most Indian ATMs for international cards (some charge ₹100–200)
Withdrawal tip: India is increasingly cashless in cities (UPI is ubiquitous) but cash essential in rural areas, markets, and taxis. Withdraw ₹10,000–15,000 at a time. ATM queues can be long at tourist sites.
Top cities in India
Delhi
India's capital — the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate, and Chandni Chowk. The metro is excellent. Old Delhi and New Delhi are strikingly different worlds. Gateway to the Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) and the Himalayan foothills.
Mumbai
India's financial and film capital — the Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves, Marine Drive, Dharavi, and Bollywood. Mumbai's food scene (Vada Pav, seafood, Irani cafes) is excellent. The Dabbawalas are a fascinating logistics phenomenon.
Agra & Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is the world's most beautiful building — sunrise visits reward early risers with magical light. Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri (45km away) complete the Mughal heritage circuit. Best as a day trip or overnight from Delhi (2.5h by Gatimaan Express train).
Rajasthan (Jaipur/Udaipur/Jodhpur)
India's most visually spectacular state — the Pink City of Jaipur (Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal), the Blue City of Jodhpur (Mehrangarh Fort), the 'Venice of the East' Udaipur (Lake Palace). Rajasthan is the quintessential India experience.
Indian e-Visa for German nationals: the straightforward online process
India's e-Visa system at indianvisaonline.gov.in is one of the world's more straightforward. Go to the official site only — many fake sites charge inflated fees. Select 'Tourist e-Visa', enter passport details, upload a passport photo and scanned bio page, pay $25 by credit/debit card. Approval email arrives within 72 hours — 97%+ of Japan applications are approved. Print the approval letter. At Indian immigration, Japan passport holders use the e-Visa dedicated counter (shorter queues at major airports). The e-Visa allows single or double entry (same fee). For multiple trips, double-entry is recommended. Cannot be converted to other visa types inside India.
On-arrival tips
- 1Print the e-Visa approval letter — required at check-in and Indian immigration
- 2Delhi airport has a dedicated e-Visa queue — separate from other nationalities
- 3Buy Airtel or Jio SIM at airport — requires 2-4 hours registration but worth it
- 4UPI is India's payment revolution but not accessible on foreign cards — use DKB Visa at ATMs and card machines
- 5Delhi auto-rickshaws and taxis: use Ola/Uber app for metered fares — avoid touts outside airports
Key takeaways
- ✓India e-Visa ($25) required — apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days before travel
- ✓Air India/Japan carriers direct NRT to Delhi/Mumbai in 9 hours
- ✓Revolut or Wise: zero forex EUR→INR + free HDFC/ICICI/SBI ATMs
- ✓Print the e-Visa approval letter — required at check-in and Indian immigration
- ✓Buy Airtel/Jio SIM on arrival (requires passport) — UPI not accessible on foreign cards
Related visa guides
Visa information is based on publicly available government sources and official embassy data. Entry requirements, fees, and procedures change frequently — always verify with the official embassy or consulate of India before travelling. ForexFee is not a legal adviser.