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Pathway

India Citizen Spouse Entry Visa

India Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

If you are legally married to an Indian citizen, you may be able to apply for an Entry Visa to live with your spouse in India. This can be useful if you do not hold Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status, which has its own application process.

Family relationship
A legally recognized marriage to a current Indian citizen
Visa
Entry Visa, with its own application and approval

Summary

India’s spouse Entry Visa allows a foreign spouse to seek a stay with an Indian-citizen partner, using an accepted marriage record and evidence of the partner’s current citizenship. The foreign spouse must make their own visa application. Marriage is the supporting relationship, rather than permission to enter or live in India by itself.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

This guide covers a foreign spouse of a current Indian citizen. The Indian embassy or consulate must accept your marriage and personal records.

Other relatives may have different Entry Visa options. Do not assume the spouse checklist also covers every family relationship.

Joining an Indian citizen spouse
  1. Confirm the spouse category Check the requirements with the responsible Indian embassy or consulate.
  2. Document your marriage and spouse’s citizenship Prepare the relationship, identity, and other supporting records.
  3. Apply and follow the visa conditions Complete registration and check work permission separately.

Marriage does not automatically grant an Entry Visa or OCI status.

What This Route Allows

The visa allows a family stay for the period and number of entries granted. Follow its registration requirements and limits on what you can do during the stay.

What This Route Is Not

An Entry Visa is not citizenship or OCI status. Marriage alone does not give you permission to move to India.

Paid work requires the appropriate permission or an approved change of immigration status. Permanent residence has separate requirements.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm the spouse category with the Indian embassy or consulate handling your application.
  2. Prepare the marriage certificate, your spouse’s citizenship records, identity documents, and other required evidence.
  3. Apply for the Entry Visa and complete its registration requirements after arrival.

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Discussed in these reports

Other routes in India.

Sources