Entering by boat: India
What to do to enter India by sea: the procedures, the papers to present and the ports where you can clear in.
Check with the authorities before you leave (last checked on 28 October 2026).
Before you arrive
- Notify the authorities 96 hours before arrival.
- Online procedure: PANS (Pre-Arrival Notification on Security) au MRCC ; e-Visa pour l'équipage — indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/
The steps
- Obtain visas (e-Visa) and appoint an authorised agent.
- Send the PANS form to the MRCC at least 96 h before arrival.
- Call the Coast Guard and Port Control on VHF 16, anchor at the quarantine anchorage.
- Health, Immigration, Customs then Port Captain; Coastal Police often visit the next day.
Papers to have on board
- Passports for the whole crew
- Visas, if your nationality requires them
- Crew list
- Boat papers (registration certificate)
- Outward clearance from the previous country
- Maritime declaration of health
- Going through an agent
Good to know
- Since May 2024 an authorised agent is mandatory for arrival clearance.
- Send the PANS form at least 96 h before arrival; call the Coast Guard on VHF 16 at 12 NM.
- The e-Visa is only valid via the five designated seaports (Mumbai, Cochin, Mormugao, Chennai, New Mangalore); a visa is required before arrival.
- Andamans (2026): the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is no longer required; Port Blair remains the only entry and exit port.
- Between Indian ports, clear at each port but do not take an exit stamp.
Ports of entry
The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.
- Cochin (Kochi), île WillingdonCustomsImmigrationHealthHarbour officeAgent required
- Port de ChennaiCustomsImmigrationHealthHarbour officeAgent required
- Port de Mormugao (Goa)CustomsImmigrationHealthHarbour officeAgent required
- Port de MumbaiCustomsImmigrationHealthHarbour officeAgent required
- Port de New MangaloreCustomsImmigrationHealthHarbour officeAgent required
Andaman du Sud
Prepare your arrival with Hullteam
In the app, free: the map of every port of entry and its offices with their contacts, the crew list and the entry forms filled in for you, ready to print or send to an agent.
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- v2.noonsite.com/place/india/view/clearance
- noonsite.com/place/india/cochin-kochi/view/clearance
- move.noonsite.com/place/india/andaman-islands/view/clearance
- noonsite.com/news/india-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-regulatory-changes-for-visiting-yachts/
This information is gathered from public sources and sailors’ experience. It does not replace the country’s authorities, whose word is final: check before you leave.