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India e-Visa

e-Visa / ETA Asia | e-Visa India

Last updated

August 5, 2026

✈️ Before You Go

The India e-Visa is your digital entry card for tourism, business, or medical visits—and it’s mandatory for most nationalities, so don’t assume you’re exempt. Real-world processing usually takes 3 to 5 business days, not the “72 hours” advertised, so apply at least two weeks before departure to avoid panic. What surprises first-timers most: the e-Visa is tied to specific airports and seaports—you cannot enter via a land border, and if you arrive at a different airport than listed, you’ll be turned away. Also, the system rejects applications with blurry passport scans, so use a high-resolution photo. Keep in mind: choose the “e-Tourist” category even if you’re attending a short conference—it’s cheaper and faster than the business visa, and immigration rarely checks your itinerary. Print two copies of your approval, keep one in your carry-on and one in your luggage, because mobile screens are not accepted at some smaller checkpoints. Finally, note that the e-Visa is valid for 30 days from arrival, not from approval—so don’t land early and expect extra days.

⚠️ Important Notes

Application Window

Apply at least 4 days before departure (official requirement: 4-120 days). 30-day e-Tourist visa valid for 120 days from issuance.

💰

Cost

Varies by nationality and visa type. 30-day e-Tourist visa starts from USD 25.

Fees are subject to change — always confirm on the official site.

  • Must apply at least 4 days before departure. The 30-day visa can only be submitted 120 days before travel at the earliest — too early or too late will both be rejected
  • Only use the official indianvisaonline.gov.in — avoid expensive third-party sites claiming express processing
  • e-Visa is only valid at designated entry points (approx. 30 airports, 5 seaports, and several land crossings) — verify your entry port is on the list
  • Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival and contain at least 2 blank pages
  • Do not purchase non-refundable tickets before receiving the approval email
  • India e-Visa comes in three types: Tourist, Business, and Medical — confirm the correct category before applying
  • Uploaded photo must be white background, 2x2 inches (350x350 pixels) — non-compliant photos will be rejected by the system
  • Indian government websites may only be accessible from India-based IP addresses — you may need an India VPN node to access the site
  • e-Visa cannot be extended or converted — you must leave before expiry. Overstaying results in fines and blacklisting
  • Travelers of Pakistani origin or holding Pakistani passports are NOT eligible for e-Visa — you must apply for a traditional visa at an Indian embassy

📋 Application Field Guide

Field Name Tips & Notes
Passport Number

Passport Number

Must match your passport exactly. Watch for 0 vs O. Upload a clear scan of the passport bio page.
Date of Birth

Date of Birth

Enter exactly as on your passport, in DD/MM/YYYY format.
Arrival Details (Port & Date)

Port of Entry & Arrival Date

Select the airport/seaport you will actually arrive at — only designated ports accept e-Visa.
Visa Type (e-Tourist / e-Business / e-Medical)

Visa Category

Choose e-Tourist, e-Business or e-Medical according to your actual purpose of visit.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

💡 Before You Start

Have the following ready: your passport, (valid for at least 6 months with 2 blank pages), a digital photo (JPEG, max 1MB), and a valid email address. Have your travel itinerary ready, including your port of arrival and date. Apply at least 4 days before departure but not more than 120 days in advance. Only use the official website indianvisaonline.gov.in to avoid scams.

1

Account Creation & Login

2fields

Create a new user account or log in to the Indian e-Visa portal to start your application.

Email Address

emailRequired

Enter a valid email address that you check regularly. All communication, including the approved e-Visa, will be sent to this email. Use the same email for future applications.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using a rarely checked email address
  • Typing the email incorrectly (e.g., missing a dot)

Password

passwordRequired

Create a strong password with at least 8 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Confirm it by entering it again. Keep it secure as you will need it to check your application status.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using a weak password that is easy to guess
  • Forgetting the password and not saving it securely
2

Applicant Personal Information

4fields

Enter your full legal name, date of birth, and other identifying information — all of it must match your passport exactly, character for character.

Given Name

textRequired

Enter your given name exactly as printed on your passport, including any middle names. Do not use nicknames or abbreviations. Match the spelling and order precisely.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using a nickname instead of the legal name
  • Reversing first and last name order

Surname

textRequired

Enter your surname (family name) exactly as printed on your passport. If you have no surname, enter 'FNU' (First Name Unknown) as per Indian visa guidelines.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Leaving surname blank when you have one
  • Entering a surname that differs from the passport

Date of Birth

dateRequired

Select your date of birth in the format DD/MM/YYYY as per the form. Ensure it matches your passport exactly. Use the calendar picker to avoid format errors.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using MM/DD/YYYY format instead of DD/MM/YYYY
  • Selecting the wrong year due to a typo

Passport Number

textRequired

Enter your passport number exactly as shown on the bio page. It is usually alphanumeric. Do not include spaces or hyphens. Double-check for O/0 and I/1 confusion.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Confusing the letter O with the digit 0
  • Adding spaces or hyphens in the number
3

Passport & Nationality Details

3fields

Enter additional passport details and your nationality information.

Passport Expiry Date

dateRequired

Enter the expiry date of your passport as shown on the bio page. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in India. Use the DD/MM/YYYY format.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering a date that is less than 6 months away
  • Using the issue date instead of the expiry date

Nationality

selectRequired

Select your nationality from the dropdown list. This should match the country that issued your passport. If you hold multiple nationalities, use the passport you will travel with.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Selecting the country of residence instead of nationality
  • Choosing the wrong nationality when holding dual citizenship

Place of Birth

textRequired

Enter the city and country of your birth as shown on your passport. If your passport does not list the city, enter the country only. Use the same spelling as in your passport.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering the current residence instead of birth place
  • Spelling the city differently from the passport
4

Travel Details

3fields

Specify your intended port of arrival, date of arrival, and visa type.

Port of Arrival

selectRequired

Select the airport, seaport, or land checkpoint where you will first enter India. Only designated ports are allowed for e-Visa. Check the official list to ensure your port is included. Common airports include Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Selecting a port not on the e-Visa list
  • Choosing a port that is not your first point of entry

Date of Arrival

dateRequired

Enter the date you plan to arrive in India. For a 30-day e-Tourist visa, this date must be within 120 days from the date of application and at least 4 days after submission. Choose a realistic date; you can apply for a window, but the visa is valid from the date of arrival.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Choosing a date less than 4 days from application
  • Selecting a date more than 120 days in advance

Visa Type

selectRequired

Choose the appropriate e-Visa category: e-Tourist (for tourism), e-Business (for business activities), or e-Medical (for medical treatment). Ensure you select the correct type based on your purpose of visit. Each has different validity and conditions.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Selecting e-Tourist for business purposes
  • Choosing e-Medical without proper medical documents
5

Contact & Address Details

2fields

Provide your contact information and residential address.

Mobile Number

textRequired

Enter your mobile number with the country code (e.g., +1 for USA). The form may have separate fields for country code and number. Ensure the number is correct as you may receive SMS updates.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the country code
  • Entering a landline number instead of mobile

Residential Address

textRequired

Enter your full residential address, including street, city, state/province, and postal code. Use the same address as on your passport if possible. Do not use a PO Box unless required.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Entering a hotel address instead of home address
  • Missing the postal code or entering it incorrectly
6

Declaration & Submission

2fields

Review your application, agree to the declaration, and submit with payment.

Declaration Checkbox

radioRequired

Tick the checkbox to confirm that all information provided is true and correct. This is a legal declaration. False information can lead to visa rejection or entry denial.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Skipping the checkbox and being unable to submit
  • Not reviewing the application before declaring

Payment Method

selectRequired

Select your preferred payment method (credit/debit card, net banking, etc.). The fee varies by visa type and nationality. Ensure you have sufficient funds and that your card is enabled for international transactions.

⚠ Common Mistakes

  • Using a card without international transaction capability
  • Selecting a payment method that is not available in your country
Apply on Official Site
Free to use Last Confirmed: August 5, 2026

💬 Travel Experience Exchange

Applying or already traveled? Share your entry/exit experience, real problems encountered, or recent changes to help fellow travelers — our editors will also respond regularly.

  • Share pitfalls or surprises during your entry process
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