How to Apply India e-Visa Online

Applying for an India e-Visa online is the fastest and most convenient way to get travel authorization for India. The entire process takes place digitally – no embassy visits, no mailing documents, and no waiting in long queues. This guide walks you through every step of the India e-Visa application process, from start to finish.

What Is the India e-Visa?

The India e-Visa is an electronic travel authorization that allows foreign nationals to enter India for tourism, business, medical treatment, or attending conferences. Introduced by the Government of India, this system eliminates the need to visit an Indian embassy or consulate in person.

The e-Visa is linked to your passport number electronically. Once approved, you receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) via email. You simply print this document and present it upon arrival at any of the 28 designated airports or 5 designated seaports in India.

Key advantages of the India e-Visa include:

• 100% online process – apply from anywhere with internet access
• Fast processing – most applications are processed within 72 hours
• Multiple entry options – depending on visa type
• No physical visit required – no embassy appointments needed
• Secure payment – pay fees online with credit or debit card

Who Can Apply for an India e-Visa?

Citizens of over 150 countries are eligible to apply for an India e-Visa. This includes nationals from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and many other nations.

To be eligible, applicants must meet these basic requirements:

• Hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in India
• Have at least 2 blank pages in the passport for stamping
• Possess a return ticket or onward journey ticket
• Have sufficient funds to cover the stay in India
• Not hold a diplomatic or official passport (these require different visa procedures)

Certain nationalities have additional requirements or are not eligible for the e-Visa. Always verify your eligibility on the official Indian visa portal before applying.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

Navigate to the official Indian e-Visa website at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Click on the “e-Visa Application” option from the main menu. Be cautious of third-party websites that charge extra fees – the official portal is the only authorized application platform.

Step 2: Complete the Application Form

Fill in all required personal details accurately:

• Full name (exactly as it appears on your passport)
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Passport number and expiry date
• Email address (this is where your ETA will be sent)
• Contact information
• Purpose of visit
• Expected date of arrival
• Port of entry

Double-check every field before proceeding. Even small typos can lead to application rejection or issues at immigration.

Step 3: Upload Required Documents

You will need to upload digital copies of:

1. Passport bio page – a clear scan or photo of the page containing your photo and personal details
2. Recent passport-size photograph – meeting these specifications:
3. White background
4. Square format (minimum 350×350 pixels)
5. Face covering 70-80% of the frame
6. No glasses, hats, or head coverings (except for religious reasons)
7. JPEG format, file size between 10KB and 1MB

Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee

After submitting your form and documents, you will be directed to the payment page. The India e-Visa fee varies by nationality and visa type:

Payment is accepted via credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Citizens of certain countries may have different fee structures.

Step 5: Receive Your e-Visa

After successful payment, your application enters the processing queue. Most applicants receive their Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) within 72 hours via email. In some cases, processing may take up to 5 business days during peak travel seasons.

The ETA email will contain:

• Your e-Visa approval status
• Visa number and validity dates
• Instructions for printing
• Entry conditions

Important: Print at least two copies of your ETA before traveling. Immigration officers will verify this document upon arrival in India.

Required Documents for India e-Visa

Passport Requirements

Your passport must meet these specifications:

• Valid for minimum 6 months beyond your planned arrival date in India
• At least 2 blank pages available
• Machine-readable (not handwritten)
• Not damaged or altered in any way

Photograph Specifications

The passport photograph must be:

• Recent (taken within the last 6 months)
• Color, high resolution
• White background without shadows
• Full face visible, looking directly at camera
• Neutral expression
• JPEG format only
• File size: 10KB to 1MB

Supporting Documents by Visa Type

Additional documents may be required depending on your purpose of visit:

• Tourist e-Visa: Return flight booking, hotel reservation
• Business e-Visa: Invitation letter from Indian company, business card
• Medical e-Visa: Letter from Indian hospital, medical records
• Conference e-Visa: Invitation from the organizing body

India e-Visa Fees and Processing Time

The fee structure for the India e-Visa depends on your nationality and the type of visa requested. The standard processing time is 72 hours, though applications can be processed faster during off-peak periods.

For urgent travel needs, some applicants opt for expedited processing, which can reduce the waiting time to 24-48 hours. However, this option may come with an additional fee and is not guaranteed.

Key points about fees and processing:

• Fees are non-refundable even if the application is rejected
• Payment must be made at least 4 days before the expected travel date
• Processing begins only after successful payment confirmation
• Weekend and Indian national holidays may delay processing
• Multiple applications for the same passport will result in rejection

India e-Visa Types and Validity

India offers several categories of e-Visa to accommodate different travel purposes:

Tourist e-Visa

Available in three durations:

• 30-Day e-Visa: Double entry, valid for 30 days from the date of arrival
• 1-Year e-Visa: Multiple entry, valid for 365 days from the date of grant
• 5-Year e-Visa: Multiple entry, valid for 5 years from the date of grant

The 1-year and 5-year tourist e-Visas allow continuous stays of up to 90 days per visit for most nationalities. US, UK, Canadian, and Japanese citizens can stay up to 180 consecutive days.

Business e-Visa

Valid for 1 year with multiple entries. This visa is suitable for:

• Attending business meetings
• Establishing business connections
• Conducting business tours
• Recruiting workforce
• Participating in trade fairs

Medical e-Visa

Valid for 60 days with triple entry. Required for those seeking medical treatment at recognized Indian hospitals and medical facilities. Applicants must provide a letter from the receiving hospital in India.

Conference e-Visa

Valid for 30 days with single entry. Required for attending government-organized conferences or seminars. The conference organizer must provide an invitation letter.

After Submitting Your Application

Once your application is submitted and payment confirmed, here is what to expect:

1. Application ID: Save your application ID immediately after submission
2. Email Confirmation: You will receive an acknowledgment email within minutes
3. Status Check: Use your application ID and passport number on the portal to check status
4. ETA Delivery: Approved ETAs arrive via email within 72 hours
5. Print and Travel: Print your ETA and carry it with your passport

If your application is rejected, you will receive an email explaining the reason. Common rejection reasons include incorrect information, poor quality document uploads, or passport validity issues. You can reapply after correcting the issues.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many e-Visa applications are delayed or rejected due to preventable errors. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Name mismatch: Your name on the application must match your passport exactly – including middle names and suffixes
• Wrong passport number: Double-check this field carefully
• Expired passport: Ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity from arrival date
• Poor photo quality: Blurry, dark, or incorrectly formatted photos cause delays
• Incorrect visa type: Applying for a tourist visa when you need a business visa leads to denial at immigration
• Last-minute applications: Apply at least 4-7 days before travel to allow processing time
• Multiple applications: Submitting duplicate applications will cause rejection of all pending requests
• Wrong email address: Ensure your email is correct – the ETA is sent only via email

Frequently Asked Questions