India's e-Visa system has transformed travel to the subcontinent for citizens of over 160 countries, replacing lengthy consular applications for many visitors with a straightforward online process. There are separate categories for tourism, business and medical visits, each with its own rules. Here is what you need to know before you apply.
Apply only through the official Indian government portal. The only legitimate site for Indian e-Visa applications is indianvisaonline.gov.in. Numerous unofficial sites charge inflated fees and offer no official standing. Always confirm current eligibility, fees and conditions with the official portal and your own government's travel advice — rules and eligible nationalities can change.
What types of Indian e-Visa are available
India issues e-Visas in several categories. The three most relevant for travellers are:
- e-Tourist Visa: For tourism, sightseeing, recreation and casual visits to friends or relatives. Available in 30-day (single or double entry), one-year (multiple entry) and five-year (multiple entry) versions, depending on your nationality.
- e-Business Visa: For attending business meetings, trade fairs, setting up a business, giving technical talks or similar commercial activities. One-year validity with multiple entry in most cases.
- e-Medical Visa: For medical treatment in India. Usually issued for one year with triple entry.
There is also an e-Medical Attendant Visa for companions accompanying a medical patient. The appropriate category depends on your actual purpose of visit — applying for a tourist visa when your intent is business, or vice versa, can cause problems on arrival or when questioned at immigration.
Who is eligible
Citizens of more than 160 countries are eligible for e-Visas to India. Eligibility is based on nationality, not just passport type, and there are some exceptions — including citizens of certain neighbouring countries who are required to apply through the conventional consular route regardless. Check the current eligible nationality list on the official portal before applying.
Note that the e-Visa is not available for:
- Holders of diplomatic or official passports (who have separate arrangements)
- Those wishing to enter India through certain land border crossings (the e-Visa is primarily for designated airports and a handful of seaports)
- Applicants with Pakistani nationality or those born in Pakistan (who must apply at an Indian High Commission or Embassy)
How to apply
Applications are made at indianvisaonline.gov.in. The process requires:
- A scanned photograph of your face meeting the portal's specifications (white background, recent)
- A scan of the data page of your passport (valid for at least six months beyond your intended arrival date)
- Details of your travel itinerary and accommodation
- Payment of the e-Visa fee, which varies by nationality and visa type
The standard processing time is 72 hours for most applicants, though in practice many are approved sooner. However, the Indian government recommends applying at least four days before travel, and during peak periods — around major holidays or festivals — you should allow considerably more time. Do not apply more than 120 days before your intended arrival date, as the visa validity is calculated from approval, not from arrival.
You will receive your approved e-Visa by email as a PDF document. Print it out and carry it with you — airlines typically check for it at check-in, and you will be asked to present it alongside your passport on arrival.
Permitted entry points
The e-Visa is only valid for entry through designated airports and seaports. The list currently includes most major international airports — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kochi, Goa and others — but it does not cover all land border crossings. If you are planning to enter India overland from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan or elsewhere, check whether that specific crossing accepts e-Visa holders. Some do; many do not, and in those cases a consular visa is required.
What you can and cannot do on an Indian e-Visa
The e-Tourist Visa permits tourism, sightseeing and short visits to friends or relatives. It does not allow you to:
- Work or take up employment of any kind
- Conduct research (a separate Research Visa is needed)
- Work as a journalist or film without the appropriate credentials
- Visit certain restricted or protected areas (many border regions, Andaman and Nicobar Islands in some cases, Arunachal Pradesh and others require additional permits regardless of visa type)
If your plans include trekking or visiting remote areas, it is worth checking whether any additional restricted area permit (RAP or PAP) is required for your specific destinations before you travel.
Arriving in India
On arrival at a designated airport, e-Visa holders pass through standard immigration in the main queue — there is no separate fast-track lane for e-Visa holders at most airports, though this varies. Present your printed e-Visa and your passport. You will have your fingerprints and photograph taken as part of the biometric enrolment process.
Your stay is typically stamped in your passport by the immigration officer. Make sure you note the date by which you must depart — overstaying an Indian visa is a serious matter that can affect future visa applications and may result in fines, detention or a travel ban.
Extending your stay
In general, e-Visas cannot be extended or converted to another visa category from within India. If you need to stay longer than your visa permits, you should ideally apply for the appropriate visa before travelling. In exceptional circumstances — medical emergencies, natural disasters, or other situations beyond your control — contact the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in the nearest major city.
Restricted and protected areas
India has several regions that require permits beyond a standard visa. These include parts of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (for remote areas). Rules change periodically. If you are planning travel to any of these regions, research the current permit requirements well in advance through the official Indian government channels or the Foreigners Regional Registration Office.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay in India on an e-Tourist Visa?
It depends on the variant and your nationality. The 30-day e-Tourist Visa allows a maximum of 30 days from arrival (single or double entry). The one-year and five-year versions allow multiple entries with a maximum stay of 90 days per visit (or 180 days in some cases — check the conditions specific to your nationality on the official portal).
Can I enter India by land on an e-Visa?
The e-Visa is primarily valid at designated international airports and a few seaports. Many land border crossings do not accept e-Visas. If you intend to cross by land, apply for a regular consular visa and confirm that your specific crossing accepts it.
My nationality is eligible — but I was born in Pakistan. Can I still get an e-Visa?
No. Applicants born in Pakistan, regardless of current nationality, are not eligible for the e-Visa and must apply at an Indian High Commission or Embassy in person.
What happens if I overstay my Indian visa?
Overstaying is treated seriously and can result in fines, detention, a ban on future visits to India, or complications with visa applications for other countries. If circumstances force an unexpected extension, contact the FRRO immediately rather than simply overstaying.
Sources and further reading:
- Official e-Visa application portal: Indian government (indianvisaonline.gov.in).
- Foreigners Regional Registration Office information: Bureau of Immigration, India (boi.gov.in).
- Always confirm current requirements with your own government's travel advice before travelling.