eVisa India: Complete Guide to the Indian Electronic Visa
The Indian eVisa is an electronic travel authorization that allows foreign nationals to enter India for tourism, business, medical treatment, and other purposes. Launched by the Government of India’s Bureau of Immigration, the eVisa system eliminates the need to visit an embassy or consulate in person. Everything from application to approval happens online.
This guide covers every aspect of the Indian eVisa — from types and fees to processing times and eligibility — so you can plan your trip with confidence.
What Is the Indian eVisa?
The Indian eVisa (Electronic Visa) is an official document issued by the Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It grants permission to travel to and enter India through designated immigration checkpoints. The entire process is digital: you apply online, upload your documents, pay the fee, and receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) via email.
The eVisa replaced the traditional visa-on-arrival system and is now available to nationals of over 160 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations.
Types of Indian eVisa
India offers several eVisa categories to match different travel purposes:
| Category | Purpose | Validity | Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist Visa (30 days) | Tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends/family | 30 days | Double entry |
| e-Tourist Visa (1 year) | Tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends/family | 1 year | Multiple entry |
| e-Tourist Visa (5 years) | Tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends/family | 5 years | Multiple entry |
| e-Business Visa | Business meetings, trade, conferences | 1 year | Multiple entry |
| e-Medical Visa | Medical treatment at recognized hospitals | 60 days | Triple entry |
| e-Medical Attendant Visa | Accompanying a medical eVisa holder | 60 days | Triple entry |
| e-Conference Visa | Attending government-organized conferences | 30 days | Single entry |
| e-Student Visa | Short-term study programs | Varies | Multiple entry |
| e-Family Visa | Visiting family members in India | Varies | Multiple entry |
| e-Transit Visa | Transiting through India | 15 days | Double entry |
Each category has specific documentation requirements. For example, the e-Business Visa requires an invitation letter from an Indian company, while the e-Medical Visa needs a letter from a recognized Indian hospital.
eVisa India Fees
The fee structure varies by nationality and visa duration:
- 30-day e-Tourist Visa: USD 25 (April–June) / USD 25 (July–March)
- 1-year e-Tourist Visa: USD 40
- 5-year e-Tourist Visa: USD 80
- e-Business Visa: USD 80
- e-Medical Visa: USD 25
A bank transaction charge of 2.5%–3% applies on top of the visa fee. Payment is accepted via credit card, debit card, or payment wallet. There are no emergency or express processing fees — the Government of India does not charge extra for faster processing.
Who Is Eligible for an Indian eVisa?
Nationals of over 160 countries can apply for an Indian eVisa. Eligible countries include:
- Americas: United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico
- Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands
- Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore
- Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel
Key eligibility requirements:
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival
- Passport must have at least 2 blank pages
- You must have a return or onward ticket
- Sufficient funds for your stay
- You cannot apply for an eVisa if you hold a Pakistani passport (regular visa required)
How to Apply for an Indian eVisa
The application process is straightforward and takes approximately 10–15 minutes:
- Visit the official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa
- Select your nationality and visa type
- Fill in personal details, travel information, and passport data
- Upload a recent passport-size photograph and passport bio page scan
- Pay the visa fee online
- Submit the application
- Receive your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) via email
- Standard processing: 3–5 business days (as of 2025, often 7–10 business days)
- Peak season: Can extend to 10–15 business days
- Recommended: Apply at least 4 weeks before your travel date
- Scanned copy of passport bio page (PDF format, max 300 KB)
- Recent passport-size photograph (JPEG format, white background, max 1 MB)
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds (for some visa types)
- Invitation letter (for business/conference visas)
- Hospital letter (for medical visas)
- Blurry or unclear passport scan or photograph
- Passport validity less than 6 months from arrival date
- Incomplete or inaccurate application form
- Previous visa overstay or violation in India
- Applying under the wrong visa category
- [How to Apply for eVisa India](/apply-evisa-india) — Step-by-step application walkthrough
- [eVisa India Fees](/evisa-india-fees) — Detailed cost breakdown by nationality
- [eVisa India Types](/evisa-india-types) — All visa categories explained
- [eVisa India Processing Time](/evisa-india-processing-time) — Current processing timelines
- [eVisa India Requirements](/evisa-india-requirements) — Documents and eligibility
- [eVisa India for US Citizens](/evisa-india-us-citizens) — Specific guide for American travelers
The ETA arrives as a PDF document. Print it and carry it with your passport when traveling to India. At the immigration checkpoint, the actual visa stamp will be placed in your passport.
Processing Time
Processing times have evolved significantly:
Processing times can vary based on application volume, completeness of documents, and your nationality. Some applicants report receiving approval within 24–48 hours, while others wait 7–10 days.
Designated Entry Points
eVisa holders can enter India through 28 designated airports and 5 seaports:
Airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Goa (Dabolim & Mopa), Jaipur, Lucknow, Trivandrum, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Gaya, Guwahati, Kannur, Madurai, Mangalore, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirapalli, Varanasi
Seaports: Mumbai, Goa (Mormugao), Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai
Documents Required
For a successful application, prepare these documents in advance:
Common Reasons for Rejection
Applications may be rejected for the following reasons:
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the eVisa cannot be extended or converted to a different visa type while in India. If you need a longer stay, you must apply for a regular visa before traveling.
No, eVisa holders must enter through designated immigration checkpoints — 28 airports and 5 seaports. Land border crossings are not available for eVisa holders.
You can reapply with corrected information or apply for a regular visa through the nearest Indian embassy or consulate.
Yes, every traveler, including infants and children, needs their own individual eVisa with a separate passport.
No. The eVisa must be obtained before departure. It is an electronic authorization sent via email. The actual visa stamp is placed in your passport upon arrival at the immigration checkpoint.
