eVisa India Requirements: Documents and Eligibility
Before applying for an Indian eVisa, you need to confirm you meet the eligibility criteria and have all required documents ready. Missing or incorrect documents are the most common reason for application delays and rejections.
Eligibility Requirements
Nationality
Nationals of over 160 countries are eligible for the Indian eVisa. Key eligible countries include:
Americas: United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru
Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, Poland
Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia
Middle East & Africa: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria
Who Is NOT Eligible
- Pakistani passport holders (must apply for a regular visa)
- Travelers with diplomatic or official passports (separate process)
- Journalists planning to film or report (may need a different visa category)
- Those planning to work or be employed in India (Employment Visa required)
Passport Requirements
Your passport must meet these conditions:
- Validity: At least 6 months from your planned date of arrival in India
- Blank pages: At least 2 blank pages for visa stamps
- Condition: Passport must be in good condition — damaged passports may be rejected
- Type: Ordinary passport only (diplomatic/service passports have different processes)
Travel Requirements
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Sufficient funds for your stay in India
- Confirmed accommodation (hotel booking or host’s address)
Required Documents
1. Passport Bio Page Scan
Specifications:
- Format: PDF
- Maximum size: 300 KB
- Must show: Full name, photograph, passport number, nationality, date of birth, expiry date
- Must include: Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) at the bottom of the page
- Quality: All text must be clearly legible
Tips for a good scan:
- Use a flatbed scanner rather than a phone camera
- Scan in color, not black and white
- Ensure no glare or shadows obscure the text
- Crop to show only the bio page — no blank edges
2. Passport-Size Photograph
Specifications:
- Format: JPEG
- Size: 10 KB to 1 MB
- Background: White or light-colored
- Dimensions: 2 inches x 2 inches (51mm x 51mm) preferred
- Head position: Centered, looking directly at camera
- Expression: Neutral or natural smile
- Glasses: Remove for the photo
- Headwear: Only for religious purposes — face must be fully visible
Common photo mistakes that cause rejection:
- Wearing glasses (reflections cause issues)
- Dark or patterned backgrounds
- Selfie-style photos (unusual angles)
- Blurry or pixelated images
- Photos older than 6 months
- Cropped from group photos
3. Additional Documents by Visa Type
e-Business Visa:
- Business card (scanned)
- Invitation letter from Indian company (recommended)
- Company registration documents (if attending trade fairs)
e-Medical Visa:
- Letter from recognized Indian hospital confirming treatment
- Medical history summary
- Referral letter from local doctor (recommended)
e-Medical Attendant Visa:
- Proof of relationship with patient (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
- Copy of patient’s e-Medical Visa application ID
e-Conference Visa:
- Official invitation from organizing body
- Conference registration confirmation
- Event details and venue information
e-Student Visa:
- Admission letter from Indian institution
- Course details and duration
- Proof of financial support
e-Family Visa:
- Proof of family relationship
- Invitation letter from family member in India
- Family member’s Indian ID or address proof
Document Preparation Checklist
Use this checklist before starting your application:
- [ ] Passport valid for 6+ months from arrival date
- [ ] Passport has 2+ blank pages
- [ ] Passport bio page scanned as PDF (under 300 KB)
- [ ] Passport photo taken recently (within 6 months)
- [ ] Photo is JPEG format (10 KB – 1 MB)
- [ ] Photo has white background, no glasses
- [ ] Return/onward ticket details ready
- [ ] Hotel address in India confirmed
- [ ] Reference contact in India identified
- [ ] Additional documents prepared (if business/medical/conference visa)
- [ ] Credit/debit card ready for payment
Photo Requirements in Detail
The Indian eVisa has strict photo requirements. Here is a detailed breakdown:
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG only |
| File size | 10 KB – 1 MB |
| Dimensions | Minimum 350 x 350 pixels |
| Background | White or plain light color |
| Face coverage | 70–80% of the photo |
| Head position | Centered, straight |
| Eyes | Open, looking at camera |
| Glasses | Not recommended (remove if possible) |
| Headwear | Religious only — face must be visible |
| Recency | Taken within last 6 months |
Common Rejection Reasons
Understanding why applications get rejected helps you avoid the same mistakes:
Blurry passport scan: Text is unreadable — rescan at higher resolution
Wrong photo format: Uploading PNG or BMP instead of JPEG
Photo too dark/light: Poor lighting makes facial features hard to identify
Passport validity issue: Less than 6 months from arrival date
Name mismatch: Application name doesn’t match passport exactly
Wrong visa category: Applying as tourist when visiting for business
Previous overstay: History of overstaying a previous Indian visa
Incomplete fields: Leaving required fields blank
Duplicate application: Submitting multiple applications simultaneously
Ineligible nationality: Applying from a non-eligible country
Reapplying After Rejection
If your application is rejected:
Check the rejection reason (if provided)
Correct the issue
Submit a new application with the corrected information
Pay the fee again (fees are non-refundable)
Allow standard processing time for the new application
There is no waiting period between applications. You can reapply immediately.
Special Cases
Dual Citizens
If you hold citizenship of multiple countries, apply using the passport you will use to travel to India. You can only have one eVisa associated with one passport at a time.
Minors (Under 18)
Minors need their own eVisa with their own passport. Additional requirements:
- Birth certificate (may be requested)
- Notarized parental consent (if traveling with one parent or a guardian)
- Both parents’ passport copies (recommended)
OCI Card Holders
Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders do not need an eVisa. They can enter India with their OCI card and valid foreign passport. However, they must complete the e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before arrival.
Previously Rejected Applications
A previous rejection does not permanently disqualify you. Address the reason for rejection and reapply. Multiple rejections for the same reason will cause additional scrutiny, so ensure you’ve corrected the underlying issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your planned arrival date in India. Renew your passport before applying.
For the online application, no — you upload digital copies. However, carry printed copies of your passport and ETA when traveling as a backup.
Yes, if it meets the specifications (white background, proper dimensions, recent). However, a fresh photo taken specifically for the application is recommended to avoid any issues.
Potentially. Your application name should match your passport exactly, including middle names. Contact the helpdesk if you’ve already submitted with a mismatch.
