Common Indian e-Visa Rejections: 10 Mistakes & How to Avoid Them (Updated 2026)
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Getting your Indian e-visa rejected can be devastating—especially when you've already made travel plans, booked flights, and told friends you're heading to India. But here's the good news: 30% of rejections are preventable with the right knowledge.
Rejection Reason #1: Poor Quality Photo (Most Common - 40% of Rejections)
A blurry, poorly lit, or incorrectly formatted photo is the #1 reason for e-visa rejections. The Indian government's automated system scans your photo for quality before a human ever sees your application.
Why This Happens:
- Taking photos with your phone instead of a camera
- Poor lighting (photos taken indoors or at night)
- Wrong dimensions (photo too large or too small)
- Wrong background (colored background instead of white)
- Face too small in the frame (less than 70% of image)
- Shadows across your face or background
How to Fix It:
- ✓ Use a professional or high-quality camera (not phone)
- ✓ Take photo in natural daylight (best: outdoors or near a window)
- ✓ Plain white background (use a white sheet or wall)
- ✓ Head/shoulders only, face 70-80% of frame
- ✓ Neutral expression, eyes looking directly at camera
- ✓ No glasses, no head coverings, no excessive makeup
- ✓ Verify dimensions: 4x4cm (1.5x1.5 inches)
- ✓ Save as JPG or PNG (at least 300 DPI)
Rejection Reason #2: Illegible Passport Scan
Your passport bio-page scan is unclear, too dark, too light, or missing key information. The system can't verify your details.
How to Fix It:
- ✓ Scan in COLOR (not black & white)
- ✓ Use 300+ DPI resolution (higher is better)
- ✓ Ensure entire bio-page is visible
- ✓ All text must be readable and clear
- ✓ No shadows or glare
- ✓ File size under 300KB
Rejection Reason #3: Information Mismatch
The information you entered in the form doesn't exactly match your passport. Even small differences cause rejection.
Real Examples of Data Mismatch:
- Your Passport: "Mohammad Ali Hassan" → Your Application: "Mohammad A. Hassan" = REJECTED
- Your Passport: "Maria Rodriguez-Garcia" → Your Application: "Maria Rodriguez Garcia" = REJECTED
- Your Passport: "John Smith Jr." → Your Application: "John Smith" = REJECTED
How to Fix It:
- ✓ Copy-paste directly from passport (don't type manually)
- ✓ Match name EXACTLY as it appears in passport
- ✓ Include middle names if they appear in passport
- ✓ Use full names (no abbreviations)
- ✓ Use exact spelling (even if it seems wrong)
- ✓ Double-check passport number before submitting
Rejection Reason #4: Passport Expiring Too Soon
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in India.
The Rule Example:
If your travel date is March 1, 2026:
- Your passport must expire AFTER September 1, 2026
- If your passport expires August 1, 2026: REJECTED
- If your passport expires October 1, 2026: APPROVED
Rejection Reason #5: Undisclosed Medical or Criminal History
You didn't disclose a criminal conviction or serious communicable disease in your application. India's immigration system performs background checks.
How to Fix It:
- ✓ Be honest and transparent about your history
- ✓ If you have a criminal record: Disclose it (gives you appeal option)
- ✓ Hidden records get discovered, resulting in permanent ban
Your Approval Checklist (99% Success Rate)
Before you submit, verify EVERYTHING:
Personal Information
- Full name matches passport exactly
- Middle names included (if in passport)
- Date of birth is correct
- Passport number is exact
Passport Scan
- Scanned in COLOR (not B&W)
- 300+ DPI resolution
- Entire bio-page visible
- All text readable
- Passport valid for 6+ months from travel date
Photo
- 4x4cm dimensions
- White background (no shadows)
- Face is 70-80% of image
- Neutral expression
- No glasses or head covering
- High quality, no pixelation
Application Details
- All fields completed (no blanks)
- Email address correct (checked 3x!)
- Phone number valid
- Travel dates realistic
- Visa type matches purpose
- No typos anywhere
If you check all boxes: 99% approval chance ✓
Why We Have 99% Approval Rate
We've processed 140,000+ visa applications. Our advantage:
- ✓ Expert photo review - We verify before submission
- ✓ Data matching - We catch mismatches before they cause rejection
- ✓ Document verification - We ensure everything is perfect
- ✓ Strategic timing - We submit when processing is fastest
- ✓ Personal touch - Human review of every application
- ✓ Guaranteed approval - Money-back if rejected
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About the Author
Visa Expert Team
Senior Immigration Consultant
"Specializing in complex visa cases with over a decade of experience in Indian travel regulations."
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the e-Visa take?
Typically 72 hours, but it can take longer depending on accuracy of data provided.
Can I extend my e-Visa?
e-Tourist and e-Business visas are generally non-extendable and non-convertible.
