India e-Visa: The Complete Guide 2026 — All Visa Types, Fees, Timeline, Photo & Documents
The definitive India e-Visa reference for 2026. Every e-Visa type explained, fees by category and nationality, exact processing timeline, the strict photo specification, the full document checklist, eligibility, entry ports, and how to avoid rejection — written by a former Indian consular officer.
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The India e-Visa is the fastest, most convenient way for foreign travelers to get permission to visit India. Instead of visiting an embassy and handing over your passport, you apply entirely online and receive an official electronic authorization by email. This is the complete India e-Visa reference for 2026 — every visa type, the fees by category and nationality, the exact processing timeline, the strict photo specification, the full document checklist, eligibility, entry ports, and how to avoid rejection. It is written from the perspective of a former Indian consular officer.
India e-Visa Quick Facts (2026)
What Is the India e-Visa?
The India e-Visa — officially an Electronic Travel Authorization issued by the Government of India’s Bureau of Immigration — is an online visa first launched in 2014 and expanded steadily since. It is digitally linked to your passport: there is no sticker or stamp placed before travel. When approved, you receive a PDF by email. That PDF is your visa — print it and carry it with your passport, because immigration will check both on arrival and give you an entry stamp then.
Because it removes the embassy visit entirely, the e-Visa is the right choice for the vast majority of travelers arriving by air. If you want a step-by-step walkthrough of the application itself, see our India e-Visa application guide (apply online in minutes). This page is the reference hub that explains every category and requirement in depth.
India e-Visa Types (All Categories Explained)
Choosing the correct category is the most important decision you make. It is based on the primary purpose of your trip. Here is every India e-Visa type at a glance:
| e-Visa Type | Purpose | Validity | Max Stay / Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist (30-day) | Sightseeing, family visits, short trips | 30 days from first entry | 30 days / double entry |
| e-Tourist (1-year) | Repeat tourism over a year | 1 year from issue | 90 days per visit (180 for US) / multiple |
| e-Tourist (5-year) | Frequent visitors | 5 years from issue | 90 days per visit (180 for US) / multiple |
| e-Business | Meetings, trade fairs, contracts (no employment) | 1 year from issue | 180 days per visit / multiple |
| e-Medical | Treatment at a recognized Indian hospital | 60 days from first entry | 60 days / triple entry |
| e-Medical Attendant | Accompanying an e-Medical patient | 60 days from first entry | 60 days / triple entry |
| e-Conference | Government-sponsored conferences/seminars | 30 days | Single entry |
India also issues specialized electronic visas for specific activities — for example the e-Mountaineering Visa for Himalayan expeditions and the e-Film/Production Visa for shooting content in India. For deep dives on the two most common categories, see the e-Tourist Visa guide and the e-Business Visa guide.
India e-Visa Fees (2026)
Government fees are charged in USD and depend on the category. For tourist visas the fee also varies by nationality — UK nationals, for example, typically pay a higher tourist fee. A bank charge of roughly 2.5% is added at the payment step. Any provider service fee is separate and additional.
| Visa Type | Government Fee (approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist (30 days) | ~$25 USD | Most affordable; can be seasonal |
| e-Tourist (1 year) | ~$40 USD | Multiple-entry flexibility |
| e-Tourist (5 years) | ~$80 USD | Best value for frequent visitors |
| e-Business (1 year) | ~$80 USD | Up to 180 days per visit |
| e-Medical / Attendant | ~$25 USD | Triple entry, 60 days |
| e-Conference | ~$25 USD | Single entry, 30 days |
Fees can change and vary slightly by nationality; always confirm the exact amount shown at checkout for your passport country before paying.
India e-Visa Processing Time (Timeline)
Standard processing is 72 hours (three business days), and in practice many travelers are approved within 24–48 hours. Build in a buffer because several factors can extend it:
- Peak season (October–March): higher volume can push processing to 4–5 business days
- Additional review: unusual details or security screening can take 5–7 days
- Certain nationalities: some passports require extra checks
- Apply at least two weeks ahead — and never book non-refundable travel before approval
For a nationality-by-nationality and season breakdown, see our India e-Visa processing time guide. If your trip is imminent, read about urgent e-Visa processing.
India e-Visa Photo Requirements
A non-compliant photo is the single most common reason applications are rejected. The government system scans every photo automatically against strict rules. Meet this specification exactly:
- ✅ Format: JPEG (.jpg/.jpeg) only
- ✅ File size: 10KB minimum, 1MB maximum
- ✅ Dimensions: square, minimum 350×350 pixels
- ✅ Background: plain white or off-white, no shadows
- ✅ Face coverage: 70–80% of the frame, front-facing, neutral expression
- ✅ Recency: taken within the last 6 months
- ❌ No glasses (including prescription)
- ❌ No hats/head coverings (except for religious reasons)
- ❌ No filters or other people in the frame
You can take a compliant photo at home: stand a foot or two in front of a plain white wall, face a window for even natural light, use the rear camera, remove glasses, and convert HEIC/PNG images to JPEG. Our full India e-Visa photo requirements guide covers file-size compression and background fixes in detail.
India e-Visa Document Requirements
Prepare these before you start the application:
- Passport: valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, with 2 blank pages for stamps
- Passport bio-page scan: PDF, roughly 10KB–300KB, all four corners visible and text readable
- Passport-style photo: JPEG meeting the specification above
- Email address: to receive the approval
- Card: credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) for the USD fee
- e-Medical / Attendant only: a letter from a recognized Indian hospital confirming the treatment
On the form you will also enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport, your India address (for example your first hotel), occupation, and travel history. Copy your name, date of birth, and passport number character by character from the passport bio page to avoid a mismatch.
Who Is Eligible for the India e-Visa?
Citizens of 160+ countries are eligible, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, all EU member states, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the UAE, South Africa, Brazil, and many more. Eligibility is restricted or unavailable for a small number of nationalities (for example Pakistan applies through an Indian mission; some others have specific conditions). Check your passport country on our country directory before applying.
Entry & Exit Rules (Ports)
- Designated ports only: enter at 28 designated airports and 5 seaports — including Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Bengaluru (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Hyderabad (HYD), Kolkata (CCU), Goa (GOI), Kochi (COK), Jaipur (JAI), and Ahmedabad (AMD)
- No land entry: you cannot enter by land border on an e-Visa — that needs a regular sticker visa
- Exit anywhere: you may exit through any authorized port, including land borders
- Carry a printout: always carry a printed copy of the e-Visa PDF; a phone screen may not be accepted
How to Apply for the India e-Visa (Step by Step)
- Prepare documents — passport, PDF bio-page scan, and JPEG photo ready
- Complete the form — enter every detail exactly as in your passport
- Upload — passport scan (PDF) and photo (JPEG) within the size limits
- Review — you cannot edit after payment, so check every field
- Pay — the government fee is non-refundable even if refused
- Save your Application ID — needed to check status and retrieve the visa
- Wait & watch spam — approval usually arrives within 24–72 hours
- Print two copies — one for immigration, one backup, plus a digital copy
Common Rejection Reasons (and How to Avoid Them)
- Photo issues — wrong background, glasses, shadows, wrong format (most common)
- Passport scan quality — blurry, corners cut off, or uploaded as JPEG instead of PDF
- Name mismatch — nicknames, missing middle names, or reversed name order
- Wrong passport details — number, expiry date, or place of issue
- Passport validity — under 6 months remaining at arrival
- Wrong visa type — selecting tourist when the real purpose is business or medical
See the full breakdown in our e-Visa rejection reasons guide and the 10 first-timer mistakes to avoid.
Expert Tip
The two fixes that prevent most rejections are a properly shot photo and a name copied exactly from your passport’s machine-readable zone. Get those right and apply at least two weeks early, and the India e-Visa is one of the smoothest travel authorizations in the world.
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One small mistake — a name that doesn't match your passport, the wrong occupation, a non-compliant photo, or the wrong visa category — can get your India e-Visa rejected or frozen in review for weeks. Government fees are non-refundable, a rejection can flag your passport for future applications, and most travelers only find out after they've paid and their flight is days away.
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About the Author
Falguni Patel
Former Indian Consular Officer, Toronto
"Former consular officer at the Indian mission in Toronto, Canada, with first-hand experience processing visa and travel-document applications. Now guides international travelers through the Indian e-Visa process."
View author profileFrequently Asked Questions
What is the India e-Visa?
The India e-Visa is an official electronic travel authorization issued online by the Government of India’s Bureau of Immigration. It lets eligible citizens of 160+ countries enter India for tourism, business, medical, or conference purposes without visiting an embassy or surrendering their passport. The approval arrives by email as a PDF, which you print and carry with your passport.
How many types of India e-Visa are there?
The main India e-Visa categories are: e-Tourist Visa (30-day, 1-year and 5-year options), e-Business Visa (1 year), e-Medical Visa (60 days), e-Medical Attendant Visa, and e-Conference Visa (30 days). India also issues specialized electronic visas such as the e-Mountaineering Visa and e-Film/Production Visa for specific activities. You choose the category that matches the primary purpose of your trip.
How much does an India e-Visa cost in 2026?
Government fees depend on the category and, for tourist visas, your nationality. As a guide: 30-day e-Tourist around USD 25, 1-year e-Tourist around USD 40, 5-year e-Tourist and e-Business around USD 80, and e-Medical around USD 25. A bank charge of roughly 2.5% is added at payment. UK nationals typically pay a higher tourist fee. Any service provider fee is separate from the government fee.
How long does the India e-Visa take to process?
Standard processing is 72 hours (three business days), and many applicants are approved within 24–48 hours. During peak season (October to March) or when an application needs extra review, it can take up to 5–7 days. Always apply at least two weeks before departure, and never book non-refundable travel before your e-Visa is approved.
What are the India e-Visa photo requirements?
The photo must be a recent, front-facing JPEG on a plain white or off-white background, with the face filling roughly 70–80% of the frame, no glasses, and no shadows. File size is generally 10KB to 1MB. A non-compliant photo is the single most common cause of rejection, so use even lighting and a plain wall, and convert HEIC/PNG images to JPEG.
Which documents do I need for the India e-Visa?
You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond arrival with two blank pages, a clear PDF scan of the passport bio page, a compliant passport-style photo, a valid email address, and a credit or debit card for the fee. The e-Medical and e-Medical Attendant visas also require a letter from a recognized Indian hospital.
Can I enter India by land with an e-Visa?
No. The e-Visa is valid only for arrival at 28 designated airports and 5 designated seaports. You cannot enter India by land border on an e-Visa — that requires a regular sticker visa from an Indian mission. You may, however, exit India through any authorized port, including land borders.
Is the India e-Visa extendable?
Generally no. India e-Visas are non-extendable. In rare situations such as a medical emergency, the FRRO may grant a short extension. The practical solution if you need more time is to exit India, apply for a fresh e-Visa from abroad, and re-enter through a designated port.
Official Sources
- Government of India e-Visa portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in
- Bureau of Immigration, India: boi.gov.in
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