India eVisa: Complete Guide 2026 — Apply Online in Minutes

The India eVisa is the fastest and most convenient way to get permission to visit India. Instead of visiting an embassy and surrendering your passport, you apply entirely online in about 10 minutes and receive your eVisa by email in 24–72 hours. Here is everything you need to know to apply successfully in 2026.

What Is an India eVisa?

The India eVisa — officially called the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) — is an online visa issued by the Government of India. Launched in 2014 and expanded significantly since, it covers tourist, business, medical, and conference purposes.

When approved, you receive a PDF document by email. This PDF is your visa. Print it and carry it with your passport when you travel — Indian immigration will ask for both. There is no stamp or sticker placed in your passport before travel; you receive an entry stamp from immigration upon arrival.

Types of India eVisa

India offers four main eVisa categories:

1. e-Tourist Visa

The most popular type. Three duration options:

Use the e-Tourist Visa for holidays, sightseeing, visiting friends or family, yoga retreats, cultural events, and short personal trips.

2. e-Business Visa

Valid for 1 year with multiple entries and up to 180 days per visit. Use it for meetings, conferences, trade fairs, establishing business contacts, purchasing/selling goods, and attending board meetings. You cannot take up employment or earn income from Indian sources on a business eVisa.

3. e-Medical Visa

Valid for 60 days from first entry with triple entry. Required if you are traveling to India specifically for medical treatment. You must have a letter from a recognized Indian hospital confirming your treatment. A companion (e-Medical Attendant Visa) may accompany you with their own application linked to yours.

4. e-Conference Visa

Valid for 30 days, single entry. For attending government or government-sponsored conferences, seminars, or workshops. Requires a letter from the Indian government organization hosting the event.

Who Can Apply for an India eVisa?

Citizens of over 166 countries are eligible for the India eVisa, including:

• Americas: United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and most other countries
• Europe: All EU member states, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and others
• Asia-Pacific: Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and many others
• Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman (with some conditions)
• Africa: South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and many others

Not eligible: Citizens of Pakistan (must apply through Indian embassy), Afghanistan (restricted), and some other countries. Citizens of Bangladesh and China have specific conditions and should verify eligibility before applying.

Check your eligibility and the full list on our country directory.

India eVisa Requirements

You need to prepare these documents and information before applying:

Required Documents

• Valid passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date in India, with at least 2 blank pages for entry/exit stamps
• Passport bio page scan: PDF format, 10KB–300KB, all four corners visible, text clearly readable
• Recent passport photo: JPEG format, 10KB–1MB, white/off-white background, taken within the last 6 months, face clearly visible and centered, no glasses
• Payment method: Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) for the government fee payment in USD
• Email address: To receive your eVisa approval

Additional Documents for e-Medical Visa

• Letter from a recognized Indian hospital confirming your medical appointment and treatment plan
• Medical records from your home country (may be requested)
• If bringing an attendant: their documentation linked to yours

Information You'll Need on the Form

• Your full name as it appears on your passport (including middle names)
• Date and place of birth
• Nationality and passport details (number, issue date, expiry date, issuing country)
• Contact information (email and phone)
• Address in India (hotel name and address for first few nights)
• Occupation and employer details
• Emergency contact information
• Travel history (countries visited in last 10 years)
• Purpose of visit and planned travel dates
• Parents' nationalities at birth

How to Apply for India eVisa: Step-by-Step

1. Prepare your documents — Have your passport, a scan of the bio page (PDF), and a recent photo (JPEG) ready before starting the application.
2. Fill in the application form — Enter all personal details exactly as they appear in your passport. The most critical fields are your name, date of birth, and passport number. Any mismatch will cause problems at immigration.
3. Upload documents — Upload your passport bio page scan and passport photo. Double-check that both meet the technical specifications before uploading.
4. Review your application — Carefully review every field before submitting. You cannot edit an application after payment.
5. Pay the government fee — Pay using a credit or debit card. The fee is non-refundable even if your application is rejected.
6. Note your Application ID — Save the Application ID you receive immediately after submission. You need it to check your status and retrieve your approved eVisa.
7. Wait for processing — Standard processing takes 72 hours. Check your spam folder regularly. You can also check status on the official portal using your Application ID.
8. Download and print your eVisa — When approved, download the PDF from your approval email. Print at least 2 copies — one for immigration and one backup. Save a digital copy as well.

India eVisa Fees (2026)

Fees are charged in USD and may vary slightly by nationality (UK citizens pay higher fees). Service fees from visa assistance providers are in addition to the government fee.

India eVisa Processing Time

Standard India eVisa processing takes 72 hours (3 business days). In practice, many applicants receive approval within 24–48 hours. However:

• During peak season (October–March), processing can extend to 4–5 business days due to high volume
• Applications with unusual information or those requiring additional security review may take 5–7 days
• Applications from certain countries or nationalities may take longer due to security screening requirements
• Always apply at least 2 weeks before your travel date to allow buffer time

For a detailed breakdown by nationality and season, see our complete processing time guide.

India eVisa Entry Rules

Important restrictions to know before booking your trip:

• Designated entry ports only: You can only enter India using your eVisa at 28 designated airports and 5 designated seaports. You cannot enter through land borders with an eVisa.
• Exit: You CAN exit India through any port, including land borders, while on an eVisa.
• Major entry airports: Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Bangalore (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Hyderabad (HYD), Kolkata (CCU), Goa (GOI), Kochi (COK), Jaipur (JAI), Ahmedabad (AMD), and others.
• Carry a printed copy: Always carry a printed copy of your eVisa PDF. Digital copies on phones may not be accepted by all immigration officers.

What Happens at Indian Immigration

Your eVisa gets you the authorization to travel, but the actual entry stamp is issued when you land. Here is what to expect at the airport so there are no surprises:

1. Look for the eVisa counter: Most major airports have dedicated eVisa immigration counters, often separate from the regular visa queues. Follow the "e-Visa" signage after disembarking.
2. Present your documents: Hand the officer your passport and the printed eVisa PDF. Have your return or onward ticket and India hotel address ready in case you are asked.
3. Biometrics: Your fingerprints and a photograph are captured on arrival. This is standard for all eVisa holders and takes under a minute.
4. Entry stamp: The officer stamps your passport with the entry date and your permitted stay. Check the stamp before leaving the counter — the "valid until" date is the date you must exit by.
5. Keep everything until you leave: Retain the printed eVisa and the arrival stamp for your entire trip. You may need to show them at hotels, domestic airports, or when you depart.

For a full walkthrough of clearing immigration and customs, read our India airport arrival guide.

Common India eVisa Rejection Reasons

Most rejections are avoidable. The most common causes:

• Photo issues (most common): Wrong background color, face not centered, glasses on, selfie quality, file too large or too small
• Passport scan quality: Blurry, cut-off corners, wrong file format (must be PDF not JPEG)
• Name mismatch: Not matching passport exactly — abbreviations, missing middle names, nickname vs. legal name
• Incorrect passport details: Wrong number, wrong expiry date, wrong place of issue
• Passport validity: Less than 6 months remaining when applying
• Wrong visa type: Selecting tourist when purpose is business or medical

See our full guide on India eVisa rejection reasons and how to fix them.

India eVisa vs. Regular Visa

For 95%+ of travelers arriving by air, the eVisa is the better choice. Choose a regular embassy visa only if you need to enter by land border, stay longer than 90 days without leaving, or need a visa type not available as an eVisa (employment, research, journalist). Read our full comparison guide.

Tips for a Successful India eVisa Application

1. Apply at least 2 weeks early — Don't wait until the last minute. If there is any issue, you need time to reapply.
2. Match your passport exactly — Copy your name, date of birth, and passport number character by character from your passport.
3. Take a proper photo — White background, face centered, no glasses, good lighting. The photo is the single biggest cause of rejections.
4. Use correct file formats — Photo must be JPEG, passport scan must be PDF. Both must be within the size limits.
5. Check your spam folder — The approval email frequently lands in spam. Check it daily after applying.
6. Print 2 copies — Carry a printed copy and keep a digital backup on your phone and cloud storage.
7. Check entry port — Confirm your arrival airport is on the list of 28 designated eVisa entry airports.
8. Use a professional service if unsure — A visa assistance service reviews your application before submission, reducing rejection risk significantly.

Related India eVisa Guides

Ready to go deeper on a specific step? These focused guides cover each part of the process in detail:

• India eVisa processing time by nationality and season
• India eVisa photo requirements — the complete checklist
• India eVisa document checklist before you apply
• Common India eVisa rejection reasons and how to avoid them
• India e-Tourist visa: validity, fees and application
• India e-Business visa complete guide
• India e-Medical visa guide
• India eVisa urgent / same-day processing