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Step-by-Step Guide to Indian Travel Visa Application (2024)

Published 2024-02-15

Updated July 26, 2026

3 min read

By Falguni Patel, Former Indian Consular Officer, Toronto

A complete walkthrough of the Indian e-Visa application process for tourists. Learn about documents, fees, and processing times.

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Applying for an Indian travel visa (e-Visa) has become significantly easier with the digital portal, but mistakes can still lead to rejection. This guide covers the entire process for the indian travel visa application.

1. Determine Eligibility

Citizens of over 160 countries, including the USA, Canada, UK, and Australia, are eligible for the e-Visa. You must be travelling for tourism, business, medical treatment, or conference purposes.

2. Gather Documents

Before starting, ensure you have:

A scanned bio-page of your passport (PDF, 10KB-300KB).
A recent digital photograph (JPEG, 10KB-1MB) with a white background.
A passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival.

3. Complete the Online Form

Navigate to the application section. You will need to fill in personal details, family history, and travel plans. Be consistent with your passport details to avoid issues with applying for evisa to india.

Pro Tip:

The "Reference Name in India" can be your hotel name and address if you don't know anyone personally.

4. Payment and ETA

After submitting documents, pay the fee. Processing usually takes 72 hours. Once approved, you will receive an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) via email. Print this out!

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Related Guide:

Don't Risk a Rejection or a Ruined Trip

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.

Our visa experts check every detail before submission, catch the errors that cause rejections, and back it with 24/7 human support — so you board your flight with total peace of mind.

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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."

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Indian e-Visa take to process?

Most Indian e-Visas are approved within 72 hours. Processing can take longer if the application has errors, a non-compliant photo, or is submitted during peak season (October–March).

Can I extend my Indian e-Visa?

e-Tourist and e-Business e-Visas are generally non-extendable and non-convertible. You must apply for a new visa for a future trip.

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Official Sources

Government of India e-Visa portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in
Bureau of Immigration, India: boi.gov.in

Apply eVisa India is a private visa-assistance service. We are not affiliated with the Indian government.

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