What Passport Requirements Apply for an Indian E-Visa?
Passport validity rules, blank pages, and special cases for Indian e-Visa applications. What to do if your passport is expiring, damaged, or recently renewed.
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Your passport is the foundation of your Indian e-Visa application. If it doesn't meet certain requirements, your application will be rejected — even if everything else is perfect. Here are the exact passport requirements and how to handle special situations.
Core Passport Requirements
- Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended arrival date in India. If your passport expires within 6 months of your travel date, renew it first.
- Blank pages: At least 2 blank pages for immigration stamps. India uses full-page entry and exit stamps.
- Type: Must be a regular/ordinary passport. Diplomatic, service, and official passports may have different requirements.
- Condition: Must be in good condition — no torn pages, water damage, or illegible text.
- Machine-readable: Must have the machine-readable zone (MRZ) at the bottom of the bio page.
Critical Rule:
The 6-month validity rule is strictly enforced. If your passport expires on December 15, 2026, you cannot enter India after June 15, 2026 — even if your e-Visa is valid. Airlines will deny boarding if your passport doesn't meet this requirement.
What You Need From Your Passport for the Application
When filling out the e-Visa form, you'll need these details from your passport:
- Passport number
- Date of issue and date of expiry
- Place of issue (country or city)
- Full name exactly as printed (including middle names)
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Digital scan of the bio page (PDF format, 10 KB – 300 KB)
Special Situations
Passport Expiring Soon
If your passport expires within 6-8 months:
- Renew first, then apply for the e-Visa. Using the new passport number on your application.
- Most countries process passport renewals in 4-8 weeks (expedited options available)
- Don't apply for an e-Visa with an almost-expiring passport — it will be rejected
Recently Renewed Passport
If you just got a new passport:
- Apply for your e-Visa using your new passport number
- If you had a previous Indian visa in your old passport, it does NOT transfer — you need a fresh e-Visa
- The application may ask for your previous passport number — have it handy
Dual Nationality / Multiple Passports
If you hold passports from multiple countries:
- Apply using the passport you intend to travel with
- Choose the nationality that gives you the best e-Visa terms (lower fees, easier processing)
- You MUST enter India with the same passport you used for the e-Visa application
- If one passport is from a non-eligible country, use the other one
Emergency / Temporary Passport
Emergency or temporary travel documents are generally not accepted for the Indian e-Visa. You need a full regular passport. If you only have an emergency passport, contact the nearest Indian embassy for alternative visa options.
How to Scan Your Passport Correctly
The passport scan is a required upload. Here's how to get it right:
- Scan or photograph the bio/data page only (the page with your photo)
- All four corners must be visible
- Text must be legible — no blurriness
- Save as PDF format (not JPEG)
- File size: 10 KB to 300 KB
- Use a scanner at 200 DPI, or take a well-lit photo and convert to PDF
For step-by-step upload instructions, see our document upload guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
My passport has my maiden name. Can I still apply?
Your e-Visa application must match the name on your current passport exactly. If your passport still shows your maiden name, apply with that name. If you've updated your passport to your married name, use the married name. The name on your visa must match the name on the passport you'll travel with.
Can I apply with a passport that has stamps from Pakistan or other countries?
Yes. Having stamps from other countries (including Pakistan) doesn't disqualify you from an Indian e-Visa. However, Pakistani stamps may trigger additional security review, which could add processing time. Be truthful about your travel history on the application.
What if my passport has a different transliteration of my name?
Use EXACTLY what's printed in your passport, even if it's not how you normally spell your name. The e-Visa system matches against your passport's MRZ (machine-readable zone), so any deviation — even one letter — can cause rejection.
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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 are the passport requirements for Indian e-Visa?
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended arrival date in India, have at least 2 blank pages for immigration stamps, be in good condition with legible text, and be machine-readable with an MRZ zone.
What if my passport expires within 6 months of my India trip?
Renew your passport before applying for the e-Visa. The 6-month validity rule is strictly enforced by both Indian immigration and airlines. Apply for your e-Visa after you receive your new passport.
Can I use a different passport after applying for an Indian e-Visa?
No. Your e-Visa is linked to the specific passport number used in the application. If you renew your passport or use a different passport, you must apply for a new e-Visa with the new passport details.
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.
