How Do I Upload Documents to the Indian E-Visa Website?
A step-by-step guide to uploading your passport scan, photo, and supporting documents on the Indian e-Visa portal — including exact file size limits and how to fix common errors.
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Uploading documents to the official Indian e-Visa portal is one of the most frustrating steps for applicants. The website is finicky about file sizes, formats, and dimensions — and error messages are often vague. This guide walks you through exactly how to upload your documents correctly the first time so your application doesn't get stuck or rejected.
Documents You Need to Upload
Every Indian e-Visa application requires these core uploads:
- Passport bio page scan: The page with your photo, name, passport number, and expiry date
- Applicant photo: A recent passport-style photograph meeting Indian specifications
- Business letter (e-Business Visa only): Invitation or sponsorship from the Indian company
- Hospital letter (e-Medical Visa only): Letter from the Indian hospital confirming treatment
Exact File Requirements
The Indian e-Visa system is extremely strict about file specifications. Here are the exact requirements:
| Document | Format | Size | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport page | PDF only | 10 KB – 300 KB | N/A |
| Applicant photo | JPEG only | 10 KB – 1 MB | 350×350 pixels (min) |
| Business letter | PDF only | 10 KB – 300 KB | N/A |
| Hospital letter | PDF only | 10 KB – 300 KB | N/A |
Common Mistake:
Many applicants try to upload a JPG of their passport page — it must be a PDF. If you have a photo of your passport, convert it to PDF before uploading. Free tools like SmallPDF or your phone's "Print to PDF" function work fine.
Step-by-Step Upload Process
- Prepare files in advance: Have your passport scan (PDF, under 300 KB) and photo (JPEG, square format) ready before starting
- Complete all form pages first: The upload step comes after you've filled in personal details, travel info, and other fields
- Click "Choose File" for passport: Select your passport bio page PDF. Wait for the green checkmark confirming the upload succeeded
- Click "Choose File" for photo: Select your JPEG photo. The system will show a preview if it accepts the file
- Upload additional documents if required for your visa type
- Review the upload page: Make sure all green checkmarks appear before proceeding
- Continue to payment
How to Fix Common Upload Errors
Here are the errors applicants encounter most often and how to fix them:
- "File size exceeds the limit": Your PDF is over 300 KB. Compress it using SmallPDF, ILovePDF, or Adobe Acrobat. Reduce image quality slightly if needed.
- "Invalid file format": You're uploading the wrong type. Passport = PDF, Photo = JPEG. No PNG, HEIC, or TIFF files accepted.
- "File size is too small": Your file is under 10 KB, which usually means it's blank or corrupted. Re-scan and try again.
- Upload button doesn't respond: The site often freezes in Firefox and Safari. Use Google Chrome for the best compatibility.
- "Please upload a valid photograph": Your photo doesn't meet the dimension or background requirements. Use our photo requirements guide to fix it.
- Page times out during upload: Clear browser cache, disable VPN, and try during off-peak hours (early morning IST). The site gets slow between 10 AM and 6 PM IST.
Tips for a Smooth Upload
- Use Google Chrome on a desktop or laptop — mobile browsers often cause issues
- Prepare all files before starting the application — the site times out after 20 minutes of inactivity
- Keep file names simple — avoid special characters, spaces, or long names
- Have a fast, stable internet connection — uploads fail on spotty Wi-Fi
- Disable ad blockers and pop-up blockers for the Indian government site
Pro Tip:
Name your files descriptively like "passport_john_smith.pdf" and "photo_john_smith.jpg". If there's an issue later, you'll know exactly which file was uploaded.
What If the Website Still Doesn't Work?
The official Indian e-Visa website has known technical issues, especially during peak hours and peak travel season. If you've tried everything and the upload still fails, you have two options:
- Try again later: The site is generally more stable between 11 PM and 7 AM IST (off-peak hours)
- Use a professional service: Services like ours handle document preparation and upload for you, ensuring everything meets exact specifications
For more on whether the government site is worth the hassle, read our article on why the Indian e-Visa website is difficult to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upload documents from my phone?
While technically possible, we strongly recommend using a desktop computer with Google Chrome. Mobile uploads fail much more frequently due to file format issues (iPhone photos are HEIC by default, not JPEG) and the website's poor mobile compatibility.
What if I uploaded the wrong document?
If you haven't paid yet, go back to the upload step and replace the file. If you've already submitted and paid, you may need to apply again with a new application — there's no way to modify uploaded documents after payment.
Do I need to scan my entire passport?
No — only the bio/data page (the page with your photo, name, and passport number). Do not upload every page. The system only accepts one PDF for the passport upload.
My passport scan is over 300 KB. What do I do?
Use a free online PDF compressor like SmallPDF or ILovePDF to reduce the file size. Scanning at 200 DPI instead of 300 DPI also helps. The file just needs to be legible — it doesn't need to be high-resolution.
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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.
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
Support Desk
Customer Success Manager
"Dedicated to providing clear answers and smooth experiences for every applicant on our portal."
Frequently Asked Questions
What file format should the passport scan be for the Indian e-Visa?
The passport scan must be in PDF format, 10 KB to 300 KB in size, with all four corners of the biometric page clearly visible. JPEG scans are automatically rejected. Use any free online JPEG-to-PDF converter if you scanned as a photo.
What is the correct photo size for the Indian e-Visa?
The Indian e-Visa photo must be JPEG format, 350x350 to 1000x1000 pixels, 10 KB to 1 MB file size, with a plain white background, face front-facing occupying 70-80% of the frame, no glasses or hats. Selfies and photos with colored backgrounds are automatically rejected.
Why does the Indian e-Visa website keep rejecting my upload?
The most common reasons are: file too large or too small, wrong format (JPEG for passport instead of PDF), filename with special characters, or slow mobile connection causing incomplete transfer. Try renaming to simple ASCII, uploading from desktop, and using the exact size limits.
Do I need to upload anything besides passport and photo for the e-Visa?
For tourist e-Visa: only passport bio page and photo. For business e-Visa: also upload the invitation letter from your Indian host company and your business card. For medical e-Visa: upload the letter from the Indian hospital confirming treatment. All supporting docs must be PDF format.
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.
