How to Apply for an India e-Visa
A walkthrough of the application workflow on the government system at indianvisaonline.gov.in
Step 01• Check Eligibility & Gather Documents
Ensure your nationality is on the eligible list of 160+ countries. Prepare a recent color photograph with a white background, and scan your passport's bio-data page.
Step 02• Complete the Online Application
Access the online portal and fill out the detailed form. You must provide passport information, parent details, address details, and travel history.
Step 03• Pay the Government e-Visa Fee
Submit the form and pay the official visa fee using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Fees vary from $0 to $80+ USD based on your nationality and visa duration.
Step 04• Receive and Print your Approved e-Visa (ETA)
The application is reviewed by Indian immigration. Once approved (typically in 72-96 hours), the Electronic Travel Authorization is emailed to you. Print it to present at departure and immigration.
Document & Photo Specifications
Your files must meet these strict criteria to avoid automatic government system rejection
- ✓Format: JPEG format (10KB to 1MB size limit).
- ✓Dimensions: Minimum 350x350 pixels (square, 1:1 aspect ratio).
- ✓Background: Solid, clean, pure white background. No shadows.
- ✓Pose: Full face, eyes open, neutral expression, no glasses.
- ✗Selfies: Do not upload phone selfies or cropped casual photos.
- ✓Format: PDF format (JPEG not accepted for passport upload).
- ✓File Size: Between 10KB and 300KB.
- ✓Validity: At least 6 months validity from date of India arrival.
- ✓Pages: At least 2 blank pages for entry/exit stamps.
- ✗Legibility: Glare, cut-off MRZ lines, or low-resolution scans will result in rejection.
Supporting Documents Required by Category:
5 Reasons India e-Visas Get Rejected
Avoid these application errors that lead to delays or denials
Incorrect Photo Background
The automated visa scanning software flags any photo that does not have a pure white background. Off-white, grey, textured, or shadowed backgrounds are common reasons for visa processing holds.
Low Quality Scan / Wrong File Type
Passport bio-data scans must be uploaded strictly in PDF format and fall within a narrow file size range (10KB to 300KB). Scans that are illegible or uploaded as images will cause submission failures.
Mismatch Between Passport & Form
Names, dates, and passport numbers must be entered exactly as they appear in the machine-readable zone (MRZ) of your passport. Even minor spelling discrepancies can cause your visa application to be rejected.
Date Layout Confusions
The Indian visa system processes dates in the Day/Month/Year (DD/MM/YYYY) format. Entering dates in the Month/Day/Year (MM/DD/YYYY) format common in the US is a very frequent source of error.
Ineligible Visa Type Selection
Applying under the wrong category (e.g., selecting e-Tourist instead of e-Business for work travel) can result in immediate rejection upon official submission or issues at border controls.
Our optional review service catches these issues before submission, resizing your photos and reviewing your details for accuracy.
Apply with Pre-Submission ReviewIs my country eligible?
Over 160+ countries are eligible for the Indian e-Visa system.
Independent Visa Consultancy • Professional Document Review Service
Review Your Submission Paths
Option A: Self-Service (Free)
Draft and upload your application on your own directly. You crop your photos, format your passport scan to PDF within the size limit, and pay only government visa fees.
Option B: Assisted Review (Paid)
We review your passport scans, crop your photo to government White-Background specs, check for spelling and date typos, and submit to government portal. Private consultancy fee applies.
Most applicants do not need paid assistance. Our free checklists cover everything you need. The paid review is completely optional for travelers wanting extra assurance.
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"The photo guide saved me from a rejection — I had the wrong background color and didn't even know."
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Frequently Asked Questions
Key information for your trip to India
How long does processing take?
After submission on the official portal, government processing typically takes 3 to 4 business days. We recommend submitting your application at least 7 to 10 days before departure to allow buffer time.
What is the official government fee?
Government fees vary between $0 USD and $80+ USD depending on your nationality, visa duration, and category. These fees are paid directly to the government during submission.
Can I edit details after submission?
No. Once an application is officially submitted and fees are paid to the government system, it cannot be modified. Minor spelling errors can require starting a new application.
What does the pre-check service cover?
Our review service covers cropping your upload photo to white-background requirements, resizing passport scan files to PDF specs, double-checking for form spelling typos, and offering live email support.
Apply with Pre-Submission Document Verification
Prepare your e-Visa details using our guides. Complete your application draft and request our experts to audit your documents for specs compliance before official submission.
Start Application CheckPrivate consultancy operated by MINDRICH CANADA INC (Toronto, Canada). Not affiliated with the Government of India. The official government application is free at indianvisaonline.gov.in.