India eVisa Guide: Visa Types, Fees & Entry Requirements

Planning a trip to India? The Indian eVisa allows eligible foreign nationals to apply for travel authorisation online instead of visiting an Indian Embassy or Consulate for a Regular Visa. However, choosing the correct eVisa matters because India offers different categories for tourism, business, medical treatment, education, transit and other permitted purposes.

Each category has its own validity period, entry conditions and document requirements. Some activities, such as attending a conference, receiving Ayush treatment or filming in India, also require additional supporting documents. This guide explains the Indian eVisa categories, eligibility rules, application process, fees, document specifications and authorised entry points using the official Indian Immigration instructions.

What Is an Indian eVisa?

An Indian eVisa is an electronic travel authorisation issued by the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Eligible foreign nationals can apply through the official Indian Visa Online portal before travelling to India.

The process is completed online. Applicants submit their personal and passport details, upload the required documents, pay the applicable fee and wait for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) by email.

After receiving an approved ETA, travellers must carry a copy and present it at an authorised Indian Immigration Check Post. Immigration officials verify the approval and complete the entry formalities, including biometric capture where applicable.

The official application website is indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa. Avoid unofficial websites that charge additional amounts for express or guaranteed approval.

Types of Indian eVisa and Their Validity

The Indian eVisa system provides eight principal application categories. Some categories have additional codes for specific purposes, while special activities are processed under the relevant parent category.

The following table summarises the visa options and validity information currently displayed on the official portal. The actual visa issued and its conditions must always be checked on your approved ETA.

eVisa Category	Official Code	Validity and Entry Conditions
One-Month e-Tourist Visa	e-T1 V	30 days from first arrival; multiple entry
One-Year e-Tourist Visa	e-T1 V	365 days from ETA grant; multiple entry; maximum stay of 180 days in a calendar year
Five-Year e-Tourist Visa	e-T1 V	Five years from ETA grant; multiple entry; maximum stay of 180 days in a calendar year
Six-Month e-Tourist Visa	e-T2 V	Six months from ETA grant; multiple entry
e-Business Visa	e-B1 V	365 days from ETA grant; multiple entry; continuous stay during each visit normally cannot exceed 180 days
e-Conference Visa	e-B5 V	30 days from arrival; multiple entry
Additional e-Business Visa option	e-B6 V	365 days from ETA grant; multiple entry
e-Medical Visa	e-M1 V	365 days from arrival; multiple entry
e-Ayush Medical Visa	e-M3 V	365 days from arrival; multiple entry
e-Medical Attendant Visa	e-M2 V	365 days from arrival; multiple entry
e-Ayush Medical Attendant Visa	e-M4 V	365 days from arrival; multiple entry
e-Student Visa	e-S V	365 days from ETA grant; multiple entry
e-Family Visa for a student’s dependent	e-SX V	365 days from ETA grant; multiple entry
e-Transit Visa	e-TR V	30 days from first arrival; multiple entry
e-Miscellaneous Visa for eligible persons of Indian origin	e-X1 V	Three months from first entry; multiple entry

The official portal also displays an e-Production Investment Visa option with a six-month validity period. Check its current application instructions and availability directly on the portal before selecting it.

Important: Visa validity and permitted stay are not always the same. For example, a one-year or five-year e-Tourist Visa allows multiple visits, but the total stay during a calendar year cannot exceed 180 days. Similarly, an e-Business Visa has a separate continuous-stay condition.

See the official eVisa category and validity information before applying.

Who Is Eligible for an Indian eVisa?

An applicant must meet both nationality-related and purpose-related conditions. Having a passport from an eligible country does not automatically qualify every type of visit.

1. Nationality and Passport Requirements

Citizens of countries and territories listed on the official Indian eVisa portal can apply, subject to the conditions for the selected visa category.

The applicant must generally have:

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity at the time of applying.
• At least two blank pages in the passport for immigration stamping.
• A return or onward journey ticket.
• Sufficient funds to meet the expenses of the stay in India.
• A separate individual passport. Applicants endorsed on a parent’s or spouse’s passport cannot use the eVisa facility.

Check the latest eligible country and nationality list before starting your application. The list may change, so do not rely on an old country count.

2. Permitted Reasons for Visiting India

The official eVisa programme covers specific travel purposes, including:

• Tourism, recreation and sightseeing.
• Casual visits to friends and relatives.
• Short-term yoga programmes.
• Short courses in local languages, music, dance, arts, crafts, cooking and medicine that do not exceed six months and do not award a qualifying certificate or diploma.
• Voluntary work for a maximum of one month without monetary payment or other consideration.
• Medical treatment, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine.
• Business activities permitted under the e-Business Visa.
• Accompanying a patient holding an e-Medical Visa.
• Attending an eligible conference, seminar or workshop.

For employment, journalism, NGO activities and other purposes not covered by the eVisa rules, a different visa category may be required. Check the official instructions instead of selecting a tourist or business category simply because it is available online.

3. Who Cannot Apply for an Indian eVisa?

The following applicants are not eligible for the Indian eVisa facility under the published general conditions:

• Pakistani nationals and persons of Pakistani origin: Applicants holding a Pakistani passport or of Pakistani origin must apply through the concerned Indian Mission. The restriction also covers non-Pakistani nationals whose parents or grandparents, whether paternal or maternal, were born in Pakistan or were permanently resident there.
• Diplomatic and Official passport holders: These applicants are not eligible for the eVisa facility.
• Laissez-passer holders: Applicants holding Laissez-passer or other international travel documents instead of a national passport cannot use the eVisa facility.
• Applicants endorsed on another person’s passport: Each traveller must hold an individual passport.
• Serving or retired defence, military, security or police personnel: These applicants are not eligible for an Indian eVisa and should follow the Regular Visa process.

Applicants with a defence, military, security or police background should disclose their background accurately. The official portal warns that suppressing this information can result in denial of entry and deportation.

If you are not eligible for an eVisa, read our Regular Indian Visa application guide to understand the alternative application route.

Documents Required for an Indian eVisa

All applicants need to upload a recent photograph and a scanned copy of the passport’s biographical page. Additional documents depend on the visa category and the purpose of the visit.

Basic Documents

• Passport bio page: A scanned copy showing the applicant’s photograph and personal details, including name, date of birth, nationality and passport expiry date.
• Recent photograph: A clear, front-facing digital photograph with a plain light-coloured or white background.
• Additional supporting documents: Documents required for the selected visa category or special purpose.

For business and medical applications, the portal may ask for additional documents such as a business card, invitation letter or hospital admission letter.

Additional Documents for Special eVisa Purposes

Some activities are processed under a broader eVisa category but require supporting documents specific to that activity. Select the correct purpose in the application and prepare the relevant documents before uploading anything.

e-Tourist Visa: Short Courses and Voluntary Work

Applicants travelling for a permitted short course or short-term voluntary work must provide a supporting letter from the concerned institute, organisation or hospital on its letterhead, as applicable.

Short courses must meet the official duration and qualification conditions. Voluntary work must not exceed one month and must not involve monetary payment or other consideration.

e-Tourist Visa: Mountaineering

Applicants visiting India for mountaineering must provide a clearance letter from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, along with the passport bio page.

e-Business Visa: General Business Activities

Applicants using the e-Business Visa must upload the passport bio page and a copy of their business card. An invitation letter from the Indian business partner may also be provided where applicable.

e-Conference Visa

Conference participation is processed under the e-Business Visa category using code e-B5 V. The applicant needs:

• An invitation from the conference organiser.
• Political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Event clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Conference organisers must upload the required event details and documents through the Ministry of Home Affairs Conference Portal.

e-Business Visa: Film Shooting

Foreign film crews applying to shoot in India must provide:

• A clearance letter from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• A letter of intent explaining the proposed film shooting in India.
• The production schedule.
• Details of the cast and crew travelling to India.
• The proposed filming locations.
• A list of filming equipment being brought into India, where applicable.

e-Business Visa: GIAN Lectures

Foreign faculty invited to deliver lectures under the Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN) must upload:

• An invitation from the host educational institution.
• A copy of the GIAN sanction order issued by the National Coordinating Institute, IIT Kharagpur.
• A synopsis of the courses the faculty member will teach.

e-Business Visa: Sports Activities

Foreign sports teams and sports persons visiting India for eligible sports-related activities must provide:

• Approval from the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• An invitation letter from the concerned Indian sports federation or association.
• Documents showing tax compliance if the applicant previously participated in a commercial sports event in India.

If the sports event involves a Restricted or Protected Area, additional clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports may be required.

e-Medical Visa

Applicants travelling to India for medical treatment must provide a letter from the Indian hospital on its official letterhead. The letter should mention the proposed or tentative admission date.

e-Ayush Medical Visa

Applicants seeking treatment under Indian systems of medicine through the e-Ayush route must provide the required hospital letter showing the proposed admission date, along with their passport bio page.

e-Medical Attendant Visa

Applicants accompanying a patient holding an e-Medical Visa must upload their passport bio page. The official portal allows a maximum of two e-Medical Attendant Visas against one e-Medical Visa.

e-Ayush Medical Attendant Visa

The e-Ayush Medical Attendant route requires the attendant’s passport bio page as specified by the official portal.

e-Student Visa

Foreign students applying for an Indian e-Student Visa need the following documents:

• An admission letter from a recognised Indian educational institution mentioning the duration of the course.
• A support letter from the parent or guardian.
• A bank guarantee certificate or bank statements for the previous six months, as required.
• A No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare if the applicant is joining a medical or paramedical course.

e-Family Visa for a Student’s Dependent

The e-Family Visa is intended for an eligible dependent of a student holding the relevant Indian student visa. The official document requirement listed for this route includes the applicant’s passport bio page.

e-Miscellaneous Visa: Entry for Persons of Indian Origin

Eligible persons of Indian origin applying through the e-Entry route must provide a birth or marriage certificate and supporting evidence of their Indian family connection.

The additional evidence may include one of the following:

• A Voter ID card or Indian passport of the applicant’s Indian-citizen parent or spouse.
• A cancelled or surrendered Indian passport with the surrender certificate, where applicable to persons who surrendered Indian citizenship in or after 2010.
• A valid OCI card of the applicant’s parent or spouse, where applicable.

e-Transit Visa

Travellers using the e-Transit Visa must provide:

• A confirmed ticket for travel to India.
• An onward journey ticket to the next destination.
• A visa or entry permit for the destination country, or the passport of that country if the applicant holds dual nationality.

For the latest category-specific document requirements, refer to the official Indian eVisa portal before submitting your application.

Photo and Document Upload Specifications

Incorrect image dimensions, unclear photographs or oversized files can create problems during the application process. Follow the specifications published on the official portal.

Photograph Requirements

• Format: JPEG.
• File size: Minimum 10 KB and maximum 1 MB.
• Height and width must be equal.
• The photograph must show the applicant’s full face from the front.
• Eyes must be open and spectacles should not be worn in the photograph.
• The head should be centred and visible from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin.
• Use a plain light-coloured or white background.
• Avoid shadows on the face or background.
• The photograph must not have borders.

Passport and Supporting Document Requirements

• Passport bio page: PDF format, minimum 10 KB and maximum 300 KB.
• Other supporting documents: PDF format, minimum 10 KB and maximum 300 KB, where applicable.
• Business cards, invitation letters and other supporting documents must be in English as instructed by the official portal.

Do not upload a cropped passport photograph in place of your recent digital photograph. Upload a separate photograph that meets the portal’s specifications.

How to Apply for an Indian eVisa Online

The Indian eVisa application process is completed online through the official government portal. Follow these steps:

1. Open the official application website: Visit Indian eVisa Registration.
2. Select the appropriate visa category: Choose the visa type and purpose that accurately match your reason for travelling to India.
3. Complete the application form: Enter your personal information, passport details, travel plans and other requested information.
4. Upload the required documents: Submit your recent photograph, passport bio page and supporting documents for the selected category.
5. Review your information: Check your name, nationality, passport number, date of birth and all other details carefully before final submission.
6. Pay the applicable fee: Complete the online payment using an available payment method.
7. Receive your application confirmation: Keep the application reference number and confirmation email for future use.
8. Check the visa decision: Track your application through the official portal. The ETA will be sent to your registered email address if the application is approved.
9. Print and carry your ETA: Confirm that the application status shows GRANTED before travelling. Carry a copy of the approved ETA when you travel to India.

The government portal also provides options to complete a partially filled application, print the application, check the visa status, verify payment and reupload documents when requested.

Use these official services:

• Complete a Partially Filled Application
• Print eVisa Application
• Check eVisa Application Status
• Verify eVisa Payment
• Reupload Documents

When Should You Apply for an Indian eVisa?

The official portal generally allows eligible applicants to submit an eVisa application at least four days before their expected arrival in India. It also provides an advance application window of up to 120 days for the listed categories.

The portal specifically mentions this 120-day window for the following services:

• One-year and five-year e-Tourist Visas.
• 30-day e-Tourist Visa.
• e-Business Visa.
• e-Medical Visa.
• e-Medical Attendant Visa.
• e-Conference Visa.

Because application windows can differ by visa type and may be updated, check the live instructions for your selected category before booking travel.

Do not treat four days as a guaranteed processing time. The minimum application lead time does not mean that every application will be approved within four days.

Indian eVisa Fees and Payment Rules

The Indian eVisa fee depends on the applicant’s nationality or territory and the visa category selected. There is no single fixed fee applicable to every foreign traveller.

Use the official fee schedules to check the amount applicable to your passport nationality:

• e-Tourist Visa Fee Schedule (PDF)
• Fee Schedule for Other eVisa Categories (PDF)

Payment processing charges, where applicable, are displayed during the payment process. Check the final amount shown at checkout before completing the transaction.

Important Payment Rules

• The fee must be paid within the time allowed by the portal and at least four days before the intended travel date.
• The eVisa processing fee is non-refundable after submission, even if the application is rejected or the applicant does not travel.
• Payment status may take time to update due to technical or banking delays.
• If money is deducted but the portal does not show a successful payment, check the payment status before making another payment.
• Use the official Verify Payment option to check an unresolved transaction.

The Government of India does not authorise agents or intermediaries to charge emergency or express fees for eVisa approval. Avoid websites that promise guaranteed approval or faster processing in exchange for extra money.

Where Can You Enter India with an eVisa?

An approved Indian eVisa is valid for entry only through designated Immigration Check Posts. It does not permit entry through every airport, seaport or land border in India.

The official eVisa FAQ currently lists 33 designated airports and 19 designated seaports for arrival. The government may update the authorised list, so check the live portal before finalising your travel route.

Designated Airports

The airport list currently displayed in the official eVisa FAQ includes Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa (Dabolim), Goa (Mopa), Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kannur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Surat, Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

Designated Seaports

The current FAQ also lists the following seaports for eligible eVisa arrivals, including cruise passengers:

• Agatti
• Calicut
• Chennai
• Cochin
• Goa
• Kamarajar
• Kandla
• Kattupalli
• Kolkata
• Kollam
• Mangalore
• Mumbai
• Mundra
• Nhava Sheva
• Port Blair
• Vallarpadam
• Visakhapatnam
• Vizhinjam
• Vizhinjam International

The portal’s current FAQ states that eVisa holders may depart from any Indian Immigration Check Post. The arrival and departure rules are therefore different.

Before travelling, verify the latest authorised arrival and departure points using the official eVisa portal. Do not rely on older online lists that may contain outdated airports, seaports or land-border information.

What Happens After Your eVisa Is Approved?

After approval, the Bureau of Immigration sends an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to the email address entered in the application.

Before leaving for India, complete these checks:

• Confirm that the ETA status shows GRANTED.
• Check that your name, nationality, passport number and date of birth are correct.
• Print or save a copy of your approved ETA.
• Travel using the passport associated with your application.
• Carry the old passport if your ETA was issued against it and you have since obtained a new passport.

At the Indian Immigration Check Post, officers verify your ETA and complete the required entry formalities. Biometric details are captured during immigration processing as specified by the government.

Receiving an ETA does not remove the need to satisfy the immigration officer’s entry checks. Keep your supporting documents accessible throughout your journey.

Important Rules Every eVisa Holder Should Know

1. eVisa Cannot Be Extended or Converted

An Indian eVisa is generally non-extendable and non-convertible. Travellers should select the appropriate visa category and validity before applying.

2. Restricted and Protected Areas Require Separate Permission

An eVisa does not itself authorise entry into Protected Areas, Restricted Areas or Cantonment Areas. If your itinerary includes any such location, obtain the required permission from the concerned Civil Authority before travelling there.

3. Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate

Foreign nationals arriving in India within six days of departure from a Yellow Fever endemic country must carry an original valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate under India’s applicable health requirements. Travellers without the required certificate may be subject to quarantine for six days.

Check the latest country list and health instructions published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare before departure.

4. Use the Passport Linked to Your ETA

Travellers should use the passport on which the eVisa was issued. If a new passport is issued after ETA approval, the official portal provides guidance for travel with the new passport while carrying the old passport containing the approved ETA. Check the latest passport-transfer instructions before departure.

5. eVisa Does Not Replace the e-Arrival Card

The e-Arrival Card is a separate arrival information form. Foreign nationals and OCI cardholders can submit it online within 72 hours before arriving in India. It does not grant a visa and does not replace an approved eVisa.

Read our separate guide: India e-Arrival Card: Online Form and 72-Hour Rule.

eVisa vs Regular Indian Visa vs Visa on Arrival

Foreign nationals planning to visit India may have different visa options depending on their nationality, purpose and travel plans.

Feature	eVisa	Regular Visa	Visa on Arrival
Application method	Online before travel	Through an Indian Mission or authorised service provider	At a designated airport after arrival
Eligibility	Eligible nationalities and permitted purposes	Depends on the visa category and Mission requirements	Eligible nationals of Japan, South Korea and qualifying UAE nationals
Approval	Electronic Travel Authorization issued online	Visa issued through the concerned Indian Mission or Post	Decision by the Immigration Officer at the airport
Entry points	Designated eVisa Immigration Check Posts	Authorised Indian Immigration Check Posts	Selected airports
Validity	Depends on the eVisa category	Depends on the visa granted	Up to 60 days, if granted

Read the detailed guides before choosing your route:

• Complete Indian Visa Guide
• Regular Indian Visa Application Process
• India Visa on Arrival: Eligibility and Airports

Official Indian eVisa Website and Important Links

Service	Official Link
Indian eVisa Portal	Open Official Website
New eVisa Application	Apply Online
Eligible Nationalities	Check Eligibility
Sample Application Form	View Sample Form
Application Status	Check Status
Payment Verification	Verify Payment
Document Reupload	Reupload Documents
e-Tourist Visa Fee	View Fee Schedule
Other eVisa Fees	View Fee Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)