India offers different visa options for foreign nationals depending on the purpose of their visit. A tourist, business visitor, student, patient or person coming to work in India may need a different visa category. India also provides an online eVisa facility for eligible travellers, along with a few special entry arrangements.
This guide explains the main ways to obtain an Indian visa, the available categories, visa exemptions and the documents or online formalities travellers may need before arriving in India.
Two Ways to Get an Indian Visa
Foreign nationals who need a visa can generally apply through one of two routes. The correct route depends on their nationality, purpose of travel and the type of visa they need.
- Regular or Paper Visa: You apply online through the Regular Visa application portal. After submitting the form, you follow the instructions of the concerned Indian Embassy, High Commission, Consulate or its authorised service provider. This route covers visa categories that may not be available through the eVisa system.
- eVisa: Eligible foreign nationals can apply online through the official Indian eVisa portal. The applicant uploads the required documents, pays the applicable fee and waits for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). An applicant should travel only after the ETA is granted.
Always begin your application through the official Indian Visa Online website. Check the instructions for your country and visa category before paying any fee or submitting documents.
Regular Visa Categories at a Glance
A Regular Visa is suitable for travellers whose purpose of visit requires a visa category not available through the eVisa facility, or who need to apply through an Indian Mission abroad.
The official Indian Visa portal lists the following broad categories:
- Business Visa: For eligible business-related visits and activities.
- Diplomatic Visa: For eligible diplomatic representatives.
- Work Visa: For foreign nationals coming to India for permitted employment.
- Family Visa: For eligible dependants of foreign nationals living or working in India.
- Journalist Visa: For eligible journalists and media professionals.
- Medical Visa: For foreign nationals seeking medical treatment in India.
- Official Visa: For eligible official visitors.
- Pakistan Specific Visa: For applicants covered by the applicable rules for Pakistani nationals.
- Student Visa: For eligible foreign students joining recognised courses in India.
- Tourist Visa: For permitted tourism and leisure visits.
- Transit Visa: For eligible travellers passing through India while travelling to another country.
- Miscellaneous Visa: For other permitted purposes that do not fall under the listed categories.
Some categories have further sub-categories and specific conditions. The documents, fees, validity and processing time can differ depending on the applicant’s nationality, purpose of travel and the Indian Mission handling the application. Check the official list of Indian visa categories and the concerned Mission’s instructions before applying.
eVisa Categories at a Glance
India’s eVisa facility allows eligible foreign nationals to apply online for selected travel purposes. The official portal lists these main categories:
- e-Tourist Visa: For eligible tourism-related visits. Available options include 30-day, one-year and five-year visas, subject to the applicable conditions.
- e-Business Visa: For permitted business activities in India.
- e-Medical Visa: For eligible foreign patients travelling to India for medical treatment.
- e-Medical Attendant Visa: For eligible attendants accompanying a patient travelling on an e-Medical Visa.
- e-Student Visa: For eligible foreign students coming to India for permitted studies.
- e-Family Visa: For eligible family members or dependants covered by the scheme.
- e-Transit Visa: For eligible travellers passing through India.
- e-Miscellaneous Visa: For specific additional purposes permitted under the eVisa system.
The eVisa portal also provides specific purpose options and sub-categories, such as certain film, mountaineering, entry and investment-related purposes. These options have their own document requirements. Do not select a category only because its name sounds suitable. Read the conditions displayed on the official eVisa website before applying.
The eVisa is non-extendable and non-convertible under the published instructions. It is also not valid for visiting Protected, Restricted or Cantonment Areas. Travellers who plan to visit such areas must check the separate permission requirements.
Who Does Not Need a Regular Indian Visa?
Some travellers can enter India without obtaining a regular visa. However, visa exemption does not remove the need to meet other applicable entry conditions.
- OCI cardholders: Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders have a lifelong visa facility for India. They must still carry a valid foreign passport along with their OCI card and follow applicable entry rules.
- Nepal and Bhutan nationals: Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan generally do not need an Indian visa to enter India under the applicable arrangements between the countries. They should check the permitted travel conditions and accepted identity documents before travelling.
For OCI-related conditions, refer to the Ministry of External Affairs’ official OCI Scheme FAQs. Travellers from other countries should check whether any specific visa exemption applies to them.
Visa on Arrival in India
India provides a Visa on Arrival facility to nationals of Japan and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). UAE nationals may also use this facility if they have previously obtained an Indian eVisa or Regular Visa.
The facility is available only at six designated international airports: Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. The immigration officer may grant a double-entry visa valid for up to 60 days, subject to the applicable conditions. The published fee is ₹2,000 per passenger, including children.
There are additional restrictions. For example, the facility is not available to diplomatic or official passport holders. It is also not available to a person whose parents or grandparents were born in or were permanent residents of Pakistan. Check the complete conditions on the official Visa on Arrival page before travelling.
Indian Visa for Afghanistan Nationals
Afghanistan nationals can apply through a dedicated Afghan Visa section on the Indian Visa Online portal. The portal lists specific services, including Business, Student, Medical, Medical Attendant, Entry and UN Diplomat visas.
Applicants should select the purpose that matches their visit and check the document list shown for that category. For example, the portal asks medical visa applicants for a medical invitation letter generated by an Indian hospital and a copy of their Afghan National ID Card (Tazkira).
Apply through the official Afghan Visa portal. Do not use the standard eVisa application route as a substitute for the dedicated process.
e-Arrival Card and Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form
A visa and arrival-related forms serve different purposes. A visa gives a traveller permission to seek entry into India, while an arrival card or health declaration collects information required by the concerned authorities.
- e-Arrival Card: Foreign nationals and OCI cardholders can submit this online arrival information form within 72 hours before arriving in India. It is free of cost and does not replace a visa or provide permission to enter India. Complete it through the official e-Arrival Card portal.
- Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form: The Ministry of Civil Aviation lists Air Suvidha 2.0 as an online passenger health self-declaration platform. It collects information such as travel history, exposure details and relevant symptoms to support public health screening of international arrivals. The form is free. Check the current instructions on the official Air Suvidha portal before departure.
These are separate from the visa application. Travellers should check the latest instructions on the relevant government portals before their journey because arrival and health requirements may change.
Fraud Advisory: Use Official Visa Websites
Use the Government of India’s official visa portals to submit applications and check application status. Be careful with websites that look like government portals but are operated by private agents or intermediaries.
The Government of India states that it does not authorise agents or intermediaries to charge additional fees for emergency or express eVisa processing or for the e-Arrival Card. The e-Arrival Card itself is a free service. For a Regular Visa, check the applicable fee and payment instructions issued by the concerned Indian Mission or its authorised service provider.
Never share passport details, payment information or personal documents with an unverified website. You can start from the official Indian Visa Online portal to reach the relevant application service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans. The official website is indianvisaonline.gov.in. It provides access to Regular Visa, eVisa, Visa on Arrival information, Afghan Visa services and the e-Arrival Card.
Ans. A Regular Visa application is submitted online and processed through an Indian Mission or Post. An eVisa application is submitted online through the Bureau of Immigration for selected categories and eligible nationalities. The application route depends on your purpose of travel and eligibility.
Ans. The eVisa portal lists eight main categories: e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant, e-Student, e-Family, e-Transit and e-Miscellaneous. Some categories also have specific purpose options or sub-categories.
Ans. The official visa-category page lists 12 broad categories, including Tourist, Business, Student, Medical, Employment-related Work and Transit visas. Some categories may have further sub-categories.
Ans. OCI cardholders have a lifelong visa facility and do not normally need to apply for a separate Indian visa. They must carry a valid foreign passport and their OCI card and follow the applicable entry requirements.
Ans. No. The e-Arrival Card collects arrival information. It does not grant permission to enter India and cannot replace a valid visa or an applicable visa exemption.
Ans. Air Suvidha 2.0 is the Government’s passenger health self-declaration platform. Check the latest instructions on its official portal to confirm the requirements that apply to your journey.
Ans. Yes. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan generally do not need an Indian visa under the applicable arrangements. They should still check the identity documents and other travel conditions that apply to them.
Ans. The facility is available to nationals of Japan and South Korea, and to UAE nationals who have previously obtained an Indian eVisa or Regular Visa. It is available only at six designated international airports and is subject to additional conditions.
Ans. Afghanistan nationals can use the dedicated Afghan Visa portal. They should select the relevant visa category and submit the documents listed for that purpose.
Ans. No. The official eVisa instructions state that an eVisa is non-extendable and non-convertible. Travellers should check the visa conditions before making their travel plans.
Ans. A foreign national visiting India for permitted business activities may need a Business Visa or e-Business Visa. The correct option depends on the applicant’s nationality, activities and eligibility. A person taking up employment in India may need a different visa.
Ans. Eligible students may apply for a Regular Student Visa or an e-Student Visa, depending on the course, institution and conditions of the relevant visa facility. Check the official portal before applying.
Ans. The Government of India does not authorise agents or intermediaries to charge additional fees for emergency or express eVisa processing. Use the official portal and pay only the applicable government fee shown through the authorised process.
Ans. Check the current eligible country or territory list on the official eVisa portal. Eligibility can change, so do not rely on an old list published on another website.
Tabassum is a government document researcher and writer with over 5 years of experience exclusively dedicated to tracking and simplifying Central and State Government document processes across India. She has researched and published detailed guides on 100+ government documents and certificates – including Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Ration Card, Domicile Certificate, and Birth Certificate – covering all states and the Central Government, helping lakhs of Indian citizens successfully complete their paperwork in simple, easy-to-understand language.