Step-by-step guide to applying for an India tourist eVisa or regular visa, covering document requirements, photo specifications, and processing timelines.
The eVisa is available to citizens of 160+ countries and is processed entirely online in 3-5 business days. Regular sticker visas require an in-person consulate visit but allow longer stays of up to 10 years for US citizens.
Select the correct eVisa duration (30-day, 1-year, or 5-year)
The 30-day eVisa costs $25 and allows double entry. The 1-year eVisa costs $40 and allows multiple entries with stays up to 90 days each. The 5-year eVisa costs $80 with the same 90-day per-visit limit.
Confirm your port of entry accepts eVisas
eVisas are accepted at 28 airports (including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Hyderabad) and 5 seaports. Land border crossings do not accept eVisas — you need a regular sticker visa for overland entry.
Check if your nationality is eligible for eVisa
Citizens of Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, and a few other countries are not eligible for eVisas and must apply through the regular consular process. Diplomatic and official passport holders also cannot use the eVisa system.
Document Preparation
Passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival date with 2 blank pages
India strictly enforces the 6-month validity rule. If your passport expires within 6 months of your planned arrival, your eVisa application will be rejected automatically by the system.
Digital passport photo meeting exact specifications
Photo must be 2x2 inches (51mm x 51mm), JPEG format, between 10KB and 1MB, with white background. The face must occupy 50-60% of the frame. This is the #1 reason for eVisa rejections — use the portal's built-in cropping tool.
Scan of passport bio page in PDF format
The scan must be between 10KB and 300KB in PDF format. Ensure all text is legible and the entire page including the MRZ (machine-readable zone) at the bottom is visible. Phone photos of the passport page are not accepted.
Return flight booking or onward travel proof
Immigration officers at Indian airports frequently ask for proof of onward travel. A confirmed return ticket or a booking to a third country satisfies this requirement.
Hotel reservations or host contact details for your stay
The eVisa form requires you to list an Indian reference with a full address and phone number. If staying at a hotel, the hotel's name and address work. If visiting friends or family, provide their Indian address.
Online Application Process
Create an account on the official indianvisaonline.gov.in portal
Only use the official government portal. Several third-party sites charge $50-$150 markup fees for the same application. The official URL is indianvisaonline.gov.in — bookmark it before starting.
Fill out the application form with personal and travel details
The form has 4 pages and takes about 20-30 minutes. You can save your progress and return later using your Application ID. Have your passport, travel dates, and hotel details ready before starting.
Upload passport photo and passport bio page scan
Upload failures are common due to strict file size limits. If your photo is rejected, resize it to exactly 350x350 pixels at 72 DPI. For the passport scan, compress the PDF to under 300KB using any free online tool.
Pay the visa fee online via credit card, debit card, or PayPal
Payment processing has a 2.5% surcharge on credit cards. The fee is non-refundable even if your visa is denied. You will receive a payment confirmation email within 15 minutes — save this as your receipt.
Save your Application ID number
Your Application ID is required to check your visa status, re-upload documents, or contact support. Write it down immediately after submission — the confirmation email sometimes takes hours to arrive.
Processing and Approval
Check your application status online using your Application ID
Standard processing takes 3-5 business days, but during peak season (October-March) it can take up to 7 days. Check status at indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/StatusEnquiry — status updates appear before the email notification.
Respond promptly if additional documents are requested
About 10-15% of applications receive a request for additional information. You have 7 days to respond before the application is auto-rejected. Common requests include clearer passport scans or proof of sufficient funds.
Download and print your eVisa (ETA) approval letter
Once approved, download the PDF from the portal. Print 2 copies — one for immigration at arrival and one as backup. The eVisa is electronically linked to your passport, but Indian immigration officers still want to see the printout.
Arrival in India
Carry printed eVisa approval letter with your passport
Proceed to the e-Visa counter at immigration, which is separate from the regular visa line. Wait times at the e-Visa counter are typically 15-30 minutes compared to 45-90 minutes in the regular queue.
Prepare to show return ticket and hotel booking at immigration
Officers may also ask about your travel purpose, duration, and where you plan to visit. Keep answers brief and consistent with what you listed on your eVisa application.
Get your passport stamped with the entry date and allowed stay
Verify the stamp shows the correct number of days allowed. For 30-day eVisas, your stay is calculated from the date of arrival, not the date of eVisa issuance. Overstaying even by 1 day can result in fines of $300+ and future visa difficulties.
Register with the FRRO if staying longer than 180 days
Foreigners staying over 180 days on a regular visa must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival. This does not apply to eVisa holders since eVisas cap at 90 days per visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an India eVisa and a regular visa?
The India eVisa is applied for entirely online and receives approval via email within 72 hours, while a regular visa requires an in-person appointment at an Indian embassy or VFS Global center. The eVisa is available for citizens of 156 countries and is valid for tourism, business, and medical visits. Regular visas may be required for longer stays, employment, or if your nationality is not eligible for eVisa. The eVisa allows entry only through designated airports and seaports, while a regular visa has no port-of-entry restrictions.
How much does an India eVisa cost?
India eVisa fees vary by nationality and duration. The 30-day eTourist visa costs $10-25, the 1-year visa costs $40, and the 5-year visa costs $80 for most nationalities. Citizens of the UK, US, and a few other countries pay a flat $25 for 30 days or $40-80 for longer durations. An additional 2.5% bank transaction charge applies. Fees are non-refundable even if the visa is rejected.
Can I visit restricted areas in India on a tourist visa?
Certain areas in India, including parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, parts of Uttarakhand, Ladakh, and the Andaman Islands, require special permits called Protected Area Permits (PAP) or Restricted Area Permits (RAP) in addition to your visa. These permits must be obtained either in advance from the Ministry of Home Affairs or upon arrival at designated offices. Some areas are completely off-limits to foreign tourists. Check current restrictions for your specific travel destinations before booking.
How many times can I enter India on a tourist visa?
The 1-year and 5-year eVisa categories allow multiple entries, while the 30-day eVisa allows double entry (two entries within the 30-day window). Regular tourist visas from the embassy are typically issued as multiple-entry with 6-month or 10-year validity. There is no longer a 2-month gap requirement between visits for most nationalities, a rule that was eliminated in 2013. Verify your specific visa's entry conditions in your approval letter.