Step 1: Use the official website only
Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa. Many look-alike sites charge extra “service fees” and some are outright scams. The official site ends in .gov.in.
Step 2: Choose the right e-Visa
| e-Visa | Validity | Entries | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist (30 days) | 30 days from arrival | Double | A single trip |
| e-Tourist (1 year) | 1 year from grant | Multiple | Repeat visits |
| e-Tourist (5 years) | 5 years from grant | Multiple | Frequent visitors |
| e-Business | 1 year | Multiple | Meetings, trade, conferences |
| e-Medical | 60 days | Triple | Treatment in India |
| e-Medical Attendant | 60 days | Triple | Up to 2 attendants per patient |
| e-Conference | 30 days | Single | Government-approved conferences |
How long can you stay? On the 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist visas, each stay can be up to 90 days, except for citizens of the USA, UK, Canada and Japan, who can stay up to 180 days per visit. e-Business visas allow stays of up to 180 days.
Step 3: Check eligibility and timing
- Citizens of around 166 countries are eligible. Pakistani nationals and people of Pakistani origin must apply for a regular visa.
- Apply at least 4 days before arrival. For the 30-day e-Tourist visa you can apply up to 30 days ahead; for the others, up to 120 days ahead.
- Your passport needs at least 6 months’ validity from arrival and two blank pages.
Step 4: Prepare documents
- A recent passport-style photo with a white background (JPEG).
- A scan of your passport’s photo page (PDF).
- Extra documents for business, medical or conference visas (letters of invitation, hospital letters, etc.).
Step 5: Pay and wait for the ETA
Pay the fee online (it depends on nationality and visa type: the site shows the exact amount). Most approvals arrive within about 72 hours, but don’t leave it to the last minute. Print the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and carry it.
Step 6: Arrive at an approved port
e-Visas are valid for arrival at 28 designated airports and 5 seaports (Cochin, Goa, Mangalore, Chennai and Mumbai). Your biometrics and photo are captured on arrival. You can leave India from any authorised immigration checkpoint.
Don’t forget the e-Arrival Card
Since 1 October 2025, foreign nationals must also fill in an e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before landing. See our e-Arrival Card guide.
Things you can’t do on an e-Visa
- It can’t be extended or converted into another visa type.
- It isn’t valid for Protected or Restricted Areas without the separate permits (for example, parts of Sikkim, Ladakh and the Andamans).
- Overstaying is a serious offence: leave before your permitted stay ends.
Rules change. Always confirm on the official Indian Visa Online site and the Bureau of Immigration (boi.gov.in) before you travel.
