India e-Visa Guide 2026: How to Apply, Which Category You Need, and What to Avoid

Do You Need an e-Visa?

Citizens of 167 nationalities are eligible for the India e-visa system – this covers most of Western Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and many other countries. Citizens of neighbouring countries (Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka in some cases) and certain other nationalities are not eligible for e-visa and must apply through an Indian embassy or consulate.

The official e-visa portal is indianvisaonline.gov.in – this is the only legitimate application site. Third-party websites that appear as sponsored results in search engines charge service fees of USD 30-80 on top of the official cost without providing any additional service. Apply directly through the government portal only.

The Five e-Visa Categories

e-Tourist Visa (Most Relevant for Travelers)

The standard visa for tourism, recreation, and visiting friends and family. Available in three durations:

• 30-day e-Tourist Visa – single or double entry, valid from the date of arrival. Fee: USD 25 for most nationalities. Processing: 72 hours minimum, apply 4 days ahead minimum.
• 1-Year e-Tourist Visa – multiple entry, 180 days maximum per visit. Fee: USD 40 for most nationalities.
• 5-Year e-Tourist Visa – multiple entry, 90 days maximum per visit. Fee: USD 80 for most nationalities.

For a single trip to India, the 30-day e-Tourist Visa is the correct choice for most travelers. The 1-year multiple entry visa suits frequent visitors.

e-Business Visa

For business meetings, trade fairs, short-term training. Cannot be used for employment. Multiple entry, 365-day validity, 180 days maximum per visit. Fee: USD 80. Required documentation includes a letter from the inviting Indian company.

e-Conference Visa

For attending conferences and seminars organised by government or approved bodies. Requires conference invitation documents. Fee: USD 25.

e-Medical Visa and e-Medical Attendant Visa

For medical treatment at recognised Indian hospitals. Requires a letter from the Indian hospital. Three entries permitted, 60 days per visit. Attendant visas are available for up to two companions of the medical patient. Fee: USD 25.

How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1 – Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in directly. Do not use Google’s sponsored results which frequently show third-party services. Bookmark the official URL.

Step 2 – Select ‘Apply for e-Visa’ and choose your visa category (e-Tourist for most travelers).

Step 3 – Complete the application form. This covers personal details, passport information, employment details, travel history, and arrival/departure information. Every field must match your passport exactly – including middle names that you might habitually omit.

Step 4 – Upload your photograph. The specification is strict: white background, face covering 70-80% of the frame, no glasses, no head covering unless for religious reasons, no shadows. Photograph rejections are among the most common failure points. Use a purpose-taken photograph against a white wall rather than a cropped existing photo.

Step 5 – Pay the visa fee by credit or debit card on the secure government payment portal.

Step 6 – Receive your e-Visa by email within 72-96 hours. Print it or save the PDF. Present it at immigration alongside your passport.

Step 7 – Passport stamp at immigration confirms your entry. Keep the stamped passport – you will need it for hotel check-in across India, which requires passport registration.

Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them

Name mismatch – your application name must match your passport exactly. If your passport shows JOHN WILLIAM SMITH, enter JOHN WILLIAM SMITH – not John Smith or J.W. Smith.

Photograph specification failure – use a freshly taken passport-format photo against a white background. Rejections happen when photos are taken outdoors, have shadows, or show spectacles.

Wrong entry port – you must enter India through one of the 28 designated e-Visa airports. Check that your arrival airport is on the list before applying. If you are entering India overland or through a smaller airport, you need a regular visa through the Indian embassy, not an e-visa.

Third-party application errors – unofficial sites sometimes submit incorrect information or use non-compliant photographs. Apply through the official portal only.

Applying too late – the minimum processing time is 72 hours but 4-7 days is recommended. Apply at least a week before travel.

Entry Ports: e-Visa Eligible Airports

The e-Visa is valid for entry at 28 designated airports including Delhi Indira Gandhi (DEL), Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji (BOM), Chennai (MAA), Kolkata (CCU), Bengaluru Kempegowda (BLR), Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi (HYD), Cochin (COK), Ahmedabad (AMD), Goa Dabolim (GOI), and Goa Manohar International (GOX), plus other major international airports. Sea ports and land borders have a limited separate list – check the official portal for current eligible entry points.

Getting an India eSIM: Why Voye Is the Smart Choice

India has one of the world’s largest mobile networks and 4G coverage across cities, highways, and tourist areas. International roaming in India is expensive relative to local data costs – getting a local data connection is significantly cheaper. A Voye eSIM for India gives you that connection from the moment you land at DEL or BOM, without the airport SIM counter queue that can be 30-45 minutes long at peak arrival times.

Purchase your plan through the Voye app before you travel. Activate on arrival – your primary number stays active alongside it.

Key Benefits

• Instant digital delivery – activate before you fly, data starts the moment you land
• Unrestricted hotspot – share your connection with travel companions from one plan
• Keep your home number active – calls, messages, and banking codes continue normally
• 24/7 multilingual support throughout your trip
• Website and app in 13 languages

Use Cases in India

• Navigating Delhi Metro, Mumbai Local train, and Bangalore Metro systems in real time
• Using Ola and Rapido ride-hailing apps from airports – significantly more transparent than metered taxis
• Finding hotels and guesthouses in smaller towns where Google Maps listings are the primary discovery tool
• WhatsApp communication with guides, drivers, and accommodation throughout the trip
• Checking train times and booking tickets through IRCTC app or MakeMyTrip
• Translating Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, and other language signage in real time

Practical Things That Catch Travelers Off Guard

Hotel passport registration – every hotel in India is required by law to record the passport details of foreign guests. Have your passport available on check-in. Some hotels require photographing your visa alongside your passport. This is a legal requirement, not optional.

Indian rupee restrictions – Indian Rupees (INR) are a restricted currency and cannot be brought into India from abroad in significant quantities. Exchange money on arrival at airport counters or at authorised money changers. ATMs are widely available in cities.

Taxi touts at airports – all major Indian airports have pre-paid taxi counters inside the arrivals terminal. Use these rather than accepting offers from drivers approaching you outside. Better still, use Ola or Rapido from the airport – their rates are metered and transparent.

The scale of India – distances in India are significant. Flying between major cities is the correct approach for multi-destination itineraries. Delhi to Varanasi is 5 hours by train or 1.5 hours by air. Budget accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the India e-visa take to process?

The official minimum is 72 hours but the realistic expectation is 4-7 business days. Apply at least a week before travel. Processing can be faster during off-peak periods and slower during public holidays or high-demand seasons.

Can I extend my India e-visa from inside the country?

The India e-visa generally cannot be extended from within India. If you need to stay longer than your visa permits, contact the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in the city you are in. Extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. Plan your itinerary within your visa validity from the outset.

What is the official India e-visa website?

indianvisaonline.gov.in – apply here directly. Third-party visa services that appear in sponsored search results charge additional fees without providing any benefit over the official portal. Applying through unofficial channels can also result in errors that lead to rejection.

Can I enter India by land on an e-visa?

The India e-visa is valid for air entry at 28 designated airports and a separate list of sea ports. Land border crossings have very limited e-visa eligibility. If you plan to enter India overland from Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, or Bangladesh, you will need to apply for a regular visa through the Indian embassy in your country.

The Bottom Line

India’s e-visa system is genuinely streamlined once you understand it – the right category, the official portal, a proper passport photograph, and exact name matching. The mistakes that result in rejection are avoidable and well-documented. Apply a week before travel, use indianvisaonline.gov.in directly, and double-check every field against your passport before submitting.

Get your Voye eSIM sorted before you fly. Land at DEL or BOM with data already running, skip the SIM counter queue, and use Ola from the kerb.