Can I get visa on arrival in India?

No, India doesn't offer visa on arrival. You must have e-Visa or regular visa before traveling. Only exception is Japanese and South Korean nationals who can get visa on arrival at Delhi and Mumbai airports.

What if my e-Visa application is rejected?

You lose the application fee and must apply for regular visa at Indian consulate. Common rejection reasons: blurry photos, passport validity less than 6 months, incomplete information, or previous visa violations.

Can I enter India multiple times with e-Visa?

Depends on visa type. 30-day e-Visa can be single or double entry. 1-year and 5-year e-Visas allow multiple entries. You cannot stay more than 90 days continuously on tourist e-Visa.

Do I need yellow fever vaccination for Indian visa?

Only if you're arriving from yellow fever endemic countries (mainly parts of Africa and South America) or have transited through them within 6 days. Check with Indian consulate if unsure.

How to Get Your First Indian Visa

First-time visitors to India need an e-Visa (easiest, $25-100 depending on nationality) or regular visa from a consulate. Apply 4-120 days before travel with passport photos, proof of accommodation, and return flight details. Most tourists get approved within 3-5 business days for e-Visa.

Check if you're eligible for e-Visa. Visit indianvisaonline.gov.in and check the nationality list. 171 countries are eligible including US, UK, Canada, Australia. If your country isn't listed, you'll need a regular visa from an Indian consulate.
Choose your visa type. Tourist e-Visa is most common: 30-day (single/double entry, $25-50), 1-year (multiple entry, $40-80), or 5-year (multiple entry, $80-100). Prices vary by nationality. Business and medical e-Visas also available.
Gather required documents. You need: passport with 6+ months validity and 2 blank pages, recent color photo (2x2 inches, white background), return flight ticket or itinerary, proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter), and credit/debit card for payment.
Fill out the online application. Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in (only official site). Complete all fields accurately - any mistakes mean rejection and losing your fee. Upload documents in specified formats: passport bio page as PDF under 300KB, photo as JPEG under 1MB.
Pay and submit. Pay online with credit/debit card. Save your application ID and print the receipt. You'll get email confirmation immediately. Don't use third-party visa services unless necessary - they charge 2-3x more.
Wait for processing. Tourist e-Visa typically processes in 3-5 business days. You can check status online with your application ID. Once approved, you'll receive ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) by email. Print this document.
Prepare for arrival. Bring printed ETA, passport, and return flight details. e-Visa holders must arrive at designated airports (28 airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore). Immigration will verify documents and stamp your passport.

Can I get visa on arrival in India?: No, India doesn't offer visa on arrival. You must have e-Visa or regular visa before traveling. Only exception is Japanese and South Korean nationals who can get visa on arrival at Delhi and Mumbai airports.
What if my e-Visa application is rejected?: You lose the application fee and must apply for regular visa at Indian consulate. Common rejection reasons: blurry photos, passport validity less than 6 months, incomplete information, or previous visa violations.
Can I enter India multiple times with e-Visa?: Depends on visa type. 30-day e-Visa can be single or double entry. 1-year and 5-year e-Visas allow multiple entries. You cannot stay more than 90 days continuously on tourist e-Visa.
Do I need yellow fever vaccination for Indian visa?: Only if you're arriving from yellow fever endemic countries (mainly parts of Africa and South America) or have transited through them within 6 days. Check with Indian consulate if unsure.