How to get an India e-visa quickly
Apply for an India e-visa 4-7 days before travel through the official government portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Most tourist e-visas are processed within 72 hours, but business visas can take up to 4 days. Have your passport, photo, and supporting documents ready in digital format.
- Check your eligibility. Verify your nationality is eligible for e-visa and your passport has at least 6 months validity with 2 blank pages. Tourist e-visas are available for 166 countries. Check the official list on indianvisaonline.gov.in before starting.
- Gather required documents. Prepare a passport-style photo (350x350 pixels, JPEG format, 10KB-1MB), passport bio page scan (PDF format, 10KB-300KB), and supporting documents. For business visas, add a business card scan and invitation letter if applicable.
- Complete the online application. Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in (the only official site) and fill out the form completely. Double-check all entries - errors cause delays. Choose your visa type: e-Tourist (30 days, 1 year, or 5 years) or e-Business (1 year).
- Pay the visa fee. Pay online using credit/debit card. Tourist e-visa costs $10-80 depending on your nationality and duration. Business e-visa is typically $80. Payment must be in USD. Keep the payment receipt.
- Wait for processing and download. Check your email for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) within 72 hours for tourist visas, up to 4 business days for business visas. Download and print 2 copies - one for immigration, one backup.
- Can I get an India e-visa same day?
- No, minimum processing time is 24 hours but typically takes 72 hours. Emergency visas are not available online - you'd need to visit a consulate for urgent travel.
- What if my e-visa application is rejected?
- You cannot reapply for e-visa if rejected. You must apply for a regular visa at an Indian consulate or VFS center. Common rejection reasons include passport validity under 6 months or incorrect information.
- Do I need to submit my passport anywhere?
- No, e-visas are completely online. You only need digital scans of documents. Your passport stays with you throughout the process.
- Can I enter India through any port with an e-visa?
- No, e-visas are only valid for entry through 28 designated airports (including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore) and 5 seaports (including Mumbai, Goa, Kochi). Check the complete list before booking flights.