How to Apply for an Indian Visa Online

Apply for an Indian visa through the official e-Visa portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Most tourists need an e-Tourist Visa, which costs $10-80 depending on duration and takes 3-5 business days to process. Upload your documents, pay online, and print the approved visa to carry with your passport.

  1. Check if you're eligible for e-Visa. Verify your nationality is on the eligible countries list at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and have 2 blank pages. Entry points are limited to 28 airports and 5 seaports for e-Visas.
  2. Choose your visa type. Select e-Tourist Visa for tourism (30-day single entry $10, 1-year multiple entry $40, or 5-year multiple entry $80). Business travelers need e-Business Visa ($80). Medical visitors need e-Medical Visa ($80).
  3. Prepare required documents. Scan your passport bio page as PDF under 300KB. Take a recent passport photo (2x2 inches, white background) and save as JPEG under 1MB. For business visas, add business card scan. For medical visas, add letter from hospital in India.
  4. Complete the online application. Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in and click 'e-Visa Application.' Fill out personal details, travel information, and upload documents. Double-check all information matches your passport exactly. Submit and note your Application ID.
  5. Pay the visa fee. Pay using credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Keep the payment receipt. You'll also pay a $2.50 processing fee regardless of visa type.
  6. Wait for processing and approval. Processing takes 3-5 business days. Check status using your Application ID. You'll receive an email when approved. Print the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) - you need the physical printout to board your flight and enter India.
What if my e-Visa application is rejected?
Common rejection reasons include poor photo quality, passport validity issues, or incomplete information. You cannot reapply for e-Visa if rejected - you must apply for a regular visa through the Indian embassy or consulate in your country.
Can I extend my e-Visa while in India?
No, e-Visas cannot be extended or converted to other visa types. If you need to stay longer, you must exit India and apply for a new visa from outside the country.
Do I need specific vaccinations for my Indian visa?
Yellow fever vaccination is required only if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission. No other vaccinations are required for the visa application, though health recommendations may apply for travel.
What's the difference between single and multiple entry visas?
Single entry means you can only enter India once during the visa validity period. Multiple entry allows you to leave and re-enter India multiple times within the visa validity period.