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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.