How long does e-visa approval take?

Usually 24-72 hours, but can take up to 4 business days during peak seasons. Apply at least 4 days before travel to be safe.

Can I enter India at any border with an e-visa?

No. E-visas only work at 28 designated airports (including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore) and 5 seaports (Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Mumbai, New Mangalore). Land borders require regular visas.

What if my e-visa application is rejected?

You'll need to apply for a regular visa at an Indian consulate. Common rejection reasons include poor photo quality, passport validity issues, or previous visa violations.

Can I extend my e-visa while in India?

No. E-visas cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer, you must exit India and apply for a new visa.

Do I need vaccination certificates for an e-visa?

Only if traveling from yellow fever endemic countries. Check if your departure country requires yellow fever vaccination certificate - this is separate from the e-visa process.

How to Get an India E-Visa

Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days before travel. Upload a passport photo and passport scan, pay the fee (typically $25-80 depending on visa type), and receive your e-visa by email within 72 hours. Print it and bring it with your passport.

Check your eligibility. Verify your nationality is eligible for e-visa (170+ countries qualify). Your passport must be valid for 6+ months and have 2 blank pages. E-visas work for tourism, business, medical, or conference purposes only.
Gather required documents. Take a passport-style photo (square format, white background, 10KB-1MB file size). Scan your passport's first page as PDF or JPEG (10KB-300KB). For business visas, you'll need a business card or invitation letter.
Complete the online application. Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in (the only official site). Fill out the form completely - any errors mean starting over. Double-check your passport number, dates, and personal details. The form takes 15-30 minutes.
Upload documents and pay. Upload your photo and passport scan. Pay online with credit/debit card. Tourist visas cost $25-80 depending on your nationality and visa duration. Business visas typically cost $80-120.
Wait for approval. Check your email within 72 hours for the e-visa approval. It arrives as a PDF attachment. If rejected, you'll get an explanation and may need to apply for a regular visa at a consulate.
Print and travel. Print the e-visa PDF - immigration officers need the physical copy. Bring it with your passport. You can enter through 28 designated airports and 5 seaports only. Land borders don't accept e-visas.

How long does e-visa approval take?: Usually 24-72 hours, but can take up to 4 business days during peak seasons. Apply at least 4 days before travel to be safe.
Can I enter India at any border with an e-visa?: No. E-visas only work at 28 designated airports (including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore) and 5 seaports (Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Mumbai, New Mangalore). Land borders require regular visas.
What if my e-visa application is rejected?: You'll need to apply for a regular visa at an Indian consulate. Common rejection reasons include poor photo quality, passport validity issues, or previous visa violations.
Can I extend my e-visa while in India?: No. E-visas cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer, you must exit India and apply for a new visa.
Do I need vaccination certificates for an e-visa?: Only if traveling from yellow fever endemic countries. Check if your departure country requires yellow fever vaccination certificate - this is separate from the e-visa process.