Can I get a visa on arrival in India?

No. India discontinued visa on arrival for most countries. You must have either an e-Tourist Visa or traditional visa before traveling.

What if my e-Tourist Visa application is rejected?

You'll need to apply for a regular tourist visa through the Indian consulate. Rejections usually happen due to incomplete forms or poor photo quality, so double-check everything before submitting.

Can I work on an e-Tourist Visa?

No. The e-Tourist Visa strictly prohibits employment, paid or unpaid. If you need to work, you must apply for an appropriate work visa through the consulate.

How early can I apply for the visa?

You can apply 120 days (4 months) before your intended arrival date, but not earlier. The visa becomes valid from the approval date, not your arrival date.

How to Get Your First Indian Visa

Most visitors need an e-Tourist Visa, which costs $10-80 depending on your nationality and can be applied for online 4-120 days before travel. The process takes 3-5 business days and requires a digital passport photo, passport scan, and return ticket proof.

Check if you need a visa. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan don't need visas. Everyone else does, except for a few small exemptions. US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia citizens can use the e-Tourist Visa system.
Choose your visa type. e-Tourist Visa covers most first-time visitors for tourism, casual business, or medical treatment. Valid for 30, 90, or 365 days depending on your nationality. Cannot be extended or converted to other visa types.
Gather required documents. You need: passport valid for 6+ months with 2 blank pages, digital passport photo (2x2 inches, white background), passport bio page scan, return/onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds ($50+ per day).
Apply online. Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in (official site). Fill out the form completely - any mistakes mean starting over. Upload documents in exact sizes specified. Pay the fee ($10-80) plus $2.50 service charge.
Wait for approval. Processing takes 3-5 business days typically. You'll receive an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) via email. Print 2 copies - you need one for check-in and one for Indian immigration.
Enter India. Present your ETA printout and passport at immigration. You must arrive within 120 days of approval date. Entry is allowed through 28 designated airports and 5 seaports only.

Can I get a visa on arrival in India?: No. India discontinued visa on arrival for most countries. You must have either an e-Tourist Visa or traditional visa before traveling.
What if my e-Tourist Visa application is rejected?: You'll need to apply for a regular tourist visa through the Indian consulate. Rejections usually happen due to incomplete forms or poor photo quality, so double-check everything before submitting.
Can I work on an e-Tourist Visa?: No. The e-Tourist Visa strictly prohibits employment, paid or unpaid. If you need to work, you must apply for an appropriate work visa through the consulate.
How early can I apply for the visa?: You can apply 120 days (4 months) before your intended arrival date, but not earlier. The visa becomes valid from the approval date, not your arrival date.