Can I extend my e-Visa once I'm in India?

30-day e-Visas cannot be extended. 90-day and 1-year e-Visas can be extended once for up to 30 additional days through FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) in major cities.

What if my e-Visa application gets rejected?

Most rejections are for photo issues or incomplete forms. You can reapply immediately with corrected documents. If repeatedly rejected, apply for a regular tourist visa through the embassy instead.

Do I need specific entry/exit points with an e-Visa?

Yes. e-Visas only work at 28 designated airports and 5 seaports. You can exit from any immigration checkpoint, but entry must be through approved points. Check the official list before booking flights.

Can I work or volunteer with a tourist e-Visa?

No. Tourist visas are for tourism only. Working, volunteering, or conducting business requires different visa types. Violating this can result in deportation and future entry bans.

What if I lose my e-Visa approval email?

Contact the Indian visa helpline or check your spam folder. You can also log back into the visa application system to retrieve it. Always save multiple copies and email it to yourself as backup.

How to Get Your Visa for Backpacking India

Most travelers need an e-Visa for India, which costs $10-80 depending on duration and takes 2-4 business days to process. Apply online at least a week before travel with a passport photo, passport scan, and proof of accommodation. Tourist visas allow 30, 90, or 365 days with multiple entries.

Check if you need a visa. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan don't need visas. Everyone else does, including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders. No visa on arrival - you must have it before you fly.
Choose your visa type. e-Tourist Visa is cheapest and fastest for most backpackers. 30-day costs $10, 90-day costs $25, 1-year costs $40. Regular tourist visa through embassy costs $80-160 but allows longer stays and more flexibility.
Gather required documents. You need: passport with 6 months validity and 2 blank pages, recent passport photo (white background, 2x2 inches), passport bio page scan, proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter), return flight ticket.
Apply online for e-Visa. Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in (official site only). Fill application, upload documents, pay fee. Common rejections: blurry photos, wrong photo size, incomplete forms. Double-check everything before submitting.
Wait for approval. e-Visa takes 2-4 business days. You'll get approval via email. Print this - immigration needs the physical printout, not just your phone. No approval means you can't board your flight.
Enter India. Arrive at designated airports/ports only (28 airports, 5 seaports for e-Visa). Show printed e-Visa approval, passport, return ticket. Immigration stamps your passport - this is your actual visa, not the email.

Can I extend my e-Visa once I'm in India?: 30-day e-Visas cannot be extended. 90-day and 1-year e-Visas can be extended once for up to 30 additional days through FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) in major cities.
What if my e-Visa application gets rejected?: Most rejections are for photo issues or incomplete forms. You can reapply immediately with corrected documents. If repeatedly rejected, apply for a regular tourist visa through the embassy instead.
Do I need specific entry/exit points with an e-Visa?: Yes. e-Visas only work at 28 designated airports and 5 seaports. You can exit from any immigration checkpoint, but entry must be through approved points. Check the official list before booking flights.
Can I work or volunteer with a tourist e-Visa?: No. Tourist visas are for tourism only. Working, volunteering, or conducting business requires different visa types. Violating this can result in deportation and future entry bans.
What if I lose my e-Visa approval email?: Contact the Indian visa helpline or check your spam folder. You can also log back into the visa application system to retrieve it. Always save multiple copies and email it to yourself as backup.