Essential Guide to E-Visa India

The e-Visa of India is an electronic travel authorization which allows visitors to travel in India for tourism, business, and medical purposes. When applying for it, every step is carried out online, saving the hassle of visiting a consulate. Here is an essential guide regarding the e-Visa India.

Who can avail of the e-Visa India?

Citizens of the following countries are eligible for the e-tourist Visa India:

Note:

1. Not available to travelers having Pakistani passport or origin even if they come from the above countries.

2. Not available to travelers holding diplomatic or official passport, or international travel document rather than a passport.

E-Visa India Application - 4 Steps

1. Log into the website of India’s Bureau of Immigration. Fill out the application form online. Besides, you will be required to upload a recent white-background photo of yourself and the photo page of your passport bearing your particulars.
See screenshots of a sample application form.

2. Pay the India e-visa fee online. Both credit and debit cards are accepted for payment.

3. Check your email box and receive the email with the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Generally speaking, you may receive it within 3 to 5 days after submitting the application, and it could be earlier. You can check your e-Visa status on the website of India’s Bureau of Immigration and make sure it shows “Granted”.

4. Print the ETA and show it to the immigration officer upon arrival in India. The officer will then stamp an e-tourist visa on your passport.

How much does an India e-Visa cost?

The India e-Visa cost is divided into four levels, ie., free, US$25, US$80 and US$100, depending on the nature of the diplomatic relation between India and the applicant’s home country.

Free - for Indonesia, Myanmar, South Africa…
US$25 - for Singapore, Japan and Sri Lanka
US$80 - for Australia, Canada, Iceland, New Zealand, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden…
US$100 - for UK, USA, Russia…

Plus, applicants need to pay a bank charge of 2.5% based on the applicable e-Visa fee.

When to apply for an India e-Visa?

You should make the e-Visa India application minimum four calendar days ahead of your scheduled arrival date and but not earlier than 120 days in advance.

How long can I stay in India with an e-Visa?

Usually, an e-tourist visa India is valid for one year from the date that you are granted the ETA, allowing multiple entries. However, it does not mean you can stay continuously in India for one year. Each continuous stay cannot exceed 90 days, except US, UK, Japan, and Canada citizens and those on an e-business visa.

Which checkposts in India permit entering with an e-Visa?

28 airports:

5 seaports: