Overview
India runs its own electronic visa system for short visits — tourism, business, medical treatment and a handful of other purposes. Nationals of more than 160 countries can apply entirely online at indianvisaonline.gov.in, upload a photo and passport scan, pay the fee by card, and receive the e-Visa by email, usually within 72 hours. No embassy visit and no facilitation agent is required for the e-Visa route — the government says this explicitly and warns travelers against unofficial copy-cat websites that charge a large markup to "process" the same free-to-self-do form.
Visa categories available as e-Visa
| e-Tourist Visa | Sightseeing, casual visits to friends/family, short recreational trips. Available as 30-day, 1-year and 5-year options depending on nationality. |
|---|---|
| e-Business Visa | Meetings, trade, setting up a venture, technical/business visits. |
| e-Medical Visa | Treatment at a recognized Indian hospital. |
| e-Medical Attendant Visa | For up to two people accompanying an e-Medical visa holder. |
| e-Conference Visa | Attending a conference, seminar or workshop in India. |
| e-Ayush Visa / e-Ayush Attendant | Treatment under India's traditional Ayush medicine systems, and accompanying attendants. |
Each applicant needs an individual passport — you cannot apply for an e-Visa for someone endorsed on a parent's or spouse's passport.
Documents checklist
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in India, with at least 2 blank pages
- Digital passport-style photo meeting the specification below
- Scan of your passport's bio-data page (front cover page with photo and details)
- A valid email address to receive the e-Visa and updates
- Credit/debit card or payment wallet for the fee
- Return or onward flight details (recommended, not always mandatory at application)
- Business visa: an invitation or business-purpose letter, if requested
- Medical visa: hospital/treatment reference letter
Photo requirements
| Format | JPEG only, square (height must equal width) |
|---|---|
| Pixel dimensions | Minimum 350×350 px, maximum 1000×1000 px |
| File size | 10 KB – 1 MB (some official guidance shows up to 300 KB for older formats — stay under 300 KB to be safe) |
| Background | Plain white or very light background, no shadows or patterns |
| Face coverage | Full face, front-facing, eyes open, neutral expression, roughly 80% of the frame |
| Other | No glasses, no borders, taken recently and in color |
You'll separately upload a scan of your passport's bio-data page as its own file — this must be clearly legible, with no glare on the printed text.
Step-by-step application process
1. Check eligibility
Confirm your nationality is on the eligible-country list at indianvisaonline.gov.in, and pick the correct visa category for your purpose of travel.
2. Start the online form
Fill in passport, personal and travel details directly on the government portal. Save your application ID — you'll need it if you have to return to a saved form.
3. Upload your photo and passport scan
Upload the two files separately, matching the specs above exactly — this is the most common point of rejection.
4. Pay the e-Visa fee
Pay online by credit/debit card or supported payment wallet. International cards are accepted.
5. Wait for processing
Most decisions arrive within 72 hours, though the government advises building in extra time before you book non-refundable travel.
6. Download and carry your e-Visa
Print a copy of the approved e-Visa and travel on the same passport you applied with. Enter only through an airport or port authorized for e-Visa holders.
Fees & processing time
| Processing time | Typically within 72 hours; the government advises applying a few days ahead of travel |
|---|---|
| Fee | Varies by nationality, visa category and duration — the exact amount is calculated on the official form before payment |
| Payment methods | Credit/debit card, supported payment wallets; international MasterCard and Visa cards are accepted |
| Validity | Depends on category — e-Tourist Visa options include 30-day, 1-year and 5-year variants for eligible nationalities |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an agent to apply?
No. The e-Visa is a fully self-service online application. The government explicitly states no intermediary is required, and warns against paying third parties who claim to speed it up.
What if I'm not eligible for the e-Visa?
Some nationalities or purposes still require a regular (paper) visa through an Indian Mission or Visa Application Centre in your country rather than the e-Visa route.
Can I extend or change my e-Visa online?
e-Visas generally aren't extended or converted online; longer or different-purpose stays typically require a fresh application or a regular visa through a mission.
Sources reviewed: indianvisaonline.gov.in (official Government of India e-Visa portal), Indian High Commission/Embassy consular advisories. Always confirm current fees and eligibility on the official portal before applying — details change without notice.