What you need to know
The India Tourist eVisa permits international travelers to enter India for tourism purposes
Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after you enter India and have at least two blank pages
This eVisa isn’t allowed at every port of entry in India, keep reading to learn which ports of entry allow this visa
Last updated: November 2023
Ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and breathtaking beauty of India? The India Tourist eVisa is an essential requirement! With us, applying for this eVisa is as easy as pouring a cup of chai.
Apply online for the India Tourist Visa or use our handy app for an even smoother experience!
What is the India Tourist eVisa?
The India Tourist eVisa (also called the e-tourist visa) is an electronic travel authorization that allows travelers from eligible countries to visit India for tourism purposes. It's a part of India's initiative to make traveling more convenient by simplifying existing visa services.
Unlike the regular paper tourist visa, you don’t need to visit an embassy or consulate to apply, but simply get the eVisa from the comfort of your own home!
Use our handy Visa Checker Tool to check which visa you're eligible for. You can also read further about the differences in this guide.
What you can do with the India Tourist eVisa
The India Tourist eVisa is specifically designed for individuals intending to visit India for tourism activities such as sightseeing, visiting friends and family, attending a short-term yoga program, or other recreational activities.
What you can’t do with the India Tourist eVisa
With this visa, you can’t live, work, do business, study, or do any activities other than tourism in India.
For info about employment visas, student visas, or other long-term permits, visit India's government website.
Eligibility criteria for the India Tourist eVisa
To be eligible for the eVisa, you must meet some criteria set by the government of India:
Nationality: The list of eligible countries is extensive and updated regularly by the Indian government.
Previous visas: Travelers who have been refused a visa or deported from India previously may not be eligible for an eVisa.
The Indian Tourist eVisa can only be used at specific ports of entry for international travel:
Airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Goa, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Gaya, Jaipur, Lucknow, Trichy, Varanasi, Calicut, Mangalore, Pune, Nagpur, Coimbatore, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Chandigarh, Visakhapatnam, Madurai, Bhubaneswar, Port Blair, and Kannur.
Seaports: Mumbai, Cochin, Goa, Chennai, and New Mangalore.
Who must apply for the India Tourist eVisa to visit the country?
Depending on your nationality and the visa requirements, you can get the Indian eVisa without visiting an embassy or consulate. Use the Visa Checker Tool to find out if you can apply online.
If you aren't eligible for this visa, you can likely apply for the India Embassy Visa instead. The application for a regular Tourist Visa for India requires more documents and time but allows longer stays.
Do minors need to apply for an eVisa for India?
Children and minors from eligible countries also need an eVisa for India, but may have to submit additional documents. You can easily apply together as a family by clicking ‘Add another person’ during the visa application process.
Young children between 2 and 12 years old traveling without a parent or legal guardian are considered unaccompanied minors. Contact the airline to provide a service to assist these children from their point of departure to their final destination.
Who is visa-exempt for India?
Nationals of Bhutan and Nepal can enter India visa-free. Some travelers are eligible for a visa on arrival. Find out more about the visa on arrival on the Indian government website here.
How long is the India Tourist eVisa valid?
India offers three types of tourist eVisas for international travelers, each tailored to suit different travel needs:
30-Day Double-Entry eVisa: Ideal for short visits, this eVisa allows two entries into India and is valid for 30 days, so you must use it to enter India within that time. You also have 30 days max stay from the date of your first entry.
1-Year Multiple-Entry eVisa: Designed for those who wish to make multiple trips within a year, this eVisa is valid for 1 year from the date of issue.
It permits stays of up to 90 days per visit for most nationalities, except for the U.S., UK, and Canada, who can stay for up to 180 days per visit.The maximum stay for all nationalities is 180 days per year.
- 5-Year Multiple-Entry eVisa: For the avid traveler, this eVisa offers the greatest flexibility. Valid for 5 years from the date of issue, it allows multiple entries, with each stay capped at 90 days. Except for those from the U.S., UK, and Canada, who can stay for up to 180 days.The maximum stay within a year for all nationalities is 180 days.
This long-term visa is an excellent choice for those who plan to visit India several times over a few years, whether for tourism, attending festivals, or visiting family and friends.
Each eVisa is designed to accommodate your travel plans, whether for brief getaways, extended stays, or frequent visits over the years.
For comprehensive information on your India Tourist e-visa validity check out our blog.
How to read your Tourist Visa validity
Validity period: How long can your visa be used for.
Max stay: The longest you can stay in India each time you visit.
Expiry date: This depends on which visa type you have.
For example:
If you've got a 30-day India Tourist eVisa, and the expiry date is March 14:
The latest date you can enter India is March 14, 2024.
This is the expiry date of your visa. From this date, you're allowed to stay in the country for up to 30 days.
If you've got a 1-year or 5-year India Tourist eVisa, and the expiry date is March 14:
The latest date you can leave India is March 14, 2024.
The expiry date, in this case is the date by which you must depart India.
You can stay in India for as long as your maximum stay but not longer than the validity period.
When should I apply for my India Tourist eVisa?
If you want to apply for a multiple-entry India Tourist eVisa, you can submit your application as early as 120 days before your intended travel date.
Regarding the double-entry India Tourist eVisa, you can submit your application as early as 30 days before your intended travel date.
For both eVisas, the minimum time recommended for application submission is 4 days in advance.
Is it possible to extend the India Tourist eVisa?
No, the India Tourist eVisa is not extendable.
Required documents for the India Tourist eVisa
Forget the hassle of visiting an embassy, scheduling a visa appointment, or speaking with immigration officials. We've simplified everything for you. Here's what we need:
Application photo: A recent, clear photo of you against a white background is essential.
Copy of your valid passport: We require a clear scan or digital copy of the personal details page of your passport or travel document. This should include your photograph and passport information.
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival and have two blank pages.
It's advisable to carry proof of sufficient funds, such as recent bank statements, to support yourself during your stay in India.
With these few simple requirements, you're well on your way to securing your India e-tourist visa, letting you focus on planning the exciting parts of your trip!
How to apply for the India Tourist eVisa
Foreign nationals intending to visit India can follow the below steps to apply for the India Tourist eVisa:
Step 1: Fill out our simplified form with your travel details and pay the iVisa processing fee on our easy-to-use platform or app.
Step 2: Choose a processing time and pay the visa fees with a credit or debit card.
Step 3: Upload the required documents, submit your application, wait for approval within the chosen timeframe, and get ready to travel to India!
We recommend printing the confirmation and downloading a copy to your mobile device as proof of approval.
Costs and processing time for the India Tourist eVisa
The cost of processing your visa depends on the chosen validity and your nationality.
For those exempt from government visa fees, the only cost incurred will be our iVisa service fee.
Typically, the processing time for an India Tourist eVisa ranges from 2 to 5 days. However, in certain cases, it might extend to a few weeks. Opting for our services can streamline and expedite this process, making it more efficient and less time-consuming for you.
The prices include the government fee for your convenience.
Do I need an India Tourist eVisa to transit through the country?
Visitors don't require an eVisa if they're catching a flight to another country and won't be leaving the airport's transit area in India.
However, if you’re staying at the airport for over 24 hours or are leaving the transit area, you may need the India Transit Visa.
Differences between the India Tourist Visa (Embassy Visa) and the India Tourist eVisa
The government of India offers various visa categories, depending on the reason for traveling, nationality, and the duration of your trip. Ensure you choose the correct visa for your trip!
Here are some of the main differences between the India visa categories:
- India Tourist Visa (Embassy Visa): The main difference between an India Tourist Visa and an India Tourist e-Visa is the application process.
The paper visa requires applicants to visit an Indian embassy or consulate. Additionally, the regular visa has more flexibility regarding the duration and reasons for travel.
- India e-Tourist Visa: This eVisa allows applicants to submit their documents and pay the fees online. You’re informed via email if the electronic tourist visa is granted. This visa is for tourist purposes only and is valid for a shorter period.
You don’t have to courier your passport or visit an Indian embassy or consulate. Authorities will stamp the tourist visa on your passport when visiting India.
Besides these Tourist Visas, there are a few more categories you can select based on your travel purpose:
India e-Business Visa: Select the e-Business visa if you want to visit India for business purposes. This electronic permit is a double-entry visa that grants a stay of up to 180 days in the country to, for example, attend a business meeting or conference.
India e-Medical Visa: The e-Medical Visa for India is designed for foreign nationals seeking medical treatment in the country. It’s a multiple-entry visa that allows the holder to enter the country three times within 60 days.
An additional category is the e-Medical Attendant Visa for travelers assisting a person seeking medical attention in India.
India Visa on Arrival: This visa is only available to a few countries and offers conditions similar to the Tourist eVisa.
India Transit Visa: A visa for transits exceeding 24 hours.
More questions about the India Tourist Visa?
If you have questions about the India Tourist eVisa or other consular services but can’t find the answer on this page, feel free to contact us! Our expert customer service team can assist visa online chat or you can contact us on WhatsApp.
