India e-visa applications are now open to nationals of 175 countries, making it one of the most widely accessible electronic visa programmes in Asia. The system, managed by India’s Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs, allows eligible foreign nationals to apply entirely online — without visiting an embassy or consulate — for a range of purposes including tourism, business, medical treatment, education, and traditional wellness visits. [Passport Rankings]
This guide covers everything a prospective visitor needs to know: which countries are eligible, which of the nine visa categories applies to their situation, what the application process involves, the fees charged, and which ports of entry accept e-visa holders. All information reflects the most recent updates from India’s Ministry of Tourism and Bureau of Immigration as of early 2026.
What Is the India e-Visa?
The India e-visa is an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) issued through the official government portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in. It functions as a digital visa — applicants receive approval by email, and the ETA is linked electronically to their passport. There is no physical sticker or stamp until the traveller arrives at the port of entry, where an immigration officer validates the authorisation and stamps the passport.
The programme launched in 2014 for a small number of countries and has expanded significantly over the years. As of March 2026, the Ministry of Tourism confirmed the scheme covers nationals of 175 countries, up from 156 in 2024, with nine visa sub-categories available.
Key restrictions apply regardless of category: the e-visa is not available to holders of Pakistani passports or to individuals of Pakistani origin. It is also not available to holders of diplomatic or official passports, to travellers on laissez-passer documents, or to individuals listed on another person’s passport — each traveller must hold their own separate passport.
India e-Visa Eligible Countries
Nationals of 175 countries are currently eligible to apply for an India e-visa. The eligible list spans all major regions including North America, Europe, most of Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, most European Union member states, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and the UAE are all included.
The most recent expansion, confirmed by the Ministry of Tourism in March 2026, added several additional nations — bringing near-global reach to the programme. A small number of countries remain ineligible, primarily due to diplomatic and security considerations. The complete and definitive list is maintained on the official e-visa portal. [eVisa on IndiaVisaOnline]
Travellers should always verify their country’s eligibility directly on the government portal before applying, as the list is periodically updated. Citizens of eligible countries who also hold Pakistani origin are not permitted to use the e-visa route and must apply for a regular paper visa through an Indian mission.
India e-Visa Categories: Which One Applies to You?
The India e-visa currently has nine sub-categories. The appropriate category depends on the purpose of the visit. Choosing the wrong category can result in an application rejection or complications on arrival, so travellers should read each description carefully.
| Visa Category | Validity | Entries Allowed | Max Stay per Visit | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e-Tourist (30-day) | 30 days | Double | 30 days | Tourism, sightseeing, visiting family or friends |
| e-Tourist (1-year) | 1 year | Multiple | 90 days (180 days for US / UK / Canada / Japan) | Repeated leisure or cultural visits |
| e-Tourist (5-year) | 5 years | Multiple | 90 days (180 days for US / UK / Canada / Japan) | Frequent leisure travel |
| e-Business | 1 year | Multiple | 180 days per visit | Business meetings, trade fairs, partnerships (not employment) |
| e-Medical | 60 days | Triple | 60 days | Medical treatment at recognised Indian hospitals |
| e-Medical Attendant | 60 days | Triple | 60 days | Accompanying an e-Medical visa holder (max 2 attendants) |
| e-Conference | 30 days | Single | 30 days | Government-approved conferences, seminars, or workshops |
| e-Ayush | 60 days | Triple | 60 days | Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy treatment |
| e-Ayush Attendant | 60 days | Triple | 60 days | Accompanying an e-Ayush visa holder |
| e-Student | 1 year | Multiple | Duration of course | Enrolled at a recognised Indian educational institution |
| e-Student Dependent | 1 year | Multiple | Duration of course | Dependent family member of e-Student visa holder |
e-Tourist Visa
The e-Tourist visa is the most widely used category and comes in three validity options: 30 days, one year, and five years. The 30-day option allows double entry and a maximum continuous stay of 30 days. The one-year and five-year options allow multiple entries, with a maximum continuous stay of 90 days per visit for most nationalities. Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan are permitted stays of up to 180 days per visit on the one-year and five-year options.
Permitted activities under the tourist visa include sightseeing, recreation, visiting friends and relatives, attending short-term yoga programmes or short cultural courses not exceeding six months in duration, and short-term voluntary work (maximum one month, unpaid). The tourist e-visa cannot be used for employment or for formal educational courses that result in a certificate or diploma.
e-Business Visa
The e-Business visa is valid for one year with multiple entries and permits stays of up to 180 days per visit. It is designed for professional and commercial activities such as attending business meetings, trade fairs, industrial visits, establishing business partnerships, or recruiting staff. It does not permit employment or full-time work in India. Travellers conducting project-based work, signing contracts, or representing their company at client meetings typically qualify under this category. [How to apply for a work visa]
e-Medical and e-Medical Attendant Visa
The e-Medical visa is issued to foreign nationals seeking medical treatment at recognised Indian hospitals. It is valid for 60 days and allows triple entry. Applicants must provide a letter from the treating hospital confirming the admission date or tentative admission period. Up to two companions may travel alongside the patient under the e-Medical Attendant visa, which carries the same 60-day, triple-entry terms.
e-Conference Visa
The e-Conference visa applies to foreign nationals attending conferences, seminars, or workshops in India that have been approved by the Indian government. It is valid for 30 days with single entry. Applicants must submit an invitation from the event organiser and documentation confirming governmental or ministerial approval of the conference. Holders of the e-Conference visa may also engage in activities permitted under the tourist category during their stay.
e-Ayush Visa
Introduced to support India’s traditional medicine sector, the e-Ayush visa covers visits for treatment under systems including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. It is valid for 60 days with triple entry. A companion may travel under the e-Ayush Attendant visa on the same terms. Travellers attending wellness retreats or residential yoga programmes that do not qualify under the tourist visa’s short-course allowance may find this category appropriate.
e-Student Visa
Added to the programme in January 2025, the e-Student visa is intended for foreign nationals enrolled at a recognised Indian educational institution. Applicants must provide a letter of admission confirming the course duration and a bank statement or bank guarantee from a parent or guardian. A dependent family member may accompany the student under the e-Student Dependent Visa. Both categories allow multiple entries for the duration of the course, up to one year.
How to Apply for an India e-Visa
The India e-visa application is completed entirely online through the official government portal. No visit to an embassy or visa application centre is required. The process involves six main steps. [How to apply for a visa: Step-by-step guide]
- Visit the official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in and select ‘Apply e-Visa’.
- Select your nationality, passport type, port of arrival, and intended date of arrival.
- Complete the application form with personal details, travel information, and purpose of visit.
- Upload the required documents (see below).
- Pay the visa fee online using a debit or credit card. A bank processing charge of approximately 2.5% is added to the government fee.
- Receive the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) by email, typically within 72 hours to 3–5 business days. Print a copy to carry on arrival.
Documents Required
The standard documents required for all e-visa categories include:
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining from the intended date of arrival and at least two blank pages for stamping.
- A recent passport-sized photograph meeting the specified dimensions (51mm x 51mm, white or off-white background).
- A scanned copy of the biographical page of the passport.
- A valid email address (the ETA is delivered to this address).
- A debit or credit card for online payment.
Additional documents are required depending on the visa category. The e-Business visa requires a business card or letter from the employer. The e-Medical visa requires a letter from the treating hospital. The e-Conference visa requires an invitation letter and proof of government approval. The e-Student visa requires an admission letter and financial documentation.
How Far in Advance Can You Apply?
From December 2025, applicants can select an arrival date up to 120 days in advance, an increase from the previous 30-day limit. This applies to ETAs issued from that date onward. Travellers planning trips several months ahead can now secure their e-visa well before departure. Applications can be submitted no earlier than 120 days before the intended arrival date.
Processing Time
Most e-visa applications are processed within 72 hours. The official guidance from the Bureau of Immigration cites three to five business days as the standard timeframe. Travellers are advised not to book non-refundable flights until their ETA has been received and confirmed.
India e-Visa Entry Points: Airports, Seaports, and Land Borders
E-visa holders may enter India only through designated entry points. As of March 2026, following a series of expansions announced by the Ministry of Tourism, the network includes 33 international airports, 19 seaports, and 4 land border crossings. Travellers arriving at any other point of entry will not be permitted entry on an e-visa and will need to obtain a regular paper visa through an Indian mission.
| Entry Type | Count | Designated Points (as of March 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Airports | 33 | Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa (Dabolim), Goa (Mopa), Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kannur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam |
| Seaports | 19 | Agatti, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Kamarajar, Kandla, Kattupalli, Kolkata, Mangalore, Mumbai, Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Port Blair, Vallarpadam, Visakhapatnam, plus additional ports per March 2026 Ministry of Tourism notification |
| Land Border Crossings | 4 | Raxaul (India-Nepal; opened December 2025), Rupaidiha (India-Nepal; opened January 2026), plus two additional crossings announced March 2026 |
Importantly, e-visa holders can exit India through any authorised immigration checkpoint — not just through the airports and seaports listed above. Exit points include all airports, seaports, rail checkpoints, and road crossings where immigration facilities are operational.
India e-Visa Fees
Fees vary by visa category, validity period, and the applicant’s nationality. India applies reciprocal pricing in some cases, meaning citizens of certain countries pay different rates from others. The following provides indicative figures based on information from the official government portal and its affiliated guidance as of 2025–2026. Applicants should check the portal for the exact fee applicable to their nationality at the time of application.
- e-Tourist Visa (30-day): approximately USD 10–25, depending on nationality and season. A higher rate may apply during the April–June period for some nationalities.
- e-Tourist Visa (1-year): approximately USD 40.
- e-Tourist Visa (5-year): approximately USD 80.
- e-Business Visa (1-year): approximately USD 80–120, depending on nationality.
- e-Medical Visa (60-day): fees vary; check the portal at time of application.
- e-Conference, e-Student, e-Ayush Visas: fees vary by duration and nationality.
A bank processing fee of approximately 2.5% of the visa fee is charged in addition to the government rate. All payments are made in US dollars. The visa fee is non-refundable if the application is rejected or if travel plans change.
India e-Arrival Card: What Travellers Need to Know
From October 1, 2025, India introduced a mandatory digital arrival form known as the e-Arrival Card. This replaces the paper arrival card previously filled in during flights or at the airport. Foreign nationals must complete the e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before their arrival in India.
The form is available at boi.gov.in, at indianvisaonline.gov.in, or through the official mobile application ‘Indian Visa Su-Swagatam’. The e-Arrival Card captures the same information previously collected on the paper form: personal details, passport number, purpose of visit, flight details, and address in India.
Completing the form in advance reduces processing time at the immigration desk. During the transition period, paper arrival cards are still accepted alongside the digital version, but travellers are encouraged to complete the electronic form before departure to minimise delays on arrival.
Activities Not Permitted on an India e-Visa
The India e-visa is not a work authorisation. Foreign nationals seeking employment in India must apply for an Employment Visa through an Indian mission in their country of residence. The following activities are not permitted under any e-visa category:
- Paid employment or taking up a job in India.
- Enrolling in formal educational courses that lead to a certificate, diploma, or degree (the e-Student visa covers enrolment at recognised institutions; the tourist visa’s short-course allowance is limited to informal, non-certifying programmes of up to six months).
- Journalism or media work for foreign organisations without the appropriate visa category.
- Missionary or religious preaching activities.
- Research activities (a separate Research visa is required).
Foreign nationals who enter on an e-visa and engage in activities outside those permitted by their category may face fines, deportation, or a ban from future entry. If plans change after arrival and a different visa type is required, the traveller must exit India and apply for the appropriate visa from outside the country.
Frequently Asked Questions: India e-Visa
How many countries are eligible for India e-visa?
As of March 2026, nationals of 175 countries are eligible to apply for an India e-visa online. The Ministry of Tourism confirmed this figure in its March 2026 ‘Ease of Travel in India’ press release. The eligible country list is updated periodically and is maintained on the official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in.
How long does it take to get an India e-visa approved?
Most India e-visa applications are processed within 72 hours. The Bureau of Immigration’s official timeframe is three to five business days. Processing times can vary during peak travel periods, so applicants are advised to apply well ahead of their intended travel date — and not to book non-refundable tickets until the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been received.
Can I extend an India e-visa inside India?
Tourist e-visas cannot be extended from within India. Holders of the 30-day tourist e-visa who wish to remain longer must exit the country and re-apply from outside India. The one-year and five-year multiple-entry tourist e-visas allow repeated stays of up to 90 days (or 180 days for US, UK, Canadian, and Japanese citizens), but each stay is counted separately and the visa cannot be extended mid-stay.
Which airports in India accept e-visa holders?
As of March 2026, 33 international airports across India accept e-visa holders. These include all major international hubs such as Delhi (Indira Gandhi International), Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International), Chennai, Bengaluru (Kempegowda), Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi), Kolkata (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose), and Goa (both Dabolim and Mopa terminals). Entry is also permitted through 19 designated seaports and 4 land border crossings.
Can I apply for an India e-visa if my parents or grandparents were born in Pakistan?
No. Individuals of Pakistani origin — regardless of their current nationality — are not eligible for the India e-visa. This restriction applies even if the applicant holds citizenship of an otherwise eligible country. Such travellers must apply for a regular paper visa through the nearest Indian embassy or consulate.
What is the difference between the e-Tourist visa and the e-Ayush visa?
The e-Tourist visa covers general sightseeing, recreation, short cultural courses, and visits to friends and family. It also allows attendance at informal yoga or wellness programmes that do not last more than six months. The e-Ayush visa is a separate, dedicated category for foreign nationals travelling specifically to receive treatment under India’s traditional medicine systems — Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. Wellness retreat participants who need formal documentation of their treatment programme, or who need to stay beyond what a tourist visa permits, should apply under the Ayush category.
Is the India e-Arrival Card mandatory?
Yes. From October 1, 2025, all foreign nationals entering India — including e-visa holders — are required to complete the e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before arrival. The form is available at boi.gov.in and indianvisaonline.gov.in, as well as through the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app. During the initial transition period, paper arrival cards are also accepted alongside the digital form.
Checking the Official Portal Before You Apply
India’s e-visa programme has expanded substantially in a short period. The eligible country list, visa categories, entry points, and fee structures are all subject to change. For the most accurate and current information, travellers should consult the official government portal directly: indianvisaonline.gov.in. Applications submitted through any other website may involve unnecessary fees or may not reach the Bureau of Immigration. [eVisa on IndiaVisaOnline]
The processing of e-visas is handled entirely by the Bureau of Immigration. Indian embassies and consulates do not process e-visa applications and cannot assist with queries about e-visa applications already submitted — these should be directed to [email protected].