India e-Visa and Visa-on-Arrival Guide: Eligibility, Application Process, Entry Points, Validity and FAQs.
Traveling to India has become significantly easier with the introduction of the online India e-Visa system and the limited Visa-on-Arrival facility. Whether you are visiting India for tourism, business, or medical purposes, understanding the correct visa process is essential to avoid delays or entry issues.
This guide explains who is eligible, how to apply, entry airports, visa validity, important conditions, and answers the most frequently asked questions, based on official guidelines issued by the Government of India.
Official e-Visa application portal:
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/
What is an India e-Visa?
An India e-Visa is an electronic travel authorization that allows eligible foreign nationals to enter India without visiting an Indian embassy or consulate. The application, payment, and approval are completed entirely online before travel.
The e-Visa is intended strictly for short-term visits and is issued only when the purpose of travel matches the visa category selected during application.
Who is eligible for an India e-Visa?
Foreign nationals are eligible for an India e-Visa if their sole purpose of visiting India falls under one of the following:
- Tourism and sightseeing
- Casual visits to friends or relatives
- Short-term yoga programs
- Business activities permitted under Indian visa rules
- Medical treatment, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine
The India e-Visa is not available to persons of Indian origin, individuals whose parents or grandparents were born in or permanently resided in India, holders of Diplomatic or Official Passports, UN or UNLP passport holders, international travel document holders, or individuals endorsed on their parents’ or spouse’s passports.
The e-Visa does not permit journalism, missionary work, mountaineering, or long-term professional activities.
How to apply for an India e-Visa?
Applications must be submitted online through the official Indian visa website:
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/
Applicants can apply up to 120 days before their intended date of arrival in India. During the application, travelers must select the correct visa category and upload all required documents. Fees are paid online and vary depending on nationality.
Eligibility is based on nationality, not country of residence. Foreign passport holders living in Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, or other neighboring countries can apply if they meet the criteria.
Types of India e-Visa
e-Tourist Visa
Issued for tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives, and attending short-term yoga programs.
e-Business Visa
Issued for business meetings and commercial activities permitted under Indian regulations.
e-Medical Visa
Issued for medical treatment in India, including traditional Indian systems of medicine. The purpose of treatment must be clearly stated during application.
Entry airports for India e-Visa holders
India e-Visa holders may enter through designated international airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Goa (Dabolim and Mopa), Guwahati, Pune, Nagpur, Amritsar, Varanasi, Trivandrum, Coimbatore, Calicut, Port Blair, Bhubaneswar, Surat, Vishakhapatnam, Tiruchirappalli, Chandigarh, and several others.
Exit from India is permitted through any authorized Immigration Check Post.
Validity and entry conditions of India e-Visa
e-Tourist Visa and e-Business Visa are generally valid for up to 60 days from the date of arrival and allow double entry.
e-Medical Visa allows triple entry. In exceptional cases, e-Medical Visas may be extended up to six months, subject to approval by FRRO or FRO authorities.
India e-Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible to other visa categories, except in special cases.
A foreign national can be granted an India e-Visa a maximum of two times in a calendar year.
India Visa-on-Arrival
India also offers a Visa-on-Arrival facility, but it is very limited.
Visa-on-Arrival is currently available only to Japanese, UAE and South Korea nationals visiting India for tourism, business, or medical purposes. This facility is not available to Diplomatic, Official, or UN passport holders.
Visa-on-Arrival is issued only at six international airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.
The visa is generally granted for up to 60 days with double entry. The fee is INR 2000 or equivalent foreign currency per passenger, including children. Visa-on-Arrival is non-extendable and non-convertible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an India e-Visa?
An India e-Visa is an electronic travel authorization that allows eligible foreign nationals to enter India for short-term tourism, business, or medical visits without visiting an embassy.
Can travelers from Bhutan, Nepal, or Bangladesh apply for an India e-Visa?
Yes. Foreign passport holders residing in Bhutan, Nepal, or Bangladesh can apply. Eligibility depends on nationality, not residence.
How early can I apply for an India e-Visa?
You can apply up to 120 days before your intended arrival in India.
How long does it take to receive an India e-Visa?
Most applications are processed within a few working days, but travelers should apply well in advance to avoid delays.
How many times can I enter India on an e-Visa?
e-Tourist and e-Business Visas allow double entry. e-Medical Visas allow triple entry.
Can an India e-Visa be extended?
No, except in special medical cases approved by FRRO or FRO authorities.
Can an India e-Visa be converted into another visa type?
No, the e-Visa is non-convertible except in exceptional circumstances.
What documents should I carry after receiving an e-Visa?
Travelers should carry a printed copy of the e-Visa approval, a valid passport, and proof of onward or return travel if requested.
Why is selecting the correct visa category important?
Applying under the wrong visa category can lead to denied boarding, refusal of entry, or penalties at immigration.
