India Visa Guide
Common Indian Visa Rejection Reasons and How to Fix Them
Indian visas are most often refused for a non-compliant photo, a passport under 6 months validity, name mismatches, an unclear bio-page scan, a wrong category, or adverse background checks. Most refusals are fixable - correct the flagged issue and reapply with clean, matching documents.
- Processing time
- Reapplication follows normal timelines
- Cost
- Fee is non-refundable on refusal
- Validity
- n/a
- Eligibility
- All applicants
- How to apply
- Reapply on the portal or visa application centre
Step-by-step process
- Read the refusal note or portal status message.
- Identify the root cause - photo, passport, mismatch, category.
- Fix the specific issue (new photo, renew passport, correct details).
- Reapply with the correct category and clean documents.
- Allow the full processing window again.
Requirements
| Refusal reason | Check the status/rejection message. |
|---|---|
| Corrected photo | White background, within limits. |
| Valid passport | 6+ months validity. |
| Matching details | Names aligned across documents. |
| Right category | Matches the real purpose. |
Common mistakes
- Reapplying without fixing the cause
- Reusing a non-compliant photo
- Wrong category again
- Not renewing an expiring passport
Expert tips
- Fix the exact stated reason before reapplying.
- Get the photo right the first time - it is the top rejection cause.
- Align names across passport and application.
- For complex cases, consider professional help.
Frequently asked questions
Why was my Indian visa rejected?
Common reasons: non-compliant photo, passport under 6 months validity, name mismatch, unclear bio page, wrong category, or background checks.
Can I reapply after an India visa refusal?
Yes - after correcting the cause. The fee from the refused application is not refunded.
Is a visa refusal permanent?
No. Most refusals are fixable with corrected documents and the right category.